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SUVs Mercedes Benz M-Class Mercedes-Benz M-class (ML320, ML350, ML500 and ML55) 2005 and earlier
8166 messages, Last post on Dec 02, 2009 at 6:41 PM
You are in the Mercedes Benz M-Class Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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Replying to: mark156 (Apr 03, 2005 8:55 pm) Looks are of course subjective. But I think the R-class looks like some strange hybrid of a Pacifica, a long wagon, and a minivan, IMHO. While it's based on a stretched 2006 M-class platform, it drops the SUV pretense. http://www.mbusa.com/microsite/gst/index.jsp As for why the new M-class doesn't have a third row, I guess there are a few theories. 1) MB will offer it eventually, just not upon introduction. 2) With the new unibody construction, MB couldn't figure out a way to place the third row in a mid-sized SUV, and still achieve the safety level they require in their designs. The current M-class's frame is designed to withstand a very large amount of impact without letting the third row collapse. Perhaps they couldn't do this with the new M-class. OTOH, Volvo seems to have pulled it off with the XC90. So this reasoning is purely conjecture and I don't necessarily believe it. 3) MB doesn't want to hurt sales of the R-class. 4) MB doesn't want to hurt sales of the next-gen G-class, which is also based on a stretched 2006 M-class platform. 5) Various combinations of the above. Looking at the pricing, it seems that a fairly well-equipped 2006 will cost about $4k more than the previous one. Scheduled maintenance is not included so that hurts too. ML350's with options will cost $50k to $57k depending on how well you load it up. That's pretty high pricing territory. |
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| The third row option was one of the key reasons why I bought my ML320. From what I have read they are going to offer an extended wheelbase ML with the 3rd row seating. This may be better as you can get a really usable 3rd row vs squeezing a 3rd row only for marketing. | |
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Replying to: mark156 (Apr 03, 2005 4:16 pm) Who in their right mind wants to stuff themselves into the 3rd row of a standard-sized SUV? If you need the extra seating, then there are the GM Suburban twins, Ford trucks (Expedition, Excursion - not much longer for this beast) and the like. My guess is that MB will position the G-Class for the upwardly mobile types that want the top-of-the-range regardless of family size, or need the G to handle the kiddies. Ingress/egress is tough enough in the larger SUV's... can't image negotiating the hurdles to crawl into the back of an ML-sized vehicle 
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Replying to: lovemyclk (Apr 04, 2005 11:31 am) ... Ingress/egress is tough enough in the larger SUV's... can't image negotiating the hurdles to crawl into the back of an ML-sized vehicle Yet people brave the confined third-row seats of GX470's, XC90's, MDX's, Pilots, Highlanders, and the current-model M-class. For many of these buyers, the third row is used for kids (who don't mind the cramped quarters) and for short trips when everyone crowds into a vehicle. For many, the third row is unused the majority of the time, but is needed on occasions. They don't care if the third row doesn't have the legroom of a R-class. These buyers don't want something as ponderous as a full-sized SUV, and don't need the size of a minivan. They certainly don't want to pay the extra premium of an R-class or a G-class. |
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Replying to: lovemyclk (Apr 04, 2005 11:31 am) I've seen the G-class in my Automobile magazine and I will take a look at it when it comes out to the showroom. It might be more SUV than I want, we'll see. Mark 
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Replying to: mark156 (Apr 04, 2005 12:17 pm)  Aside from being a large fellow (6'4" and 260lbs), our 2002 ML has been fantastic and I'd take a prisoner if I were made to sit in a 3rd row! Don't get me wrong, I see the allure if you have kids, but still believe MB will point you to the next G/R-Class if you need the 3rd row. One thought... knowing that the 2nd row does slide forward to accomodate the 3rd row passengers, that all but kills knee room in coach class, doesn't it? |
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I guess the discomfort depends on the size of the person. I'm a regular size guy at 5'8" 175lbs so my seat is not pushed that far back. No one has every complained about the leg room in coach class when the seat is moved forward. Most of my friends are of a much smaller size than you, so the issue has not come up about being cramped in the ML. Mark |
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Replying to: merc1 (Mar 30, 2005 12:44 am) R P.S. Please no questions as to why I don't want to wear the seatbelt (at all times) or advice to cut a belt off another car and click it in (I can think of that myself!). I want to know if there's a way to turn it off. I did read about European vs. USA settings and that might be the answer, but until I pick it up, I don't know what the menu options will be... all I know is that in my husband's BMW it drives me crazy!!! |
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Replying to: rlmcgarry (Apr 04, 2005 5:13 pm)
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Replying to: tyresmoker (Apr 04, 2005 5:42 pm) The seat belt chime may be federally mandated so info about turning it off may be hard to come by. The dealer may not disclose how to disable it if they know, since there could be a liability issue for turning it off. Steve, Host |
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