Good Morning or Afternoon, where ever you may lay..
I'm 22 years old and I'm currently driving a 2017 C43, i've had this car for just over a year now and i really do enjoy it. I've done a tune, resonator delete, blow off valves.. its just a joy to drive. We recently took in a 2015 ml63 on trade, with the Performance package and 82k miles... The ML is just loaded with options.. the only things it's missing is a trailer hitch and a heated steering wheel lol.. I took it home for a night and love how it drives and rides. Really thinking about upgrading into this beast vehicle. Maintenance has been spot on with the old owner, also just had the left cylinder head replaced 5,000 miles ago.

Would this be a good decision, I would love to hear feedback from current ML63 owners to see how much they love their vehicle, the pros and cons.
Feel free to say anything in here! Just want to hear what everyone has to say!

I can post the vin# if anyone wants to see the packages on the ML63

Happy Holidays to all

 

I've owned mine for almost 5 years/25K+ miles and below is my summary:

Pros:
-ultimate sleeper, esp. when tuned properly
-drives like a normal SUV in comfort mode, but a beast when driven hard (S+ mode)
-can tow anything up to 7200 lbs (towed a few boats, a car on a u-haul trailer with no issues)
-intoxicating sound (catless downpipes)
-plenty of space with rear seats folded

Cons:
-averages 13 mpg (but who buys this SUV for gas mileage?)
-expensive maintenance if not doing it yourself
-build quality isn't up to par (rattles/creaks, suspension noises, leather dash peeling, oil leaks, cracked wood trims, etc)
-4matic but not really; the slightest slip and the whole rear end starts sliding around or jumps
-definitely not an SUV for off-roading or scenic routes

In summary, I'm happy with the purchase and experience but if I was to do it all over again, I would go a different route.
Just my 0.02 cents.

 

On the contrary, MB 4MATIC is arguably the most capable all wheel drive system without locking differentials or two-speed transfer case. It can do nearly everything a Jeep or G-Wagen can do, when comparing the same wheel and tire sizes. An issue with MB SUVs is low profile tires and large wheel size - not at all related to the 4MATIC system.

 

Thanks for adding onto the thread! I did go through with the purchase, 2015 ML63 with the performance package. Car is an absolute blast! the sound is so throaty! comfort is drives extremely nice, but sport/manual its just a beast all around.
i have to agree with the gas mileage but that wasn't even a concern when i was thinking about the purchase
The ML is missing the tow hitch package but what it can tow is good to know.. I'm young so that doesn't bother me at all!

I've got plenty of room in the back for my black lab also which really makes it all around the best car haha...
Had to drive down into Boston this weekend and the ML just cruises with no issues..

Thanks for adding in!! Thanks for your 0.02 cents hahah

 

What is your VIN?

Mine's a 2015 non-PP with 57k miles, have owned for nearly 6 months, I absolutely love it, though I've realised keeping these machines in optimum mechanical condition won't come cheap, but extremely rewarding otherwise.

 

4JGDA7EB5FA566669
2015 ML63 82,000 miles
left cylinder head was replaced about 5k or about 18 months ago, the car was been fully serviced at my dealership and Mercedes Benz of Chicago, the vehicle is just about all highway miles between us and them. I was able to get the ML at a very great price so i went through with it

 

Well done sounds like you've got a great ML63,

You've got a nice spec to, definitely jealous of your pano roof and looks like you have the B&O audio upgrade to?

Has your engine had any history of coolant leaks? I had a turbo coolant line, water pump and thermostat replaced not long after I purchased mine, and only a short time later it developed a coolant leak on the timing chain cover (behind the active curve pump).

 

yes i do have the B&O sound system, but we haven't noticed any leaks yet.. praying haha
My brother is a tech at my dealership so the ML will always be checked over every couple of weeks..

The car has been an absolute blast to drive! Thanks

 

nice I recently got mine almost a month ago coming from a WK2 SRT Jeep which is what I was told same platform wheelbase etc . But it’s night and day in my opinion it’s a 14 ML63 with Performance package aswell . I’m in Chicago so Jeep had to go after almost being stolen twice and getting followed .

