Had my 320CDI Sport for a few weeks now and love it.
Only problem was a lazy drivers door mirror. It would not open out fully and was slower than the other side when folding/unfolding. Took it to the dealer and they swapped the motor out and lubricated - good as new. Took about 1hor 20mins to do.
I guess the more motors and gadgets they put on cars the more there is to go wrong with them .
regards
Andrew
__________________ SLK32 AMG 2001 - Linerite Blue ML 320CDI 2005 - Cubanite Silver
How about a couple pictures of your "Sport"? We're getting the CDI here in the States mid-October and I am seriously considering one. I knew they had the AMG option available on the CDI stateside - saw that someone had ordered one already - but I'm not sure the "Sport" will be available here. Also, what kind of fuel mileage have you been getting? The E320 CDI advertises 27 mpg city and 37 mpg highway so I'm hoping the ML will get something close to that. Those are standard U.S. gallons.
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ED - '03 ML320 & '97 C280 (Wife's car)
Have attached a few images. These were early morning and the car needs a clean I will take better ones when the sun is out and add them to the gallery.
19" Chromes with Comand and Privacy Glass (although the nanny state dictates that you can only go to the B pillar )
Dash is carbon fibre insert down centre and there are carbon inserts on the back and front. Check out the smoked rear lights and the anti speed camera number plates
MPG wise I am getting about 24 (uk gallons) but that is mostly urban so not bad. On a longer run I reckon that high 20's would be possible. The RAV4 does 26.9mpg on average and is a lot smaller. Also I have used the air con a lot lately so that hits the fuel.
Cool, looks like the US appearance pack without the Alcantara seating.
On the topic of mirrors I had one fail where the "stop" mechanism broke so it would move in then jerk at the end and hit the door (not causing any damage, but making a thump). Same fix as above, replace the mirror internals.
Thanks slacker. Good looking ML. Your 24 UK gallons = approximately 29 US gallons. That is pretty good mileage considering I get around 17 (14 UK gallons) in my '03 gas burner around town. You could be getting around 33-35 US/28-29 UK mpg on a long trip. I get 22 US at best. Diesel is cheaper here in the U.S. With the price of gasoline easing up - currently it is back down to around $2.75 for a gallon of Premium but it was over $3.00 a gallon and for us that is expensive - I am seriously looking at the ML 320 CDI although the Wife is seriously looking at the E320 CDI. It is "her turn" for a new car.
Hi Slacker,
I've searched high and low for Carbon Fiber for the interior of the ML. I have a 350 on order – will get it in Dec. Where did you get the CF inserts? And do they replace the standard trim or does it just stick on top?
Thanks!
In the UK there is a Sport and SE trim level. My ML is a 320 Sport which has the carbon fibre dash, exteriror inserts and leather/alcantara seats with the smoked rear lights and 19" alloys (chrome is extra) , silver radiator grill, front sport seats, aluminium trim on doors etc, sports instrument cluster and stainless steel pedals with rubber inserts
The SE is full leather with burr walnut dash.
I prefer the alcantara as you don't slide around and the seats are more supportive and I am not a fan of wood colour on the interior of a car.
Do you get these two trim levels in the US they do an SE and Sport for the 350 over here.
I am a petrol (Gas) fan and this is my first diesel chosen due to better MPG and I didn't want to put a downer on my ownership by visiting petrol stations too often.. The V6 diesel does not seem to have a downside as the performance is the same as the 350 and torque is much higher so if you have a need to pull a trailer (being a regular visitor to the US the trailer sizes never cease to amaze me) you are better off with the diesel.
Diesel in this country is more expensive than petrol and costs around $7.69 a gallon. It has been as high as $8.11 (based on $1.80 to the £). We get hammered by tax which accounts for $6-$7 of the price.
Yes, the ML is made in Alabama. However, I'm living in Germany and the base price is around €42,000 without tax. We have exactly the same trims here in Germany, however, when you say carbon fiber, is is true CF? Or are you talking about the black plastic console that just slightly resembles CF with its little dots/squares of varnish on top?
True CF, is a dark grey (although they do make it in a variety of colours) and it has an almost holographic weave pattern.
Door Mirror 
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SLK32 AMG 2001 - Linerite Blue 
Photos 
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Price check 
Linear Mode
