The beautiful and elegant ML 350 Mercedes has been on the market for a long time. But the path to success was not as easy as it seems to us now. The car first appeared in Europe in 1997, but with the index W163. The car was a complete failure. For residents of European countries, such a Mercedes is completely unsuitable, the Russians felt that it did not have an elaborate enough design.
It is worth paying tribute to the manufacturers, as they did not give up. And after some time, a crossover reappeared on the market, but completely different. The updated W163 (but with the ml 350 index) had excellent qualities both inside and out. And already in 2011, manufacturers introduced the third generation ml 350.
Exterior
Mercedes ML 350 White
The third generation ml350 did not become innovative in terms of the appearance of the car. Manufacturers decided not to change their traditions: the model is made in a classic, restrained style without any frills, which distinguishes it from cars of other brands.
Coolness and calmness in appearance - that's what made this car a benchmark among business class cars.
The highlight of the whole series is that the 166 body seems to be slightly beveled back and ends with a spoiler. Also, a huge wheelbase remained an unchanged attribute of the crossover. The rear lights of the car have become larger and moved to the fenders. The radiator grille of the updated ml 350 bluetec 4matic is painted black and has also increased in size.
Running lights are now located in the chrome elements of the machine. By the way, there are more chrome elements themselves - the manufacturers wanted to give the car impressiveness and power in this way, which they did very well.
In addition, the manufacturers decided to diversify the color scheme, which now includes many different shades: from blue tanzanite to beige pearls.
It is also worth noting the overall dimensions of the ML 350 bluetec 4matic. The front bumper of the updated version has become simply huge. The body is made of durable aluminum and magnesium alloys.
Interior
Salon Mercedes-benz ML 350
The interior is also dominated by calm and elegance. The seats and steering wheel are upholstered in expensive leather. There are natural wood inserts on the doors and front panel. Integrated directly into the rearview mirror, the lamps provide a soft and pleasant light throughout the cabin.
In addition to all of the above, there are changes in the dashboard: now a special joystick replaces a certain number of buttons, making the dashboard look more assembled and compact. The steering wheel is now equipped with a large number of buttons.
The central armrest is equipped with a cup holder and a connector for various devices, if necessary, it can be removed. Thanks to this feature, three passengers can be accommodated in the rear. But, of course, two people will be much more comfortable.
Even at high speed, the car has a high sound insulation. The trunk holds 690 liters, which is a record for cars of this class. Since the rear seats can be transformed, there can be more space. The deflectors have also changed: the oval shape is a thing of the past, it has been replaced by clear rectangles.
Engines
Mercedes 350 ML Class
The third generation of this Mercedes-Benz is presented to motorists in two versions:
- ML 350 4matic BlueEfficiency. V6 petrol engine. Volume 3 and a half liters. Power - 306 horsepower, which is just an excellent indicator for such a colossus. Torque - 370 Nm. The most popular engine in this model range.
- ML 350 CDI 4matic. A diesel engine created by the Germans specifically for the Russian market. Power 240 horsepower.
- ML 500. The old, already familiar power unit has not disappeared from the lineup. Still developing 400 horsepower.
But it is worth noting that buying a special diesel engine will cost much more than a gasoline one. So, the cost of the car will exceed 3 million rubles.
Complete set
The basic equipment of the car includes:
- Climate control system
- Airbag
- On-board electronics display
- radio tape recorder
- Controller for the entire interior multimedia system
- Several off-road driving modes (the switch button is located on the central tunnel of the steering wheel)
- Tire pressure monitoring system
- Optics remote access device
- Rear window heating device
- Windshield wipers with rain sensor
- Heated front seats
- Anti-slip system
- Fog lights
- Cruise control
- Automatic speech recognition
- Hill Start Assist
- Power seats with memory
- Collision avoidance system
- Anti-lock braking system
As options, manufacturers offer:
- A roof with a panoramic view
- Improved alloy wheels with original pattern
- Improved interior lighting system
- Upgraded climate control system
- Rear seat heating
- Navigation system
- Power steering
- air suspension
- Blind Spot & Lane Monitoring System
Of course, the price of the car depends very much on the options chosen, but each of the packages has a very reasonable price. In general, all additional equipment will cost an additional 500 thousand rubles.
