Getting a 2012 ML350 for the Wife
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From: Western US (I'm between several states)
W212 E-Class 350, W166 M-Class 350
Getting a 2012 ML350 for the Wife
She's been somewhat envious of my E-Class (she was sporting a Lexus RX350), so I'm getting her a 2012 ML350 (loaded with all the bells and whistles).
A few questions.. is 38K a reasonable price for the car (its a CPO, with 16K miles on it)
Also since it has tan/beige/almond leather (not our preferred option, but its what it has), can anyone recommend the best way to care for it?
Are there any known items that we should consider addressing ASAP once we get the car (its on the truck headed up from SoCal to Reno)?
A few questions.. is 38K a reasonable price for the car (its a CPO, with 16K miles on it)
Also since it has tan/beige/almond leather (not our preferred option, but its what it has), can anyone recommend the best way to care for it?
Are there any known items that we should consider addressing ASAP once we get the car (its on the truck headed up from SoCal to Reno)?
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2015 ML 350 Gas(Polar White). 2015 ML 350 gas(Lunar Blue). 68 mustang
Get a 2013 or newer. These have the reinforcement built into the body for slight over lap crash. This is a new test that came out and MB was one of the first that came out with a response with a 5+* safety rating in mid 2013 and newer cars.
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Joined: Oct 2013
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From: Western US (I'm between several states)
W212 E-Class 350, W166 M-Class 350
I tried to, but the problem is the options she wants, and the availability of what's out there limits things.
But outside of the crash safety (which is not bad on the 2012, just better on the 2013), are there any other reasons to NOT go with the 2012? (we can still cancel the deal as the paperwork is being done while the truck is in transit)
But outside of the crash safety (which is not bad on the 2012, just better on the 2013), are there any other reasons to NOT go with the 2012? (we can still cancel the deal as the paperwork is being done while the truck is in transit)
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 619
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From: East part of Texas
2017 CLS550
No reason not to go with 2012 whatsoever. Sure, there were some problems early on as there are with every major refresh but you only have 16,000 miles on her AND its a CPO. I have the same vehicle with many of the goodies such as the lighting package (a must have in the country but worthless in a big city), the upgraded stereo package - sounds terrific, wheel locks, heated steering wheel (yes, I love it even in Texas!), diamond white (just beautiful), etc. Frankly, no model has changed the ML brand as dramatically as the 2012, and that will include the new GLE. The 2012 is the model that brought the ML to the forefront of the luxury SUV segment and took out the X5 leadership in the mid-size category. I have not had a bit of trouble with mine. If it meets your wife's options requirements you won't go wrong.
I noticed you asked about the almond leather and said it was not your preferred option. Did you mean the color or the fact it is leather? If it is the leather itself I agree with you. The MB TEX is much, much better than the standard leather unless you move all the way up to Designo package which is incredible leather. After a few years the standard leather will stain and wrinkle no matter what you put on it whereas the MB TEX will wear like iron and look as good as the day you bought it. If you meant you don't like the color of almond, well, nothing can be done about that.
Keep in mind that MB TEX can be maintained with a damp rag. The leather is a bit more complicated since it is not natural leather but rather "treated" leather. Almost all leather seats in cars these days are vinyl coated except for some of the exotic super cars. Therefore, the normal conditioning balms such as Lexol and Leatherique, although wonderful on natural, untreated leather, are virtually useless on "coated" leather. The coating, if it is doing its job, will repel material from entering to the leather in order to protect it. That is what the coating is suppose to do. Balms are used to soften, condition and "feed" leather but very little of those products actually get through to the leather itself. I use Protectant 303 on both my leather and MB TEX seats. It has the highest rated UV protection you can find and that is especially important here in Texas. Leather balms have virtually no UV protection so other than looking nice for a short period of time they are useless on coated seats. Hope this helps and good luck on the new ride.
I noticed you asked about the almond leather and said it was not your preferred option. Did you mean the color or the fact it is leather? If it is the leather itself I agree with you. The MB TEX is much, much better than the standard leather unless you move all the way up to Designo package which is incredible leather. After a few years the standard leather will stain and wrinkle no matter what you put on it whereas the MB TEX will wear like iron and look as good as the day you bought it. If you meant you don't like the color of almond, well, nothing can be done about that.
Keep in mind that MB TEX can be maintained with a damp rag. The leather is a bit more complicated since it is not natural leather but rather "treated" leather. Almost all leather seats in cars these days are vinyl coated except for some of the exotic super cars. Therefore, the normal conditioning balms such as Lexol and Leatherique, although wonderful on natural, untreated leather, are virtually useless on "coated" leather. The coating, if it is doing its job, will repel material from entering to the leather in order to protect it. That is what the coating is suppose to do. Balms are used to soften, condition and "feed" leather but very little of those products actually get through to the leather itself. I use Protectant 303 on both my leather and MB TEX seats. It has the highest rated UV protection you can find and that is especially important here in Texas. Leather balms have virtually no UV protection so other than looking nice for a short period of time they are useless on coated seats. Hope this helps and good luck on the new ride.
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Joined: Oct 2013
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From: Western US (I'm between several states)
W212 E-Class 350, W166 M-Class 350
Leather, gerr...
I noticed you asked about the almond leather and said it was not your preferred option. Did you mean the color or the fact it is leather? If it is the leather itself I agree with you. The MB TEX is much, much better than the standard leather unless you move all the way up to Designo package which is incredible leather. After a few years the standard leather will stain and wrinkle no matter what you put on it whereas the MB TEX will wear like iron and look as good as the day you bought it. If you meant you don't like the color of almond, well, nothing can be done about that.
