fabbrisd1

Please see the attached list for the changes confirmed for the 2014 ML-Series for the US market so far. There may or may not be some minor additional changes added over the next month.

Production of the 1st 2014 ML's - vast majority ML350's, some ML550's - will start after July 4th Holiday.

MY14 production of those models thru 2nd decade August will be "stacked up" at Mercedes regional centers.

I expect dealer/retail release of those models to be 1st week September, but has good possibility they might be moved forward to 4th week August.

The 2014 ML250 diesel I expect to be announced for October dealer delivery - in the US with diesel's there is additional Federal and California certifications that have to be completed before a new diesel model (or even a new model year of a pre-existing diesel model) can be released from the factory.

2014 ML63 production schedule has not been set - MY13 ML63'sw that are not able to be completed before July MY13 cutoff - will be given the option to be converted/re-confirmed to MY14 ML63's - and those converted orders will be at the top of the MY14 ML63 production list.

I expect dealer order entry for the 2014 ML350/ML550 to open April.

Based on the information dealers have at hand now - it is possible to configure a order for a MY14 - confirm with deposit to be at the top of the MY14 list for that dealer - however dealers do not know yet the MY14 base MSRP - which I personally to reasonably expect to change/increase 3%-5% over MY13.

MY14 ML63 order entry is already open - however without the final base MSRP - but dealer is not able to confirm entered order will be confirmed - as factory cannot confirm MY ML63 orders for production - I expect MY14 ML63 production not be be much more than MY13 - and ML63's will continue to tightly allocated.

Keep the beat !

AMG ME

Thank you! I've been waiting for this update. Hopefully these updates will be the same for Canadian models too.

One thing I noticed is that the ML250 Bluetec is REPLACING the ML350 Bluetec??? That must be a misprint. I can see it as an addition to the ML line but not as a replacement to the ML350 Bluetec.

fabbrisd1

You caught that too - congrats....

If you want a diesel with big V8 torque and pull... I'd slam down money on a '13 ML350BT right now - still buildable.

The ML250 will be a way different beast - another marketing direction entirely, and my estimate soonest will be Oct delivery.

mercedes12

What's in the sporty styling package?

Masterbuyer

Thx fabbrisd1 for posting this! I don't care what they say, you're the best!

I noticed no BAS PLUS Vehicle Safety and Accident Avoidance package. Is this too new to make it into the ML line for this year? Or might it still be added I wonder?

It is astoshing that they would replace the bT350 with a less powerful engine.

But finally they're offering the AMG style body kit to the other models. Never made sense why only US buyers were denied this. It was one of the main reason I bought the ML550, as it looked so much better . Now that I see how much gas it sucks down each week, I'm tempted to trade it in on even the new BT. In SoCal bumper to bumper traffic, all that ML550 power seems wasted. I might as well save on the gas.

I'd also like to get that 360 camera for parking. I had it on my X5 and it was indespensible. Very much took the stress out of parking in tight spaces.

Nick B

Thanks for the post. Still can't believe they would take the 350 diesel away and bring the 250 to replace it... The new BMW F15 X5 diesel will definitely be attractive then... Hopefully it's a typo.

fabbrisd1

Not trying to "sell you" but the MB 250 diesel engine in the MB Euro sedan models was named the World's Greenest for 2014 well reviewed for on-the-road performance -so that twin turbo 4 CDI is not to be scoffed at ..and it is possible the CDI will be able to handle the higher bio-diesel pump mix becoming more popular in select states...

What I am told BMW by BMW all 19"/20" wheels will have run-flats rubber - I suspect the F15 won't fit a 19"/20" - and MB did a lot of work to eliminate run flats - if you have not driven run flats - if you have had run flats you would choose them over a standard performance tire ever ... run flats don't ride/handle good at all..

The 250 CDI will lower MSRP and give you more money for other things..

