ML55 AMG Opinions

cegerer · cegerer's Garage

Anybody own an ML55 AMG??? If so, what are your experiences with it. Anything special to look out for on a used one? Thanks -- Curt

BlueSkyJaunte · 08-24-2003, 01:18 PM

My wife calls it the "Benz minivan".

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

They are a dime a dozen out here (yes, even the AMG versions). I think they are stupid, ugly vehicles that are almost all driven by real estate agents that have gotten rich due to an insane housing market.

Maybe next time I'll tell you what I really think...

Adam · Adam's Garage

They look like they'd eat a set of brake pads each morning for breakfast.

cegerer · cegerer's Garage

Can somebody name a vehicle that ISN'T a dime-a-dozen in California??

Luckily, I don't live there so it doesn't matter ......

Let's look at the facts (and pretend that the federal tax code REQUIRES you to buy an SUV):

Handbuilt Aluminum Engine by AMG in Germany
0-60 = 6.24 seconds (faster than Cayenne S)
Top End = 147 (electronically limited)
13.5 inch vented discs
Faster than an X5/4.6 from 0-100mph

I've driven the Cayenne S and the X5. Both are acceptable. I don't really like the styling of either, or the ML55 for that matter! But I do like the concept behind the AMG (i.e. stuff a hot rod motor in a mid-size SUV). It's much more than a cosmetic package. Besides, what else is there?

Nabeel · 08-24-2003, 04:10 PM

I dunno, I'm partial to the X5 4.6i. While it may be slightly slower than the Benz, I've read that it handles much better, and the styling is more appealing to me, not as minivan-like as the M-class. The Infiniti FX45 might also be worth a look. It also does 0-60 in the low-6 second range and probably handles even better than the Mercedes (same basic platform as the 350Z), all for substantially less money.

motion · 08-24-2003, 06:33 PM

Piece of crap... I had a ML320 (thats another story). I put Brabus 19" Monoblock IVs on it to try and get rid of the side-to-side rocking that these things are plagued with. It helped a little. The thing was in the shop probably 8 times in the year we had it.

cegerer · cegerer's Garage

What year was it? I've heard of lots of quality-control problems up until about 2000. Supposedly cured most of them after that .... -- Curt

tchanson · 08-25-2003, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by nostatic
I think they are stupid, ugly vehicles that are almost all driven by real estate agents...

Ouch. Sometimes truth and fiction are strange in equal measure.

Tim

speeder · speeder's Garage

Unleaded premium in CA. is ~$2.40@gallon and going up approx. 10 cents a day right now, thanks to "situations beyond our control". SUVs that get <10mpg should be down in the $500.00 range in about 3 months if current trends continue. You might want to postpone that purchase.

cegerer · cegerer's Garage

I'm one of those who actually need an SUV or truck. Not only that, but the federal tax code will 'penalize' me severely if I buy a car instead of a truck/SUV!!! All my fuel expenses are passed on to my clients, so the gas prices don't matter ......

Looks like it's going to be an X5 afterall.

Oh, and real estate agents around here still aspire to Cadillacs for god's sake!! So I don't think I'll be mistaken for one of those snakes! BTW, great photo Tim! LOL.

motion · 08-25-2003, 02:21 PM

Twas a 2000. Hopefully they're better by now. I think an X5 is a better choice definitely.

On the subject of SUV bashing and Ms. Huffington, why don't full-size pickups get grief also?? I believe they are even worse guzzlers than their SUV counterparts.

And you're right Denis... Excursion anyone?? hehe

speeder · speeder's Garage

I wish that I knew how to draw a chart on here, but picture a value graph w/ Escalades intersecting '87 Jettas in about 60 days.