5 years ago I bought my wife a 2015 Mercedes ML-350. I'd made it to the big time! Always dreamed of owning a Mercedes. It was our step up from our 2005 Volvo XC-90.
Everywhere she drove the new car, people commented on her having a Mercedes. Parking attendants argued over parking it. Gee, it's just an SUV, not nearly top of the Mercedes line. But the M-brand has a aura about it.

And really, in 75,000 miles of ownership, it never gave a lick of a problem. Only the battery needed to be replaced once, oh, and a couple of sets of tires. (I thought it went through tires too quickly for 70+ female driver, mostly highway miles to visit grandkids).

Anyway, the longer we owned it, the less satisfied I became. Yes, it was 100% reliable. It was pretty.

I didn't do my research before buying, thinking that a $60,000 Mercedes would meet my highest expectations. I was wrong.
-First, it beeps . . . many times for no reason. Just driving through a controlled intersection and it distracted her (us) with beeps. Have no idea why it beeped.
-It has a backup camera, that's good. But it doesn't alert when another vehicle is approaching from the side, out of sight of the driver. My 2015 Ford pickup does that!
-When the button is pressed to clean the windshield, the wipers make a couple of swipes over dry (dusty) glass before squirting water. That's not good. Should spray first to soften the dust and dirt.
-The leather-looking seats are not leather. Like I say, I didn't do my research and just assumed that a Mercedes Benz would have leather seating surfaces, steering wheel cover, side panels, arm rests, etc. Surprised that they're "plastic imitation leather". Really disappointed.
-No CarPlay!
-I drive 2-footed. I can rest my left foot on the brake when pulling into parking spaces or heading out of our driveway (but not hard enough to actually apply the brake) and right foot on the accelerator. Press the accelerator and NOTHING for at least 2 - 3 seconds. Press harder . . . NOTHING. Suddenly, the car lurches forward with big acceleration. BAD! Ford doesn't do this. No car should do this!
-And finally, the headlights . . . . BAD! The projector low beam lights are wimpy. High beam better. But they're not LED nor are they HID. They're 40-year old Halogen technology. Sad that a $60,000 2015 Mercedes has such poor headlights.
Every time we took it to the dealership for scheduled maintenance, they condemned a tire, brakes, etc; even though the components met the specs in their own manual. They wanted to sell parts. Once during scheduled maintenance, they rotated the tires (I didn't ask for that service) and charged $76 for it. The tires were all brand new, we'd only bought them a month prior. I didn't complain. Nothing would come of it.
Must watch the dealerships more closely.

My 2015 Ford F-150 Lariat pickup truck has all the features listed above, at only $48,000 . . . and it's a TRUCK! It's not even a top-of-the-line. Not even close. But it's so much more user and operator-friendly. It rides more comfortably and much much more quiet inside. It uses Regular gas, not high octane as the Merceded required.

So last week, we went to the Lincoln dealer and traded in the Mercedes ML-350 with only 75,000 miles on it for a new Lincoln Nautilus that lists for $10,000 less than the Mercedes and has all the features and amenities listed above. Trade in value for the Mercedes after 5 years (after haggling) was only $19,000. It was immaculate, not even a parking lot car ding on the sides. Every factory maintenance was done precisely on schedule. Except for curb scratches on the right side wheel rims, it looked like brand new.
That was at least a $1,000 disappointment. But I'm always disappointed in trade in value.

So now we have 2 Ford products, my 2015 Lariat with only 30,000 miles and a 2020 Lincoln with less than 100 miles. Wife loves the bells and whistles, safety devices, CarPlay, and everything else about it. Happy wife, happy life. (so they say).
I'm happy because I can teach her CarPlay and all the features because they're pretty much the same as by Ford truck.

I've enjoyed membership in the forum. Y'all have helped me several times when I had questions.

Ken

 

Good luck and enjoy the new vehicle. I am having a different experience with the brand compared with your report, but when time comes for a replacement vehicle, my decision may the same as yours, to leave the brand behind.