Competitors
Mercedes ml350 - unique in its kind. But even despite this, many people have doubts about which car is better to choose.
Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 TDI
Another five-seater German crossover. This is the reason for the choice between Merc and Tuareg. The quality and safety of the machines are at the same high level. But the issues of power, equipment and prices are still better to clarify if in doubt. For example, Volkswagen boasts better handling on the road, while Mercedes boasts ride comfort. Choose according to your needs and desires.
Specifications
Mercedes benz 350ML
Mercedes ML 350 is considered one of the best business class cars. Happy owners claim that he does not even ride, but floats along the track. When driving, no bumps in the road are felt (which is a definite plus in Russia), and the crossover copes with turns perfectly. It is worth noting once again the excellent sound insulation of the car.
The seven-speed automatic transmission provides smooth gear changes without any jerks or jerks. In addition, it is able to adapt itself to the driver's ride.
Can not but rejoice at quite economical fuel consumption - 15 liters per 100 km in the city and a little over 9 on the track. And it's at high speed!
The new 350 can take acceleration to 100 km / h in 8.4 seconds(and despite the fact that the weight of 350 w164 is also not small, 2035 kg), and the maximum speed is 225 km / h.
The SUV is equipped with an all-wheel drive system that will ensure stability and reliability in all situations: starting to move, wet or icy roads, sharp turns.
Suspension ml350 w166 front independent, double wishbone. The rear is also independent, but multi-link, which guarantees smooth movement on Russian roads.
- The prestigious five-seat Mercedes-Benz impresses with its impressive dimensions - 4780 * 1910 * 1820 mm.
- The battery for a Mercedes needs 173 kW and 353 * 175 * 190 mm, and the starter is 1.4 kW, 12 V.
- Wheel size for Mercedes Benz ml350 is 235/65 R17.
- The volume of the gas tank really pleases car owners - 95 liters. With any consumption of the car, it is very convenient.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
- Versatility. This SUV can be used as a professional, family car (the interior and trunk are really huge, which is a must for family trips) and even a sports car.
- Travel convenience. Car owners note that the cabin provides maximum comfort, and drivers do not get tired even on a long route.
- Small turning radius. This allows you to turn the car even on a small narrow road.
- Mercedes ML is easy to drive and agile on the road
- Quality. German quality in the automotive market is undeniable. And this is one of the biggest reasons why Mercedes finds its buyer so easily.
- Environmental aspect. When fuel is burned, a minimum amount of harmful substances is released into the atmosphere.
- Safety. Mercedes are really reliable, and the Mercedes benz ml 350 proves this once again.
- Protection against erroneous shifting
Flaws:
- Expensive parts and maintenance. This is a problem of almost all Mercedes in Russia.
- Tax. Since the power of this car is high (from 200 horsepower), then you need to pay for this pleasure regularly. The base rate for such an SUV is from 7.5 to 15
- Eats oil. For some owners of the Mercedes ML 350 bluetooth, this has become a real problem. But, as already mentioned, this is an erroneous opinion. For its size, the SUV is quite economical
Price
The price, of course, for the Mercedes-Benz ML 350 is also rather big. After updating and equipping Merce with new gadgets, it raised the initial cost up to 2900 thousand. Lower-middle-income people, accustomed to simpler city commutes, see this as unrealistic money. In addition, there are rumors that the car doors are banging or it will not start, but this is not the case. If you follow the maintenance schedule, then everything will be fine. The ML350 is ideal for lovers of fast driving, convenience and comfort, as well as true connoisseurs of German quality. The car is really worth the money.
The updated Mercedes ML is already waiting for Russian drivers. What kind of fruit is this, we decided to find out with the help of owner reviews, photos and a test drive, which reveals the driving features of the car. Before moving on to the "core" you need to dedicate a couple of lines of history. After all, the car in our countries is not particularly popular. You can probably guess why that is. Price. Not everyone can give 3 million for a car. But more on that later.