Keep in mind that MB TEX can be maintained with a damp rag. The leather is a bit more complicated since it is not natural leather but rather "treated" leather. Almost all leather seats in cars these days are vinyl coated except for some of the exotic super cars. Therefore, the normal conditioning balms such as Lexol and Leatherique, although wonderful on natural, untreated leather, are virtually useless on "coated" leather. The coating, if it is doing its job, will repel material from entering to the leather in order to protect it. That is what the coating is suppose to do. Balms are used to soften, condition and "feed" leather but very little of those products actually get through to the leather itself. I use Protectant 303 on both my leather and MB TEX seats. It has the highest rated UV protection you can find and that is especially important here in Texas. Leather balms have virtually no UV protection so other than looking nice for a short period of time they are useless on coated seats. Hope this helps and good luck on the new ride.
Keep in mind that MB TEX can be maintained with a damp rag. The leather is a bit more complicated since it is not natural leather but rather "treated" leather. Almost all leather seats in cars these days are vinyl coated except for some of the exotic super cars. Therefore, the normal conditioning balms such as Lexol and Leatherique, although wonderful on natural, untreated leather, are virtually useless on "coated" leather. The coating, if it is doing its job, will repel material from entering to the leather in order to protect it. That is what the coating is suppose to do. Balms are used to soften, condition and "feed" leather but very little of those products actually get through to the leather itself. I use Protectant 303 on both my leather and MB TEX seats. It has the highest rated UV protection you can find and that is especially important here in Texas. Leather balms have virtually no UV protection so other than looking nice for a short period of time they are useless on coated seats. Hope this helps and good luck on the new ride.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 619
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From: East part of Texas
2017 CLS550
Yea, I kind of thought your reluctance was the leather rather than the color (almond/beige is very, very nice). It is so unfortunate that in order to get the leather that is worth getting (Designo), MB forces you to fork over around five thousand bucks extra. I'd spend it to get the Designo because it is that good but I would hate doing it!! As you have said, and to which I agree, most people who have owned both the MB regular leather and the MB TEX almost always select the TEX. It is superior to their entry leather in every way.
I do think Protectant 303 is a great way to treat vinyl coated leather. It does not leave too much of a shine or slickness as long as you buff off the excess. I use this on my hot tub cover which is outdoors under the hot Texas sun all day long and it does a great job protecting it, especially the stitching of the seams where the cover folds over. That is always the most vulnerable spot and the stitches must never be allowed to "dry out" so to speak. If it can handle that it certainly can handle a car seat, even if left outdoors all day long. I've used this product for years with very good results. Spray it on a microfiber mitt, rub it in and then use a terry cloth to remove the excess; you'll know when to stop buffing when the sheen is gone. If there is anything better for coated leather where UV protection is an important consideration, I have not found it.
I do think Protectant 303 is a great way to treat vinyl coated leather. It does not leave too much of a shine or slickness as long as you buff off the excess. I use this on my hot tub cover which is outdoors under the hot Texas sun all day long and it does a great job protecting it, especially the stitching of the seams where the cover folds over. That is always the most vulnerable spot and the stitches must never be allowed to "dry out" so to speak. If it can handle that it certainly can handle a car seat, even if left outdoors all day long. I've used this product for years with very good results. Spray it on a microfiber mitt, rub it in and then use a terry cloth to remove the excess; you'll know when to stop buffing when the sheen is gone. If there is anything better for coated leather where UV protection is an important consideration, I have not found it.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5
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From: Western US (I'm between several states)
W212 E-Class 350, W166 M-Class 350
Great to know..
Yea, I kind of thought your reluctance was the leather rather than the color (almond/beige is very, very nice). It is so unfortunate that in order to get the leather that is worth getting (Designo), MB forces you to fork over around five thousand bucks extra. I'd spend it to get the Designo because it is that good but I would hate doing it!! As you have said, and to which I agree, most people who have owned both the MB regular leather and the MB TEX almost always select the TEX. It is superior to their entry leather in every way.
I do think Protectant 303 is a great way to treat vinyl coated leather. It does not leave too much of a shine or slickness as long as you buff off the excess. I use this on my hot tub cover which is outdoors under the hot Texas sun all day long and it does a great job protecting it, especially the stitching of the seams where the cover folds over. That is always the most vulnerable spot and the stitches must never be allowed to "dry out" so to speak. If it can handle that it certainly can handle a car seat, even if left outdoors all day long. I've used this product for years with very good results. Spray it on a microfiber mitt, rub it in and then use a terry cloth to remove the excess; you'll know when to stop buffing when the sheen is gone. If there is anything better for coated leather where UV protection is an important consideration, I have not found it.
I do think Protectant 303 is a great way to treat vinyl coated leather. It does not leave too much of a shine or slickness as long as you buff off the excess. I use this on my hot tub cover which is outdoors under the hot Texas sun all day long and it does a great job protecting it, especially the stitching of the seams where the cover folds over. That is always the most vulnerable spot and the stitches must never be allowed to "dry out" so to speak. If it can handle that it certainly can handle a car seat, even if left outdoors all day long. I've used this product for years with very good results. Spray it on a microfiber mitt, rub it in and then use a terry cloth to remove the excess; you'll know when to stop buffing when the sheen is gone. If there is anything better for coated leather where UV protection is an important consideration, I have not found it.
