OlavDaniel

Hi, is the On/offroad package worth the extra cash?
and does the Ml have a winter program without this package?

iankayem

I cannot speak about winter program as I live in a "warm" climate.

But I have the off road program principally to get the extra ground clearance and underbody protection.

It has distinct advantage for driving over heavy snow by using that clearance, the low range gear and manual transmission selection.

But if you drive on snow plowed or icy roads only, then it is of limited use.

OlavDaniel

so for on road winter driving it's probably not worth the extra dollar?

since the car cost 170.000 for a 250 bluetech i wont think about driving serious off road but i think the low range gear could be usefull on snowy days?

but with the ordinary airmatic you can still sett different ride heights and so on?
and is there an options to get the underbody protection?

Stoneseller

The On/offroad package turns the ML into a true four wheel drive vehicle.
Standard 4matic works by braking any wheel(s) that starts spinning, allowing the wheel with the best traction to pull the car forward. If you happen to find yourself in very deep snow or mud you could very likely get stuck rather easily.

The enhanced ORP allows you to first engage a front to rear differential lock, giving far better traction. If neccesary, you can also engage a side to side differential lock, which can pull you through depths of snow or mud in an almost unbelievable fashion. Combined with raising the height of the suspension the vehicle is almost un-stopable in deep snow.

I don't think low range is much advantage in snow. If you want to go rock crawling or scaling very steep inclines, low range would come in very handy.

If I lived in Norway I would never even consider an ML without the package.

ipp

Hej nordbo! Kul att se en skandinav här.

I don't have the on/off-road package. As you said, with airmatic you can still raise the vehicle if you get stucked in snow. I think you can order underbody protection separately.

Even if you don't have the on/off-road package you will still have a "Off-road mode" which optimizes the ABS, ESP and throttle response for offroading. No low gear though. This mode seems to be lacking on US Spec vehicles from what I've seen on pictures posted here? Might be wrong here, if not, it's strange.

OlavDaniel

heihei nabo ;D

so a for the off-road package i can drop it and get a car with more equipment as active lane/blind spot, and maybe night camera, distronic plus and inteligent lights are some good upgrades? since it is dark before 2Pm half the year.
is the active curve system any good?

BACnMercedes

Has the ideas or concepts on the on/off road package changed much from this last post to today's models (gle400)?
I've been reading up and trying to decided if I want to keep this option in my build .

iankayem

According to the new sales brochure/specifications, the on/off road package is unchanged across the W166 range.
+Except that there is now a "Country Pack" which includes the original pack but adds 18" wheels and special rubber mats.

Kenn1926

BAC, I have a 13' ML550 with on/off road package. I use it, legitimately. Legit off roading, beach, mountain trails etc. I've gone everywhere I went with my GC/hemi and quadradrive II and further. The skid plates are so-so but the 11.5" of ground clearance and 2.94:1 crawl ratio is excellent. I have pics with wheels in the air... The six driving modes are nice also. I leave it in sport(drops an inch) 90% of the time, tightens the ride, eliminates body roll almost complete, tightens steering and throttle response. I also tow a boat and trailer regularly which exceed 8000lbs. I have a tune now but pulled it like a beast before hand too. Trailer mode locks the center diff at take off, the stares from people with full size pickups are priceless as I yank my 25' sea Ray out of the water with ease. As far as in the snow, you don't touch low range, the last thing you want is to multiply the torque to the wheels. I live on Long Island and just got hit with 22" of snow. I can tell you with certainty that there aren't many vehicles better suited than my ML with Pirelli scorpion ice and snows(275/45-20's) and the suspension raised up to level 3. I keep a tow strap and recovery equipment in the back at all times. Saturday afternoon I pulled a Silverado HD out of snowbank. The driver was quite appreciative but humbled!!! It's not a Jeep Wrangler rubicon but there aren't many suv's that will carry you further down the trail in designo comfort. If it's still packaged with the air matric a steal at $2400 or so. I have videos/pics if you're curios, message me. Good luck, if you plan to use it it's an excellent package and deal.

BACnMercedes

Thanks for the inputs. But the wife and talked about it and after we got to the dealership today, it went from a $1640 option to an almost $2800 option. I agree it was probably a good deal but from what I researched, it is not a very popular option since I think the MBs do so well even without it.

iankayem

I presume the price increase is Airmatic has to be added, and that has its own virtues regardless of whether you have On/Off road as well.
With Airmatic you can raise your drive height which can overcome some off road nasties.


Interestingly, I also drive a "Big red, shiny, loud truck with lots of flashing lights" It is amazing where it can go off road in just 2WD, considering 60% weight on rear wheels and a "No-Spin" diff. But it still is good to have the 4WD & Low-range buttons.


