Ingress/Egress: E VS ML
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 721
Likes: 78
--
Ingress/Egress: E VS ML
I just replied to an old thread on this topic, but figured I'd fire up a new one to see if anyone could give me their 2 cents.
My folks are not spring chickens. And I haven't test driven the ML yet.
My mom had an e350 which was recently wrecked (she's fine) and I'm debating whether to put her back in that or get the ML.
The only concern on my end is ease of getting in/out. Is it harder for old folks to get in/out the ML? I'm thinking it may be easier, in fact.
Also, isn't the ride height adjustable? Could they theoretically lower it every time they park so getting out/in is made even easier?
My folks are not spring chickens. And I haven't test driven the ML yet.
My mom had an e350 which was recently wrecked (she's fine) and I'm debating whether to put her back in that or get the ML.
The only concern on my end is ease of getting in/out. Is it harder for old folks to get in/out the ML? I'm thinking it may be easier, in fact.
Also, isn't the ride height adjustable? Could they theoretically lower it every time they park so getting out/in is made even easier?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 28
From: Seattle, WA
99 ML430, 01 CLK55, 07 R63, 15 E63 Wagon
I'll answer the last one first. You can't lower the car directly from the factory when you park the car. There's only a button inside to RAISE the car a few inches when you need added clearance. The car itself will automatically lower ~1 inch when you get over 45mph to make the car more aerodynamic. There's no way for you to easily lower the car when you park.
If you want to lower the car you'd be looking at some aftermarket solutions such as a lowering module that sets the factory air suspension to a lower setting or lower links which uses hardware to lower the car.
Let me ask you this, why would the ML be an attractive alternative to the E, especially when factoring the ease of ingress and egress of the E? If it's for space and utility, then maybe you should look at the E Wagon?
With that said, my 70-80 year old grandparents get in and out of the ML with relative ease, especially since we have running boards, but ultimately I'd feel more comfortable driving a lower car so they don't have to deal with the added height of getting into the car (getting out is OK though).
My vote: go for the E so you don't have to deal with the hassle.
If you want to lower the car you'd be looking at some aftermarket solutions such as a lowering module that sets the factory air suspension to a lower setting or lower links which uses hardware to lower the car.
Let me ask you this, why would the ML be an attractive alternative to the E, especially when factoring the ease of ingress and egress of the E? If it's for space and utility, then maybe you should look at the E Wagon?
With that said, my 70-80 year old grandparents get in and out of the ML with relative ease, especially since we have running boards, but ultimately I'd feel more comfortable driving a lower car so they don't have to deal with the added height of getting into the car (getting out is OK though).
My vote: go for the E so you don't have to deal with the hassle.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
2013 ML350BTC
My dad's 92 and as he's gotten older when I go to visit, I've started renting an SUV instead of a car just so he can get in and out easier.
SUV's seem to have larger doors and for him, getting into an SUV is more like "sitting across" as opposed to a car where its "sitting down." Lower seats force him to get DOWN into the vehicle and get UP out of the vehicle.
I would not go with the running boards they would only get in the way. You don't want an elderly person even trying to step up or down on a running board.
Just my 2 cents. Hope it helps.
SUV's seem to have larger doors and for him, getting into an SUV is more like "sitting across" as opposed to a car where its "sitting down." Lower seats force him to get DOWN into the vehicle and get UP out of the vehicle.
I would not go with the running boards they would only get in the way. You don't want an elderly person even trying to step up or down on a running board.
Just my 2 cents. Hope it helps.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 28
From: Seattle, WA
99 ML430, 01 CLK55, 07 R63, 15 E63 Wagon
I guess it'd be more helpful I list the height of my grandparents where they're around 5'0". So it may be more helpful to put into perspective. I guess that's why they "go up" to get into the SUV rather than it being at the perfect height.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 721
Likes: 78
--
You've all been very helpful. Reasons for wanting the ML include:
I've heard glowing reviews of it.
Even though the E did an amazing job of protecting her, it may be a little psychologically daunting for her to drive it again.
