[GregW / Oregon]

Rasmussen Mercedes, Portland (Perry Thompson). ML 350, Iridium/Black, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 323, 324, 530, 550, 873, 890. April allotment, May build, June delivery. $1,000 refundable deposit. No pricing yet (other than it will be at MSRP) and a lot of unanswered questions. No info at dealer on launch package, yet. I'll revise my order after driving demo and getting more info/pricing. I hoped to see one at the Portland auto show starting tomorrow, but there won't be one there (Tier 3 show).

I'd like to get real leather/Alcantara, if possible. May change color after seeing them all. This will be my wife's daily driver so things like NAV, Airmatic and power liftgate are for her. If just for me, I'd keep it simpler. Decided on IPod integaration in lieu of Sirius. I would have considered the V8 (or diesel), but don't want the old 3-valve one and don't want to wait 6 months more.

 

[SweetTobyBoy]

I placed my order for my ML350LP, the launch package model which is supposed to be in mid March or earlier. Mine will be silver, although I only had a choice between black and silver for the LP model, ML500LP added pewter as an additional colour. The LP model is loaded with a lot of options, sport package, HK stereo, NAV, xenon lights, air suspension and tons more. I opted not for the 500 simply because I was not interested in the extra options offered like keyless go and parktronic. Also I have no idea what the list price is going to be even though my dealer says the LP model is going to be deeply discounted…I’ll wait to see it before I believe it.

 

[AutoSaurus]

Congratulations Greg on your order.

I'd like to know more about your decision to go for the gas burner vs waiting on the diesel? If you could wait would you have waited?

I'm trying to justify my decision to wait for it vs ordering now as you have. I have a feeling the diesel is going to be sooner than we expect especially since MB just announced it for the C class.

 

[GregW / Oregon]

AutoSaurus - 1/28/2005 1:22 PM
Congratulations Greg on your order.

I'd like to know more about your decision to go for the gas burner vs waiting on the diesel? If you could wait would you have waited?

I'm trying to justify my decision to wait for it vs ordering now as you have. I have a feeling the diesel is going to be sooner than we expect especially since MB just announced it for the C class.

Jack,
I've never owned a diesel but would consider one. I do want good on road performance, and while the 320CDI has great torque, acceleration is still poorer that the 350. I have been wanting to replace the '98 by early summer--if the CDI was available at launch I would have given it serious consideration. The fact the the 350 is the new 4-valve engine that produces more power, yet has improved mileage, is a selling point for me.