Again, not trying to "sell" you - I had my own questions too - too soon to tell, we will need to wait for road test reviews to get a real feel for it..

AVB

Well, happy I did not wait till 2014 MY to order my ML350BT - can't imagine 250 will be able to tow the same loads as the 350 with the same ease.

fabbrisd1

From waht I "recall" towing capacity will be officially reduced for the ML250 by 1000 lbs over the ML350BT.

If going into MY14 that would highlight the mondo strentht pulling power of GL350BT - especially when compared to the lower towing capacity/torque of the MY14 BMW F15 diesel.

On the MY13 ML350BT - better pull the trigger real quick - availability is tight - and if you want a exact color/features set for maximum personal value/satisfaction - with tight production availability I would suggest you order the ML350BT like real soon - like before the end of this month.

On the flip side - for that massive ML350BT torque - makes future private party resale value a bit perkier - which up-to-now is really not all that great for older W164 BT's with mileage.

Keep the beat !

YYZ-E55

Canada will still get the 350 BlueTEC.

Masterbuyer

Yeah, those Canooks, they get all the breaks.... first it was the AMG Sports Package for the first couple of years of the W166, only they can order 21" AMG wheels on non-ML63 configurations, and now they get to keep the more powerful BT...why are they so special? Whaaa! Booo Hoooo!

AMG ME

Actually, you Americans have it better with all the incentives and discounts. The ML goes for MSRP here in Vancouver.

gplank

MRSP? Why don't the same market dynamics work in Vancouver? Is there no compitition between dealers?

Of course, I guess you can't look south for any deals.

jellies

the 350 BT is by far the most popular engine choice in Australia where the 250 BT has been out since the start. If MB were to pull that stunt here, it would gut the desirability of the ML.

People look at the W166 who might otherwise buy an optioned up Q5 or X5, or a land rover or an optioned up GC, etc etc and those competitors are nearly all purchased as diesels and nearly all have better pull at the lights than the 250. The 250 gets the nod only if the buyer is on a strict budget - because it feels slower on the road than spending the same money on a competitor. The petrol options are rightly considered too expensive to run.

Masterbuyer

Yeah, makes no sense to replace the 350 with the 250, but not a bad idea to add it to the line for those wanting more economy. But it's there in Black and White -- they're going to do it. But maybe they are going to introduce a BT ML450? One that has the same MPG as the 350, but more power? Is that possible?

AMG ME

Perhaps the ML350 bluetec is taking too many sales from the ML550. The ML250 would help spread the gap in the ML line.

Masterbuyer

I might think that too, but BTs are priced higher. So I would think they make more from them.

iankayem

As Jellies said, both are available in Australia. I did test drive the ML250 last year, and was disappointed with the harshness vibes at town speeds as it was always laboring in too high a gear. Could not wait to test the 350BT which was a dream. So I bought one.

If I wanted to save some money, there's a rash of Japanese or Korean clones out there far cheaper than even the 250. But my preference was for a car I would enjoy driving, hence the ML350.

Another point, if you look on carsales.com.au, there are currently 31 ML250s for sale vs only 7 ML350BT across Australia. Considering the V6 outsells the 4 many times over, this indicates the market really does not like the 4. This could have a drastic effect on resale values in a few years.

Leaving stereotypes aside, I doubt the US market is going to jump on the ML250 either.

27T

How'd you get that ratio of sales?

Masterbuyer

I think these three articles that review the 4-cylinder Bluetec in the GLK and E-class can provide some insights to it's performance, as well as where MBUSA is going with the engine line up for the M-class:

First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK250 Bluetec - Early Adopter: Diesel Power in a Compact Luxury SUV
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...c_first_drive/

First Look: 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...ss_first_look/

First Drive: 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...s_first_drive/

From those E-class articles, I wonder if we can assume where MBUSA is going with the ML is along the same lines as the new E-class. For the MY14 E-class, they introduced a "new" 2.1-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel, replacing the "old" 3.0-liter V-6 diesel (just how they are apparently going with MY14 ML, by replacing the 350 BT with the 250BT).

