StarvingArtist

You guys are a bad influence on me. I found one with the options I want, but the dealer isn't calling my buyer back. So I thought I'd post on here, maybe someone has a better one for me. My top priorities are : any color but black, charcoal interior, dynamic seats, keyless go, distronic. I've been on here long enough to see mods as a good thing. I know distronic is a long shot, but it is definitely on my wish list.

skylinrcr01

Distronic can be retrofitted without too much hassle, sourcing the parts can be a pain though.

StarvingArtist

Thanks, I've decided to be an adult an buy the truck I need rather than a second AMG that I want. I feel good about the decision... sort of.

skylinrcr01

In the long run you'll feel better about it.

latemodel21

While having 2 AMGs is never too many in my estimation (I'd have to sell one to get down to 2 : ) ... One should definitely have at least one good truck. A nice compromise could be a truck that hauls lumber (and hauls-*** in comfort).
My current favorite is a 2003 7.3liter powerwstroke f250 Lariat (all leather, etc) . I picked it up in like-new condition a few years ago ... It came with a rear LSD and the original owner had added a larger-than-stock exhaust so I chipped it and picked up a few more goodies (a new billet compressor wheel, improved intake, etc) . Great fun, pulls a trailer like its not there, 4wd for the snow , etc etc . I even upgraded it to "keyless go" and added hide-away automatic steps. Needless to say, it is useful and fun to drive (I rarely get better than 14MPG , but if I wasn't driving so fast, I hear they get 18 or better). My 1ton Chevy dually has been collecting dust ever since I got the F250 .

Tell us what you end up getting.

Cheers,
Chris

CharlyE500

I have both 06 E55 and CLS55 and should have bought SL55 instead. E and CLS is about the same.... 4 doors, same engine, tranny etc... However, SL55 should be fun with convertible !

Dublinoh

I've always found maturity to be over rated. Borrow a truck when you need it. Let them drive the E55. There will be a line of drivers waiting to loan you a truck.

StarvingArtist

So true, but I'm very selective about who gets to drive off in my car. I can borrow a truck any time, when I said truck I was talking about another ML. My current one can haul about 1500 lbs of granite if you put some on the front passenger side floor to keep the front tires on the ground. At 310,000 miles it's just plain worn out, and I don't like it enough to rebuild the tranny, or even replace it.

I need a second car because the CLS gets put up for the winter and an ML seems like a good all around practical choice. I just want a newer one.

Dublinoh

I know I said it, but I would have trouble loaning it out too. Sometimes life gets in the way LOL. Good luck truck searching.

spawn_x

There is NO reason for a truck to cost the same as an AMG unless you are buying a diesel dually

You can get a good old MADE IN USA truck for under 3k, haul and drive the crap out of it with minimum amount spent on maintenance

american trucks = very cheap to own

StarvingArtist

American trucks = built as cheap as possible. I'm very conscious of how a vehicle is built these days. I hit an 800lb moose at 63 mph with an AMG a few years ago. I hit it so hard I took it with me, and it wasn't crash gadgetry that saved my life, the windshield frame was simply strong enough to take the hit. Look at a copart auction and it doesn't take long to see what's what. I'll get another ML of some sort and borrow a truck if it won't haul something.

I can get an 03 to 06 ML 430 or 500 for around 5k. Perfect winter beater. I saw one today that had half the miles of my current one, only 155k.

spawn_x

That is just blasphemy, thousands of "built as cheap" american trucks hit half a million or more miles of hauling stuff around, gas and diesel both.

Truck is a truck, and American made trucks are very good at doing what they are made to do. Frames are strong, parts are DIRT CHEAP, very simple to work on, and older gen trucks have simple pushrod engines that will run forever

your other reply says you decided to buy a truck, now you want an ML instead? confused

My other MB is an '05 ml500 with 100k miles, picked up for 4500 but needed tires, so I wouldn't rush to pay 5k for 155k miles. Gotta say, mine feels solid, other than the stuff I had to do in the 5k of owning it (motor mounts, coolant res, PS hose leak, leaky radiator, motor mounts, fuel filter, and obviously shocks are toast too)

StarvingArtist

Yeah, I know it's blasphemy, might not even be right, just how I see it. Despite some of the stupid problems built into these cars, it protected me when few others would have. I'm feeling a bit brand loyal. I'm looking at a 4matic E with a trailer hitch too, but whatever I get it will probably have a 3 point star on it somewhere.

1ForcedBenz

I think it's funny that in any conversation an ML w163 chassis can be considered as good in any regard. They ride like crap, handle like crap, hold up like crap, have poor fuel economy and off road capabilities, tow capacity, interior quality and looks like garbage.

spawn_x

Its not am x5, a wrangler, a truck, a toyota, or an s class - but it is a great all around vehciles. Post 2003 lot of little changes made reliability better. Its a body on frame vehicle, with a strong trans and engine (ml500), i get 17mpg average which to me is fantastic compared to my other cars, it is pretty simple without a million sensors or gadgets, looks good to me but Im from the Soviet Union, and at 105k miles bushings and ball joints are still intact unlike a BMW at same miles, its not leaking oil in a million places, and with new shocks handles decent for me. Depreciation and resale value also beat these cars up bad so they can be had stupid cheap

V-AMG

Why not both? ML63?

justinwrock

The W163 can tow something like 7400lbs if set up correctly! A similar vintage F150 can only tow 6800lbs! I think that makes it good...

My current daily-beater/tow rig is an 07 ML320 CDI. Tows 7k lbs, gets decent fuel mileage (20-22 city/27-39 freeway), has AWD, and since it's silver blends in with traffic. It's not a complete dog on power, and it fun to drive when the turbo lights and you ride the wave of torque.

StarvingArtist

I pulled the trigger on an 04 E500 4matic tectite grey, and it's truly loaded, even has distronic. It's at a friends house now. I'll pick it up at the end of the month and get a picture. Perfect winter beater and maybe some parts and options for the CLS when I'm done with it. So much for getting an ML.

skylinrcr01

Hopefully no airmatic, and SBC isn't great. Other than that should be a good car. Congrats on the purchase, can't wait to see some pics!

StarvingArtist

It does have airmatic, I was thinking about coilovers until I remembered it's AWD. I'll have to visit the other forum and try to figure out what my options are.

Dublinoh

I had no problem putting coilovers on a 996 Turbo...it's all wheel drive. I would guess no problem assuming someone makes a kit.