So 98% of all GLE buyers will not need the Off road package, and that may include you. But just as I buy insurance in case I have a prang, I have the insurance of the off road pack to prevent embarrassment at the washaway or steep gutter, and to allow me to drive up to the door of my Ski Chalet.

BACnMercedes

Yes, I had to add the airmatic. It does not tell you that on MBs website when you are building it. And ski chalet does not help dang it because that's why we are going with an SUV so we can travel and go to winter places. Therefore I called today and was told I was in the yellow so I better decide quickly.

And the big red truck is retired after 25 years!

Michal Vartiak

Sorry for my english

Hello, where i live in slovakia, its mild climate, so during the winter its snow quite often, well not that much for the last years, but normally it was very nice winter.
Back to on&offroad package, it is one of the best option you could get, but it depends if you find usage for that. I had the chance to test it and it was perfect. But as tha majority of MLs never getts off the paved roads i am sure that you dont need it for shopping. This package is the main difference betwen every other premium SUV out there. Its just VW touareg and Mercedes ML who offer this offroad option. Porsche Cayenne nor BMW X5 dont have this.
I had a good price offer for a W166 ML500 without this package, but i really miss it, since we have a cottage in the winter resort, and the low range gear is what i miss. Nothing compares to it when it comes to going down safely on slippery terrain.

If there is some expert in SCN coding and part numbers, i would love to retrofit this option. As long as i know the main parts of the system are:
1: other divider gearbox with low-range
2: on&offroad package ECU
3: switches on the middle console
4: maybe some wire looms

Maybe its not that easy as i may think, but if theres anybody who has some experiences i would love to speak to him. This package is more common in GL class so the owners could speak more.

There is one funny difference between EU and US market, while in the us you could buy a 2WD versions of some premium SUVs, there is almost nobody willing to buy this in europe. But i can immagine that its hard to use 4matic somewhere on sunny florida.

XHULIANO

If you live in a country with snow you must buy it , it is magic, i drove my ml 350 in snow and i was the only one.The others were drinking coffe and waiting there. IF YOU REALLY LIKE AN SUV YOU SHOULD GET THE OFFROAD PACKAGE.

David Hartman

Hello. I hope you can help me. I'm new.

I read most of the posts and skimmed all the others. And I understand I'm asking a question on an old thread. So my apologies in advance.

Here I go. I'm in the US. I'm very interested in purchasing a used ML with the off-road package. Something between 2012 in 2014. How do I know if a used ML truly has the off-road package? Is the airmatic option part of the offroad package or a separate package? And if airmatic is separate does the off-road package have its own ride height adjustment abilities?

Last, I read somewhere that the offroad package was only available on the ML in the US on V8 models. Yet during my search for my used ML I've seen ads saying tagger offroad package was on a few of the V6's, a BlueTEC and all the V8 engines. Are these ads wrong?

Thank you for your help.

Stoneseller

If you can find one you will have a great vehicle. I had a 2013 Blutech with the Off Road package, and my wife drives a 2013 350 with offroad package.

peter2772000

Just curious, does the off-road package include low-range?

David Hartman

According to this it does. Off Road Package Details


I read the above link. It was great help. Yet I still don't know what to look for to be sure the OR package is installed. Is there a button on the dash or do I need to crawl under and look for a different transfer case? Maybe something in the computer?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

nookie

Sample:

http://m.autotrader.ca/a/5_33696581

iankayem

You will note in the centre console there are THREE rotary dials with the off road package. Two of those dials can be pressed flush to "hide" them.
The front right dial adjusts the airmatic ride height, which is standard with the off road pack. Around it are buttons for low range, manual gear selection and hill descent.
The rearward dial selects any of six driving modes, including two off road settings.
If any off these dials are missing and a blank storage space appears, then the off road pack is missing.

peter2772000

Yeah, I have a whole lot of blankness going on in my truck LOL

David Hartman

@iankayem like this? This is from a GL. Does the ML look the same?

David Hartman

To answer my own question, Yes. The ML looks the same when it has the Off-Road package. Found one 2013 ML for sale on the other side of the country.

Did the OR package start on the ML in 2012, or was it also on older MLs? Some guy in Marin country says he has a 2011 - the 2nd to last body style.

Vrystaat

Yes it does.

Vrystaat

Hi David,
I own a 2008 model ML 350, with the optional off-road pack.

Quick way to check if ORP installed...should have diff lock dials (for rear & central diffs) and also the letters "LR" is printed on the off-road selection button.

If no "LR" printed = only basic off-road driving assist mode, which does NOT have low range.