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When both of you receive the door edge guards, let me know and perhaps I can offer some installation tips based on my experiences.
Drew
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Vans and SUVs message boards
The attachment method is so much better than the Thole rack for my old 4Runner. Mercedes has a rubberized wire loop that hooks under the rack and back into itself. It is tightened with a screw, and is very positive, but I can't say how long it will last.
Steve
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SUV and Vans Message Boards
They are pricey at $160 ea from TireRack.
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/shoptalk.html#roadtires
Drew
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Vans and SUVs message boards
FYI - Had the Wrangler on my Jeep Cherokee twice. they were factory stock, they were OK at best and then I thought I would try them again.
Too Loud, not a smooth ride.
I replaced them with the LTX Michlen - It was like having a new vehicle.
I am sorry to hear about the TX not being a good match for the ML 320.
The New Michlens may bee great but what High price.
Please keep us posted.
If you browse epinions.com and search through deja.com, you'll find similiar comments on the Wranglers...i.e., they are crap. Puzzling choice by Automobile, but I haven't read the article yet.
The Next Best Goodyear Wrangler AP
The Rest Dunlop Radial Rover A/T
Pirelli Scorpion S/T
Michelin 4x4 XPC
BFGoodrich Radial Long Trail T/A
According to Automobile Mag.....
Bon
"BMW has recalled 22,000 X5 sport-utility vehicles because of a potential steering mechanism problem, German automotive industry newsletter PS Report said.
BMW's quality control showed that a bolt on the steering column of the sport-utility vehicle may not have been fitted properly on some models, the company said in a press statement.
The connection between the steering column and the steering transmission could suddenly break loose and cause an accident.
Some of the 22,000 X5s haven't been delivered to customers, BMW said."
1) You lock the car
2) You unlock the car with the remote
3) No one opens the door after a few minutes
At gas stations this happens to me when I get out of the car, lock the door and go pre-pay the gas, unlock with remote the gas tank cover but don't open the doors. After a few minutes it will autolock.
Regarding autointerior lamps. They do not go off if you leave them on. A few times my wife, who has no respect for cars, left one or other of the interior lamps on and I didn't see it until the next day. By that time the lamp was hot enough to burn my fingers, but didn't turn off.
1) Noticeable vibrating at the front somewhere when stopped in Drive with foot on brake. Only seems to happen within the 1st 10 minutes of driving.
2) CDs skipping. First it was just one CD, then it was all of them.
Of course neither happened when I went to the dealership to get it checked out. Hmmm..., maybe the threat of going to the dealership next time will make them stop.
This is what I'm referring to (look under the load index column):
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/shoptalk.html#roadtires>>
...tires on the ML270 is only 104. I would agree with Drew that one should look for OEM replacement tires that exceed mfr's rating, and the max load rating is for the max air pressure.
Personally, I have Yokohama Geolander AVS 245/70/16, and they are superb sport tires, but not for winter. For snow, I have Yokohama Geolander I/T, and they are also superb.
I have had countless Thole racks over the years. This is my 1st BB rack and I want to say it is worth every penny. We are talking one class-act rack here made with high end materials. The cross bar is considerably stronger than a Thole square bar. It is oval with an inlay on-skid on top. Locks are not optional as with Thole.
The attachment method is so much better than the Thole rack for my old 4Runner. Mercedes has a rubberized wire loop that hooks under the rack and back into itself. It is tightened with a screw, and is very positive, but I can't say how long it will last. >>
...the OEM rack made by Thule for Mercedes, and it is fine, but noisy. It whistles if you don't replace the rubber inserts in the tracks along the top of the crossbars. Heaven forbid you misplace or lose these little rubber bits, when you have a ski or bike attachment in place.
I have the Thule 754 for my ML, and it is perfectly fine. Cheaper, quieter, and I prefer the crossbar to rail connection, as it appears to me to be stronger, than the OEM connection. The locks in the 754 are not optional, as the above post implies. There is a 3rd option, buying a 415 foot kit, and using old crossbars if you have em. Then you have to buy optional locks, but the 754 is a complete rack with locks.
I acutally bought these for fun today. H7 Cool blues and supposed to be 'white bright light'. Almost the same as my optiluxes. But light output seems a little lower. Still like the optiluxes better
5 minutes later. returned the bulbs >>
...the H7 CoolBlues put out 1245 lumens, while the stock H7s put out about 1325 lumens. A tiny difference. As you know, any coated or colored bulb filters the light from the filiment, and so the lumen output is slightly less.
The color temperature difference is 3290 deg Kelvin for the stock H7s and 3455 deg Kelvin for the Coolblues.
All info is available at their website, silvania.com
I still haven't put on my external fogs back on yet. I'm actually very happy how the integrated fogs work. I put H3 Hella bulbs in here. More light on the road is always nice. Plenty to the side too. I noticed, when I drive up next to a car, my fogs optics project the light so well, I can clearly see the face of the driver ! >>
...is really happy to have your foglights lighting up his face, as you drive by.
