Not really...

Thought I had it narrowed down to the 430, but spoke to a few people today who owned 430/ 500 series... concensus was in retrospect they would have taken the 320...

In Canada, the differences are not terribly significant. If you're looking at the ML320 Elegance, which I assume you are, the main difference would only be the standard Bose Audio system that the ML430 comes with, as well as the lockable box under the passenger front seat. Other than that, they're identical (aside from the V8 engine and the ML430's 17" wheels and wider tires and slightly bigger brakes - for the '00+ ML430s).

No regrets with my ML320, even though I could've very well ordered an ML430 (was only a 2 week extra wait at the time).

 

There is practically no difference, however the existing differences (see Drew's post up)

make a significant difference in driveability and performance. take the V8 engine and all that comes with it. As for mileage, that depends on your driving style, and the diffr=erence is minimal. You can't beat the V8 power and the ride quality of the 17 inch rims. Take the 430 if possible. As a matter of fact, ditch both and get a used ML500. That's even a better choice, used or new.

 

In retrospect.. would have taken the 500 .. but I'm quite OK with the 430 as well. I...

In retrospect.. would have taken the 500 .. but I'm quite OK with the 430 as well. I eliminated the 320 after a brief comparison with 430... haven't looked back.

 

The 430 is actually very good choice. However, it's still a truck in the middle

of nowhere becasue the ergonomics for MY02+ (maybe 01 also) are so much more pleasant. In term of pure performance, the 430 wins clean. However, in terms of driveability, MY02 320 is a winner. That still brings me to the ML500. It's really unbeatable, especially since it's so close to the ML55, and can be made to look like the 55 with minimal weight penalty.

 

I've driven an ML320 back to back with my ML430 ....

numerous times while my ML430's been in for service.
Must say I think the ML320 is under powered for my liking, especially when merging onto a freeway from an up hill on ramp
There again most vehicles seem under powered compared to my 911 twin turbo ;-), but the ML430 is adequare

 

I agree with you Tim. I have done the 430, 500 and 55 also, almost back to back

(the 430 was a few weeks earlier). What I have observed is that, for the 320, when the touchshift is used appropriately in passing or merging, there's almost an effortless feel. What you miss the the AUTHORITY of the 430 or the 500. However, I still think that MY02+ egornomics for the ML is much better than pre 02 (or 01???) models. That makes a big difference-----for me!!!

 

Hey Fish_antlers...

I see that you're in my area! Which dealer are you going to? Drop me an e-mail. I might be able to help you out []

 

The only downside I can think of...

The V8s seem to have SBS (Squeaky Brake Syndrome) more commonly. Personally, I think that this is best solved by frequent washings, including blowing water under the calipers to wash out the brake dust. Other than that, slightly lower mileage. Both drivetrains are just as durable and the rest of the truck is nearly the same.

 

Drew... I'm in Vancouver... I see that too now in yer sig... my email addy is [email]...

Drew... I'm in Vancouver... I see that too now in yer sig... my email addy is fish_antlers@bikeland.org ... so far I've been checking the buy&sell and visited the dealership on the north shore...

Do you run the site? strange as I run a pretty huge motorcycle site ( http://www.bikeland.org ) and I know of at least 3 other large worldwide forums hosted and admin'd from Vancouver... I am starting to think that's kinda strange!...

And with regards to it being underpowered... I have a pretty heavy foot and I would sorely miss any extra power... I also have a Kawasaki ZX12R and a Crown Vic P.I. The latter of which I honestly have to say, out of all the vehicles I have had (and that's a lot) has been the best car I have ever owned... tons and tons of power on tap and everyone gets out of your way.. no tickets... it's a hoot!

 

Hi there...

so far I've been checking the buy&sell and visited the dealership on the north shore...

You may also want to check out the MB Canada website. All of their inventory for this region can be seen at the site below:
http://www.mbvancouver.com/index.cfm?PID=61&PIDLIST=61&PAIS=western

Note that no matter which dealer the car is located, since they're all MB Canada, they can always move the cars to your preferred dealership.

I'll drop you an e-mail with more info.

Do you run the site? strange as I run a pretty huge motorcycle site ( http://www.bikeland.org ) and I know of at least 3 other large worldwide forums hosted and admin'd from Vancouver... I am starting to think that's kinda strange!...

No I don't. Our servers are located on the East Coast of the US. I just help out []. Frank is the BenzWorld owner/founder and deserves the credit for creating/maintaining/upgrading the site.

 

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT MEANT AS A SLAM AGAINST ANY OF MY ML 3xx BROTHERS OR THEIR FINE VEHI...

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT MEANT AS A SLAM AGAINST ANY OF MY ML 3xx BROTHERS OR THEIR FINE VEHICLES
*********************************
(Disclaimer cap'd for emphasis...was not raising voice.)

There is no replacement for displacement.

Not even technology and forced induction. (I have a 400HP supercharged 3.2 liter M3)

If you enjoy putting the transmission in "3" and accelerating at WOT from a dead stop occasionally...

or if you need to tow heavy things...

or if you actually care about the "badge" on the back of the truck...

get the V8.

On the highway, there is little benefit. Offroad, there is no benefit. It burns more gas

Ask yourself if you can imagine ever saying to yourself, "I should have gotten the smaller engine."





[?]