 

Yikes. Hopefully the ML will stay safe man!

Yeah i've had my ML for almost 3 weeks and i just can't be happy enough with it. I came from a C43 so the extra room is great. The power to weight feels about the same to my C class but ML just shouldn't be this quick ahahah
its great.

Stay Safe my Friend

 

I just moved from location the attempt thefts took place and have a garage but needs to be cleaned out . It’s low key compared to Jeep but it was this or a 15 X5M decision wasn’t a hard 1

 

It is an opinion that many here would likely disagree with.

 

I guess but in Chicago I don’t get kids in traffic asking if my Jeep SRT a trackhawk and asking me to rev it . Jeep SRT stands out more where I’m at in Chicago by police and thieves than the ML63 does .

 

Hey can you go into why you had to have a whole head replaced?

 

. CONNECT COMPRESSION TESTER AND

PERFORM COMPRESSION TEST. #1-185 PSI. #2-185 PSI. #3-190

PSI. #4-190 PSI. #5-150 PSI. #6-190 PSI. #7-190 PSI. #8-190

PSI. PERFORM CYLINDER LEAKAGE TEST. #1-5%. #2-5%. #3-5%.

#4-5%. #5-75%. #6-5%. #7-5%. #8-5%. DETERMINED MECHANICAL
PROBLEM WITH #5 CYLINDER LEAKAGE

I was able to get the Tech story from the Service manager, but short story. Leakage on Cylinder #5

 

My 2014 ML63 is indeed a blast to drive. I’ve had Porsche Cayenne S V8 and it wasn’t as powerful.
I’ve done a lot maintenance and repairs on my ML63 since I purchased it a year ago. I have a Tesla Model S 70D, and I think the ML63 has more power. Maybe it’s the rumble under the hood and the throaty exhaust.

anyhow, I am regretfully selling my ML63.
Here are pics. I’m near Clearwater beach Florida.
Text or call me at (571) 525-6534

 

Nice Beast! sad to see her go !!

 

I also traded a Cayenne S 2011 for a ML63 2015. The Cayenne Turbo was my other shopping option, but the S just didn't have the power to move 5K Lbs quickly enough for me.

The Cayenne gave me very little trouble from 105K - 116K miles. It didn't have any huge repairs in history, except the TC recall early in life.

The ML63 I will say I violated multiple shopping best practices after months of searching. I bought a northern car, originally from Canada. It has some rusty bolts and bits underneath, not really bad, but not like southern cars I'm used to being 100% free of corrosion. Violation #2 was not getting a PPI because the dealer was not cooperative, but I was able to find a previous owner through Facebook, and I bought it based on our chat it seemed he had done things recently like engine mounts and coils. When it rolled off the truck I was not excited. It quickly threw an engine light, had cracked trims, and other shortcomings. If I had seen it in person I probably would have passed, but I was seeking very specific options and the price was right. Anyway, I have sunk about $7k in repairs and maintenance in the first 6 months, but I think it's finally well sorted. Wheels refurbished, new tires, changed all fluids, replaced radiator with a small separation leak, front hydraulic suspension block lost a valve, replaced with used unit, coils were NOT replaced because 1 failed and it had about 3 different brands across 8 cylinders so I did all plugs and coils, turbo controller valve was the engine light issue which I finally figured out with my diag tool, vacuum tester, spare solenoid stolen from my GL550, and some patience. Then the icing on the cake was that I found a crack in the front subframe where the engine mounts attached. After a month at a local indy and another $2k bill it was back together with new engine mounts (again). Now it's a blast to drive, but I still hear a front suspension creak here and there, simliar to my GL550.

 

Wow, that's alot of stuff to repair/replace or fix and it doesn't sound like the previous owner(s) took care of it. The PPI would've pointed all those out and make it an easy pass. I hope you didn't spend too much on it. Good news is...you got it running like a champ and enjoying it. Congrats!