The Mercedes M-class, designed primarily for the North American automotive market, was introduced back in 1997. A year later, the car received an award in the North American Truck of the Year nomination. Funny story: on the basis of this model in 2002, for the public trips of the Pope, a special "Popemobile" was created, which, however, is difficult to recognize after alteration to divine needs. The second generation appeared in 2005 at the Detroit Auto Show. Then the sales of the model reached incredible heights, and thus pushed the company to develop a new model. The third generation was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2011.
Car interior and exterior
As you can see in the photo, Mercedes has retained the originality of the ML model and added several successful innovations, which you can read about in the "Interior and Exterior" section.
At the moment, the third generation is the last, but the fourth is also expected. The third generation of ML cannot be called innovative. For example, the wheelbase remains exactly the same as its predecessor. What has undergone significant changes is the appearance of the crossover, you can judge this from the photo. The car became fit and "muscular", body lines added elegance to such a massive crossover. The new image did not force the designers to abandon the planned elements that will accompany the model: shortened overhangs, original rear pillars and a large wheelbase.
As for the changes, now we can enjoy the updated running lights, which are now in the chrome elements of the car, the new grille, which has grown in size and has become a black light. As in previous M-class models, in the ML 350 the roof is sloping back and ends with a spoiler - this is the highlight of this lineup, and a good one at that. The rear lights slid even more onto the fenders, and also added in size.
Chic rear view: as you can see in the photo, it is difficult to confuse any crossover with the ML 350 - the car turned out to be original. Another plus is the shape of the body and the rear window. It is thanks to these thin body lines that the ML 350 stands out from other urban crossovers. In addition, the car shows itself perfectly off-road, as for a city car, of course.
The elegant look of the updated M-Class SUV is repeated in the cabin, which is decorated at the highest level. The steering wheel and seats are upholstered in rich leather, there are real wood inserts on the doors and front panel, and lighting lamps, which are located directly in the rear-view mirror, provide comfort in the cabin with pleasant soft light. The main dashboard is almost the same as the previous model in the ML 350. But there are still changes in it - it looks more assembled due to the appearance of a new joystick, designed to replace a large number of buttons. Obviously, without a display of on-board electronics, climate control, and a radio tape recorder, such a car simply cannot exist. Moreover, all of the above is present in the basic version of the crossover.
The ventilation system deflectors began to look different: now they are more suitable for the general style of the ML 350 - the oval shape has changed to a rectangular one. There are more buttons on the steering wheel. On the central tunnel you can find only buttons for switching off-road driving modes, a multimedia system controller and active suspension buttons. Again, a standard set for an elite car. As for spaciousness, three people can be accommodated in the back with great comfort. But two people will still be more comfortable there. Especially if you lower the back of the seats and put soft drinks in the holders. By the way, there are plenty of holders and various niches in the Mercedes ML 350. As for sound insulation, here it is at the highest level, which is also confirmed by the reviews of the owners. When driving at high speed, passengers and the driver can even talk in a whisper, so quiet in the cabin. Less vibrations come from the motor due to active hydraulic bearings. Also a big plus.
Now we come to the luggage compartment - an equally important issue. The volume of the luggage compartment is 690 liters. Of course, this is not a record for cars from this segment, but at the same time, the trunk allows the driver to fit all the useful things in the car on the road. If desired, you can fold the rear seats, and thereby free up additional space. It would be funny to see how someone will transport a huge closet in such a car.
Specifications
But the most interesting is hidden inside the car. And to be more precise, under the hood. If the company did not change the design and interior much, then in terms of technical characteristics, Mercedes received real innovations. Drivers are waiting for new engines that are already available on the Russian market. These are ultra-modern and ultra-efficient modifications of the ML 250 BlueTec 4matic and ML 250 CDI motors. The first unit is 28% more economical than its younger brother, imagine - this colossus eats up only 6 liters of fuel per hundred kilometers. Power - 204 horsepower, torque - almost 500 Nm. Another plus of the engine is the support of Euro-6, the unit emits only 158 g / km into the atmosphere.