<<Now, with my low beams and fogs turned on at the same time, one can really see how the Optilux bulbs are whiter than stock bulbs.>>
Are you sure? I went to the Hella website, and the bulbs for their Optilux line is their stock H3 bulb, #78135, which cost me less than $3 at my local autoparts store. The bulb is neither colored nor coated.
let me clarify, I had hella optilux xenon whites H7 for my low beams. I have 'hella' H3 fog light bulbs in the intergrated headlamp assembly.
These H3 actually came in a hella box with my Hella Micro FF fog lamps which I bought. Because I had the FFs temporarily removed, I used the its bulbs.
I'm not sure wat optilux line yer refering to. But in my opinion, my optilux xenon whites are whiter and brighter than the stock H7s that came with my ML.
If I'm not wrong optilux has several different types of bulbs so ...
incidentally, exactly what optilux did u see and how much were they ?
If I remeber correctly, my optilux xenon whites were just under $30/pair
dt77
That is exactly what I did the last time.
1. Got out of ML.
2. locked car with remote.
3. Left credit card with mobil counter (long story, i have problems with my speedpass - zipcode issues)
4. Unlocked ML with remote but didn't open any doors.
5. started filling
6. maybe 15 seconds later, ML AUTOLOCKS.
there we go
dt77
The ML DID NOT flash three times when I was filling gas, it just AUTOLOCKED.
For me, I use my personal trick at the dealer to secure a MB loaner.
Take ML in before dealer CLOSES.
By that time, all the MB loaners have been returned.
I drive C class home.
ML will be worked on nice and early next day.
All is good.
dt77
I know I can get the car mobil speed pass that mounts to the car (ugh, something else to mount on my windshield), but the key fob is convenient for the store. I'm still not sure wether to get it or not. It just seems really insecure. I dont keep my ML key on a ring because with all my other keys it is too big for my pocket.
Robert
Steve is right. You can lay into them then. If you want to trade to a 2002, you should probably tell the dealer you're going to give them "you suck" ratings unless they give you a good trade-in deal for a 2002 w/ Sports pkg (I think you might be happy w/ the facelift w/o the Sports pkg in 2002).
As for sarcasm, etc., there were some questions I posted that you didn't answer, and then you made posts that seemed to indicate you didn't read some helpful posts, so that just leaves me puzzled.
At any rate, I always try to help people make the right decision (and I'm sure Frank and Drew do as well). Making the wrong one costs $$ and happiness. I researched my ML decision for *years* and the sale process was just a matter of "I want x, y, and z. Please order it for me and don't tack any junk onto my final bill"...I also went to all the dealerships in the Boston area until I could find a salesman I could trust who wouldn't let my ML be used as a "demo" for 50 mi. :-)
Robert:
I haven't had any problems w/ it since it came out. The charges show up on your credit card bill and if you use Quicken to reconcile your bill, you can catch any anomalies and contest them. The only things on my fob are the speedpass, passenger seat lock box key, and hitch lock key; you shouldn't put a heavy bunch of keys on the fob unless you like having the ML power down on your while driving over bumps and railroad tracks ;-)
I hate those windshield mount transceivers.
Here is my other dumb question. I been posting a bunch on this site but WHY the DELETE word always showing on my post. I'm just so GRRRRR.
embarassed.
Depends what you mean. Total redesign to unibody is MY2004/2005. Facelift of current model is MY2002 (this Fall).
The delete button allows you a final chance to delete your message prior to sending.
Also bought the MB roof top carrier, the larger of the two models. It was not good. No matter what, the right side clasp closed poorly, or not at all. We took the second one back and are awaitng credit now. Will try the Thule system next.
Look seriously before you jump into the roof rack market, they are not cheap and there are some differences.
The M-Class has a max 5000lb rating but you should never get close to the max for safety reasons.
It's a complicated question. What is the tongue weight, total weight, length of carrier, etc?
There are 2-3 folks on the M-Class Mailing List that know a lot about the subject.
Thanks again for the information.
Danny d:)
01 ml320
I was in NYC a few weeks ago stopping at Zabars. I found a space across the street, last spot in line, no parking to corner behind me, and wouldn't you know it someone parks in the no parking to street spot right up to my bumper. I couldn't open my lift gate without standing on their car. Fortuneately for them they did not leave a mark on my bumper.
Several people assured me that the larger size would not affect handling or any of the electronics. The speedo and mileage will of course be different. I'll check how much and post it.
I was trying to point out that on the evening of Nov 12 into the early morning of the 13th (the day you picked up your ML) myself and others (Drew,Ken..) were trying to make sure you purchased the vehicle you wanted - NOT WHAT THE SALES PERSON WAS TRYING TO PUSH ON YOU.
In trying to do this I stayed up longer than I normally would to hopefully help you understand that the Sport Package was very different from running boards, fender flares and grill guard installed after purchase. After several posts from myself, Drew + Ken you seemed to understand the difference and even made the comment that you wanted the side step running boards which would not be part of the Sport Package. In-other-words the side running boards seemed to be a priority over the "Sport Look" of the Sport Package. So finally it seemed the vehicle that you were picking up later that day was what you really wanted and could work with to put the common aftermarket OEM accessories as you saw fit.
