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Comments
I'm in the market for a luxury SUV, have looked at the Lexus RX300. I know I can get it for around $36k (AWD, Premium Plus package). Folks around Town Hall said I should also consider the MB.
I guess my question is, can one get an MB similary equipped for about the same money? Or am I just barking up the wrong tree...
All insights appreciated,
TC
Wonder what it will sell for or if it will sell. There are only a few more hours before aution ends! No bids yet!!!
Frank
Cut and paste:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=532218234&r=0&t=0
After taking all this into consideration and knowing the Lexus dealer wanted to add $1,500 to the MSRP., because of tight supply, I opted to deal for a ML and it ended up almost the same price (+1-2K). Not sure if you drove both yet but I felt the RX was a little unstable at highway speeds when you did a quick lane change and in cross winds, the ML felt a lot more stable, even my wife could feel the difference.
Now what you can deal for in your area may differ, but take the price quotes in from the on-line dealers and that is usually a good starting point.
I now have 7K miles on my 2000 ML320 and wouldn't give it up for anything.
Bottom line, it's your dollors and choice. Lexus has made some changes to the 2001 RX, but it's traction control still will not compare to the ML and if your tow anything the ML has body on frame construction and will tow 5,000 lbs Vs only 3,000 lbs for the RX, which is unibody construction. It's more of a passenger car construction then the ML is.
Whatever you decide enjoy.
Just to answer a few points, towing is not important for us, so the capacity of most SUVs will suffice. Since you bought, the tables have turn and now it's the Lexus dealers having to knock $$$ of MSRP because of the MDX onslaught. Couple that with the Highlander coming out in a couple of weeks (what the hell was Toyota thinking? Talk about butchering your own market).
So really my big question is whether I can get an ML320 in the $36k range? I'm trying to do as much homework on my own, just wanted to hear some real world experiences.
We haven't drove an ML320 yet, but I don't want to waste the dealer's time if it's not in our price range we're looking for.
Thanks again for the input!
TC
Anyway, the real way to answer your question is to configure the ML320 using the MBUSA build your own Mercedes feature and see what the retail price is. If you add all the available features to an ML320 the dealers cost (invoice) will be over $36K - somewhere between $38-$40K depending on if you get Skyview roof and all the option packages (less the Sport package that would certainly bring Invoice into the $40K's. So, if this is invoice you will have to pay more so dealer can make some profit. However, if you choose a base ML (once again, configure it yourself and determine what you can live with/out) you could get close to your target.
Try to give the dealer $1000 profit (over invoice) and see where it brings you... you need to be a good dealer yourself or shop the internet to see if dealers will compete for your business and lower their profit. If you find yourself way over.. meaning you could not live with a base ML320 then your out of luck for the moment and won't get the vehicle for $36Kish. If you wait for the end of year you will be able to buy at invoice or even below depending on MB end or year dealer insentive...MB has given $2-3K back to dealers at the end of year to clear for the new models in the past. So you might even get an ML UNDER invoice if you can wait and take the chance...
Good Luck!
http://www.edmunds.com/newtrucks/2001/mercedesbenz/mclass/ml320.html
Start here and check the appropriate options you must have then click the configure button... this will take you to a work sheet for the ML and you can print this out...
If you could spend closer to $38K you could find a good deal on a nicely appointed ML...
Share with us what region you live in and we'll try to help guide you to a dealer who "deals."
Hopefully others who have recently purchased will share their pricing... but remember each deal is different and if you know how to deal and can take the shopping effort you will be rewarded... some people can do this others can't or won't... think you would be very happy with the ML so it is worth a try IMHO...
Take care - Frank
In addition to trying and help you guys I'm also trying to keep the ML forum in the "Top 10".... we are really slipping this week down to 10..almost fell off... where are you ALIGN (Drew!!) This is no time for VACATION!! GET TO WORK : )
BTW, I live on Long Island, New York.
Thanks again.
