Hey everyone, just joined MB World. I bought a 2013 ML550 earlier this summer and absolutely love it. I look forward to learning from you guys (and gals) and sharing my upgrades. Any advice on order of precedence for upgrades and/or mods?

 

Like your 550. I purchased 2015 ML350 CPO in Feb 16 and a week later ran across a 2014 ML550. Sure wished I had seen it first. Hope you enjoy your car. What are you feeling about the step side running boards? I hate mine and am replacing them with the standard rocker panels but match to the paint of the car like ML63/AMG rockers. One options you might consider, that is if yours does not have the air suspension is putting H &R lowering springs. It take the mushy ride out of the car and make it sit about an inch lower. You can search the site for people who have done this. 4 Springs cost a little less than 300.00 and then you have to find someone to install them. A local guy near me wants 1000.00 to do it , which seems high but its on my bucket list.

 

Yes I completely agree, the one negative in this car is definitely the steering and suspension. It's not terrible but it's also not on par with BMW and Audi. I think the lowering springs is a great idea and I will have to look into that. $1000 is steep unless he's including the price of the springs in that estimate. Otherwise I would shop around. There are always those random MB mechanics that just love working on Mercedes and won't charge outrageous dealership prices.
On the running boards, I agree, I don't think they make the car look any better and most of the time are useless. I'm torn though because I do, however, use them fairly often bc I use the roof rack.

 

So I am still contemplating major upgrades, but here are a few of the minor things I have done since Buying it (FYI, bought from single owner with 40,000mi):
-Installed new K&N Air Filters: I'm not one for throwing things on a Mercedes from the nearest auto shop but after much research, K&N is the only company that makes air filters for the 4.6L V8, and I like that I can wash them myself. Installation was not as easy as most vehicles, but wasn't painful either (Oh, and you do have to order those filters).
-Bought WeatherTech custom floor mats: This may be the greatest purchase ever for this car. I also bought the cargo bed liner and never have to worry about muddy floors or gear in the back. The mats cover so much area that it will help maintain the original carpet throughout the life of the car.
-Thule Edge crossbars: contrary to other posts, as long as front bar is slid far enough forward, you can still open the sunroof. I do get a slight whistle from the bars at speeds 30-40ish mph, but overall they are quiet compared to previously owned roof racks (Thule and Yakima). I like to save where I can and I didn't want to spend a fortune on MB OEM products. Thule has a good rep and I found mine new on craigslist.
-Thule Evolution Cargo Carrier: also found this steal on craigslist for $200. its 8ft long and holds a ton. Loaded the car down with Four people, two large dogs, two Tundra 65 Yeti coolers and was still able to load groceries and luggage up top.
-Tinted the front two windows: This was a must when you have black on black in the south.
-Bought new wheel emblems: The originals were starting to peel and fade. Very cheap on amazon to make those AMG wheels look new again.
-New low and high beams: I will talk more about this in my next post.

 

I would've loved to have found a 550 when I was looking around. They are not very common from what I've seen. What part of the south are you in?


And 1k for install of springs?!? I'd happily do it for 500 for someone.

 

VA Beach. When I was ready to buy, there were only 10 on the east coast posted for sale online and most were in New England. I was getting ready to drive up to New York to get one when a single owner traded this one in for a Porsche.

 

Gotcha. Not close to me, I'm in middle Ga. Congrats on the ride, post some pics as you mod it!

 

I too had to track down a ML550 with a national search. I bought mine in Florida and drove it back to PA.

I agree about the suspension and actually spoke with a tech at H&R and they couldn't confirm if the sport springs would work well or not because they only tested on 350s. So in the end they recommended not using them.

As far as "mods", I swapped the light brown wood out in car for the dark ash and love it. I also have the Thule bars and will pick up a cargo container in the spring. I use the Mercedes branded weather techs year round since it is my utility vehicle.

I had it up on a lift last week and noticed the exhaust had a an Amg stamp on it, so hopefully it has a little AMG DNA in it.

 

 

So your comment made me curious about the springs. I went and looked up the part number for the springs. The 350 and 550 use the same exact springs on the rear. The fronts had different part numbers, I'm thinking for the difference in weight between the two motors. Personally, I would try the h&r springs out in the 550. The spring rate is going to be different from the factory spring rate anyway. But this also wouldn't be a huge deal for me, because I can do all of the work myself. Just thought I'd let you 550 guys know.

 

I suggested to the H&R tech they were the same part number, but I'm guessing they are pretty cautious about recommending something they haven't tried.

I remembered a few more of my mods, one big and one small. I had remote start installed and swapped the stupid door lock pins for brushed aluminum off eBay.

 

Check out the brake calipers too, I wanted to get gloss black AMG caliper covers to replace the original Mercedes-Benz ones, but I didn't want it to come across as someone trying to make people think I had a AMG. Then I saw this...

 

For anyone interested, I have a 2013 ML550 with about 30k miles on it in mint condition. Steel Grey with Auburn Brown/Black interior and almost every option ($21k in options). PM for further information...

ML550 $58,800
755 Steel Grey Metallic $720
254 Auburn Brown/Black Leather(SPC) $1,620
P01 P01 Package: Auto-Dimming/Power-Folding $3,700
P49 : Auto dimming mirrors & power folding mir
U80 : 115V AC Power Outlet
049 : iPod/MP3 Media Interface Cable
218 : Rearview Camera
249 : Auto-dimming Side and Rearview Mirrors
275 : Power Front Seats w/Driver Memory
441 : Power Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column
500 : Power Folding Mirrors
512 : COMAND System w/ Hard-Drive Navigation
518 : iPod/MP3 Media Interface
536 : SiriusXM Radio w. 6 mos. service
543 : Double Sun Visors
P64 Memory Package
SPC Special Order $250
U09 Upholstery Wrapped Dashboard
235 PARKTRONIC with Active Parking Assist $970
242 Passenger Seat w/Memory & Lumbar Support $365
252 COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST (Std.)
289 Wood/Leather Steering Wheel $590
319 319 Lighting Package: Bi-Xenon Headlamps $1,290
P35 : Lighting Package
600 : Headlamp Cleaning System
608 : Adaptive Highbeam Assist
615 : Bi-Xenon Headlamps w/Active Curve Illumi
399 Driver/Passenger Multi-Contour Seats w/M $1,100
401 Heated/Ventilated Front Seats (SPC) $570
413 Power Tilt/Sliding Panorama Sunroof $1,090
489 489 AIRMATIC Air Suspension Package (SPC $1,610
214 : ADS Adaptive Damping System (SPC option)
489 : AIRMATIC Air Suspension
550 Trailer Hitch $550
610 Night View Assist PLUS (SPC) $1,780
729 Anthracite Poplar Wood Trim (SPC)
758 20" AMG 5-Spoke Wheel $750
810 harman/kardon LOGIC7 Surround Sound Syst $810
872 Heated Rear Seats $620
889 KEYLESS-GO $650
993 993 Lane Tracking Package: Blind Spot A $850
22P : Lane Tracking Package Code
234 : Blind Spot Assist
476 : Lane Keeping Assist

SUBTOTAL $78,685
DESTINATION & DELIVERY $905
TOTAL $79,590

 

Where are you located? After buying my 550 I get asked all the time about where to get them.

 

In the greater Cincinnati area...