Like BMW, Mercedes-Benz built a factory in the USA to catch the SUV bandwagon there.
Right car, right place it might have been but the 1990s were not good for the reputation of a company to whom criticism of the quality of its vehicles came as an unpleasant shock.
Things improved and the ML II of 2005 was a much better job of work. The third generation model arrived in 2012.
Right car, right place it might have been but the 1990s were not good for the reputation of a company to whom criticism of the quality of its vehicles came as an unpleasant shock.
Things improved and the ML II of 2005 was a much better job of work. The third generation model arrived in 2012.
The ML competes with Land Rover’s Discovery and/or Range Rover Sport, Volkswagen Touareg, Porsche Cayenne, BMW X5 and Jeep Grand Cherokee. ‘Medium large’ one might say, its bigger GL brother tackles the heftier stuff like Toyota’s Land Cruiser V8. This is a very broad church now.
ML 350 CDI employs an updated version of the familiar 3.0 V6 diesel coupled to the latest seven-speed automatic gearbox. As with the rest of the posh pack, manual ‘boxes have receded into history. As for BMW and Porsche, no high/low ratio transfer box either but the GL’s armoury does run to this as does one version of the Touareg (‘Escape’).
However, the ML’s 4x4 drive system is permanent and a seven-speed speed ‘box offers a fairly wide range of gearing. The car’s electronic network adapts for off-road conditions and a front limited slip differential extends capability. An “On & Off Road” extra cost package brings further diff locks, a more specific off-road ratio, COMAND display, under-engine protective shield and height-adjustable air suspension.
Other ML models are the 250 CDI (twin-turbo 2.1-litre four-cylinder at £43,240) or high performance ML63 AMG. Both ML250 CDI and 350 CDI carry the Bluetec label which adds a supplementary AdBlue tank of urea fluid which, when injected into the exhaust, can eliminate up to 80% of its NOx particulates apparently.
The ML is no lightweight and the extra clout of the 3.0 V6 is welcome over the 250 CDI (although the 2.1 unit does more than merely cope). This is a touring motor car and its dynamics are not as sharp as say the Porsche, BMW or Range Rover Sport. It majors on smooth, effortless progress and fuel economy which is not at all poor.
Cabin is spacious, interior fit and finish excellent with particularly comfortable front seats both of which adjust in all directions including squab length for the taller, longer legged driver and passenger. A very useful electrically powered tailgate comes as standard but satellite navigation is an extra. The options list is a lengthy and costly tract - extra equipment on the test car loaded up the price by about £20,000.
The ML’s main rivals are the regular Touareg models, X5 and Cayenne. Discovery and Range Rover Sport possess greater off-road ability. However this third series ML is a smooth, polished and credible 4x4 SUV. Signs are that residual values will hold up well which should add further appeal to the owner-driver experience overall.
Facts & Figures: Mercedes-Benz ML 350 CDI BlueTEC: £48,490; 250ps; 139 mph; 0-62mph 7.4 secs; 39.2mpg (official combined figure); 27.1mpg (Trip Computer on Test); 30mpg day to day should be there; CO2 189g/km; Road Tax.’J’/£250pa; Insurance 42A; Maximum braked trailer weight a commendable 3,500kg.
By Huw Thomas
First published in Welsh Farmer, the newspaper of the Farmers' Union of Wales.
ML 350 CDI employs an updated version of the familiar 3.0 V6 diesel coupled to the latest seven-speed automatic gearbox. As with the rest of the posh pack, manual ‘boxes have receded into history. As for BMW and Porsche, no high/low ratio transfer box either but the GL’s armoury does run to this as does one version of the Touareg (‘Escape’).
However, the ML’s 4x4 drive system is permanent and a seven-speed speed ‘box offers a fairly wide range of gearing. The car’s electronic network adapts for off-road conditions and a front limited slip differential extends capability. An “On & Off Road” extra cost package brings further diff locks, a more specific off-road ratio, COMAND display, under-engine protective shield and height-adjustable air suspension.
Other ML models are the 250 CDI (twin-turbo 2.1-litre four-cylinder at £43,240) or high performance ML63 AMG. Both ML250 CDI and 350 CDI carry the Bluetec label which adds a supplementary AdBlue tank of urea fluid which, when injected into the exhaust, can eliminate up to 80% of its NOx particulates apparently.
The ML is no lightweight and the extra clout of the 3.0 V6 is welcome over the 250 CDI (although the 2.1 unit does more than merely cope). This is a touring motor car and its dynamics are not as sharp as say the Porsche, BMW or Range Rover Sport. It majors on smooth, effortless progress and fuel economy which is not at all poor.
Cabin is spacious, interior fit and finish excellent with particularly comfortable front seats both of which adjust in all directions including squab length for the taller, longer legged driver and passenger. A very useful electrically powered tailgate comes as standard but satellite navigation is an extra. The options list is a lengthy and costly tract - extra equipment on the test car loaded up the price by about £20,000.
The ML’s main rivals are the regular Touareg models, X5 and Cayenne. Discovery and Range Rover Sport possess greater off-road ability. However this third series ML is a smooth, polished and credible 4x4 SUV. Signs are that residual values will hold up well which should add further appeal to the owner-driver experience overall.
Facts & Figures: Mercedes-Benz ML 350 CDI BlueTEC: £48,490; 250ps; 139 mph; 0-62mph 7.4 secs; 39.2mpg (official combined figure); 27.1mpg (Trip Computer on Test); 30mpg day to day should be there; CO2 189g/km; Road Tax.’J’/£250pa; Insurance 42A; Maximum braked trailer weight a commendable 3,500kg.
By Huw Thomas
First published in Welsh Farmer, the newspaper of the Farmers' Union of Wales.
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