LOVE my new 550
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 370
Likes: 27
From: Canada
2016 GLE 350d
LOVE my new 550
Dropped off the BlueTec yesterday and picked up the new 550. What an incredible engine! Even light acceleration reving to 2,500 rpms there is a real rush of power. Getting onto the highway this morning I was up passing the flow of traffic without even pushing the throttle down. Can't wait to get this thing broken in to see what it can really do. Love the exhaust note too. Great low grumble.
Other differences from my BlueTec are the perforated seats with the cooling feature which I turned on but really couldnt feel much. Guess I need to wait for a warmer day with the A/C on to get any benefit of those. Went with the black leather with white stitching which looks so much better than the "brown" leather on the BlueTec which I thought looked closer to burgandy and wasn't very appealing.
The lights are incredible and the amber led strip really stands out. A couple of my neighbours noticed them right away when I pulled in yesterday and asked me about them. Makes this new ML really stand out from the crowd.
The Distronic Plus is very cool. Haven't done much with it other than try it following a car ahead up to a red light and I let the system bring the vehicle to a full stop which seems pretty amazing to me.
Only downside is the fuel economy of course. I am sure I will use 50% more fuel than the diesel but every time I nail the throttle to pass on a two lane road or from a stop light trying to merge I will forget about the cost of filling this beast.
Very happy customer!!
Pics to follow in a day or two when I have time.
Other differences from my BlueTec are the perforated seats with the cooling feature which I turned on but really couldnt feel much. Guess I need to wait for a warmer day with the A/C on to get any benefit of those. Went with the black leather with white stitching which looks so much better than the "brown" leather on the BlueTec which I thought looked closer to burgandy and wasn't very appealing.
The lights are incredible and the amber led strip really stands out. A couple of my neighbours noticed them right away when I pulled in yesterday and asked me about them. Makes this new ML really stand out from the crowd.
The Distronic Plus is very cool. Haven't done much with it other than try it following a car ahead up to a red light and I let the system bring the vehicle to a full stop which seems pretty amazing to me.
Only downside is the fuel economy of course. I am sure I will use 50% more fuel than the diesel but every time I nail the throttle to pass on a two lane road or from a stop light trying to merge I will forget about the cost of filling this beast.
Very happy customer!!
Pics to follow in a day or two when I have time.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
335i
Also, the seats are just ventilated - no AC added to 'em when it's hot, so you don't feel them like you would in an AC equipped seat - they're nothing like a cooled seat.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 370
Likes: 27
From: Canada
2016 GLE 350d
Good to hear - I abandoned my 550 order early on as it wasn't going to be until June delivery, so decided to wait for the 2013MY. In the mean time, I've been considering a used E63 or waiting for a '12 ML63 to come on the used market and skip the 550 entirely. . .still undecided, but my need for power is there.
Also, the seats are just ventilated - no AC added to 'em when it's hot, so you don't feel them like you would in an AC equipped seat - they're nothing like a cooled seat.
Also, the seats are just ventilated - no AC added to 'em when it's hot, so you don't feel them like you would in an AC equipped seat - they're nothing like a cooled seat.
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 326
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From: Southeast PA
2024 911 Turbo S, 2023 Denali 2500 HD, 2026 G63
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 26
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From: Northern NJ
vw touareg, porsche c2s cab
What tires, wheels came standard on your ML ? Im not sure what comes as standard here in the states the web site states 2 different wheel tire combos 19 inch and 20 inch.... the 20 inch have 265 45 20,s
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 370
Likes: 27
From: Canada
2016 GLE 350d
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 370
Likes: 27
From: Canada
2016 GLE 350d
Steering feels better. Went on a longer drive today and really really really love the engine!! Very hard to keep it under "arrest-worthy" speeds. The steering must be the same system but in the BlueTec I found a weird sensation sometimes where it felt quite artificial. Not so in the 550.
Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
04 sl 500, 07 ml 320 cdi
congrats for the new car, it has the same huge ammount of turque of the 350 bluetech version but not just till 2400 rpm but until 5000!and that's great
averagly how fast does the engine revs? about 1700-2000 rpm? driving normally
how about fuel consumption?does the 7g tronic plus works better with the v8 in stead the v6?
averagly how fast does the engine revs? about 1700-2000 rpm? driving normally
how about fuel consumption?does the 7g tronic plus works better with the v8 in stead the v6?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,770
Likes: 1,264
From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Northern NJ
vw touareg, porsche c2s cab
I am taking delivery friday morning at ten ml 550, silver, HID lights, blk leather interior, P2 pkg , heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, Car came from upstate NY. My dealer did a swap, Im looking forward to picking it up
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Northern NJ
vw touareg, porsche c2s cab
picked up 550
Holy s&^t this truck is fast and sounds pretty good for no visible tailpipes. It rumbles very nice at idle and pulls like like hell from 1500 rpm up to 3500 thats as far as I will go for now. Its quiet and smooth, the steering is a bit vague but acceptable. All rotors are cross drilled which surprised me and it did have 19 "AMG wheels, i thought it might come with 20s the web site says both 20s and 19s Everything else works, puddle lights interior disco lights in 3 colors i' m from Jersey don't forget . It is raining here today and supposed to clear up so its a great reason to wash it tomorrow. Headlights look good,when its dark yellow markers with yellow led blinkers I will see it better later tonight.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,770
Likes: 1,264
From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
MY 13 changes
Only informed speculation so far. Most likely: color MFD, 360-degree cameras, wood roller door matching trim style on cupholders, B&O audio upgrade option, rear sunshade option, Multicontour seat option, ON&OFF Road package option. Dynamic Handling Package will not be offered, but likely Airmatic will be standalone or otherwise available. I would also expect a modest price increase.
