While Ursla is having her winter shoes fitted and her vital fluids checked, drained and changed, the dealer of course gives you a Mercedes-Benz loaner car. I usually get a C280 or C350 4Matic, both W203 models of course. They haven't started putting the W204 in their fleet yet. If I get one of those I'll be sure to do some type of writeup on it. Anyway, this time I got a 2008 ML350 with a little over 3000 miles on the clock.



She does cut a pretty figure in my driveway. This example is "Pewter" over Black MB Tex.







I don't have the original window sticker, but this model has the Exterior Appearance Package, 19 inchers here.


There has been much discussion about the ML/GL/R-Class interior not matching their German counterparts and I have to say for the most part this is true. The controls don't operate with the fluid snick-snick that you get with my CLK or say the S-Class. The plastics are not cheap like the first generation ML, but they aren't up to CLS/E----->>>S/CL which I guess they shouldn't be for the price of the S/CL or SL. The interior is very comfortable though.




Decent room back here:




Rear-view camera:



For the life of me I couldn't not back up without looking around first and during backing up.


The much talked about 3.5L V6:




Cutholder has a little separation piece that is removable:






Comand system fold-away screen hide CD player slot and Nav CD slot:






One thing I did notice is that the ML doesn't have the fuel overfill hole like my CLK and other German-made Benzes:



Whole fuel filler area is shrouded in plastic and if you spill it here it doesn't appear to have a hole for the fuel to run onto the ground. I always considered this a very clever feature so gasoline never spills onto your paint.

She takes up most of my little garage:






The driving experience is typical Benz smooth and quiet, if not the feeling of tied down mass like in Benz cars. The ML does lumber a bit like all SUVs and in corners there is a tippy feeling, but then again I generally dislike driving SUVs for this feeling so the sensation may be more pronounced with me.

The climate control is excellent as are the seats. Having to open the Comand screen's panel to change CDs in the single slot CD player is a pain though. You must have a changer or MP3 hookup (glovebox).

All in all this is a commuter's SUV just like Mercedes intended, it surely isn't sporty. I'd likely enjoy the more buttoned down feel of the X5 or Range Rover Sport, but the ML is much cheaper than either of those, especially when you lood the other 2 up with options.

I am Merc1 and this is the:





And I give it 3 out of 5 stars. More pics and a short video later, its snowing outside now, imagine the fun that can be had!

M

Thanks for this little short review! In my opinion this is a great alternation for a loaner car. The ML looks very nice, in my opinion, but you're right, sadly this car has extremely decent room in the back! Normally you expect more from a car, that is sized like the ML!

YW.

Very different from driving my CLK in snowy/icy conditions. The ML tracks like a goat. I still can't get used to the up-high seating/driving position. I would have to have Airmatic in my ML and I'd drive with it in its lowest/sportiest setting.

M

Nice. Are you gonna keep it Marcus?

Turn off ESP and have some fun in the snow

Nah...I'm going to give it back today.....lol.

It was nice driving it in the snow though, totally different from my RWD CLK. The ML still though has a long way to go before it approaches class dominance. The interior finish and especially the fit of the various panels and what not needs to be improved. I really hope the facelift addresses these issues. The loaner ML also has the often talked to 2-1 downshift "thud" that so many owners on MBWorld complain about. Basically when you stop the transmission lags behind and shifts into first gear once you stopped and the feeling is very pronounced. If owned this ML I'd be annoyed at having to take it back to the dealer for this.

M

Yep, i see those nice blue/white Adidas sneakers that you bought some time ago.

Yep! I just bought another pair, check out the "share your latest purchase" thread in a few.

M