As for the turbodiesel version, the Germans were afraid of the low quality of our diesel fuel at the time of release. But it's not scary, wait. Well, today we have the following engine options for the Mercedes ML 350. Now you can become the owner of innovative engines, such as:
- ML 350 CDI 4matic - 231 horsepower. Especially for the Russian market, the Germans decided to remove the particulate filter, for which many Russian thanks to them;
- ML 350 4matic BlueEfficiency - 306 horses and 370 Nm. The most popular power unit from this series;
- The good old ML 500 has not gone away from the options: the engine still provides the car with 408 horsepower.
We can also add a few nice words to the updated 7G-TRONIC transmission that comes with all engine options. Some automotive experts claim that the 7G-TRONIC can be called the best gearbox in the world, because it is able to drop several gears at a time. Even innovative DSGs have to cycle through stages one at a time. Of course, jumping into several gears at once is not an easy task. The transition to two gears or more is accompanied by a delay. But there is such a function, and in an emergency, you can throw off several gears.
Auto features
And now about the version of the car. For the most picky buyers, Mercedes has provided a version of the ML 63 AMG. The most "serious" customers are waiting for the ML 63 AMG Performance Package. Why for "serious", but because in this version there is no speed limiter, and it is also possible to turn off almost all electronics. But you can feel all these charms of freedom only on the magnificent German roads.
Excellent seating is visible even in the photo, a chic interior has always been an integral part of Mercedes-Benz. The photo shows finishing materials and a capacious central panel, which the driver gets used to after a few hours of driving the ML 350
According to the reviews of the owners of this crossover, there is enough space in the Mercedes ML 350 for everything: with the back row folded down, the car literally turns into a mini-truck
In move
As the reviews of the owners of the Mercedes ML 350 showed, the car shows itself worthy on off-road. The photo shows that the car did not increase in size: the length and wheelbase were not increased, which is undoubtedly a good sign - the previous generation has proven the design well
Currently, the automotive market simply cannot exist without SUVs. Almost every manufacturer strives to present at least a few cars of this class. SUVs are in great demand and popular with motorists, and have proven themselves well when driving not only off-road and mud, but also on the highway and even city streets. They have an impressive appearance and allow their owners to feel confident and proud on the road. There is a wide range of SUVs from various manufacturers on the market, and Mercedes-Benz is no exception. A test drive of a new SUV from the Stuttgart company Mercedes-Benz ML 350 was conducted, the results of which you will learn from this article.
History of the legendary SUV
The Mercedes ML 350, whose photos show us a stately and beautiful car, appeared on the market a long time ago. But success did not come to him overnight. The car appeared on the European market in 1998, and then the model index was W163. In fact, it is difficult to talk about the success that came to this car. Initially, it seemed that such a Mercedes was unacceptable for Europeans, and for a person from Russia, it has an insufficiently pretentious design.
W163 failed. But giving up is not in the spirit of the world-famous Stuttgart concern. After such a failure, it was decided to completely redo the SUV. And then the world saw an updated, not like the previous Mercedes ML 350 W164. It was an unequivocal success - the car was distinguished by excellent technical characteristics and an attractive, but strict design. Buyers began to actively take this SUV. And this is understandable, because there are a lot of considerations regarding the purchase of such a machine that speak in favor of this decision.
Appearance and design
Mercedes-Benz cars cannot be confused with any other cars. They are very special and look unique. Always stand out among the stream of other cars. The Mercedes ML 350, whose photo clearly demonstrates a bright and spectacular car, is no exception. The Stuttgart manufacturer has not changed its principles - this model is made in a traditionally restrained style, classic, without any frills. There are no futuristic details that are inherent in many other machines.
Business class car - that's how it can be described. And this applies not only to appearance (however, more on that later). The design that distinguishes the Mercedes ML 350 has long been a real universally recognized standard among business cars. No wonder this car is bought by many companies and firms as a personal vehicle. It is this perfectly measured moderation, composure and calmness in design that made this car so popular among business people.
