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Mercedes-Benz M-class (ML320, ML350, ML500 and ML55) 2005 and earlier

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What is this discussion about? Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Mercedes-Benz ML55 AMG, SUV

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#7713 of 8166 Can't decide by unsure32 Apr 14, 2005 (11:57 am)
Replying to: kenyee (Dec 04, 2000 3:48 am) I am buying a new SUV and my husband and I are in disagreement about what to get. I want the Lexus GX470, and he wants me to get the new ML500. The main thing I don't like about the ML500 is that I feel cramped sitting in the drivers seat (and I'm a small person). I just don't feel like there's much room to move in. Can anyone give me any advice on which to get?
#7714 of 8166 My advice is free! by mark156 Apr 14, 2005 (3:47 pm)
Unsure32, I'm surprised that you feel cramped in the ML. I'm a normal sized guy and I have plenty of room.   One obvious difference is that the Lexus has that "BIG" swing-out door instead of a lift gate. That type of design does not work for me. For one thing, it opens backwards. If you are parallell parked, you are in the street trying to unload groceries, etc. If you pull into a garage and close the garage door, it better be deep for that big door to open. The lift gate on the ML acts as an umbrella when raining if you are loading things.   The 2006 ML's do not offer a third row seats like mine; the Lexus does.   Mark
#7715 of 8166 Cost of 2006 ML350 by hang Apr 14, 2005 (7:14 pm)
I am thinking about purchasing the 2006 ML350. How much would it cost me if I only want leather seats as my only option? I used the "build your own" on the MB website and it was confusing b/c it seemed that I had to get the sunroof in addition to the leather. Why is the leather option costing over $6000? Replies to this message: rlmcgarry (Apr 16, 2005 8:21 pm)
#7716 of 8166 Re: The 2006 ML [lovemyclk] by mgreene Apr 15, 2005 (2:51 am)
Replying to: lovemyclk (Apr 04, 2005 11:31 am) finally the voice of reason. it never ceases to amaze me the number of people that despite all of the evidence to the contrary, believe they can have it all! you cannot have 7 passenger space and cargo room simultaneously, unless you are going to increase the size of the vehicle sic tahoe surburban expedition. then these same people would bitch about fuel economy and the bulk of the truck. the new ml is a midsize suv, it does not have floor pan space for a third row that could comfortably accomodate anyone other than 2-3 children. and putting children in the third row of a mid sized suv even the new longer wheelbase m class is lunacy. in the event of a moderate to severe rear end collision there is not adequate buffer between the third row seat and the intruding vehicle. guess who becomes part of the crumple zone! how does that grab you? still want to be trendy??????? Replies to this message: lovemyclk (Apr 15, 2005 8:24 am) wmquan (Apr 15, 2005 9:27 am) mgreene (Apr 15, 2005 12:21 pm) wmquan (Apr 15, 2005 3:46 pm)
#7717 of 8166 Re: The 2006 ML [mgreene] by lovemyclk Apr 15, 2005 (8:24 am)
Replying to: mgreene (Apr 15, 2005 2:51 am) Exactly! Functional design dictates that to accomplish a particular mission, the design should be optimized to satisfy the objectives of that mission. If I'm hauling tanks, Hummers and troops, the C-5 is a better functional design than a 747, although the 747 may have better "performance" characteristics.   Same thing with autos... if carrying 7 is your objective, plenty of folks would love to put you in a minivan. Unfortunately, functional design does not translate into the "cool" factor craved by today's buyers. Until the new R and G-Class vehicles hit the streets, MB may not be your best alternative for hauling the troup. Fantastic choice, however, for that family of four!
#7718 of 8166 Re: The 2006 ML [mgreene] by wmquan Apr 15, 2005 (9:27 am)
Replying to: mgreene (Apr 15, 2005 2:51 am) ... it does not have floor pan space for a third row that could comfortably accomodate anyone other than 2-3 children. and putting children in the third row of a mid sized suv even the new longer wheelbase m class is lunacy. in the event of a moderate to severe rear end collision there is not adequate buffer between the third row seat and the intruding vehicle. guess who becomes part of the crumple zone! how does that grab you? still want to be trendy???????   You're missing a major point here. There is a vehicle that comfortably holds 2 kids in the thrid row, and provides an exmplary level of safety even in a rear-ender. There are photos of it being rear-ended at 50-60 mph with zero intrusion into the third row.   It's the 1998-2005 M-class.   The Volvo XC90 also has impressive rear-collision protection and yet still manages a third row that is more than roomy enough for kids.   So yes, you can have your cake and eat it too.   I don't expect cargo room with the third row in use, but I expect the flexibility of having a third row to use for short-term passenger carrying. Replies to this message: mgreene (Apr 15, 2005 12:21 pm) wmquan (Apr 15, 2005 3:46 pm)
#7719 of 8166 Re: The 2006 ML [wmquan] by mgreene Apr 15, 2005 (12:21 pm)
Replying to: wmquan (Apr 15, 2005 9:27 am) i don't know that i am missing anything.i believe i am asking is the prize worth the potential price? for me the answer is no. furthermore, the majority of posters bellyaching over the lack of a third row seat are not thinking in terms of merely hauling the wee folk, they want to put adults and cargo in something not designed for it. i guess as long as you are right you can have your cake and eat it too. but if you are wrong, that is one bitter bitter cake. your choice. Replies to this message: wmquan (Apr 15, 2005 3:46 pm)
#7720 of 8166 Re: The 2006 ML [mgreene] by wmquan Apr 15, 2005 (3:46 pm)
Replying to: mgreene (Apr 15, 2005 12:21 pm) What you're missing is:   ... putting children in the third row of a mid sized suv even the new longer wheelbase m class is lunacy. in the event of a moderate to severe rear end collision there is not adequate buffer between the third row seat and the intruding vehicle. guess who becomes part of the crumple zone! how does that grab you? still want to be trendy???????   You're saying that a third-row in a mid-sized SUV is not safe. The 1998-2005 M-class has proven that it IS safe, by using the proper design. So has the Volvo XC90. They have engineered the chassis so that they can safely take a hit that would probably collapse the third row of some of the lesser, full-sized SUV's or minivans.
#7721 of 8166 New M-Class.... by merc1 Apr 15, 2005 (6:32 pm)
I thought everyone knew that Mercedes left off the third row because they want you to buy the pricier G or R-Class vehicles. True the R and next G are built on a long version of the same chasis, but I have no doubts in my mind that Mercedes a leader in safety could have built the ML with a third row and still have the level of protection their cars are famous for. The E-Class wagon has had a third row seat either as standard or as an option for at least the last 20 years. Haven't heard anything adverse about this setup when it comes to rear collisions. This seat even faces rearward!   They did this to give the G and R reason for being, not because they couldn't engineer the ML to be safe with a third seat. Mercedes has for sure slipped in reliability, but safety is still one of their strong points.   M
#7722 of 8166 Re: Cost of 2006 ML350 [hang] by rlmcgarry Apr 16, 2005 (8:21 pm)
Replying to: hang (Apr 14, 2005 7:14 pm) It depends if you want leather inserts or full leather seats. My '06 ML 350 has the leather inserts and I think that's just fine, no one would ever know -- and IMO they hold their shape better after a few years (leather tends to stretch).   Anyway, if you want the leather inserts, you must get the Trim Package costing an additional $2,200 which I believe also requires the Sunroof Package costing an additional $1,390.   For full leather, you must order the Premium Package costing an additional $6,150 and also the sunroof package at $1,390.   I could be wrong about the sunroof thing, but I think that's how it works.

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