However, the E-class lineup includes a 3.5-liter V-6 HYBRID engine. I wonder if they figure that engine setup would be a more attractive option for M-class drivers looking for better economy, but without sacrificing performance. Plus, it gets better around-town gas mileage than the BT. The only thing is that it would likely be a lot pricer than the old 350BT, that is, if the E-class MY13 lineup is any indication.

So, what do you think, will we soon be seeing the introduction of a ML400 HYBRID SUV?

shortspark

I think Mercedes could care less about hybrid technology. Most people who buy MB cars pay attention to many other things before they get to price of gas or even miles per gallon. I think those factors are further down their list than most other car buyers. MB has to stay competitive and they have to concern themselves with CAFE regulations and numbers of course, but not to the point most car manufactures do who have no diesels in their fleet. I don't doubt that all models will eventually have a hybrid token representative but my guess is that Mercedes will play to their SUV strength first, which is manufacturing the most efficient diesel than anyone else on the planet.

Cyber GS

I tend to agree with you.. Good points.

stas2007

X3

When I was ordering my 13 ML, I had a big debate gas vs diesel, really wanted the diesel but because my daily commute to work is about 5 minutes plus the cold climate of Boston and unavailability of a block heater decided to stick with the gas. I figured when it comes to buying a house in a year or two I ll move further from work (due to cheaper real estate) ) i ll just trade in the 350 for 350 bluetec. This is really stupid move from MB, I was only considering diesel due to the massive torque and the driving feel, gas mileage is a plus but its not a big factor. Replacing it with the ML250 tiny diesel is dum from MB, especially considering new X5 will be coming out with a monster diesel version. Looks like I'll keep the my ML350 for a while.

Masterbuyer

I not sure how you can say MB could care less about hybrid technology when they offer a hybrid in the new E-class? In fact, it appears they use it to increase performance, according to this article:

http://www.autotrader.com/research/a...ss-hybrids.jsp

Apparently,they use the extra 27 horsepower boost from the electric motor to increase the performance of the E-class' 302 horsepower V6. The article states that the "breakthrough with the Mercedes hybrid system comes in its modularity, meaning it can be applied to most drive trains across the manufacturer's lineup."

This implies we will see more hybrid setups, and it might be an option you can add just like AIRMATIC. In fact, they have introduced a E-Class E300 BlueTEC hybrid in Europe. This all doesn't seem like the don't care about hybrids, but to the contrary, MB is embracing the benefits of a hybrid setup. See these and numerous other articles about it:

http://www.topgear.com/uk/mercedes-b...-hybrid-driven

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2012...an-to-detroit/

So, from what they say, it looks like you're right that MB wants to produce the efficient diesel than anyone else on the planet. It just that they are planning to do it with the help of a hybrid system.

What's also interesting is that the COMMAND system in my MY13 ML550 has the ability to turn on monitoring of a battery and power system from a hybrid engine, which I've done just for kicks. I ran across it when I was reprogramming the clock to appear rectangular (vs. a circle).

So, now I wonder that after that ML250 BT arrives this fall, if a more powerful diesel-powered ML in the form of a HYBRID diesel will soon follow, which would boost both performance and gas mileage. Or maybe you will have your choice of gas or diesel hybrid?

I wonder what is going to happen when AMG gets a hold of this modular hybrid system....how about an ML63 with an extra 27 horsepower? Zooommmmm!

P.S. Here's a another great article about how they are using their hybrid system in the S-class: http://www.caranddriver.com/news/201...rid-auto-shows

shortspark

Well, the articles speak for themselves so maybe you are right. MB has usually been on the cutting edge of things, even if they enter the game a bit late. They almost always make up for it with innovation. If performance and the driving experience is maintained or bettered, with a boost in gas mileage as a bonus, I'm all for it!