Specifications Mercedes-Benz ML 350
Performance characteristics of the Mercedes ML 350 SUV
Max speed: 215 km/h
Acceleration time to 100 km/h: 8.4c
Fuel consumption per 100km combined: 11.5 l
Fuel tank volume: 95 l
Curb vehicle weight: 2060 kg
Permissible gross weight: 2830 kg
Tire size: 235/65 R17
Disc size: 7.5Jx17
Engine Specifications
Location: front, lengthwise
Engine capacity: 3498 cm3
Engine power: 272 HP
Torque: 350/2400 Nm
Supply system: Distributed injection
Turbo: No
Gas distribution mechanism: No
Cylinder arrangement: V-shaped
Number of cylinders: 6
Cylinder diameter: 92.9 mm
Stroke: 86 mm
Compression ratio: 10.7
Number of valves per cylinder: 4
Recommended fuel: AI-92
Brake system
Front brakes: Disc ventilated
Rear brakes: Disk
ABS: ABS
Steering
Steering type: rack and pinion
Power steering: hydraulic booster
Transmission
Drive unit: Full permanent
Number of gears: automatic transmission - 7
Gear ratio of the main pair: 3.9
Suspension
Front suspension: double wishbone
Rear suspension: suspension strut
Body
body type: SUV
Number of doors: 5
Number of seats: 5
Machine length: 4780 mm
Machine Width: 1911 mm
Machine height: 1815 mm
Wheelbase: 2915 mm
Front track: 1627 mm
Rear track: 1629 mm
Ground clearance (clearance): 200 mm
Trunk volume maximum: 2050 l
Trunk volume minimum: 551 l
Production
Year of issue: since 2005
Suspension
The SUV involves driving not only on city roads and highways, but also on uneven country and even forest roads. Therefore, in such cars there are special requirements for the suspension, which the Mercedes-Benz ML 350 fully complies with. The front and rear suspension of this car is independent pneumatic, with MacPherson struts, gas shock absorbers and anti-roll bars.
There is no need to talk about the stiffness of the shock absorbers, because this car has the ability to manually adjust the stiffness of the shock absorbers for different driving styles. If you adjust the suspension for a soft and comfortable ride, the SUV does not behave very stable, which manifests itself in large rolls when cornering and rocking the body. If you set the suspension to sport mode, you immediately feel stiffness and increased stability in corners. The price for such qualities is that various bumps and pits are very felt by the driver and passengers, which reduces the level of comfort. Another positive aspect of the air suspension is the ability to manually adjust the ride height. 
The maximum level of ground clearance is 285 mm, but driving constantly at such a height will not work. At a speed of 20 km/h, the suspension automatically lowers by 30 mm, and when it reaches 70 km/h it drops to 202 mm. If the speed exceeds 90 km / h, the suspension will drop to the minimum mode, which does not exceed 180 mm, which increases the aerodynamic properties. However, this is correct, because off-road flying at 100 km / h will still fail.
In general, the suspension of the new SUV from Mercedes can be called good. It provides high cornering stability in sport mode, high comfort and softness in normal driving, and the ability to manually adjust the clearance allows you to get out of the most difficult places.
Test drive Mercedes-Benz ML 350
The Mercedes-Benz ML 350, equipped with a 3.5-liter six-cylinder V-shaped gasoline engine and a seven-speed 7G-Tronic automatic transmission, got to test the driving characteristics. This engine puts out 272 horsepower and it really feels like it. Despite the mass of more than two tons, this Mercedes starts off very briskly and accelerates to 100 km / h in just 8.4 seconds. This is a very good indicator for this class of car.
The gearbox is tuned for a comfortable and economical ride. In normal mode, the engine runs at a speed of about 1600 rpm. But as soon as you add a little gas, the speed increases dramatically, the gears change very quickly and make you feel the full power of the motor. This gearbox is characterized not only by automatic shifting, but also by automatic adaptation to the driving style. For fans of a quiet ride, the gears will switch at lower revs, and for those who like to drive and break from a standstill, at higher revs. However, if you change your driving style over time, the box will automatically readjust again. It is also possible to set an extreme gear, above which switching will not occur. Moreover, you can choose any extreme - from the first to the seventh.
Another useful feature is cruise control with speed limiter. If you do not want to break the speed limit, just set a speed limit, and the car will simply no longer accelerate when it is reached.
