2005 Mercedes-Benz ML500 Reviews

That's because the new M-Class is a considerably more capable 4WD than its predecessor, as we discovered in the muddy backlots of Victoria.The kit which adds a whacking $10,000 to the cost (unless it's the V8) gets you low range, a locking diff, active dampers and adjustable air suspension which boost's the wagon's ground clearance to a whopping 291mm.If you feel an overwhelming desire to get your shiny new Mercedes dirty then the model to go for is the new ML 320 CDI diesel with off-road pack fitted.We always been big advocates of diesel for 4WDs because it produces better fuel economy and because diesel engines are better suited to the demands of off road driving.The new 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel replaces the previous five-cylinder ML 270 CDI.It features third-generation common-rail direct injection and the latest in piezo injectors.The lightweight V6 features an aluminium crankcase and delivers 165kW of power at 3800rpm and maximum torque of 510Nm from 1600rpm.Fuel consumption is rated at a combined 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres.The diesel is hooked up to the a standard seven-speed 7G-TRONIC sequential auto, with a column mounted gear change ever and steering wheel mounted buttons for changing gears manually.The new M-Class is a much sharper looking car with plenty of eye candy designed to create a decidedly sporty image.Physically it's 150mm longer (now 4780mm), 71mm wider (now 1911mm) and 5mm lower (now 1815mm with roof rails) than its predecessor.The wheelbase has also grown by 95mm to 2915mm.We were able to put the new ML 320 CDI through its paces in a variety of conditions, including some rough off roading.The car acquits itself well on road as a smooth, powerful performer with plenty in reserve for overtaking.It's very quiet with none of the rattle normally associated with oil burners, thanks to the new piezo injection system.The seven-speed auto is exceptionally good, although we can't say we're fans of the column mounted shift, nor for that matter the change buttons.Two buttons are located either side at the rear of the wheel and changing up or down can be accomplished by both.However, we found ourselves losing track of their location and continually chasing them around the wheel.The off road section of the drive route was designed to show the car's four-wheel drive prowess.The air suspension provides little cushioning fully pumped up and although we needed a tow from one of the heavy duty Japanese 4WDs to get up one particularly steep and slippery hill, the M-Class showed it could mix it with the best.The rigid rear mudflaps, however, are prone to damage.The ML 320 CDI is priced from $82,900 before on-road costs.Standard equipment includes permanent all- wheel drive, 17-inch light-alloys, 7-speed automatic transmission, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR), and 4ETS electronic traction control.Parking sensors are also part of the package as well as rain sensor for the windscreen wipers, airbags for driver and front passenger, sidebags in front and rear, windowbags, 6-disc CD changer, cruise control with variable speed limiter, multi-function steering wheel, newly developed crash-responsive NECK-PRO head restraints, off-road ABS and ASR, anticipatory occupant protection system PRE-SAFE, auto- matic climate control and tyre pressure loss warning system.

From the cockpit, the new M-Class is opulent and classy.I drove the genteel V6 ML350 and V8 ML500 and found both engines more refined, with less noise or vibration intrusion.And I was surprised by the fuel economy of 11.3 litres/100km in city traffic for the six, and even more surprised about 12 litres for the eight. A honey-smooth 7G-TRONIC seven-speed transmission is largely responsible for the economy.The ride is all about conquering shopping centre speed humps, city street potholes and suburban driveways, rather than rocky hills, slippery creek banks or Moreton Island sands.If you do want to crush some rocks, an off-road pro pack with two-speed high-low range transfer case is available as a $10,150 option on the 350, and only $4900 on the the V8 because it already has the Airmatic suspension.Yet with that air suspension, you can almost forget you are in a big all-wheel-drive wagon.The old ML was in dire need of outside styling changes to the rigid and square lines.While the new ML has much the same dimensions and silhouette, the styling lines, especially around the rear, give the impression of a much softer-looking vehicle.The back almost looks like a Dakar dune buggy, yet it's really an illusion brought on by the shape of the thick C pillar and rear windows.While that C pillar and a thickish A pillar may cause some concern about blind spots, I didn't find them a problem, especially if you set your mirrors correctly.What did cause me some bother was the gear shift lever.Mercedes-Benz has moved it over to the right of the steering wheel like an indicator stalk.The idea was to clean up the centre console and provide more storage space, but it seems Mercedes couldn't help itself and needed to "fussy it up" a bit, so they have placed what can only be described as grab handles on either side.My concern was not about the centre console, but that I would flick the gear shift lever from drive into reverse when I meant to indicate a left-hand turn.And this is possible if you are travelling at parking speed or stopped.So if you absent-mindedly pull up at the lights, put your foot on the brake and flick the indicator left, when the lights turn green . . . womp! Right into the car sitting in the queue behind you.It never happened in the couple of weeks I had the ML350 and ML500, but it constantly nagged my mind.What did happen was that I kept flicking the car into neutral instead of indicating left.Perhaps you would grow used to it if you owned it, just as you do interchanging left and right indicators, and wipers.However, if you own a couple of cars and change between them, there is a margin for error that is greater than just accidentally switching on the wipers.One advantage is that you don't have to slot it into park when you stop; just turn off the ignition and it does it itself.Another cute little feature is that if you don't have the muscle to properly close the heavy rear door, it electronically sucks it in tight. However, it's still way short of the Lexus RX330 which automatically closes at the touch of a button on the rear door or the key fob remote.Unfortunately, lurking inside the ML back door, under a cavernous cargo space with a flat floor and handy tidy storage bins is a space-saver tyre.Genteel it may be, but that's still impractical for Australia. Mercedes says a full-size spare will be coming in the third quarter next year.That's good news for those who want to venture further than the city limits and these cars can certainly take you just about anywhere.