GregW / Oregon

As all the manufacturers are downsizing engines, Mercedes is said to be coming out with the E400 this Fall to replace the E550 in the US. It will have a turbo V6 with about 333 hp. You can bet this will show up in the ML within a year after that.

27T

550 bites the dust

schroedinger

Two things: 1. Why does a turbo only add 31 hp? Most engines get a lot more added hp from a turbo. 2. How can a 333-hp V6 replace a 402-hp V8? Why would Mercedes do this when Lexus (GX460), Infiniti (FX50), Porsche (Cayenne S), Land Rover, and BMW (X5 50i) all offer V8s? Heck, the Jeep Grand Cherokee offers a V8.

GregW / Oregon

Almost all manufacturers are on the engine downsizing bandwagon to meet future fuel economy standards. Here is the full content of what I read,

"Motor Trend is reporting the E550's (aka E500) twin-turbo 4.6-liter V8 engine could be replaced by a new twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6. As the saying goes "there's no replacement for displacement" and this appears to be case as the magazine is reporting the engine will produce roughly 330 bhp (246 kW) and 350 lb-ft (474 Nm) of torque. For comparison, the V8 churns out 402 bhp (300 kW) and 443 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque.

It remains unclear if the twin-turbo 4.6-liter V8 engine will still be offered in the sedan - at least in the United States - but the magazine doesn't sound overly optimistic. Despite this, there is the possibility that the engine could still be available in the E-Class Coupe and Convertible."

The answer to the power issue is they are supposing a 3L vs. 3.5L displacement, and peak torque would be up a significant 77 lb.-ft. Economy should see a nice increase. This is all conjecture about what will be offered for the ML at this point; this might be added as an additional variant while keeping the V8. But, given the need to increase economy across the lines, I don't think that will be the case. Likely it will lag behind its appearance in the E Class by a year, as well.

fabbrisd1

Went over this in a meeting today - all maufacturers will be phasing out big block V8's over the next 3-4 yrs - I am told E-Class will add E400 in 2015 but unknown if E550 will contunue thru MY2016 under Euro E500 badging..

In the ML, ultimately the 250CDI will ultimately replace the 350BT... originally scheduled for MY2014 - but there are some blips with Fed's on the BT certifications so MB chose not to interupt the flow for this next year - so far.

RED32

In the whole USA there will be no ML550 being made anymore. This is a Fact!! Yes they are replacing the ML550 with the ML400. The reason why I know this is because I ordered an ML550 in April and they change my order from an ML550 to an ML400. Which I don't like because I want a V8 engine.
ALSO HOW MUCH ARE YOU REALLY SUPPOSE TO SAVE ON GAS?
DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THIS FANTASTIC GAS MILEAGE IS SUPPOSE TO BE??? :crazy:

27T

You snooze you lose.

jbva

The 400's are already scheduled. I am test driving a 550 in the morning, looking for a loaded one somewhere. My dealer has a 400 being made third week of august he can modify for me, but i dont want to sign up for a vehicle i cant test out. All the options are priced accordingly, but the actual vehicle msrp showed 109,000 as they havent released pricing yet i guess. So they just inflate on Netstar. I did drive a loaded 350BT and was impressed with te torque. My 2002 ML500 isn't ready to give it up yet, but i am scared to not get one of the last v8's, and daughter turns 16 in a few months, so she can beat up the 02 soon enough.

GregGebhardt

My dealer told me that there is a high demand for the 2014 ML350BT as it will be downsizing the engine to a 4 cylinder as posted here. People are paying a premium to have their dealer buy what is left over from other dealers.

Sign of things to come.

jtorrebl

I had a loaner e250 diesel yesterday and was not impressed. Can't imagine that engine in a heavy ml

Benz Werd

Hi RED32.

So what happened to your order? Did you cancel it? I would have. That is so unprofessional for MB to accept your order as an ML550 then change it on you to an ML400. I thought they were still going to be available in the USA until at least August.

They're obviously still building the ML500/550s as they're still available on the latest specifications list here in Australia, and that spec sheet is effective from 07/2014 production. (http://www.mercedes-benz.com.au/content/media_library/australia/mpc_australia/passenger_cars_ng/new_car/rep_m_class/rep_m_class_price_list_and_brochure/rep_specifications.object-Single-MEDIA.download.tmp/M-Class_Specifications_04-2014.pdf)

Both the 4cyl ML250 & 6cyl ML350 BlueTECs are still available as well.

But the ML350 petrol (gasser) has been replaced with the ML400.

So we missed out on the E500 (550) when MBAuP released the new E-Class facelift recently, and got the E400 as a replacement, in sedan, coupe & cabriolet form but the E550 is still available in all forms in the USA, for how long is the big question. (I drove an E400 sedan for 2 days on demo, and it wasn't half the car the E500 used to be. Felt like a large C-Class, not a small S-Class like the E500 was like - very disappointing MB!)

But the USA is losing the ML550 soon, or has already if your experience is anything to go by, but looks like we're keeping it here for a bit longer. This makes no sense to me at all, as the USA is the biggest market for it, and we're probably the smallest. And it's made in the USA! Perhaps they'll release new Australian specifications from 08/2014 production that will drop it off. Haven't driven an ML400, there's quite a few kicking around here now, but if the experience with the E400 is anything to go by it will also be a huge disappoinment compared to the ML500/550.

I was thinking to upgrade my ML500 mid-late 2015 but I will NOT buy another ML if I can't get a non-AMG V8. ML63 is way too expensive for what I need, and my current ML has the ON & OFF Road pack which isn't available on an ML63 either, and I really need that.

As much as it hurts to say it, let alone even think it, I might have to consider a BMW X5 5.0i as my ML's replacement, if they have a proper OFF ROAD feature. The other alternative if I still want a petrol V8 is a Jeep Grand Cherokee, and at least I'll save quite a few $$$. Will cross that bridge when I come to it in another 12-18 months time.

Cheers