Originally Posted by Satish (Post 5303076)

Ordered 2013 ML 350 with following options:

Lunar Blue Metallic/Almond Beige
P1 Pkg
Lighting Pkg
Lane Tracking Pkg
Harmon Kardon Music
Keyless Go
Ambient Lighting with Illuminated Front door sills
Running Boards
wood/leather steering wheel
Entertainment Pre-wiring

I am just wondering about getting 20" wheels or not? Does it make a lot of difference with 20" wheels? standard ones are 19inch, not sure if it is worth spending 750$ for a inch bigger rims.

Are there any disadvantages with 20" wheels in terms of handling, gas millage, drive smoothness etc...your feedback is appreciated...

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon (Post 5303306)

Where are you located (add to your profile)? 20s are far better looking (at least the twin-spoke) and come with 10mm wider tires. Ride is still good. Main downside would be if your planning on installing Winter tires on same rims, as 19s would be better for snows.

http://greg-w.smugmug.com/Cars/2008-.../DSC3505-L.jpg

Originally Posted by Satish (Post 5303076)

Ordered 2013 ML 350 with following options:

Lunar Blue Metallic/Almond Beige
P1 Pkg
Lighting Pkg
Lane Tracking Pkg
Harmon Kardon Music
Keyless Go
Ambient Lighting with Illuminated Front door sills
Running Boards
wood/leather steering wheel
Entertainment Pre-wiring

Originally Posted by btshep (Post 5303954)

i am just curious as to why you ordered the entertainment pre wiring. I am not sure if you are aware of this or not but the front passenger memory seat option is now a stand alone ordering option for MY13 and afaik no longer part of the rear sear entertainment pre wiring.

Brian

Originally Posted by Satish (Post 5304050)

Thanks for pointing out this Brian, I actually ordered for the purpose of front passenger memory seat option. Even SA did not tell me about this, and MBUSA.com doesn't show this option at all? Doesn't this wiring help in any way? Like connecting third party DVD system easily without pulling wires from dashboard?

Do you know what is 980 Accesory Chrome Pkg by chance?

Originally Posted by Satish (Post 5304050)

Thanks for pointing out this Brian, I actually ordered for the purpose of front passenger memory seat option. Even SA did not tell me about this, and MBUSA.com doesn't show this option at all? Doesn't this wiring help in any way? Like connecting third party DVD system easily without pulling wires from dashboard?

Do you know what is 980 Accesory Chrome Pkg by chance?

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon (Post 5303306)

Where are you located (add to your profile)? 20s are far better looking (at least the twin-spoke) and come with 10mm wider tires. Ride is still good. Main downside would be if your planning on installing Winter tires on same rims, as 19s would be better for snows.

http://greg-w.smugmug.com/Cars/2008-.../DSC3505-L.jpg

Originally Posted by btshep (Post 5305012)

First congratulations on the truck. the lunar blue / almond color scheme is going to be absolutely beautiful. That is the color combo i will be doing as well when i place my order for a ML550 within the next two weeks. i will be coming out of a 2007 capri blue / macadamia ML350. i still love the color combo and the new one will be a different shade of blue and beige so it will be the same yet different. My dealer happened to have a capri blue left over sitting next to a lunar blue C class and i can say the lunar blue looks a lot better than the capri blue.


980 is the chrome fins on the hood that go on the hood by the air vents as well as the chrome door handle inserts.

the prewiring packaging is absolutely useless unless you intend on having your dealer install the mercedes brand monitors behind the front seat headrests in the future. it will not give you the ability to add or use a third party system. it is something you may want to remove from your order.

if you want the passenger seat memory you need to add the following to your order it is the only way you will get the memory seat

Code 242 Passenger Seat w/Memory & Lumbar Support (Special Order) $ 365

It is a special order item that doesn't show on the website build configurator. there is a one time special order charge of $250 no matter how many special order items you add.