TC
As you've seen, an ML320 with M1 luxury and M2 convenience packages, the Bose audio system with the CD changer, sunroof, and heated seats MSRP's for $41,985, invoices for $39,092.
These prices don't include the M7 third-row seat option, or Xenon HID headlamps (you have to buy a very expensive sport package, adding over $4k to the MSRP). Metallic paint is another $485 MSRP.
Frankly, in absence of any MB discounts, I'd be surprised if you can get anything much lower than $40k for the above, unless you delete some of the options like the Bose. But not $36k.
It's the monthly/quarterly variations of the market. MB can price the ML320 at a premium and still sell well, and for many people, it's a much different vehicle than the RX. Right now Lexus is overproducing the RX300, cannibalizing itself with Sequoia's on the big, high end, Highlanders on the lower end, and facing increased competition like the MDX.
A couple of months ago you couldn't buy an RX that was very loaded for below $40k. Now you can get it down much, much lower than that. Lexus dealers can afford to do it because the RX has a ridiculously large spread between invoice and MSRP. Lexus throwing in discounts helps even more. MB dealers only have a $3k spread without factory incentives, and it's not like their holdbacks give them more than Lexus.
Always fascinating how the market turns. Right now the Lexus is the bargain priced vehicle. If you find that the RX meets your needs fine, you're in a good position. You'll buy a 2001 that has more key features (e.g. stability control, available HID's) than the 2000 model, yet you'll be paying less than end-of-year "discounts" on 2000's a few months ago!
Both vehicles are great. Both vehicles have done well on crash tests. Both vehicles have good resale.
But riddle me this Batman: why don't these things have rear glass that opens separate from the hatch!!!!
;-)
The plus side of a lift-up gate is that there's no tailgate that gets in the way of the cargo area. The downside is when you need to carry long materials.
Thus, I got approx. $5800.00 off. Although I gave up Tele-Aide, (I have it on my other car and have never used it)it cost less than a similiarly equiped 01 ML320 without the added features of the ML430, navagation, 17" tires and of course the V-8. I thought it was too good of a deal to pass up. I am very pleased with all the updates, especially the interior, now more mercedes-like, and of couse the scheduled maintenence. The only downside is the mileage.
All I can say, if you can find a leftover 00ML320 somewhere, you should be able to get into your price range. Best of Luck.
They would work with you.
Mike
Danny d:)
But I was curious as if you ever resolved your service problem a few weeks back. I believe you have had a noise emmiting from your front end.
Oh I found your wallet under the seat! Ha ha.
I can't find your post on this problem. Can you re-post?
TIA
David
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Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
P.S. Frank, I wasn't on vacation ;-) Just busy...
The unit will lose power when the car is shut down and will not come on line again.
Have you heard anything like this or have you heard anything from your sources?
Thanks for the response re: the power skyview top. I'm definitely looking into adding it (it will just mean custom ordering the car since most dealers don't seem to carry many ml320 w/skyviews on the lot).
Since you live in Europe you might be the perfect person to ask about the skyview top leaking during the rainy season. Any problems that you know about? Can you also tell me if the windnoise is unbearable on the freeways?
Thanks!
Mine is 430 00 model , and this noise is intermittent, starting from about 10K. Initially, the dealer thought it was brake-related but the noise came back even after they replaced the pads.
It is annoying and sounds like fingernail scrarching the chalk board.
David
having owned a RangeRover 4.6 as my prior vehicle there simply is no
comparison. The only problem I've recently encountered has been with
the windows jamming and refusing to close. The dealership, after no
help in the sales dept., referred me to service who said just at my
dealership only there were another 6 ML55's with the same problem and
this is a known defect with the switch.
Given that I live in NJ and the temperature has recently been in the
single digits I wasn't amused, have driven 10 miles with the window
jammed down to find that a recall hadn't been issued!
Any other 55 owners had the same problem?
