I just got my 28k mile '07 S600 back from the dealer on Thursday after being there for 2.5 weeks. They replaced the transmission (because warranty company authorized the swap without letting the dealer get into the trans to see if it might be something minor) and changed out a pulley that was getting noisy.


The dealer gave me a 2015 ML350 as a free loaner while my car was away all that time. I thought I'd hate that little truck, but was surprised how roomy it is in the front seats. Although I'd only put my smallest kids in the back due to the miniscule leg room back there. Something I noticed almost immediately is that the COMAND system is pretty much identical to my 2007, although the colors are more pleasing to the eye on my car. The COMAND mouse is very small and had a cheap look and feel, but it works just like my 2007. The screens all work in the same order as my car, although there were no massaging seats options in the ML screen.


The advantage to the 2015 ML was the lane departure monitor which would vibrate the steering wheel slightly when you got too close to the lines in the road. Also, the blind spot monitor is awesome. It was so nice not needing to break my neck to see if somebody was in my blind spot. I believe this equipment became optional or standard on the 2008 S-class and not having it now after getting my car back makes me miss and appreciate it. The last advantage is the back-up camera. The image is so bright and clear, even at night. In my car, it looks a bit like a TV that is slightly out of tune and is very dark at night. I believe that every backup camera in all new vehicles looks significantly better than they did on the 2007 Benz cars.


The biggest disappointment with the 2015 ML is that it is nearly indistinguishable from the sea of small sport-utes on the market. Nothing really felt upscale at all about that little truck. The seats had the firm grainy pleather that you'd find in a Honda or Hyundai. The layout on the center stack looked like it came from the W220, with much cheaper feeling materials. I believe the Lexus RX-350 or Hyundai Santa Cruz are more upscale looking than the Benz for less money. The ML just didn't seem worthy or wearing a Benz Star. But not a bad ride as a free loaner...and it helped me fall in love with my car all over again.

 

Damn and here I was feeling (as I read the post)that maybe you missed these new toys so much that you would want to sell the 600 cheap and get into a newer car. Ah, if a man can't dream what can he do?

 

I echo the same thoughts as you on the new ML350. I'd never own one, but have had quite a few as loaners. Just had a 2015 and did a 6 hour trip in it. Drove nice, but nothing compares to the S. I do love the blind spot protection and the steering wheel vibration alert. Really promotes texting and driving

 

Same thing happened to me, I got a CLA250 about 1 month ago and all my friends loved it. Personally I love how it drives. But HATE the ride quality. It's hard as hell. I was excited first driving it since I was used to my W221 and W140 and wanted something new. The interior quality was cheap, the ride quality was horrible, and have you seen the rear passenger doors??? Oh gawd my heads bigger then those doors (not literally). Point is I was excited driving the CLA, but it made me miss the wide roomy seating and expensive designo leather.
And i missed the power and the unweary people eyeing my S. And you got to remember something. The S stands for something in Mercedes Benz that means more than any other class except for the G class. S class = special class. No mercedes class will reach it in luxury or comfort. So don't let go of your beloved W221 for a downgrade.

 

I got a loaner that was a CLA250 and I FREAKING HATE THAT CAR! Everytime I would stop it cuts off and then turns back on, how freaking annoying. Seats were hard as a rock and it felt so cheap. Sorry for my rant, but I dislike cla's. They keep making all of these entry level mercedes just to get people in their brand but they are cheap. BMW is doing the same thing, how many series will there be? 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 x z

 

I'll tell you another thing all of you need to do... Let someone else drive your S, and sit in the back seat for a few min. You will have a new appreciation.

 

it cuts off to save gas and stop unnecessary idle, but that only if step it all the way to the bottom, you hear a click and it shuts off.

 

Yes, it's a feature that I definitely would not want to have.

 

I get what you mean, it also makes acceleration slower when the car starts back up.

 

I drove a new Ml350 and it was nice, but no where near the luxury of an S. I even drove the larger Mercedes SUV and it didnt have enough rear leg room for my growing 12 year old son. The suv's have a utility feel with a touch of luxury, but no comparison to an S class in my opinion.
I too had a new CLA250 as a loaner car for the day last month. I liked it a lot until it started shutting off on me at stop lights. It was a bit nerve racking. I guess you could get use to it after a while, but it delayed start ups/takeoffs and to me, its just one more thing to potentially go wrong in the future. I returned it and asked for another car as my car wasn't going to be ready for the day and the dealership gave me that Benz wagon that looks like a friggin Subaru. I couldnt stand that thing. Miserable excuse for a Mercedes. It was brand new with 11 miles and the wind noise on the highway was worse than my Dad's new Hyundai Sonata...

 

Not a huge fan of the new ML. Just looks too chunky.

 

I think the X5 looks nicer if you ask me. Also, if you ask me, the real Mercedes come from and are made in Germany.

 

I believe the X3 is a better comparison to the ML350. The X5 looks bigger.

 

X5 and ML are in the same class, but that X3 is a matchbox car. Lol, I know a guy how got the M version on the X3. Pathetic. Slightly different wheels, and an M badge on the wheel. Pointless. It didn't help that poor thing out at all.

 

But that M badge and decorations must be worth at least 100hp right?

We have an ML and we love it. Its adequately comfortable and most importantly we can take it to Home Depot or the garden store and bring home a bunch of stuff that I'd cringe if I had to put in something like a S class. It's a great utilitarian vehicle that I find to be surprisingly comfortable and civilized for what it is...

 

I agree that it's not a bad vehicle. Works great as a dealer loaner. Also made me appreciate my S even more after driving it for 2+ weeks.