zerofinity

Did a round trip to an event in NY from CT... posted 23.2 MPG per ship's computer. I realize that is not the most accurate measure but was much better than I expected with an estimated 20 MPG highway. Round trip was just under 300 miles. Cruising at 75, moderate hills. My usual commute is all side roads... I've been getting 15.0 average.

-m-

dgiturbo

Not bad for such a powerful twin turbo 4X4.

elveston

I just completed my second check on the actual gas mileage on my 550. The first one at 2000 miles for an indicated 18.6 mpg or thereabouts was a hand calculated 17.2 mpg. I figured that this was break-in and a little heavy foot mileage. My second check was this week for an indicated 3854 miles, 18.6 mpg, and an average of 37 mph (bit of a surprise as I thought I drove a bit faster). The hand calculated mileage was 17.25 mpg.
The indicated mileage on my 320 cdi was a bit closer to my calculated mileage, so I was surprised that the 550 was off as much as it is.

2012MLBlue

13 months and 11,000 km. Exactly 16.1 mpg (14.6 l/100 km). 90% suburban commuting and almost zero highway cruising.

The cars fuel economy computer is set 5% optimistic. I track every tank, reset at every fill up and haven't yet ever gotten what the trip computer suggested I was getting.

jchochla

I average about 1K miles per month, and for the last 2 months i've averaged about 15.2mpg's. It'd probably be better if i wouldn't push the sport mode button so much! I love this SUV.

xMB007x

That is pretty good mpg as it is almost the same as my mdx. I am very interested in the 550 but there are few reviews out there. Also, there no videos on youtube showing how the truck starts, idles, and accelerates.

2012MLBlue

Get out there and test drive one!

xMB007x

Yeah I might have to do that this summer. I am in no rush right now to buy but after sitting in a ML350 at the NY auto show Friday it really makes me want one. It definitely stood out to me in terms of quality and overall design. I will probably join the MB club of America which grants you a $1000 discount once you have been a member for at least a year.

The C&D review recorded great performance numbers and overall they seemed to really like the 550. I'm just surprised it doesn't receive more exposure to the press.

Kaasmann

I drive a 2013 Blue Tec, on a recent trip, I got 28.4 miles to the gallon (US), not bad.

Benz Werd

My ML500 (ML550) has just ticked over 8,000kms (almost 5,000 miles), and I've had her a few days short of 3 months now.

I haven't touched the 'From reset' part of the trip menu since delivery and it's currently sitting on 14.8l/100km, (roughly 15.8mpg). Most of my driving is about 70% city 'vs' 30% highway.

On the 'From start' part of the trip menu I've had it down as low as 11.4l/100km (20.63mpg) on a recent 900km highway drive from Melbourne to Sydney.

I think those figures are very reasonable considering the engine size and the weight, and comparing them to two of my previous vehicles (Jeep GC with 5.7l Hemi V8 and 100-series Toyota Land Cruiser with 4.7l V8) where I averaged around 20l/100km (11.76mpg) city and 16-17l/100km (14.7-13.8mpg) highway with both. However, based on a few other members comments, it appears those figures above for my new ML might be incorrect, so I'll attempt to calculate them myself after my next refuel.

With my W164 ML500 (with the 5.5l V8) the fuel consumption continued to improve from new right up until about 20,000kms (approx. 12,500 miles). I never reset the 'From reset' part of the trip menu in that vehicle at all and when I sold it with 46,000kms (approx. 28,500 miles) on the odometer it was showing 13.4l/100km (17.55mpg) ... still quite reasonable IMO.

Cheers folks ... happy & safe motoring

Benz Werd

Hello xMB007x.

Check this out ...
It's a 1 minute video of my ML500 (ML550) starting up from cold. You can see how it revs at around 1,300rpm at first then slowly drops down to around 800rpm. It drops down to around 600rpm after a minute or so.

It's not as loud as a ML63 of course, but they're too noisy IMO, and I have a very good relationship with my neighbours which I wish to keep!

