MBUSA Updates for 2015 ML
 

I've been watching it day by day - and MBUSA.com updated the ML page today. So far only the ML350 and ML400 are up, but options such as the soft close doors are on the configurator.

The ML400 seems like a nice alternative to the ML350 but they shouldn't have taken away the ML550. And these AMG spoilers should be an option and not standard on an SUV, they totally ruin it for me.

Wow, the ML400 is over $14k more than the ML350. Other than a slightly more powerful engine and standard 4matic, I wonder what other differences there are to justify such a large price gap.

It comes with Premium one package, Harman-Kardon, Keyless Go and AMG package standard. There might be more but that's what comes to mind.

Here's what the attached Dealer Order Guide say:

Standard ML400 content:
- Premium 1 package
- Leather upholstery with MB-Tex wrapped dashboard and upper door panels
- harman/kardon sound system
- KEYLESS-GO, Lane Tracking Package, RSE Pre-wiring
- AMG Styling with 19” AMG wheels (running boards NOT included!)
- Multi-color ambient lighting and heated/cooled front cup holders

So, when you add it all up, it should still be a good deal.

I have an MY13 ML550 and I rarely have the chance to use its full horsepower. So the MY400 engine really seems to be in the 'sweet spot,' especially up against the X5, which MBUSA indicates in the dealer guide that its targeting with this config.

Curious about being able to select the Off Road package with no mention of Airmatic.

Looked at the new ML page today an was not disappointed for the 2015 model. With the previous W166 models there was no soft close doors and I like that option. Now for some opinions. Looking to buy a new W166 ML and now I can't decide whether I go for the more fuel efficient, less powerful biturbo V6 ML400 or the more powerful, less fuel efficient twin turbo V8 ML550. Thanks, Dan.

I don't think you can order an ML550 anymore....at least not in the U.S. I suppose you might find it on the lot, though.

I have an MY ML550..and I'd gladly trade it for a ML400 to help save the gas money. But then, again, maybe I'm spoiled by the V8 power and don't realize it.

I love the 400 HP from the ML550 and the V8 roar. The dealer that I buy my Mercedes from has the 550 I want on the lot. Colors, options, etc.

Dan,
I love my 2013 ML 550. As you said, can't beat the roar of the v8 or the acceleration!!
I have owned:1969 350\350 Corvette
1970 Camaro RS 307
1971 454\390hp Corvette
1972 Alfa Romeo Spider
1974 BMW Bavaria
1973 Porsche 911E Targa
1981 Volkswagen Westfalia Camper
1980 Mercury Monarch
1984 Ford Bronco
1980 BMW 3201
1984 Audi 4000S
1990 Audi 5000 Turbo
1996 Chevy Tahoe
*1996 Porsche 993 Garage Queen
1992 Mercedes 190E
2001 BMW 325!
2004 GMC Yukon
2010 Mercedes E 350 coupe
*2013 ML 550
*2014 Mercedes E350 Coupe Wife's daily driver
* are current drives

And, this is perhaps the finest overall vehicle I've ever owned. Fast, comfortable and safe. I like to go fast and pass at will, if this is what you want, go for it. I don't particularly care about mpg but from day one I'm averaging 15.6 mpg mostly around town to golf courses. . With three, golf bags and luggage for a week in N. CA got 21.6 mostly freeway but some mountain spirited driving.

That's quite a list! I can almost understand the progression through those vehicles with one exception; the Mercury Monarch. I had almost forgotten that Mercury had a version of the Granada. What made you buy that?

Took a sales position in 1980. It was a small US company and they strongly suggested I drive American iron. 3 years of success later my sales car became an Audi without objection. The American SUVs were purchased to tow boats.

I noticed that too. I suspect MBUSA doesn't want to acknowledge the Special Order options list on the website, nor do they want to scare people off by adding $1640 to the price of Off Road...

The whole SPC list on the ML is rather extensive compared to the other MB offerings.

Soft close doors have been available before, but were SPC. That would probably be why no one has them!

New US specs for M-Class don't make sense??
 