 

Re: THE FOLLOWING IS NOT MEANT AS A SLAM AGAINST ANY OF MY ML 3xx BROTHERS OR THEIR FINE VEHI

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT MEANT AS A SLAM AGAINST ANY OF MY ML 3xx BROTHERS OR THEIR FINE VEHICLES
*********************************

Gosh, we aren't THAT sensitive, are we?
[:0][B)][:I][][8D][][]

get the V8.

I agree! The one regret I have is not getting a V8. I love my ML, but I'd really like a little more HP! Oh well ... my next MB will have a 5 litre V8. []

 

I'm selling to get the sedan you pictured in a recent post of yours. Interested?

 

Re: I'm selling to get the sedan you pictured in a recent post of yours. Interested?

Thanks, tcp! No, my next MB will be an E500 or an S500. That purchase is a few years off. While I've enjoyed the ML, I don't really need an SUV anymore.

 

Good choices, I'm looking at the E as opposed to the S for two reasons

1) S500 is big and E500 is nimble.
2) I'm not looking at a favorable trade on the ML, which is why I first decided to keep it (and I may still, but that and the CTT it's kinda stupid), so the S will be way out of range for now.

 

Re: Good choices, I'm looking at the E as opposed to the S for two reasons

1) S500 is big and E500 is nimble.
2) I'm not looking at a favorable trade on the ML...

The E is my first choice as well. I was thinking about an S because I could get Air Suspension, etc. from a used model. For an E, that would be 2003 and up only.

As far as Trade In Value, my ML currently has 156k miles. 'Nuff said there! []

 

The E also does better on reliability reports

The S has more toys which means that they break more often. Of course, a lot of that may be that S-class drivers are much more particular about "problems" that they report - ever try to complain about a rattle in a GM truck?

I couldn't see myself in an S, even an E has too soft a suspension for me. Maybe when I get as old as you, though...[}]

 

Re: The E also does better on reliability reports

... Maybe when I get as old as you, though...[}]

As old as tcp?? BwahHaHaHaHa!!!!!

Ummm ... what was this thread about? I forgot.

 

i think the ML430 is the best of all engines the HP between 500 and 430 is really not th...

i think the ML430 is the best of all engines the HP between 500 and 430 is really not that big, compared to the ML320. ML350 isnt bad either. i heard that the 350 and 430 performance are not far apart.

 

Yep, the world has yet to see a CDI 4MATIC, wonder why, plenty of torque seems they should

 

man i heard that they might be coming out a ML 400cdi in the next W164 design.. can't wa...

man i heard that they might be coming out a ML 400cdi in the next W164 design.. can't wait. lots of torque and power hahaha buahahha [xx(]

 

Re: Yep, the world has yet to see a CDI 4MATIC, wonder why, plenty of torque seems they should

tcp_ML500, the present CDI engines are all inline engines (besides the OM628 V8) and too tall so that the front axle center piece can't comfortably pass through the oil pan like in the gas engines. But once the more compact new V6 diesels come out, we should see diesel 4matics. I believe the first will be introduced in Paris in the fall of 2004, in an E-Class, with the C-Class 4matic CDI following in 2005. That's also when the new M-Class will appear, so one might suspect the new M-Class will debut with the new V6 CDI diesels (OM642 family) from the start... []

More info on Ken's site:

http://www.keysolutions.com/M-Class.nsf/aac7d56ca8fd884b852563be00610639/a15c4350d5f2447e85256dea00777687?OpenDocument&AutoFramed

 

Thanks Wolfgang! My folks have a E270CDI and E500 and live in a

mountainous region of France. Seems like they should have waited on one of the two purchases. The road leading to our house over there is quite steep, and he could definitely use the help of the 4MATIC, sometimes, he has to leave the car and finish by foot. He was actually looking into getting an ML270CDI, but passed after having experienced first hand some of the issues we've had while visiting.

 

Re: Maybe when I get as old as you, though...

I see easily how you could be mislead and make such an erroneous statement. Obvioulsy, it is clear to all that I am wise, but I am so beyond my years.

Can't remember who said that "Common sense is the collection of prejudices one acquires before the age of eightteen".

I was born with uncommon common sense.

Depending on the trim, wheel fitment, and optional equipment, the E is not as soft as you might think. You might not have test driven the right one.

My folks have a E500 Pack Luxe - Avantgarde (they live in Europe). The 17 inch wheels and AIRMATIC Dual Control (AIRMATIC DC) in conjunction with the Adaptive Damping System (ADS) allow for a quite firm ride and sporty driving.

It holds on very well in cornering, adjusting the suspension (hardening) on the outside set of wheels to maintain balance as much as possible.

Quite a car really. I'd get one in a snap if I could. Off course, I'd rather go for the E55, with, say, a Kleemann blower to take it up a notch (BAM). Although Kleeman's blower application on the W211 results in the same output (560bhp 718NM) as on your ML55K, where as the stock E55 is already at 469 bhp and 500 some NM.

Please describe the exhilaration of applying the 718NM to the pavement, I've never done that!

 

Get the bigger engine!

Absolutely no comparison with the 320. Simple test - don't worry too much about what everybody says (obviously those with the 320 will say it's ok[8D]). Just drive both back to back, espcially on the freeway or in hilly areas.

We have an '01 ML430. The facelift models ('02+) have a couple of features that I would have liked - REST for warming the cabin when the car is off, side curtain airbags, rear passenger fan and sail panel tweeters. Other than that I believe the '01 models were a marked improvement on the pre '01 models. Other than the control layout and some chrome rings, the cabin of our '01 is not that much different.