I also recommend you have the MB Tex/Artico wrapped dash added to your order. it comes standard in the 550 but is an option for the 350 it really adds to the interior look of the truck and i cannot recommend it enough. there are many members here on the group that have added it to their 350's if you want to see pictures

it is code U09 – MB-Tex Wrapped Dashboard (Special Order) - $300

Originally Posted by Shrdlu (Post 5303733)

I have the Airmatic and 20s, same as Greg's. I run on the "sport" setting (firmer than "comfort" setting) exclusively, and the ride is fine. Not harsh at all. Softer than your average BMW in fact.

Tire pressures are critical with low profiles such as the 20s. Couple of psi up or down make a big difference in the ride. I run 36 rear 35 front (cold). The 21s should handle great while giving an acceptable ride once the tire pressures are sorted out.

Originally Posted by Satish (Post 5305340)

Brian, first of all thanks a lot for giving such a good suggestions...I will definitely check about U09. What would be color of dashboard with MB-Tex/Artico? Will that be of same color which normally comes with Almond Beige interior?

Where can I find all the available special order items? Is there any manual related to it?

Does this 980 Accessory Chrome Pkg look good at all? My SA has selected that option without asking me :-). Hopefully these Chrome hood fins/Chrome door handle inserts doesn't look ugly on a lunar blue exterior. Appreciate if someone can post the pics of any ML with 980 Accessory Chrome Pkg.

Thanks everyone for valuable suggestions.

Satish

Originally Posted by btshep (Post 5305795)

the dash will be the same colors except it will have a leather like appearance with contrast stitching opposed to the hard plastic that is standard on the 350

the 980 chrome accents really make the truck stand out from the crowd but at the same time are subtle enough to not be gordy and blingy looking. if you want my honest opinion with the darker hue of lunar blue i would leave it on the order and i intend to have it my own build. it looks fantastic. if you inbox me or reply back with your email i can supply you with photos or i can just post some in here later on.

Yes, there are documents i can supply you with related to the special order items some of which are the memory passenger seat, rear cargo management system, active ventilated seats, active curve system, and a $6,400 1200 watt Bang & Olufsen sound systems to name a few. There is a bunch of stuff that is not listed anywhere on the MBUSA web site.

Originally Posted by gplank (Post 5305536)

I think the 20s are the best compromise between looks and ride. Although totally agreed about maintaining the right pressure. I found that filling the tires with Nitrogen rather than plain air helps keep them inflated longer at the right pressure. I'm told that is because Nitrogen is a larger molecule than oxygen, so it can't seep out as easily. Nitrogen supposedly has other benefits, which you can read about here: http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars...stions/4302788

I wonder what others think about using Nitrogen.

Originally Posted by Satish (Post 5308298)

My SA called me this morning and says, the ML 350 orders with 20 inch wheels will be delayed till end of this year.

Originally Posted by Shrdlu (Post 5303733)

I have the Airmatic and 20s, same as Greg's. I run on the "sport" setting (firmer than "comfort" setting) exclusively, and the ride is fine. Not harsh at all. Softer than your average BMW in fact.

Tire pressures are critical with low profiles such as the 20s. Couple of psi up or down make a big difference in the ride. I run 36 rear 35 front (cold). The 21s should handle great while giving an acceptable ride once the tire pressures are sorted out.

Originally Posted by Masterbuyer (Post 5610527)

Sport setting all the time? That's amazing. I have Airmatic and AMG 20s on an MY13 ML550. I find sport mode so rough, it makes me nauseous almost immediately.feel every bump of the road. It's nothing like my X5, far worse. So while its does allow 'corner flat" turns, I find Soort mode virtually useless... even at lower tire pressure.

What are the experiences of others I wonder?

Originally Posted by Cyber GS (Post 5305176)

They also fill the wheel well gap better...

Originally Posted by cburda (Post 5603840)

Does anyone have a 21 inch on an ML 350 or is that way too much wheel???:confused:

Originally Posted by YYZ-E55 (Post 5611105)

I have 21" on both MLs, OEM. Ride is very firm, especially since both trucks have AIRMATIC. On steel suspension the ride would be significantly better.