I have enjoyed everyone's e-company throughtout the last nine months and I have learned a lot. I would like to thank everyone for their help and support. I also hope I helped out whenever I could.
Unfortunately, my wife and I decided it is not worth our time, money and most importantly our daughter's life to keep on driving the ML. One day after receiving the car from the dealer for a second time ("we couldn't replicate the problem") the car shifted into neutral yet again. I have since tried to replicate the problem, but it is indeed sporadic and I don't have the time or energy to go after MB. Like the MB commercial says "Love what you drive". I don't love my car anymore...
We have traded the car for a 2006 Cayenne in the hopes that this 3rd generation vehicle will perform better. Yes, I did lose money on the deal, but who cares. It's only money and there's more where that came from
I wish everyone the best of luck with their cars and hope to meet you either in cyberspace or in real life.
Dimitriss, Indeed we all have learnt a lot and come to admire people's knowledge and insight about ML in this forum. Thank you and good luck with your new Cayenne.
I have enjoyed everyone's e-company throughtout the last nine months and I have learned a lot. I would like to thank everyone for their help and support. I also hope I helped out whenever I could.
Unfortunately, my wife and I decided it is not worth our time, money and most importantly our daughter's life to keep on driving the ML. One day after receiving the car from the dealer for a second time ("we couldn't replicate the problem") the car shifted into neutral yet again. I have since tried to replicate the problem, but it is indeed sporadic and I don't have the time or energy to go after MB. Like the MB commercial says "Love what you drive". I don't love my car anymore...
We have traded the car for a 2006 Cayenne in the hopes that this 3rd generation vehicle will perform better. Yes, I did lose money on the deal, but who cares. It's only money and there's more where that came from
I wish everyone the best of luck with their cars and hope to meet you either in cyberspace or in real life.
Auf Wiedersehen!
Dimitris
Lipame Dimitri gia sena, ke anisiho na min to patho ke ego. Ilikrina eho pathi plaka.
Pali kala pu den htipise kanis.
Elpizo na minis efharistimenos me to Cayenne.
Ego eho ena Boxster ke ime poli efharistimenos.
An thelis mporume na minume se epafi. To Email mu ine mpurnozu@hol.gr
Kaloriziko!!
Sotiris
__________________
Packages: Appearance (Pewter/Charcoal), Lighting, Entertainment, Comfort and Sunroof:
Options: Hitch, Heated Seats, Rear Airbags, Parktronic, Power Liftgate, Frt & Rr Stainless Steel Skid Plates, DVD Nav Sys, IPod Kit and Craddled Phone Kit
Mods: Hoen Titanium H-7 High Beams, All Weather H-11 Fogs, 5000k W5W Standing Lamps, Chrome Door Lock Pins & Hood Fins, Brabus Monoblock IV 20" Wheels with Hankook Ventus ST RH06 275/45 Tires, Brabus Custom Suspension 164-016-00 and SS Side Bars
I have enjoyed everyone's e-company throughtout the last nine months and I have learned a lot. I would like to thank everyone for their help and support. I also hope I helped out whenever I could.
Unfortunately, my wife and I decided it is not worth our time, money and most importantly our daughter's life to keep on driving the ML. One day after receiving the car from the dealer for a second time ("we couldn't replicate the problem") the car shifted into neutral yet again. I have since tried to replicate the problem, but it is indeed sporadic and I don't have the time or energy to go after MB. Like the MB commercial says "Love what you drive". I don't love my car anymore...
We have traded the car for a 2006 Cayenne in the hopes that this 3rd generation vehicle will perform better. Yes, I did lose money on the deal, but who cares. It's only money and there's more where that came from
I wish everyone the best of luck with their cars and hope to meet you either in cyberspace or in real life.
Auf Wiedersehen!
Dimitris
Sorry to hear about the MLs problems. Good luck and have fun with the Cayenne!
The best of luck and I do not blame you for doing what you did. I had the energy to go after MB because it was the purpose more then anything else. For all of us, please let us know what you think of the new Cayenne. Did you get it yet and did you get the S?
[Disclaimer: The following are personal opinions based on subjective observations I've made over the past few days. If you need a scientific comparison, get yourself a copy of Car & Driver )
Hi everybody,
I just wanted to leave some first impressions on the Cayenne vs the ML:
This is more a sports car than a luxury SUV. The engine noise is audible, the handling is more responsive and the steering is not as soft.
Internal and external quality seems identical to the MB. My car came with "soft look" leather, which feels nicer than the tight MB leather seats.
There is no motorized tailgate feature, but there is a folding mirror trick, as well as the tilting right mirror (when in reverse)
The manual actually fits in the glove compartment which is also chilled
The default CD player does not play MP3 CDs and there is no AUX input for an iPod. (The salesguy promised a future upgrade is pending)
Visibility on the rear view mirror is the same, but the side mirrors appear larger and I think I can see more. Since the front of the car is curved more, I also have more visibility up front
Cargo space is roughly the same. Standard features include the cargo cover, along with the cargo net to separate passengers from cargo. The rear bumper protector is also standard.
Roof rails are extra, as are bi-xenon lights and most of the add-ons that MB offers.
The dashboard offers quite a bit of information, but it can be considered crowded (speed, revs, oil temp, water temp, voltage, gas, MFD)
Steering wheel controls feel awkward since they are located on the lower half of the wheel. I have to be extra careful when resting my hands on 3 & 9 because it may trip the Tiptronic controls.
AC controls are a bit awkward, as is the fact that the key goes to the left of the steering wheel. But then again, we all had to get used to the MB's shifter. Most other controls are identical.
Cruise control is not as versatile and does not accelerate in regular increments like the MB. The Cayenne also coasts to slower speeds rather than brake like the MB.
In the power department, the 3.2 liter engine is a bit underpowered for the size of the SUV, but the extra horses in any of the other models would go dormant with my wife's driving , so this is just fine.
I don't know why, but I have been paying extra attention to the transmission
Since the MFD actually displays the gear I'm in, regardless of Manual or Automatic, I have a good idea what the car is doing. First of all, 1st gear is never used. The transmission is very responsive and even a small nudge of the accellerator in 6th will shift it to 5th and accellerate. When joining the freeway, the tranny will stay in 3rd gear and once I've joined the flow, it jumps to 5th and then 6th. Downshifting while braking is also satisfactory.
All in all, I'm happy with the Cayenne, maybe a bit happier, because I feel like I'm part of the driving experience and not being driven around. The ML did it to some extent, but it's still a luxury SUV.
Enjoy your MLs folks. I'm going out for a drive myself
)
Linear Mode
