I just drove the ML63 at our local dealer. For background, my previous car was a 2005 E55 wagon. I just sold it, mainly because I had knee(s) surgery and it was a little tough getting in and out.

Now, I realize this is the ML63 thread, and I know all about apples and oranges. I also want to be objective here; these are my OPINIONS and I'm not interested in flame wars. However, I'm beginning to regret selling the E55. Here's why...

First, the build quality on the E55 seems -- at first glance -- to be clearly superior to that of the ML63. The interior is richer and less busy. I really like the Alcantara headliner in the E55, and I honestly don't like the idea of the leather dash on the ML63. BMW did this on the L6 many years back, and when you looked at one over 5 years old the dash looked horrible. Leather is too sensitive to be used on a dash, where the sun is brutal. So, I'd really prefer to see an Alcantara headliner in the ML63 instead of the leather dash.

Also, the control layout on the ML63 is far busier than on the E55. Things fall more readily to hand in the E55; in the ML63 there's a more random, less organized feel to the interior. If you compare the design and layout of the switches for suspension and transmission settings you'll see what I mean.

Enough of the small stuff; the real shocker for me was driving the ML. The addition of 700 pounds (5,093 pounds ML63/4,390 pounds E55 wagon) and raising the CG by a foot or so (73" tall ML63/59" tall E55 wagon) has a huge impact on the handling. Not to be Captain Obvious here, but I really expected better handling performance out of the ML. Turn-in is extremely slow, and the overall suspension tuning leaves little doubt this vehicle began life as truck. Much more body roll, much less precise, not nearly as tossable. The E55 wagon actually has better F/R balance than the sedan, and the extra weight -- all over the rear axle -- helps it hook up better. A tough act to follow, I guess. In the E55 wagon I surprised quite a few 911 drivers; this is simply NOT going to happen in the ML63 -- unless the 911 driver is seriously impaired by drugs, alcohol, or lack of talent.

Also on my Grouch list is the way most Mercedes split the rear bench. If the "70" part of the "70/30" seat were on the PASSENGER side, it would allow tall guys like me to drive while most of the rear seat is folded. Since there are many times when I'm the only one in the car, this would seem to be the intelligent way to do it.

There are, of course, positives. That magnificent engine, for example; Mercedes-Benz/AMG has knocked that one out of the park! It is a perfect combination of European and American design; it sounds like a big block Corvette with overhead cams. Good god, what an engine! Though some preferred the supercharged engines, I'm a normally-aspirated guy through-and-through. I guess all you guys with the 6.2 liter engine must drive around with the windows down; what a great sound this mill makes. Much nicer (to my ears) than the BMW V-10.

So, for me the jury is still out. At 6'7" there's not a lot I can drive, and the ML63 fits me even better than the E55 (except for the gas pedal, which seems to be way too far off the floor, making it hard for those with longer legs to modulate the pedal). I am going to drive the new BMW X5 4.8; though it's not a head-to-head competitor for the ML63 (much cheaper; significantly slower) I'll be interested to compare the two.

Best to everyone here; as this is a great source of information for this vehicle. I may yet buy a ML63, as I'm simply not Cayenne material (and our Porsche dealer is notoriously bad)...

 

I agree with what you said, but I didn't buy my ML63 for its wrapping, I bought it for its contents and AWD.

 

Thanks for your response, but could you please elaborate what you like most about your ML63? The AWD is easy to understand based on your location, but I don't consider things like handling or perceived build quality to be "buying for the wrapping". It would really help me to hear what ML63 owners love about their cars; it's so difficult to figure all this out on a 15-minute test drive...

 

First of all because it's not a station wagon!
I like the solid feel, the power, the looks, the practical
lity and that it's an AMG. The build quality is fine, the seats are awesome.
The paddle shifters, the brakes. I think you should drive it again.

 

CORRECT!Its not an e 55,and should not be compared to one, I too had an 05 Komp....Sold it because of uselessness in winter......I have installed the renntech lowering module on my ml63 so that the vehicle height is on par with a normal car...this did help CG, it comes down about an inch and a half....I just cannot say enough of how fast the steering ratio is at speed...Magnificent...
Get yourself out on the parkway and do some high speed lane changes....

ITS INSANE!

wish it did have 1 more suspension firmness setting

 

Thanks for the input; I do want to spend more time behind the wheel of the ML63 before making a decision. However, there are just as many people -- in my area, at least -- who wouldn't be caught dead in a station wagon OR an SUV. They're both strongly associated as being "Mommy Cars" -- which is one reason I loved blowing 911s away in my E55 wagon.