Anxiety about being back in an E after a wreck in an E aside, she will feel safer in an ML , I think.
So a lot of pluses, only real concern is ingress/egress. Which sounds to me to be pretty favorable.
I've heard glowing reviews of it.
Even though the E did an amazing job of protecting her, it may be a little psychologically daunting for her to drive it again.
Anxiety about being back in an E after a wreck in an E aside, she will feel safer in an ML , I think.
So a lot of pluses, only real concern is ingress/egress. Which sounds to me to be pretty favorable.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 20
From: Toronto
MY17 E43 Matte Selenite/Macchiato Beige, MY16 GLE350d Tenorite/Crystal Grey, MY17 B250
ML with AIRMATIC will sit 1" lower than the standard ML when in "sport" mode.
SUVs are easier to enter/exit for elderly than cars because they don't have to pull themselves up to get out after sitting for quite some time.
If they're only 5' tall, I'd suggest getting running boards. They are good for kids and really short people; for everyone else, they're annoying.
SUVs are easier to enter/exit for elderly than cars because they don't have to pull themselves up to get out after sitting for quite some time.
If they're only 5' tall, I'd suggest getting running boards. They are good for kids and really short people; for everyone else, they're annoying.
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 145
Likes: 5
From: SW FL
2018 GLE 43 SUV
For the elderly, the higher the seat, the easier it is for them to get into.
My late 89-year-old mother, with two arthritic hips, found it much easier to "backslide" into an SUV rather than going through contortions to get into a conventional sedan.
My late 89-year-old mother, with two arthritic hips, found it much easier to "backslide" into an SUV rather than going through contortions to get into a conventional sedan.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 161
Likes: 1
From: Endicott NY
2014 ML350 Bluetec, 2016 GLC 300, 2023 Corvette, Z51 Stingray
We have the same issue with my mother-in-law. Her issue though is she has virtually no strength in her legs to push herself up and into the seat. I do agree that pulling themselves up and out of a car is difficult. We have an X3 that is a bit lower and a little easier for her to get into. I am getting roid of the X3 next year and getting a CL. Going to have to figure out something. Not sure what we can do to help our aging parents enter and exit our cars.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 370
Likes: 27
From: Canada
2016 GLE 350d
I just drove a 2012 C250 for three days and getting in and out of that thing was like being a contortionist! Got back in my ML today and it's a thousand times more comfortable and so much easier to get in and out of. The C250 is also the most gutless car I have ever driven. Decent highway cruiser but sorely lacking in power.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 28
From: Seattle, WA
99 ML430, 01 CLK55, 07 R63, 15 E63 Wagon
We have the same issue with my mother-in-law. Her issue though is she has virtually no strength in her legs to push herself up and into the seat. I do agree that pulling themselves up and out of a car is difficult. We have an X3 that is a bit lower and a little easier for her to get into. I am getting roid of the X3 next year and getting a CL. Going to have to figure out something. Not sure what we can do to help our aging parents enter and exit our cars.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 162
From: CT
Mercedes, Porsche, BMW, Tesla
My 80 year old grandmother (with a not-so-good hip) seems to have an easier time getting in and out of our ML63 (which is lower than standard MLs) in comparison to our old S550. The added height of the ML definitely makes it easier to get in and out of. She uses the running boards every time so I'd say those definitely help.
At my height of 6'4 I too have an easier time getting in and out of SUVs rather than smaller sedans as well.
At my height of 6'4 I too have an easier time getting in and out of SUVs rather than smaller sedans as well.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 961
Likes: 240
From: Canada
2019 E63s
Funny... I had a C300 for a couple of days too
I just drove a 2012 C250 for three days and getting in and out of that thing was like being a contortionist! Got back in my ML today and it's a thousand times more comfortable and so much easier to get in and out of. The C250 is also the most gutless car I have ever driven. Decent highway cruiser but sorely lacking in power.
Drove my ML yesterday and grinned from ear to ear.
Just my $.02.
Cheers.
