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I'm guessing that If the ML was assembled in the US with solely German made components, the price would probably be significantly higher, closer to the BMW X5 levels.
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
Ron Hoff
ronhoff@sangera.com
800-848-3494
I don't have his direct dial number. I think the 800 number goes to the switchboard so you'll probably have to ask for him. He is the manager for the internet sales and worked the whole deal for me himself - very nice guy to talk to and work with. Tell him I sent you his way...
http://thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=4126&sid=178&n=156
The latest was that the auto transmission locked up in third gear and would not upshift.
Has anyone had a similar problem and if so, what was the fix?
It would make sense, Drew, that such a clause would exist and that it be public, if only to reassure both shareholders, investors and consumers that MB's quality reputation would not be jeopardized. As it is, indeed, Chrylser stands to gain from MB's technical expertise, and MB from a greater economy of scale.
The JGC has been, and still is, a vehicle with such terrible reputation for reliability and poor build, that the mere suggestion that it could share anything with MLs is scary.
Thank you for your reassuring lines, though.
-- Gustav
I have one huge toddler seat(the full size one for the whole body) and right next to it is a base for an infant seat. My 6 year old sits in the third row. He climbs in the back door even though the middle row seat that slide forward is clear to move, it's just easier to hop in the back door. 350 miles on my 2002 and no problems whatsoever (knocks wood). Get the 2002 ML!
Assuming I put the toddler in the third row, and the infant and two adults in the middle row....
There's no room for any cargo! No room for diaper bags, 2 strollers (or a double stroller, etc). Has anyone thought about this? Any suggestions? The alternative is a minivan..(yuck).
Help!
I figured I'd have to do something similar from time to time - but figured I'd depend on a luggage box on the rooftop carrier. Those waterproof carriers can extend your trunk considerably, and are great in terms of on-the-spot storage.
Just a reminder that the MB chat is on tonight (6-7pm Pacific/9-10 pm Eastern). Hope to see you there!
http://www.edmunds.com/townhall/chat/mercedeschat.html
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
Good luck!
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
A friend made a similiar decision recently. This time, it was his WIFE who didn't want the minivan (she had major yuck problems w/ the image and wanted a rugged LC; picture a woman who is 5' tall saying this ;-) They regularly drive the kids and parents around. Ended up w/ an Odyssey w/ add-on leather (the concession the friend made to keep his wife happy). They like being able to walk between the seats and reconfigure the chairs.
Maybe your wife will let you get an S2000 to compensate for driving the minivan most of the time ;-)
She had a minivan and hated it. She made me drive it and I hated it too. Very nerdy. I traded it for a Sequoia and couldn't be happier.
The ML is great but the room is an issue that I can understand. I have 2 little one's myself (34 mths and 8 mths). We will use the ML for our family outings and Sequoia for friends and family.
#4567 Dave01- I haven't received the official invoice prices only the MSRP. I took the usual MB markup and figured them out myself. These are a pretty good "guess-timate" if you will.
I looked at last years prices and the 02's that have been released for the other models. I feel pretty confident in these numbers. It's about a 7.52% markup I believe.
2002 ML PRICES
INVOICE MSRP
Base $33,761 $36,300
Brilliant Silver (744) $460 $495
Ash Leather (268) $- $-
Bose (168) $1,116 $1,200
Parktronic (220) $944 $1,015
Xenon (172) $814 $875
Heated Seats (873) $590 $635
M1 Luxury (107) $1,520 $1,635
M2 Convenience (102) $1,200 $1,275
M3 (ML 500 Conv) (103) $744 $800
M5 Sunroof (105) $1,186 $1,295
M6 Sport (772) $3,116 $3,350
M7 3rd row seats (152) $1,097 $1,180
Destination $645 $645
You'll get to an interactive page, which will create a printable list of your selected options, and their respective MSRP and invoice prices.
I managed about $1k over invoice armed with this sheet, after visits/phone calls to four NYC area dealers.
Good luck,
-John
Does this refer to the Lizzy Whatever incident in NYC, or am I missing something?
Always curious Tarik
Hope she gets a good caning for it :-)
I was pretty close on some of those invoice prices.
My question - what's up with M-class owners? Are they not the mailing list/discussion group types?
I've been looking for a high-traffic site - appears there isn't one. I've posted questions on the M-class mailing list, the forums here and at mbnz.org and mbworld.com - and just keep seeing the same 4 names.
Is it a cultural thing or am I missing a good site?
When I posted the link to my pictures here last week. Within 2 hours I had 500 hits. As of this morning I have had 13,706 hits. Folks are reading but just don't write much.
You're the new blood now. Contribute. Show us what you've done to personalize your ML or something we didn't know about the 2002 model. Convince some of the old timers to upgrade :-)
it's correct, there has been less traffic on the ML-related sites lately. Hopefully this is a sign that the truck is less problem-ridden!
Ken - of course I'd like to "upgrade" my '01 270 CDI to a '02/'03 400 CDI, but when I see what it comes to in way of $$$ (or rather €€€ = euros), I tend to put the idea on the back burner ;-) And believe me, the 163 ponies in the 270 CDI seem to come from a good stable - work hard, eat little!
A Bi-Xenon upgrade does tempt me, however. Could I ask people that have the new Bi-Xenons and may even have known the precedent models to check whether such an upgrade might be feasible? (mechanical fitting as well as electrical connections).
