jean7of9

The left footrest from the same supplier. I installed the same footrest on my BMW 335 from the BMW store. The BMW one was made of pressed cardboard wrapped with aluminium foil. It disintegrated with road salt within two years. This one is made out Stainless Steel. It will protect the carpet when the All Weather Trays are installed. In winter, our roads and streets are buried under layers of salt, abrasive and glass powder. They all eat ferociously through the floor and side carpets if not well protected.

EVOII_Racer

ok thanks sir. After the 1'500km do you need to do a service or can you just do a full throttle then?

jean7of9

No service before 15000 km or one full year. I guess within weeks I'll be using my lead foot.

EVOII_Racer

lol very nice Sir! I hope you will be able to make a short video to show us the beast in action. Btw how long did you wait since your ordered your ml63 and the time you got it?

jean7of9

I signed the contract on 23 April 2012 conditioned to the Dealer transferring me his reserved unit for August production. ETA Promised for 29 September 2012. The car was produced on 18th August. All the stars were lined up properly in the morning of 3rd September when it arrived with a big surprise and no advance notice.

jean7of9

EVOII_Racer: Today at 130 km/h I noticed a change in behavior: The car got lower and the suspension became much firmer. It reverted to the comfy C mode back at 100 km/h.

jean7of9

While installing the new 21" snow tires I asked the SA to check that squeak on the front wheels. Apparently the AMG pads are defective and dented. They should have been noticed at the assembly line. The replacement pads are on back order.

That was my only complaint. The car is close to perfect in every aspect. I got so used the smooth and precise electric steering that I need readjustment when driving other cars.

GregW / Oregon

Just ordered this - thanks. How long did it take from Germany?

jean7of9

The first shipment took 6 days by DHL. It installs easy and nicely with a comfy feel and extends the look of Sport Pedals. You will like it. I received today the outside Chrome Mirrors Covers. This shipment took nine days with DHL. Good Luck.

xxGenericSNxx

What size snow tires did you get/ how many brands were available? For my 265/40/21 they only make summer tires.

GregW / Oregon

Best to get a second set of 20s and 265/45s.

xxGenericSNxx

Yes that's the best alternative. Being here in Seattle, though, we never get enough snow to really warrant a set of winter tires but we do get enough rain that all seasons all year round are great. So far the summer tires in the rain have been okay though. No plans to drive the car through snow any time soon.

jean7of9

The ML-63 AMG tires are 295/35/21. In Canada, there is only one supplier for this size: Pirelli Scorpion Snow and Ice.

GregW / Oregon

Well, I'm in Portland - guess there's too much Boy Scout left in me - be prepared! But this is my only car for the bad stuff, so I've got a set of 19s with Pirelli Winters to replace my 20s I'm putting on Saturday. Then going to drop by the dealer to get the new TPMS sensors activated.

jean7of9

In Quebec, Winter tires must be installed on December 15th. Failing to do so will attract a symphony of tickets. Winter tires season is better than Christmas to dealers and all garages. In the last days before the deadline, every day becomes a Black Friday.

xxGenericSNxx

Ah you've got real wide rims! That makes sense then. Wonder if I can get them to fit my rims? 21X9...


As for Seattle's weather, it very seldom snows in the city. Those rare occasions that it does it snows like 1" once or twice a year. And when it does, we've got the trusty W163 ML to take out. No way I'm taking the R out in the snow!

Generally all season tires/ chains are only required on the mountain passes when it's really coming down.

GregW / Oregon

Just got mine. Easy and quick considering it came from Germany. $57.80 shipped. I recommend this dealer.

http://schaetztuning.de/w166-c-80_13...0js2uqjs3g09f7

otagomed

Thanks for sharing pictures and your story with ML63!
What a fantastic vehicle you've got!

I am very interested in Designo Porcelain but haven't seen one myself yet. I live in Australia and it is a very very rare item.
Is Designo Porcelain similar to grey standard leather?
On your picture it looks similar to grey but some pics look more like beige as well.
Also how is maintenance? You obviously had it for around 3 months... Do you find maintenace reasonbly easy?

Thanks again for sharing your story!

xxGenericSNxx

Porcelain is closer to white color and is very light. Lighter than MB's gray.

jean7of9

Designo Porcelain White is simply white. It is also easier on the eyes than the darker colors and expresses better the shape and contours of the seats. The maintenance is simple and easy. Wipe with a wet quality microfiber cloth. So far I have no marks or stains. I was told that jeans can leave a blue stains which is easy removable when wiped. One word on the Diamond White paint. Last week a metallic floor lamp fell accidentally on the door panel. Luckily, It left no mark or scratch. The title "Diamond" is well deserved.

jean7of9

The noisy brake pads ordered in November 2012 are not delivered by MB yet and no word on a delivery date. While pursuing this matter with the Dealer I learned that another 2013 ML-63 owner has even a worst brake pads problem. His brake pads are worn out and a Warning Brake Light is continuously on in the dashboard. To avoid eroding the disks, the Dealer asked him to stop driving his car until new pads are installed. That was in November 2012. Since that time he is enjoying a B200 as courtesy car.

cookstar

they should give him the B200 for free....(only worth couple thousand anyways)

jean7of9

In our region we do not enjoy the "equivalent" courtesy car provided in USA. The B200 is already much improvement to the "Smart" which was the only choice at my dealer.

iankayem

My dealers smart enough to know that if he insulted me by suggesting I drive a Smart, then I would be smart enough to find another dealer.

jean7of9

That is why the B200 came into the picture. The other options are limousine (R-Class) service which is not bad, (except when the limousine driver asks for good tips on both ways). Or better, Valet Service, when they pick the car and return it. There is a Dealer who comes from 125 km (78 miles) away to pick up a neighbors car for service. In general people here are not very fussy about courtesy cars, except the very few. I saw a couple of times Smart owner who insist loudly for having a B200 or C-Class when they drop their Smart for Service. These are moments where I really appreciate the patience of the SA.