2012 ML350 is finally here.....and I'm thoroughly impressed!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: ON, Canada
2014 ML550 4MATIC
2012 ML350 is finally here.....and I'm thoroughly impressed!
Picked up my new 2012 ML350 this weekend and I'm loving it.
Specs:
Gas
Palladium Silver
Front Tinted Windows
Black MB-Tex Interior
Anthracite Poplar Wood Trim
Premium Package w/ Pano
Advanced Driving Assistance Package
Lighting Package
Trailer Hitch
Aluminum Running Boards
Chrome Hood Fins
Besides being an absolute beauty, the ride is fantastic.
I'll post some pics and more comments tomorrow.
Cheers!
Specs:
Gas
Palladium Silver
Front Tinted Windows
Black MB-Tex Interior
Anthracite Poplar Wood Trim
Premium Package w/ Pano
Advanced Driving Assistance Package
Lighting Package
Trailer Hitch
Aluminum Running Boards
Chrome Hood Fins
Besides being an absolute beauty, the ride is fantastic.
I'll post some pics and more comments tomorrow.
Cheers!
Last edited by PharmMB; May 8, 2012 at 10:18 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: ON, Canada
2014 ML550 4MATIC
Sorry, everyone. It was raining yesterday so I couldn't get any pics, but I'll definitely post some by week's end.
Originally, my order had been for Obsidian Black with the leather package and climate comfort front seats. After finding out that shortages (e.g. pano roof, MB-Tex dash) would push my delivery into the summer, I decided to take a stock vehicle that was coming in that was otherwise exactly what I wanted. Still got a pano roof, though!
The MB-Tex dash is cool, but I can live without it considering the interior is fantastic anyway. As for the silver paint, it's starting to grow on me. I always think of black as more luxurious, but the silver let's you see the contours in the metal and gives her a sportier look.
Here's my short review (keeping in mind that I was coming from a GLK350):
Exterior - IMHO, the new MLs are vastly more attractive then the previous generations. Sleeker with a more aggressive front end. I have to say the AMG front bumper really makes the whole front end look sweet (sorry to those in the USA who don't get this standard!). The bi-xenon lights are fantastic and a must-have. As for the running boards debate, I agree that they give the ML a more truck-like feel but I don't think they detract from its beauty.
Interior - Simply put: gorgeous. Coming from the GLK, which had a very utilitarian/severe interior the ML feels like a rolling palace. The seats are much more comfortable (compared to C & GLK). Rear leg room is fantastic and the cargo area is huge. All in all, it is the little things (e.g. double-stitched seats, ambient lighting, illuminated door sills, matte chrome accents, etc.) that really make you feel like you're driving a luxury vehicle.
Driving Experience - The ML is a pleasure to drive. Despite being much heavier than our GLK, I find the gas V6 has no problems hauling *** when needed. I find that even without the air suspension the ride is as smooth as butter sliding over a hot griddle. I have noticed some body roll on the corners, but I never really expected to be able to take corners at highway speeds like I can in our C350. I didn't get a chance to drive one with the Sport Package, but without it she feels plenty competent on the road. Ultimately, if I wanted an SUV that drives like a sports car then I'd be in a Cayenne.
Advanced Driving Package - It's been debated whether this is a) useful b) worth the money. I'd say yes to both. I live in the middle of nowhere and have a long highway drive to any major city. Adaptive highbeams are great in the dark and save the annoyance of constantly switching them on and off. The Distronic Plus cruise control makes highway driving much less frustrating: you set your distance from the car in front/your speed and the ML will adjust to keep pace. Numerous times someone cut me off a little too close and the brakes kicked in to keep my distance. Overall, I figure if you're going to spend this kind of money on a vehicle then you might as well toss in the few extra grand to get all the toys.
Anyway, that's my 2 cents. I'll post some pics soon.
Originally, my order had been for Obsidian Black with the leather package and climate comfort front seats. After finding out that shortages (e.g. pano roof, MB-Tex dash) would push my delivery into the summer, I decided to take a stock vehicle that was coming in that was otherwise exactly what I wanted. Still got a pano roof, though!
The MB-Tex dash is cool, but I can live without it considering the interior is fantastic anyway. As for the silver paint, it's starting to grow on me. I always think of black as more luxurious, but the silver let's you see the contours in the metal and gives her a sportier look.
Here's my short review (keeping in mind that I was coming from a GLK350):
Exterior - IMHO, the new MLs are vastly more attractive then the previous generations. Sleeker with a more aggressive front end. I have to say the AMG front bumper really makes the whole front end look sweet (sorry to those in the USA who don't get this standard!). The bi-xenon lights are fantastic and a must-have. As for the running boards debate, I agree that they give the ML a more truck-like feel but I don't think they detract from its beauty.
Interior - Simply put: gorgeous. Coming from the GLK, which had a very utilitarian/severe interior the ML feels like a rolling palace. The seats are much more comfortable (compared to C & GLK). Rear leg room is fantastic and the cargo area is huge. All in all, it is the little things (e.g. double-stitched seats, ambient lighting, illuminated door sills, matte chrome accents, etc.) that really make you feel like you're driving a luxury vehicle.
Driving Experience - The ML is a pleasure to drive. Despite being much heavier than our GLK, I find the gas V6 has no problems hauling *** when needed. I find that even without the air suspension the ride is as smooth as butter sliding over a hot griddle. I have noticed some body roll on the corners, but I never really expected to be able to take corners at highway speeds like I can in our C350. I didn't get a chance to drive one with the Sport Package, but without it she feels plenty competent on the road. Ultimately, if I wanted an SUV that drives like a sports car then I'd be in a Cayenne.
Advanced Driving Package - It's been debated whether this is a) useful b) worth the money. I'd say yes to both. I live in the middle of nowhere and have a long highway drive to any major city. Adaptive highbeams are great in the dark and save the annoyance of constantly switching them on and off. The Distronic Plus cruise control makes highway driving much less frustrating: you set your distance from the car in front/your speed and the ML will adjust to keep pace. Numerous times someone cut me off a little too close and the brakes kicked in to keep my distance. Overall, I figure if you're going to spend this kind of money on a vehicle then you might as well toss in the few extra grand to get all the toys.
Anyway, that's my 2 cents. I'll post some pics soon.
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2012 ML 350 BlueTec
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Member
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Charlotte, NC
2008 Honda CR-V, 2013 ML350 on order
I agree. I would have stuck to my 2012 order too, had I waited as long as you did. I placed my order just in the last week of march which is why I decided to change it to a 2013.
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From: Toronto
MY17 E43 Matte Selenite/Macchiato Beige, MY16 GLE350d Tenorite/Crystal Grey, MY17 B250
Advanced Driving Package - It's been debated whether this is a) useful b) worth the money. I'd say yes to both. I live in the middle of nowhere and have a long highway drive to any major city. Adaptive highbeams are great in the dark and save the annoyance of constantly switching them on and off. The Distronic Plus cruise control makes highway driving much less frustrating: you set your distance from the car in front/your speed and the ML will adjust to keep pace. Numerous times someone cut me off a little too close and the brakes kicked in to keep my distance. Overall, I figure if you're going to spend this kind of money on a vehicle then you might as well toss in the few extra grand to get all the toys.
