Jo

I need some input. How many of you guys love your ML63 and would buy another one?
The local dealership here in Canada called me today and told me they had one that would be arriving in June and that it was cancelled.
I am very tempted to jump at it but I will say that Mercedes financing is gonna make some cash.
With 20k down and 7.49% for 5yrs I would be paying about $137k when done and paid out. Cash price would be 110k off the lot.
27k in interest in 5 yrs??? Any input?
I am a previous GC-SRT8 owner and one of the reasons I got rid of this one was due to Customer Service at Chrysler, 2nd it sucked in winter.
How is this in snow?

I need to make my decision before sunrise...

Whoopsy

I have mine for just over 5 months, loving every minute of ownership. There is no question that if I were to pick again the ML63 will be the one. It's also the most driven car in my household for the past 5 months, my wife and I routinely fight over who gets to drive it.

By my calculations your 5yr interests works out to be actually less than 20k.

Even if you take ALL the options on the car a Canadian ML63 works out to be just under 105k + tax, with interest your 5 year total would be around 125k + tax, still a bit less than your number, did the dealer trying to screw you on the price? My price are based on 07s, and since your car is arriving on June it would still be a 07.

Stock 20in summer tires are quite servicable in the snow if you do not need to go over steep inclines, the 4matic on it is quite good, but for severe winter snow and/or hills to climb, snow tires are a must no matter what car you are in.

Jo

Here is the break down.
Options of this one is Rear Seat Entertainment System, Rear View Camera & Keyless Go ,Freight $1895
price of ML63 $103795 + our sales tax of 6% for a total purchase price of 110,022.70
Monthly payments of 1260 for 60 months at 7.49%
$20k down
Balloon payment due at end of 60 months is $41,779
So 1260 x 60 =75,600+20,000+41,779=$137,379
So 137,379 - 110,022.70 = 27,356.3 in INTEREST.
Looking at those #'s I feel like I am buying it at the local pawnshop.

Whoopsy

Well there was like 8k worth of tax, and the interest works out to be just under 20k, so the bank and government got a big chunk off you.

Jo

Well this purchase would be exempt from the Canadian gas guzzler tax of $4k

smackjack

I like my ML63, but Im not sure I'd buy it again - they are simply too expensive, IMO. If you can wait, the new 2008 ML550 will give you most of what the ML63 gives you, but at far less cost.

RCTMan

I agree with smackjack. It is a great truck, but I do not know if I would buy it again. If you are set on a high performance SUV, I do not think there is anything better. But for me, it is a waste 99% of the time. When I am in traffic I am wishing for something more comfortable. But when I get the rare opportunity to open it up, it is a blast.

Whoopsy

Not sure about the far less cost part, at least in Canada. I spec-ed out a ML500 and it was like 6k cheaper than a loaded ML63, most of what I want on the ML500 is standard on the ML63 so it was basically a no brainer for me to go for the 63. To me an extra 6k to get the exclusiveness and the prestige of an AMG is a bargain.

After justifying that extra 6k, I realized that the only other truck that can compete with the ML63 was the Cayenne Turbo S, which cost 168k, so in my mind I actually saved 68k plus tax on the ML63, THAT, gentleman is a BIG chunk of money saved.

BTW remember these are Canadian $.

Having said all of the above, I think the 08 ML550 is gonna be fantasic as it has enough power to move around but unlike the 63 don't have excessive power that goes unused a lot of the time. Just right is the word to describe it.

Jo

Thanks for the feed back guys. I thew in the towel and should have it in about 2 months. I had the GC-SRT8 but I think I will like this one a little better.

Eye_Candy

I love my ML 63. The 550 may make you feel second best and the cost savings will not justify that feeling. Though it is a bargain compared to the Cayennes it is still not exactly cheap. Did you price in the extended warranty, bluetooth phone, mp3 player hookup and possible second set of rims / tires (if you go with dedicated winters)?

My only disappointment has been the winter driving performance. It has not been as good as one might expect (this is with Nokian Hakka 5's at 275 width). I find that the truck floats on snow. This may be because the tires are so wide.

Other than that quibble I have been very pleased and have no regrets.

Jo

I thought about winter driving and I already have a set of low profile winter tires ready to be mounted on 20 inch rims, perhaps a 2nd set. I used these on my GC-SRT8 and it did make a difference.
I did not price out extended warranty yet, I will see how much I like it and if I decide to keep it longer than it would take me to drive 80,000 km then I would purchase this.
Blue tooth I think was about 400 bucks and about the same for the Ipod integration. I would be more interested in Satellite Radio....I do not know if this would be possible.