 

I've had a 2013 ML 350 bluetec with the extended warranty which just ran out a few days ago. Almost afraid to drive it now! Absolutely loved the diesel for towing and fuel economy, but just recently had oil leaking issues.
June 5th I ordered a Lincoln Aviator. It was built last week and should arrive at my local dealership in a couple of more weeks. I'm feeling much the same as DFWKen.

 

Both the Nautilus and the Aviator really look nice. I haven't looked closely at them but which one is a three row. and if you bought the 3 row why did you step up from Mercedes 2 row Just saw the Motor week review of the new Cadailac(?) has come out with a competitor to the Lincoln. They did note the Lincoln had more hp options.

 

Aviator is the three row model. Went with that because we now have grandchildren that occasionally visit with my kids and this will allow us to go out in one vehicle. Also it has the necessary towing capacity I needed. Looked at the GLE and it is available with the third row too, but...

As far as Lincoln Aviator vs Cadillac XT6, you can check out this review. https://www.motortrend.com/cars/linc...t6-comparison/

Seems there is no question which is better.

 

Alright Mr Ken! Keep it real homie!

 

Please expend your experience with Lincoln. How is road noise and wind sound?
Personally Im kicking my *** almost every day because of swapping diesel ML with GLC.
Had the same questions as you, but comfort vs techs, I would prefer comfort.
Long road trips in ML was just a breath.

Please enjoy your new ride. Good luck and happy driving.

 

I've been driving Benzs' since 1992 when my first child was born.

We lived on a very dangerous road and we insured prestige vehicles (like Haggety) and the only brand that never had a fatality in our account was Mercedes. So the choice was easy for our child's sake. Up until then we drove Porsches.

I don't care what it cost to maintain a Benz as I do like to survive the big accident when it comes along.

That said of all the 10 Mercedes we've had the only bad one was a CLK500, what a dog!

My current Ml350 gas is used as a general daily drive and carries everything from bricks to dirt to me.

I find it amusing that people buy a Mercedes and then want to feed it Cosco oil or cheap batteries when those items are nominal in the running costs.

I had a W163 with 250,000k's on it that I gave to my mechanic and his wife loves it. Over 12 years of ownership I wouldn't have spent $1,500.00 on parts to keep it going.

 

HI DFWKen. Sad to hear about your experience and your decision, however, I would like to mention that a couple of those issues that you mentioned up there might be addressed easily.

-First, it beeps . . . many times for no reason. Just driving through a controlled intersection and it distracted her (us) with beeps. Have no idea why it beeped. - Wierd, to own a car and to doesn't know why its beeping adn how to disable the collision assist mode.1 step in owning a mErc, read the manual.
-It has a backup camera, that's good. But it doesn't alert when another vehicle is approaching from the side, out of sight of the driver. My 2015 Ford pickup does that! - The backup camera is hidden unless you are driving rear way, in order to keep the camera clean from dust and mud, compared with other cars that have cameras always outside.
But it doesn't alert when another vehicle is approaching from the side, out of sight of the driver. My 2015 Ford pickup does that! - WHats the point to have a beeping signal for EVERY vehicle that is coming from the side of your driving STRAIGHT ??? I'm getting a signal only if I have my left or right signal on and a vehicle is beside me, in other cases, there is no need for a signal. So you are saying that a beeping signal from collision assist module is bothering your wife but a constant signal form approaching side way vehicles its not a bother??
-When the button is pressed to clean the windshield, the wipers make a couple of swipes over dry (dusty) glass before squirting water. That's not good. Should spray first to soften the dust and dirt. - Its a problem that occurred only at your vehicle, mine 2015 Blueteck doesn have this kind of issue, you're supposed to tell it to the dealer and its a easy fix.
-The leather-looking seats are not leather. Like I say, I didn't do my research and just assumed that a Mercedes Benz would have leather seating surfaces, steering wheel cover, side panels, armrests, etc. Surprised that they're "plastic imitation leather". Really disappointed. - Me too.
-No CarPlay! - You can upgrade the head unit with 450-550 CAD $ and you'll get CarPlay.
-I drive 2-footed. I can rest my left foot on the brake when pulling into parking spaces or heading out of our driveway (but not hard enough to actually apply the brake) and right foot on the accelerator. Press the accelerator and NOTHING for at least 2 - 3 seconds. Press harder . . . NOTHING. Suddenly, the car lurches forward with big acceleration. BAD! Ford doesn't do this. No car should do this! - It's an internal issue, not a model problem. I tuned my 350BC and now I can beat a gasoline 400 GLE from the start.
-And finally, the headlights . . . . BAD! - Can't complaint