Additional cross-country ability gives all-wheel drive. At the same time, it is possible both manually and automatically to connect or disconnect the rear axle. Manual shifting is brought to the center console, and automatic mode connects the rear axle using a two-stage transfer case in difficult places. 
Additional comfort and ease of driving are provided by various assistance systems, such as anti-slip control system, directional stability control system, automatic stabilization system, hill descent assistance system and others. On the highway, the Mercedes-Benz ML 350 is very soft and quiet. Excellent noise isolation does not allow the sound of the engine to break through into the cabin. Off-road, the car feels at ease. High ground clearance and all-wheel drive are great for getting out of holes and overcoming obstacles. Dirt and water are also not an obstacle for him.
"ML 350" - what people need
Why did the SUV immediately become popular? It's simple - the concern has corrected all the mistakes made when creating the W163 model. Indeed, the old version and the new one are heaven and earth. After processing, the Mercedes ML 350 has become a spacious family SUV, which can be used in any way. It's really versatile. Its interior is as comfortable as possible, and there is enough space inside for all passengers. Plus, attention should be paid to the impenetrable suspension, which has the potential for several million kilometers. Another advantage that is a necessity for almost every motorist is a comfortable and voluminous trunk. And, of course, it cannot but attract the fact that in the process of creating this model, modern advanced technologies were used, due to which it was possible to make the car almost perfect.
Advantages:
- stylish and elegant design;
- good off-road qualities;
- low fuel consumption for this class
- possibility of changing the level of road clearance
- build quality
Flaws:
- weak filling in the basic configuration;
- the gearbox adapts to the driving style for a long time;
- high price;
The main principle of Mercedes-Benz: there is no limit to perfection
Every year the cars of this manufacturer are getting better and better. The developers are making every effort to improve their works of automotive art. So, for example, in its last restyling, the Mercedes ML 350, whose technical characteristics already looked impressive, acquired a lot of updates. The design has also changed - the radiator grille has become larger and more predatory, the rear optics have been enlarged, and the interior has been decorated with high-quality natural wood and exquisite expensive leather.
Well, time has passed, after which it is definitely possible to give a more objective assessment of the Mercedes ML -350 with OFF -ROAD package. Nabegalna it almost 50,000 km. Learn more about the pros and cons. Therefore, I decided to supplement my review, in the hope that this will help someone make the choice easier.
First of all, I want to partially refute what I wrote in the first part, in particular about the universality of cars. Mercedes ML turned out to be really quite a versatile car. It is both a passenger car in terms of driving sensations, it is a rather serious SUV in this configuration. You realize this, diving into any snowdrifts of this snowy winter.
I managed to get rid of the fear of using the cherished button to raise the suspension in order to increase the clearance. Great of course, what can I say! There are no words, only emotions. You forget about expensive repairs and increase it in turn in three steps (+ 90 mm - at the height of the ride height "off-road-3", + 60 mm - at the height of the ride height "off-road-2", + 30 mm - at the height of the ride height "off-road- 1"), ground clearance up to a maximum of 29 centimeters. True, at the last height you can only move up to 30 km / h.
As for the G-tronic automatic transmission, I would like to note the following. Having understood the algorithm of work, I realized that the mechanical mode in this box is not for me. I almost never use the paddle shifters. Except for their minor function - limiting the number of gears. Since G-tronic is constantly striving for 7th gear, the engine spins in the 2000 rpm range, hence the fuel economy. That is, it is very convenient, by limiting the switching, to make, for example, in the city a box instead of a 7-speed 5-speed one. The machine becomes more lively, responsive. It can be limited to four or three, depending on the operating conditions. For example, Sochi serpentine, where engine braking is important. This is achieved just by this limitation of gear changes. Good idea, of course.
By fuel consumption. Since the car is conducive to a measured, calm ride, my average fuel consumption is the same: in the urban cycle, a car travels 500-550 km from gas station to gas station and gets up to a full 80-82 liters. It turns out 15 liters per hundred. The track covered 700 km on average, without racing. It turns out 11.7. By the way, the computer writes. Almost never lies. The company has a different jamb - the car will stand with a warm engine, and it's warmer outside, in the middle of January it can show +10 degrees of heat. I went and after a while everything was normal, -10 degrees below zero.
