Thinking of Buying ML320 CID - Can you sleep in the back - Benzworld.org

macrophyllum · 03-02-2008, 09:41 PM

Hi All,

I tried searching for an answer, but didn't have much luck, so here goes.

I'm looking to buy a 2007 (or 08?) ML320 CDI for a 7 week road trip this summer from Vermont to Alaska. While my fiancé and I will mostly be camping on the way, we would like to be able to fold the seats down and sleep in the back. Do you think this is possible, is the length 6 feet? We don't expect it to be extremely comfy, but we are hoping it is at least 6 feet long.

For anyone who is interested, we've looked at just about every mid-size SUV out there and we are now seriously considering the ML320 CDI because of these features:

1) Its an SUV that is made to actually go off-road
2) It can get well *above* 20 MPG (e.g. the Toyota 4Runner's highway is only 20 mpg)
3) You can sleep in it (hopefully)

The only other vehicle that meets these is the Jeep Grand Cherokee CDI, but its interior space is pretty small.

And one last thing, do you think this would be a good vehicle to take to Alaska?

CJzBenz · 03-03-2008, 06:36 AM

You probably can sleep in the back but the rear seats do not fold totally flat with the back area. Unless you pack lightly I wonder what you would do with all the gear and luggage you'd need for a 7 week trip though? A GL has much more room. Sounds like a great ride.

macrophyllum · 03-03-2008, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJzBenz

You probably can sleep in the back but the rear seats do not fold totally flat with the back area. Unless you pack lightly I wonder what you would do with all the gear and luggage you'd need for a 7 week trip though? A GL has much more room. Sounds like a great ride.

Thanks for writing back, the gear will be an issue. We'll put some stuff outside (like our cooler for example) and other stuff in the front seats and maybe some on the roof and/or under the car. I definitely don't expect to have enough room for us and our gear and most nights we should be out in our tent or under the stars.

One more quick question: when you say they don't fold completely flat how close to flat is it?

wadesalot · 03-03-2008, 08:26 AM

My 08 ML seats fold flat. Go by a dealer and have a look! Having been to AK, I don't think you want to leave your cooler or anything else with food in it outside the vehicle overnite!

macrophyllum · 03-03-2008, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wadesalot

My 08 ML seats fold flat. Go by a dealer and have a look! Having been to AK, I don't think you want to leave your cooler or anything else with food in it outside the vehicle overnite!

Great news. I'm planning on going to the dealer later this week, I just couldn't wait to try and find the answer to this question.

I agree, you often can't leave food items outside in bear country.

So, do you think it would be a good vehicle for the trip?

cschmelz · 03-03-2008, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macrophyllum

Hi All,

I tried searching for an answer, but didn't have much luck, so here goes.

I'm looking to buy a 2007 (or 08?) ML320 CDI for a 7 week road trip this summer from Vermont to Alaska. While my fiancé and I will mostly be camping on the way, we would like to be able to fold the seats down and sleep in the back. Do you think this is possible, is the length 6 feet? We don't expect it to be extremely comfy, but we are hoping it is at least 6 feet long.

For anyone who is interested, we've looked at just about every mid-size SUV out there and we are now seriously considering the ML320 CDI because of these features:

1) Its an SUV that is made to actually go off-road
2) It can get well *above* 20 MPG (e.g. the Toyota 4Runner's highway is only 20 mpg)
3) You can sleep in it (hopefully)

The only other vehicle that meets these is the Jeep Grand Cherokee CDI, but its interior space is pretty small.

And one last thing, do you think this would be a good vehicle to take to Alaska?

I have a 2007 320CDI and have slept in the back. I'm 6' 1" and it is tight, but I do fit with the rear seats down (again, barely) but if you had two people it would be VERY tight/cozy even with little gear. You are going to need a large cargo rack for the roof for your gear or, as others said, a GL320CDI ($$$$)

My CDI has P3 and thus, airmatic and I can jack the vehicle up 3.5 inches or so in ground clearance for off-road runs. The vehicles does great in the dirt but clearly isn't a HARD core off-road vehicle. You ain't gonna run the Rubicon trail with it anytime soon, but it does great in ruts/dirt/etc.

Vernl · 03-03-2008, 11:12 AM

Your vehicle will take anything you want to throw at it barring Extreme offroading. As far as sleeping arangements, since you are planning to camp most of the time , take a trip to your local RV stor and check out some smaller tent trailers.That will give you lots of storage and plenty of room to sleep. The smallest ones are very light but still have plenty of room for what you need and have a very low profile and no air resistance and you wont even realize you are towing anything

macrophyllum · 03-03-2008, 12:46 PM

Again, thanks for the feedback. I looked at the MB USA site and I don't see a Package 3 for the ML320 CDI. Is the air suspension still available on the 2008s?

The GL looks nice, but I don't think we *need* something quite that big.

cschmelz · 03-03-2008, 02:16 PM

Don't know why you don't see P3. MBenz USA has three major packages for the 2007 (and 2008) CDI, namely: P1, P2, P3.

wadesalot · 03-03-2008, 03:25 PM

I can confirm the P3 with air suspension is available for 08 since I have one! I too am concerned that you will have enough room for gear and people and sleeping, but a GL is more money than I would spend for a little extra room on one trip. I think the trailer is a good suggestion. I love AK and wish I was going, too!