I am sorry that you really wanted the Sport Package now in looking back at said purchase. You should never have felt that you had to pick up the vehicle that day if it was not the vehicle of your choice. Especially since the sales person was so misinformed himself that he actually misrepresented what was actually available. The dealer would have to honor your request and reorder the Sport Package. Unless you sign all the papers and drive it off the lot it is not a used vehicle... even so good MB dealers might even honor a return for the vehicle you really wanted up to 3 days after purchase. My dealer EuroMotorCars in Bethesda, MD will take new MB's back up to 3 days after delivery if it turns out it was not the right car choice... You have to purchase another MB but still a great policy. You dealer totally misrepresented the transaction by not only being ignorant of what was actually available (Sport Package) but also in telling you they could not do anything because the car was already titled to you and "used." Our posts concerning this were all BEFORE YOU picked up your vehicle and there should have been enough question that you did not have to take delivery until you resolved your decision - to "Sport" or not to.
I wish we could have been in the same area and I could have helped you with the "negotiations." NEVER BELIEVE WHAT A DEALER IS TELLING YOU - IF YOU HAVE DOUBTS OR FURTHER QUESTIONS DON'T BELIEVE THE DEALER WHO HAS ALREADY MISLEAD YOU! I would have made sure you got what you wanted and probably would have delt directly with the sales manager (perhaps just as bad as sales person) but you never should feel pressured into purchasing a vehicle. There were many other people who would have taken your vehicle - the dealer would have lost nothing and would have made a new sale on the Sport Package.
My frustration was that you kept on stating you wanted step running boards which you would never have on the Sport. So I was confused to you posts stating that you would have gone with the Sport Package. I guess were all can change our minds once we have all the information churning for a while - I know I certainly have : )
Please stay with us on the board we are here to help and that is what myself and other were honestly trying to do... You will find that I only post when I feel I am helping because I enjoy this. I am sorry I stirred up the pot with my post - I was just venting my frustration with trying to help and it seemed it had no impact which is why I stayed up late to begin with.
Sorry for the long post - I feel we can still learn and help each other.
Take care - Frank
Sorry for all the long run-on sentences and poor punctuation above..I just let it flow out as my brain delt : )
Hey wassup,
let me clarify, I had hella optilux xenon whites H7 for my low beams. I have 'hella' H3 fog light bulbs in the intergrated headlamp assembly.
These H3 actually came in a hella box with my Hella Micro FF fog lamps which I bought. Because I had the FFs temporarily removed, I used the its bulbs.
I'm not sure wat optilux line yer refering to. But in my opinion, my optilux xenon whites are whiter and brighter than the stock H7s that came with my ML.
If I'm not wrong optilux has several different types of bulbs so ...
incidentally, exactly what optilux did u see and how much were they ?
If I remeber correctly, my optilux xenon whites were just under $30/pair >>
...for those who don't get it, that was a SuperBowl joke.
As for the optilux bulbs, I presumed you were referring to the foglights. There's some natural confusion as Hella markets both a Optilux fog/driving lamp line, as well as a separate Optilux bulb line. And, contrary to one's natural conclusion, Optilux bulbs are not included in the Optilux lamp line. I have the vague recollection that the Optilux bulb line is on recall or something, due to poor manufacturing.
I have no doubt that your Hella Optilux bulbs have a higher color temperature than normal H7 bulbs, but it seems increasingly clear that so-called "white" bulbs do not put out more light/lumens, than standard H7s, which are designed for 1300+ lumens. Don't you think any "white" bulb manufacturer would be touting the actual measured lumen output, or MSCD candela output, if it was actually greater?
If you can find any souce that indicates that any "white" H7 puts out more than 1335 lumens, then we'd all love to see it.
If you have the inclination, Rexconde and I have had a topic discussion on bulbs while you were away, and the ML 55's HID D2R bulbs put out about 2800 lumens. The ML's stock OEM H7 bulbs put out about 1335 lumens, while the stock H3s foglight bulbs put out about 1300 lumens, for a total of 2600+ lumens. Not far away from the light output of the HIDs. Recall, that the ML HID capsules do not include a foglamp.
...
Sorry for the long post - I feel we can still learn and help each other.
Take care - Frank >>
...since when did Bon offer up anything but complaints and questions? And, most of those questions were easily answerable by looking in the owners manual.
While I find people's helpful attitude to be wonderful, I don't think you need to fall on your sword here. Even with your time and effort expended, it didn't take Bon long to diss you. Some people just don't deserve the help. Sorry, but that's the way I feel.
Sometimes I can be real "anal" (hate that word but it is very appropriate) - Ask Drew and Jason when I gave them my comments on the hitting "0" posts as a game. I have to sometimes hit myself but unfortunately it is too late sometimes and the damage is already done. My heart is truly in the right place though.
Remember the saying that srot of goes something like this:
After an argument an ordinary friend will think that you are no longer friends. A TRUE friend will know that friendship is really not TRUE friendship until tested by an argument (adversity). Anyway, that is sort of the saying but not exactly but hopefully you get my point!
I'll shut up now - thank you!!
Frank