I also have been speaking with our local Brabus guys about an exhaust upgrade, as I think this business of having the exhausts non-visible & tucked away under the rear bumper sux. The Brabus exhaust for the non-AMG V8 is $6200 here. I don't want to see exhausts poking out the rear that bad! But the guy did say they're valve controlled, so with the push of a steering wheel button (?) I could make the exhausts louder if I wanted. He said louder than a ML63. Wow!

Anyway, I hope this video helps you make your decision. I haven't done one on the acceleration but believe me, it's super quick off the mark. If you're considering a petrol ML350 for the small difference in price and fuel consumption I'd suggest you go for the 550, much better vehicle. It's a very different story if you were considering the diesel ML350 BlueTec though.

Cheers from Down-Under bro

2012MLBlue

But how much fun did you have?

Just kidding, loved the mileage I got with my 08 CDi its just that the 550 is so much more fun!

2012MLBlue

Love the sound on startup in my garage and under heavy acceleration but agree I wish it was louder. I'd pay for some aftermarket exhaust.

Benz Werd

Oh yes, that video was recorded outside, it's heaps louder and much more dramatic when I cold start her in the garage or an undercover carpark.

Regarding the Brabus exhaust upgrade I failed to mention I'd also have to change my rear bumper apron and that costs an additional $1500 on top of the $6200 for the exhausts. Aftermarket could be the way to go, but I'd be checking to make sure it doesn't void any factory warranty first. I think all the Brabus stuff is 'MB approved' however I could be wrong.

xMB007x

AussieBenzLover,

Thank you so much for posting that!

It idles very smooth and quiet even when cold. Also the exhaust sounded pretty good as well for a non-amg and you could hear the turbos. I am pretty set on the 550 and the rumored replacement (here in the US) of the 350bt for the 250bt makes the decision even easier.

Thanks again

Benz Werd

No worries at all. Unfortunately I can't do one of the acceleration as it's just too dangerous to hold a video camera and drive at the same time, but believe me it's very quick. In all honesty though I've driven a BlueTec as well and they're pretty quick off the mark too, but the V8 sounds alot nicer of course.

The video I did was taken from inside the car, although the drivers door and all the windows were open, but the 'loudness' didn't quite come through on the video. It is alot louder if you hear it in person and from the outside the vehicle as well. Even more so if it's inside a garage (I feel sorry for my neighbours when I have to leave early in the morning, but as you can see from the videos it starts to quieten right down after about 20-30 seconds). It only does that on initial cold start up though, and I've found it needs to be at least a good 10 hours or so since I last drove the vehicle. When the engine is warm normal start up is pretty tame, and when it idles it almost sounds like a diesel, until you give it a rev and the V8 really comes to life! If you drive with the windows slightly down when you're accelerating you can hear the turbos too, and I've been told it sounds very nice from outside. I'm yet to let anyone else drive it while I'm outside so I can hear it for myself.

I'm sure you've seen the thread https://mbworld.org/forums/new-m-cla...r-2014-ml.html from a couple of weeks back. I also read on another thread last week that the replacement of the BlueTec ML350 with the ML250 in the US has been delayed until MY15 now. I believe MBUSA would be shooting themselves in the foot if they did that, as I'm sure just about everyone else does too. Or, as Masterbuyer said in the abovementioned thread, perhaps they're actually replacing the BlueTec 350 with the 450, and just adding the 250 the lineup which would make total sense. And I would buy one in heartbeat if they brought them here. Hmm, a diesel V8 with all that power but the fuel savings too. Me likey that idea!!

Best thing to do is go for a test drive of the 350 BlueTec and the 550, and you'll know from that which one suits you best.

All the best .....

Masterbuyer

I agree about hidden exhaust system.


I've been considering adding this, which seems less expensive than Brabus:

http://www.chrome-tec.com/ml-w166/sp...st-System.html

...although the shipping cost to the US will be kinda expensive...


UPDATE: Or check out this posting...fake ones!
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w166...onnection.html