Benz Werd

Howdy guys,

I've had my ML500 for 8 days now, and I've clocked up nearly 1300kms.

What an absolute beast it is, and it's so much better than I expected.

We are currently travelling around Tasmania (that small island state at the bottom right on an Australian map) and I've had a chance to drive on alot of windy mountain roads and I can't believe how good the active curve system works. It drives like a sports car! The power is awesome too, not to mention the exhaust sound.

I have the ON & OFF road package as well, and we drove for over 30 kms on a gravel road yesterday, with it set on OFF ROAD 1, and I was able to travel at 100km/h very comfortably. Today we found a deserted beach where you're able to drive your 4WD onto and the sand was quite soft, but no match for OFF ROAD 1 setting again, and also in low-range.

I still haven't got around to posting any pics yet, but I will soon.

Hope you're all enjoying your MLs as much as I am!

Happy & safe motoring folks.

2012MLBlue

Fantastic! Enjoy it!

BlackSL

mate great to know ur enjoying the ML, but down in tassie? isn't there a bush fire going on?

God I miss melbourne....

Cyber GS

I'm glad you're enjoying your new ML.. Congratulations

otagomed

Good to hear that you are enjoying your ML!!!
How is Tasmania?
I should go there too instead of Uluru this easter.
Enjoy your trip and pleast post some pics when got time!!
Especially your beutiful designo leather please!!

iankayem

Fantastic to hear Drew, I intend to be in Tassie in 2 weeks too.
I'm not worried about the fires down there, but we've got the flames heading towards our mountain home here in Victoria at the mo. At least I have a good vehicle to get out of harms way.

Benz Werd

2012MLBlue thank you. It just gets better & better everytime I drive it. Now just passed the 1500km 'run-in' period so now it's time to let her loose haha
BlackSL yes, but that was a couple of weeks ago now. We are seeing heaps of evidence of them though. But for now everything is ok and we haven't had any issues. Thankfully!
Cyber GS thanks also. It's nice to be a part of this forum as an actual owner, and not a dreamer as I've been the last 6 months while waiting for mine to arrive!!
otagomed haha, can always rely on your for a positive response! I assure you as soon as I have a chance I will post some pics, but also because I need to work out how to actually post pics on this forum haha
iankayem there's no issues with fires down here now, not that we've come across anyway. Plenty of evidence of them from the recent past though. I cannot express how amazing the drives have been. I'm itching to find a motorway now that I've passed the '1500km run-in' period though. Time to let her loose. Today we zipped up to Cradle Mountain from Strahan. This thing just gets better & better everyday. And I'm so glad I opted for the ON & OFF road pack. It's been quite interesting chatting to other tourists during our travels, who are more than often in new 200 series Land Cruisers, all kitted up with their vans or camper trailers. I think it's time to invest in a nice van and just head off into to the sunset wherever life takes us hmmmmm

Cyber GS

Once again enjoy, and drive the wheels off..LOL

shortspark

Just out of curiosity, how much does a typical ML350 cost in places such as Tasmania, New Zeland and Australia? My 2012 ML was manufactured only 500 miles from me and it probably took no more than a day to get it from the factory to my dealer's showroom by truck. I assume transportation costs must be very high in your part of the world and would drive up the price considerably. My list price was $60,000 (US dollars). What would that vehicle cost there?

otagomed

ML350 is around 110-120K with usual options.
Basically it costs 75-80% more in Australia compared to US.
New Zealand is slightly cheaper as they don't have luxury car tax Australia has.

shortspark

Wow! That is quite a leap. I suppose some things might be cheaper "down under" but it looks like autos are certainly not among them! Thanks for the info.

otagomed

I am in New York now and going back to Australia next week. I find that most things are cheaper in US. Maybe it's due to the rather unusual currency exchange rate now. Before economic crisis in 2008, 1 aus dollar was around 60 us cents and now it is $1.05.
Also wage level is higher in Australia. Minimum wage for someone over age 21 is around $18 an hour in Australia. Average Aus family earns probably 70-100K a year.

Anyway I am enjoying US!! People are so nice here. I had a prejudice that Americans are rude and selfish!! Maybe only on movies and tv shows!! lol

GregW / Oregon

Glad you like it here. I've been to Oz twice and loved it both times. I think you blokes are very friendly and outgoing.

BlackSL

prices in Aus is ridiculous. A breakfast now is like AUD30-40 bucks for eggs and bacon, cigarette is 17-20 per packet..... I used to go back to Melbourne every year with the kids.. Now thailand/Malaysia looks mighty tempting...

otagomed

Oh by the way how do you find HK system?
Are you enjoying it as much as your vehicle?

Benz Werd

That's not entirely true. Breakfast at a posh hotel may certainly cost you $30 but I can show you many places where you can get great bacon & eggs for under $10. You are correct about cigarettes though, however, smokers do cost the economy and our medical system alot of money so it's all relative. Also agree with you about Thailand. It's cheaper for us to fly there for 2 weeks than it is to holiday here in Australia.

Benz Werd

Yes, I have found the HK system has improved since I first got the car. It appears as though Thimee was correct in my previous post on https://mbworld.org/forums/new-m-cla...te-matter.html. I do believe it's alot better than the W164 now.

I really love it! We've just got home from our Tasmania adventure. Now there's 2400kms on the clock already! I have had a few chances to give it a quick squirt and wow, it's certainly got some serious grunt! It was also fantastic to travel in. Plenty of room to load up all our gear, and extremely comfortable. I do hope the fuel economy improves though, it's running at about 16lt/100km now. And I haven't been driving it THAT hard haha

Benz Werd

Here it is folks ....

GTscrub

Nice tint.. Is that factory or after-market?

Benz Werd

Thanks, I think it looks great too.

It's aftermarket, and it's 15% ... nice & dark, just the way I like it!

Benz Werd

Here's a couple more pictures of my ML getting dirty!!

otagomed

Looks great!!

Benz Werd

Thanks, I'm glad ya like it!

I'm like a little kid with a new toy now, looking for any excuse to go for a drive. When the milk or bread runs low I'm always the first to put my hand up to head out to the supermarket which often turns into an hour return trip!

It just gets better & better everytime I drive it.

sxue888

Hay, your ML is on the wrong side! Just kidding.
I wish I could order the offroad package in Canada
I got my ML in Jan 30 and love it.
Enjoy your new ML!

Bike Rider

Very nice! I like your interior and the colour, lookin' sharp!