To each his own. As to not comparing an E55 wagon to a ML63 -- it seems to me that they are comparably priced, offer just about the same interior volume and space, and are very similar in many ways. The biggest differences seem to be the car vs. truck orientation and the AWD. Since I just owned an E55 wagon and am considering buying a ML63 for many of the exact same reasons, they are direct competitors in my book.

Since everyone has different needs, tastes, and preferences there are many who would see it differently, of course. I would put it this way; I was going to buy a 911 when I made the mistake of driving the E55 wagon. Are they direct competitors? Not to most people, but the E55 offered enough sportiness to satisfy me, and it was something I could drive most of the time (instead of just on weekends) because of its' real-world utility.

So, when I compare the ML63 and E55 wagon, I'd say there's about the same difference between the handling as there was between the 911 and the E55. That may not engender me to current ML63 owners, but if ANYONE who drives a 5,000 pound SUV can't recognize the limitations of physics, then perhaps they are too emotionally attached to their car.

Which is easy to do. I loved the E55 but could recite it's flaws. Just bought my wife a Lexus LS460L, which is perfect in many respects but flawed in a few ways. There simply is no perfect car; any vehicle is a series of compromises.

If I decide I can't live with the handling of the ML63 it sounds like there are two options: buy something else or take it immediately to a Renntech dealer. Still not sure at this point, but I'll get back to the dealer for a drive over the next week.

One more question; I'm beginning to think that Alpine Rain/Ash Grey might be a nice combination. What happens to the top of the dashboard; will it always be black regardless of the interior color?

 

MSDLTD,
You are a brave one, I wasn't sure if the Renntech lowering module would work on my ML63, so I didn't order one. Can you please give me some insight on how hard the installation is? I think I will follow your footsteps and get myself one.

 

My Shop in the city...Tecknik 1 did it...it is a 3 hour install...the front and rear are independently adjustable for attitude....The Module piggybacks to exististing module under drivers seat....Basically it costed me $1400.00 to lower the car inch and a half....I just leave it alone on bottom setting...any further and caster camber is affected.

Well worth it..the hunched up crunched down look from the rear is really cool...and the drive is slightly better.

 

Nice, I will go check with the shop you used once I get the module, thanks.

 

Do you have any pictures of the car lowered?

 

.............this does not represent my opinion but to play devils advocate. Why would you want to lower a 4x4 truck? It is a truck. Why not get an E55 wagon?

Ted

 

Its all about World domination!

 

In my case see Post #1 above, but World Domination is also an admirable goal...

 

Ted,
Totally understand what you are thinking, but if you've seen how the truck sits in comfort mode, it sit a tad too tall/high off the ground, and in sport mode, it's not low enough to my liking, so another half an inch would cut it for me.

 

Do you have the model number of the renntech lowering module that works is a 07 please ?
I too would love to see some pics. Does the module allow you to raise and lower like stock but lower at all settings?
TIA

 

I have owned mine for just over a week and it took me most of that time to realise I had been driving it in 'off-road' mode. I also had similar views on the handling, until I selected the correct settings on the OBC.

Lateral handling is plenty capable, but its a little soft for my liking longitudinaly in terms of pitch and tramp. I came to the ML63 from a 4.8is X5 which is more agile and more stable under duress, but whilst the ML requires a slightly different style of driving it is quicker point-to-point.

I drive my SUVs quickly (I occasionally contribute to the magazine EVO, and have a stable of interesting cars), and apart from firming it up slightly and releasing more of the wonderful noise from the exhaust I wouldn't want to change anything at the moment.

Quality seems good IMO. We don't get a leather dash over here in the UK, but other controls seem reasonable, certainly no better or worse than the Porsche Cayenne.

Here's a few pics..

 

Go to the Renn tech site...One module works on all air ride mercedes Systems.

 

Thank you for posting this; I think you've hit the nail on the head! I knew more about the car going in than the dealer, and I don't know all that much about the ML63. I'm willing to bet that vehicle had been set to "off-road"; I'll be 100% certain to check that on the next drive...

 

Here is an interior pic by the way. I rather like the non-wood sporty feel since I had the Dark Grey Maple in my X5.

 

Do the Sport and Comfort buttons still work? Those buttons only affect the cars height at different speeds and diving conditions it’s not a up or down, so how does everything still work? Also does anyone notice if the speed of the steering changes with the different suspension settings?

 

that ML63 does not have a leather dash.... i cant see any stitching.

 

At first I thought it was just the reflection, but I think you're exactly right! Since they're built in the US of A, perhaps Mercedes is "decontenting" the European versions to better compete on price?

 

That's correct, there seems to be no leather dash on UK/European cars. Shame really

 

Oops; guess I had an Alzheimer's moment there...