According to the AIRMATIC package. I also actively use it in my daily life. Add sharpness of control, composure of the suspension, you select the SPORT position. On bad roads - you definitely plunge into COMFORT. If you are not in a hurry, the AUTO position will solve everything by itself.
By salon. I must say right away that the bright interior is too easily soiled. It is unlikely that I would buy with a bright interior purposefully. It's great when the chairs are light, and the floor is covered with black carpet. Met this in the X 5, Individual equipment. There is not enough memory for the seats, especially after washing, when the washers move the seats. Established music does not sound very good, obviously not for music lovers, I think that the advanced HARMAN KARDON sounds better. The changer has not yet been installed, so the MP-3 is also missing. Minus of course. I bought a navigation disc, everything works really in English. I rarely use it, because the routes through life are mostly predictable. Now, if traffic jams were loaded there, there would be no price for it.
Engine compartment. It is inconvenient to pour liquid into the washer reservoir, since the neck is narrowed, apparently so that some stone does not fall there))) Capacity 8 liters - neither here nor there. Eggplants with non-freezing 5 liters are mainly sold. But I did not immediately notice that the liquid is supplied to the glass from three points. Two classic ones, one in the middle under the hood. All glass is poured over, as double trickles. Well, the headlight washers take their toll. But overspending is not annoying, since the windshield is not very dirty. The liquid lasts a long time.
Immediately I emphasize that the handling of this car at the highest level. In this sense, he not only did not disappoint, but, on the contrary, earned a solid five. Impeccable maneuverability, responsiveness of the brakes, the smoothness with which it passes the bumps and flaws of our roads deserve respect for the suspension designers of this model. Confident acceleration from a traffic light in any weather without any drift or slip. All this gives boundless confidence in managing it. The only thing to keep in mind is that ML is still heavy. Therefore, it is important to keep a sufficient distance on slippery roads at high speeds. So just in case. The brakes, though responsive, are tuned primarily for comfort as well. That is, it slows down smoothly in the first second, so much so that sometimes it seems late. In fact, always on time. Impressions are deceptive.
Of the minuses. When you drive fast without music in silence, you hear the sounds of drafts, or something. I saw that the same American was sold in a car dealership, so all the gaps between the doors and the body were glued with additional rubber seals. I think it is related to this. Seat belts do not return to their place after the front passenger exits. It looks like the mechanism inside needs to be lubricated.
FOR BREAKDOWN AND REPAIR. Replaced all the rollers under the alternator belt and pump. The belt itself and its hydraulic tensioner. Apparently their time has come. Surprised by the failure of the thermostat to work properly. The operating temperature of the engine has become 70 instead of 92-94 degrees. As a result - frost in the cabin became chilly. Also a replacement. And so far only oil and filters. Everything seems to be broken.
Finally I want to add that I am generally satisfied with the car and I am not going to change it yet. Drive lovers I certainly wouldn't recommend it. Drive here Mersovsky, imposing. Comfort at a level sufficient for an SUV, and patency too. Although there is always better than the best. That is why I catch my eye more and more often on GL e. Although it is huge in size, it has something of its own, different from ML A. More courageous, brutal, or something. But that is another story…
So I decided to write a review about a car that bears the proud name of Mercedes-Benz ML 350d. I have absolutely no experience in writing reviews, but perhaps my conclusions and impressions about this car will help someone with the choice of this car.
So, I have a lot of experience in owning different cars. One way or another, in my review, I will draw an analogy with the following cars: Volkswagen Tuareg (2011) and Lexus RX 350, which I own today.
Before buying a Mercedes ML-Class, I regularly visited a Mercedes dealer and examined this model with interest, talked with managers, trying to understand my attitude towards this car.
I also considered the Lexus RX and the Land Cruiser 200 in parallel. The Land Cruiser (diesel) suited me with everything (theoretically), but I wanted drive and controllability. In addition, our family has a Toyota Land Cruiser 76 (2011), in which I go fishing and hunting, and we also travel on it with pleasure, so I didn’t want to have a hippopotamus in the city for everyday trips.