If I've understood the Bi-Xenon principle correctly, the outboard projector lenses provide both hi and low beams. Are the inboard reflectors then only used as a supplementary hi beam/flash-to-pass light? This puzzles me, and the '02 models are not due here for some weeks or months yet, so if anyone could clear me up on that, I'd be greatful.
Cheers from cool Luxyland,
Birger
Anyway when I see one I'll pass along the info.
That's why I'm struggling with the information - like what kind of navigation system this puppy has (I didn't order it; the wife has said it would make a good first father's day gift, but I don't know how much I'd like it, since I haven't seen it yet).
The best I've been able to do thus far is get copies of catalogs from just about everywhere on the net. Until then, all I can do is dream about my new car.
I'm almost positive it's a software thing - I don't know why, but none of the discussion groups I've visited for the M-class thus far has had a very friendly interface. Web-X - pardon me mods, but BLECH!
I've been trying to prompt some discussion - like where to buy parts, what accessories are the most useful, which all-weather mats are the best... etc. Mostly innocuous.
Here's another conversation starter - anyone here Zaino'd their ML? I've been thinking about what to do when I first get that bad boy (thinking Lexol the interior and Zaino the exterior), but someone else told me that you have to wait a few months for the paint to completely dry out before detailing it (which sounded like bunk to me, but I thought I'd read it somewhere else as well).
Probably just the frustration of having to wait for my car
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
How are you reading this discussion topic? Are you "subscribed" to it so that you can easily access your subscribed topics via your message centre? If you have any questions, please let me know.
Last week the invoice prices were not available!
Goodluck
Those questions have been asked before :-)
I clayed and put 6 coats of Zaino on my ML the week I got it. Don't do it in 40F weather in November like I did. The clay turns rather brittle :-P
The 2002 Nav isn't available yet AFAIK. Someone tried a 2001 Nav and it didn't work.
I have a review of the CatchAll mats on my site. www.keysolutions.com/M-Class which is also searchable. It contains my web clippings from the past few years.
Hang out long enough on the forums and you'll get your answers.
birger:
I'd trade my '01 ML320 for an '02 ML400CDI in a heartbeat ;-) You're lucky you have the 270CDI.
I agree about the cost to upgrade though. We'd lose at least $5K for the switch to the same next year model :-P
For the Xenon upgrade, try emailing clairparts.com. I'm sure Kevin or Mark can dig up the info for you. Hopefully, it's plug and play.
As far as your recs:
Zaino - I'd have no choice - I'd have to apply in November since I won't see my car until then
Navigation - actually, even a MY2001 would be nice to hear about. I have *never* seen a MB navi unit up close. The dealer didn't have one vehicle to demo the unit on, much to my dismay.
The question I keep asking - when did MB go to an Alpine based system, and how different is it from other Alpine based systems (or is it the same)? I did test an Acura MDX before I bought the ML, and I loved it's navi system. It's Alpine based, using data from Navtech. Since I hear MB's is the same situation (Alpine based, data from Navtech, although CD-ROM not DVD) - I'm hoping the end result is a very similar system.
Thanks for link and all the great reviews.
Jack
I believe they are still making them. If not, I have another set of the 1st/2nd row set if you're interested. A dot-com auto accessory company sent me two by mistake and didn't give me an RMA number to send them back :-)
They're the only ones I know of that cover the tranny hump. Be aware of the fit problems I mentioned in my review though.
As for the Nav, it's something you should try. Go to another dealer. The ML430 and ML55 have it built-in. Your salesdroid should have known this. Coverage is always spotty no matter what, even w/ the DVD ones (you should have heard the MDX owners griping...the TL coverage is greater :-)
As for the radio, the MCS (video display thingy) came w/ the MY2000 model. Dunno what brand they use. The CD changer used to be Panasonic so I'd be surprised if it is Alpine for the head unit. They went to a fiber optic CD changer in MY2001 and it's no longer Panasonic.
Seq:
Interesting. The single picture links are broken now. The album links still work.
I'll relink to my webshots album.
Any help greatly appreciated
Some people complain about the complexity of operating the system - I have still not read the manual completely, and have no problems with operating the unit. Thankfully, it does not have a touch screen, so entering an address you have to spell the name using a cursor key. It helps out by only showing applicable letters, and updating the list to choose from. Generally you only need to select the first few letters of an address.
The other cool feature is that we have just received our free map update from Navtech, which actually updated the software on the MCS. There is now a different female speaking the directions, and the "splash screen" shows the new model ML. If only it were so easy to upgrade the car!
All in all we are very happy with the car, and I will definitely think twice before getting a car without nav. If you have any specific questions about the nav unit, please don't hesitate to ask.
The UI is ok.
The ML55's exhaust routes through part of the spare tire area IIRC...
I've heard people complain about the usability. Which prompted me to ask - if it's an Alpine system, shouldn't it be the same as any other Alpine based unit?
Let us know how you like it.
As for 430's - none that they had on hand. Two of the 4 said they could get one; the other two said 'sorry - wait for a 500'.
Ugh!
The trend is clear. Technology advancement made its way to the car near your garage, like it or not.
One more thing. I wonder why there are so many slightly used AMG cars sitting in the dealer. Oh, dealer add " market adjustment " of close to $30,000 to a 2002 s55 amg over msrp. Isn't that wonderful?
I was wondering if anyone used a leather repair kit before. I would like to hear from anyone who can help. Thanks in advance.
Any help appreciated .