Tim
Remember I am the one who purchased the ml320 and wanted sports package and salesman told me it was not an option GRRRR now I suffer and now I hear 2002's (mine is an oi) will look like sports package on all of them. I am PISSED--AND YES I AM SHOUTING. I wrote Mercedes about this and can't wait to hear their replies. Please post a picture of all brush guars, fender flares, running boards etc on one sits so it is easier to compate without jumping all around. Also any pics of new 2002 yet? Compare on same page with 2001 with sports package as compared to ml55--pPlease.... I am furious my salesman was such a dope and knew nothing....cause neither did I. I bought truck for safety and perfect size for me and wonderful ride (but did inquire as to making it look soupier???) Now I am the one who will probably suffer on resale. GRRRRRR
If possible, please give a breakdown of the involved costs (i.e. wheel, carrier, labor...e.t.c.)
Thank you!!
I live in Atlanta and purchased our current ML from a local dealer. Not enamoured of them but no serious complaints. Any recommendations on dealers who deal in the Southeast would be great. Should I expect a decent trade for the current ML (its in good shape)? Because we are buying two cars is it better to try and negotiate everything as a package or do it one at a time? Has anyone got any experience with leasing an ML ?
Thanks
I just got a copy of the M-Class Accessories Collection catalog. You can see pics of the Type I and Type II brushguards, and also pics of the side runners that came w/ the M4 pkg (they added steps to these runners compared to the M4 pkg ones). I'm checking into pricing of the Type II brushguard + skidplate; install is supposed to be $$$. :-P
Go to www.mbusa.com and fill out a request for it. You'll get it in the mail in a few weeks and it will answer most of your questions on what things look like.
No info on the 2002 facelift yet.
You HAVE to go to Canada to get it, and even then I believe it costs around $3500 with the tire, rim, carrier and different rear suspension (to compensate for the added weight. This doesn't include installation. Although if one were to get it I dont believe that installing it would be that difficult (It would be like the trailer hitch); the suspension adjustment is another story.
One BIG negative is that it makes it even harder to see out of the back of the ML. The middle seat headrest does this to (I removed mine) , but much worse.
BTW No dealer will install it because it isnt something that is allowed in the US, plus MB wont allow it.
Robert
Any comments
here are the "transformation" photos...
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1440183&a=10802450
P.S. We need a cat as one of the tools? ;-)
I experience wind noise when my moon roof is closed. The noise is eliminated by applying upward pressure on the glass. Has anyone with a similar problem been able to improve the seal?
Also, what is the best brand, in terms of quality and price for new all season tires? 255/65/16. I do not take me vehicle off road.
Thanks
Dave
When I return to LA, I will get a print out of all work done on my ml, do a little investigating and maybe ill bring the issue up to the proper people. I believe the technicians were negligent.
dt77
http://fullspeed.to/ml
http://www.xenonhid.com
what i don't like about is the fact that there is no autoleveling, and i would retain the original headlamp assembly (patterned). They claim to be beam corrected and for more than half the price of the FULL retrofit, I might just do it. Rob, how much again ? like $1300 ? hey, i'm just a student that would have to pay for this outta his own pocket money so
distributor for this philips made HID is in LA so, i might check it out...
dt77
00 ml430
doesn't look like the trunk is easly opened ...?
dt77
I don't seem to able to pass the FAQ and info page. The web page is wacked??!! How much do they want it for? The whole conversion kit doesn't seem to be able house entirely inside my ML headlamp assembly... if you have ever change a bulb, you realized that there is no much room to for any other things especially if you want to put the "cover" back....
http://www.supremepowerparts.com/start.htm
http://www.jbcsafety.com/HID/hid.html
http://www.xenonshop.com
Does anyone of you know do any of these vendors has a specific kit for ML, one that would allow u to put back the "back cover" for the headlight assembly?
dt77
from the looks of the pics @ xenonshop.com, it looks like putting the cover back may be a problem ...
jbc lists $599 and xenonshop lists $590.
dt77
dt77
SPP sells them for 590.
dt77
and they don't appear to have the built in fog lamp toward the inner canthus. Does anyone know if
they do have these components ?