Hi guys,

I still can't get my head around MBUSA dropping the ML550, but it's still available here to order in Australia (as ML500), but we are such a small market for it, and other V8 petrol SUVs, but the US is huge for them, and they're built there! Has it got something to do with new emission laws in the US perhaps?

I also notice there's now no diesel ML available in the US either. I thought they were bringing in the ML250BT to replace the 350BT? We have both here, and have since the W166 was released. The ML350BT seems to be the most common ML you see on the road here though.

Also weird that they're offering the petrol ML350 & ML400 together. I thought the 400 engine was replacing the 350, it did here (in the E-Class too) around 6 months ago, and it's been rumoured that it's replacing the ML500 too, still yet to happen as mentioned above. Fingers crossed it doesn't anytime soon as I want to upgrade mine in the next 18 months or so.

Sorry I'm just ranting ... have a great day & safe driving folks :zoom:

The last dealer order guide I saw indicated the 250BT was supposed to be available this month.

There is a bit of confusion in Dubai; the dealers are sure the ML400's are coming within a couple of months, what they do not know is whether the 500 or the 350 will be making way for it. Price estimates for the 400 range from lower than what the 350 is now (!) to as much as what the 500 is.
It would definitely be bizarre if the 550 is stopped in the US and then shipped across the world from Vance.

Exactly my point! But it seems for now that's the case. So strange. So can you still order the ML500 there also?

Is the ML500 popular over in the Middle East? They're around $130k here (approx $120k USD), but I bet they're heaps more than that over your way.

Thanks for your feedback.

If you drive 12K miles per year, you would save ~600 annually in gas money with that trade. I'll never understand spending $60K-$70K on a car and then worrying about a $600 per year difference in fuel costs.

I agree, the savings seems relatively insignificant in terms of the overall cost. If one of the reasons I bought my ML550 was because I am so wealthy it was easily affordable, worrying about $600 would indeed be silly. However, in my case, it was a stretch financially, so that $600 savings would be still nice to have, even though relatively small. But in any case, I suppose in a practical sense it is not worth trading in just for $600 annual savings given the other costs and time and hassle that a trade-in involves.

What I'm looking forward to now is the hybrid ML that is expected for MY16. Then not only will I save $$$ on gas, I will not feel so guilty about adding to the So. Cal smog layer.

Well, a free iPhone each year is not a bad thing lol

Yeah, I get that, and I don't mean to dismiss what $600 means to a lot of people. But a "lot of people" aren't purchasing a $70K vehicle. If the $600 is a big deal for someone, I would think the ML350 (or really a used honda pilot or toyota highlander, or, or, or...) would be a better alternative.

Just a bit of a pet peeve of mine that gas prices seem to cause people to think and act irrationally at times (as an example I see people waiting 30 minutes in line to fill up at costco and save $0.10 - $0.15 to per gallon or ~$2 for the typical tank of gas). Or buying a hybrid for a $7.5K premium to save $500 per year on gas (there are reasons to buy a hybrid, but financial justification is rarely one of them).

My annual fuel cost is less than 1% of my income but I am still thinking about getting a hybrid or other more efficient vehicle next year. I love my 550 but 98% of my driving is in some kind of traffic and I rarely get to enjoy the power and performance of the motor. So maybe a high tech fuel sipper would be more interesting to drive... not sure. No Tesla though, those things irritate me for some reason and the ones I see are always creeping along as though worried about their range.

You'd miss it! I love my ML550. No way I'd settle for less!

They start around 90K $ here and with some options it goes up to ~100/105, but even the 90k version has a lot of standard options over that of the ML350.

For some reason 550s are not that common in Dubai.
ML's themselves lag behind the X's, Cayennes and Range Rovers. And among ML's, you see 1 550 for every 10 350's. OTOH you see more Cayenne GTS' than V6's

Within a few days I should take delivery of the last 2014 550 in town with a heavy (by ME standards) knockdown from the Invoice price
Cannot wait tbh, and will post all the good stuff when I get it :)

I will also post on why the Cayenne S and X5 were simply not options once I had driven the 550