I decided to change the Tuareg due to the fact that I was not satisfied with its equipment (too simple, without pneumatic, etc.) and therefore, changing behind the wheel of the tested LK 200 or PX 350, I involuntarily compared them, and the choice instantly leaned towards in favor of the Tuareg.
But since it’s time to change the car, then it’s hard to get rid of this thought (I think many will understand me). Put the Tuareg up for sale. It was sold for a VERY long time, although the condition of the car was impeccable and the price was not cosmic.
I decided to buy a Mercedes-Benz ML 350d (diesel) because a number of theoretical factors favored it, namely the prestige of the brand, the reliability of MB diesels, tax and economy.
Impression
In May 2014 (when there was no smell of sanctions yet), I found a suitable car in Novosibirsk, with a mileage of 10,000 km in ITS (dealership, one owner). My wife and I went to watch it (230 km). We liked the car (actually new), the guarantee is still 1.5 years, the price suits, but the soul lies! Bought!
On the way out of the city, we stopped at a Rosneft gas station, poured a full tank of solarium and drove off. First impression - everything is great! Consumption of 8-8.5 liters of solarium! FAIRY TALE! The car drives perfectly, although the dynamics and handling are not the same as on the Tuareg, but still on top. And then suddenly the CHECK lights up! I'm at a loss. I'm calling the seller. He swears that there is no catch. The car is under warranty, so I did not lose heart.
The next day I went to the dealer. Like, so and so. They say it's okay, we'll figure it out, don't worry. In short, something with a catalyst, they say choose the gas station carefully. I think maybe the previous owner was not very attentive to this, but I got it ...
After a while (quite a bit has passed), my check light came on again. I'm at the dealer. They again - do not worry GUARANTEE! This time they fixed it a little longer than the first time. I don’t know what they did, but when returning the car, the manager admitted that in Novosibirsk the catalyst had already been changed under warranty. After that, the CHECK did not light up for me until the very moment the car was sold (22,000 km).
Summer and almost all autumn until November, I traveled with pleasure, but I was constantly itching that the car was not reliable, and I bought a Toyota Corolla (supposedly for my wife, but in fact, so as not to be left without a car in case of a breakdown). So, November came, the temperature dropped to -10 degrees Celsius and then it began ...
There is no winter solarium yet, and I ran for kerosene, various additives. The car won't start in the morning, and I stink of diesel fuel, like a tractor driver. The dealer throws up his hands. I changed the filter in the fuel tank for 8,700 rubles, and then the sanctions arrived just in time, and my income fell.
In general, it was not comme il faut to have a "cool" car, and then I was delighted with the Corolla (our Kalashnikov assault rifle) - a reliable and unpretentious car that helped me out in all frosts, since the ML was in a warm garage.
On a winter solarium (Lukoil) up to -27 degrees there are no problems, by -30 degrees Merce's speed begins to float, so immediately into a warm garage and into a reliable Corolla.
And I would also like to say about a very interesting case that occurred at the time of the winter ownership of this car. You won’t believe it (and I didn’t believe it myself at first) - the front panel and the driver’s seat began to creak, just like on the VAZ six. The dealer didn't answer me.
By the New Year 2015, I finally decided that I did not need it. The car should bring pleasure (especially this one), and not make you strain and think about it more than necessary.
In April 2015, I successfully (surprisingly) sold this car (22,000 km) and bought a PX 350 with 14,000 km three days later. To be honest, for some time I even regretted selling the ML-class. Despite all of the above, the "German" is a fairly good car.
Outcome
It is difficult to convey the feeling of using it. This is a European car and, apparently, is not designed for the quality of our solarium, as well as for our climate. But for all my driving experience (since 1993), only Moskvich (1978) and Nissan Vaneta (1988) “had” me like that. Even Zhiguli did not give me so many problems. An important aspect for me was also the lack of service for German cars. I had the experience of owning a Volkswagen Passat (B6) TFSI and an Audi A6 TFSI. Both cars were bought new from the dealer and all the problems they had were either bad fuel or lack of service, so I went back to the Japanese auto industry!