RUST - a friend of mine had a Linkoln from 2018 and it has RUST!!!, Rust Carl!!, 2018, same thing I can tell about Ford. and don't be surprised about a high depreciation on these vehicles.

 

Safe travels in the new lincoln bud, good luck

 

Hey Ken,

I do wish you the best of luck to you in your new vehicle, but I did want to clarify a few issues you had as others have.

1. It beeps due to your senor which may have been dirty making it believe something was close.

2. back up camera isn't the best in the ML, but definitely got better in the GLE.

3. Seats could've been upgraded (option)

4. Car play was later added in newer models i believe most GLE's have them as an option or you could add it to your older vehicle for $2-$300.

5. Headlights again something you could've upgraded

 

I bought a Porsche Panamera 4S in June. The best thing the dealer showed me was.........a button on the overhead that I can push to KILL the bells and whistles that sound off if you get within a mile of the garage door or curb. Hate Nanny cars, and it's hard to find one that is not a Nanny car thesse days.

I even hate that blue light that comes on the dash that indicates I can now parrallel park my Ml350 Bluetec. It's a pain for me to have to turn that Park button off each time I get in.

Good to hear your F150 is a quite vehicle. I have not riden in a pickupup truck in 20 plus years and now I realize why people buy them........quite vehicle on the road.......I assume

 

Same, never had any real issues in 25 years of MB ownership. Maybe I was lucky but overall good solid cars. However not a fan of any new offerings, will definitely be looking outside the brand for the first time.

 

I'm waiting for the new 2021 E class wagon to be shown. I understand it's been in Europa for a few years and sits a slight bit higher than the present one. Or if I don't like it, maybe a 2020 E class wagon at a discount in December or there abouts..

That or the GLE450. Too bad they cut the fuel tank down to 22.5 gal instead of the 24.6 gal in my ML. Sucks a bit to do that. They seem to be in cahoots with gas stations in order to get you to stop more often. Tongue in cheek remark.

Thought about a BMW X5, I believe, but I can't stand that grill. I'd have to look at that grille for every day I owned it. No getting used to it imho.

 

A higher-sitting E wagon is a mistake by MB in my view, they are ruining that vehicle. The latest V167 GLE is a step backwards in many ways, one of which is the fuel capacity as you mentioned. Smaller fuel tank = cheaper and lighter fuel tank. This benefits the automaker in terms of profits, and towards achieving fuel economy and emissions regulations.

Vehicle range seems to be headed downward. I was able to get 770 miles per tank on my diesel Touareg. An outlier I realize, but it was awesome.

One possible reason carmakers might be reducing range is to reduce the gap vs electric vehicles, and make the consumer’s transition to them less painful from a range-anxiety point of view.

 

let's be real though -- a 2 gallon decrease in size for a full size suv means 15-40 miles less a tank, depending on driving conditions. And since MB (thanks EPA in the US) doesn't offer a diesel w167, hardly a condition in which to totally criticize a vehicle by. Maybe they literally ran out of space because of the added-back third row seats.

​​​​​hey -- at the end of the day, I'm more upset they aren't offering the diesel G-Wagon in the states, but I'm not putting that on MB. It's on the EPA, again.