Whoopsy

Satellite Radio is not entirely possible in Canada, the Canadian dealers cannot order the parts thru their ordering system. And if you obtained the parts from a US dealer the Canadian dealers do not have the shop manual to install the damn thing. BUT, it's not impossible if you really want it.

Bluetooth thingy is just a puck that plugs into the car, no extra installation charge. Ipod however needs an extra couple hrs or labour to install.

BoBcanada

I think you cannot compare ml550 to ML63 driving AMG car is whole new feeling.

kostis

i agree - AMG, S/RS and Ms have a very different feel than the "normal" production lines.

spyderman

I too have a Jeep GC, but with the 5.7 hemi which I use go onto job sites. I was not too happy with the Customer Service at Chrysler in general, but the ride (the bouncy rear end going over bumps),the crappy brakes (over heat and warp)the hard plastic interior finishes.... on a $56,000 truck was just a shame! The residuals on Jeeps when I checked in Feburary were 32% after 3 years for a GC SRT 8. The payments on the new GC SRT8 was $1100 a month taxes in. I purchased a ML 63 for my dad in Januray and his payments are about $1300 tax in with $15,000 down. I have driven my dad truck for a 4 weeks in Feburary and I just loved it. When my truck finally arrived in late March I was still excited to pick it up. Not too sure how it is in winter, very limited use but I would get snows for it just to be safe.

If I didn't like my dads truck I would have passed on my ML 63 when it came in with out hesitation.

I know its early but so far I have had it for only 8 weeks and if I had to make the call again...I would still get the ML 63. I looked at the Porsche Caynne TT but it quickly added up to $145,000 plus taxes when I added the same options that come standard in the ML 63 . I believe the ML 63 is just as fast (if not faster) then the TT . I also drive a 997tt with a stage 4 kit (610 HP) so I am not anti Porsche.

Get it...life is too short!!

kokanee

Well said! Life is too short and you just don't ever really know. You won't regret it IMO. If driving is something you enjoy then the ML63 should satisfy you greatly. For what you get comparatively speaking I think it's a bargain. I did a private lease so I put more down and more per month but for 29k (Cdn) its mine after 3 years. $45k after 2 years. I don't think I'll ever drive anything less than an AMG again. The poor FX45 is feeling really neglected. The new M3 might be fun though.

Jo

I just wish I would have it in the garage when I wake up tomorrow morning......it is going to be a long 60 days.
A wait well worth it by the sounds of it.

michaelt

There is no way to compare the ML550 to the AMG engine, suspension, brakes, appearance, transmission ( paddles) and presence The neglegable cost difference is far out weighed by this. IMO the ML63 is awesome and is worth any $ compared to what is available for an every day, every season vehicle. Read Automobile Mag this month that compares the super SUV''s

smackjack

Well, that's your opinion, and you're entitled to it. I own an ML63, and I obviously like it, or I wouldn't have bought it. My opinion is that it is cool, but not "to-die-for" cool, and it is way way overpriced, so when measured on the bang-for-the-buck scale, it ain't nothin' to write home about. That's my view.

Jo

Best Bang for your buck goes to the Grand Cherokee SRT-8.....but at the end of the day it is a Chrysler with Mexican 5 star service.

Eye_Candy

I have to agree with Smackjack that although it is a solid performer it doesn't turn many heads. My C5 convertible gets far more attention and was a better bang for the buck. The 63 does give you a well rounded package of handsome looks, performance, luxury and utility. I highly recommend the LED tailights which I finally installed last weekend. Sharpens the look at night.

kokanee

Of course not turning heads can be a good thing. Especially if the heads are those of the local constabulary kind! I just got a "flyby" that would have been a ticket in a vette. I will say that lowered with the chrome wheels it does get considerably more attention. If you get a chance for a few finished picks Eye Candy it would be appreciated.

brt3

Before my ML63 I had an E55 wagon, debadged (of course). THAT was one stealthy ride; because it was so predictable/tossable I stunned quite a few 911 drivers in my humble little station wagon...

I actually consider the ML63 a bit too flashy for my tastes, what with all the angles, flares, and chrome bits. Don't get me wrong here, as I threw down the money and bought one. I just really like the cloaking device the E55 wagon had; it was damn near invisible to most folks. Would still have it, if not for serious knee surgeries and the need to tow a motorcycle trailer.

That being said, I'm having a blast with the ML63 and I LOVE the 6.2 liter engine...

Eye_Candy

Check ou this post and if you still want pics on the LEDs I will upload some.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w164...tallation.html

Mine are just like the ones in that thread. They didn't have these smoked ones when I ordered:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Benz-W163-ML-Smok...QQcmdZViewItem