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Another German Tank - ML350 CDI

22K views 94 replies 28 participants last post by  Alex_225 
#1 · (Edited)
Well, with the news of another little one on the way (due March) it was time for my other half to part with her CLS350 CDI. It's been a great car, quick, economical and comfortable for nearly three years. But, it is compromised on space and only a 2+2 so with a third beast...I mean child on the way it was time for a size upgrade.

Typically, I couldn't persuade my other half to look at an estate car. She loved her CLS and likes the whole Merc feel having owned an SL350 before. So of course she took a shine to the ML.

We went on the hunt and found a chap who specialised in only MLs so to be presented with 12 to choose from ranging in age and mileage we opted for this.

It is a 2011 350 CDI so the same engine as the CLS and my S Class, has 231bhp and 400lbs-ft of torque. For a big old beast it gets to 60 just over 7 seconds but can average 35mpg. Plus despite being shorter than the CLS it is significantly more spacious. It's got 84k on the clock, a very comprehensive history and the condition won us over completely. This is also a Sport model so has a few sporty trim touches, 20" wheels and slightly firmer suspension. Plus it's spec'd with 'leather' and alcantara.

It was clean when we got it but it can never be too clean so a standard wash and then a once over with some Dodo Juice Lime Prime, just a nice easy way to get a decent shine until it's machined in the new year.



Now this may be divisive but I really fancied trying this. It's the Car Gods 54 Holy Water. I know it's Tetrosyl based stuff but seems like a comprehensive range and I couldn't resist. Let's see how well it lasts and if it beads or sheets. Certainly feels lovely and slick.



So here's the car....









Rather partial to Chemical Guys Inner Clean for the plastics and Dr Leather spray for the 'leather'.









The mats look worse in the photos than in real life. I'm tempted to replace them but they're original and ridiculously hard wearing. Plus they'll see all weathers so may keep them in for now.

Say what you like about Artico and these fake leathers, they wear incredibly well. My old E320 had it and the ML does.





Another set of over engineered cup holders that light up, which I quite like! haha



Couldn't resist giving the engine a quick once over.



So there we have it. Our new work horse and family car and very pleased with it so far. We'll likely own it for a good few years, put 8-9k a year on it and carry the family around. :thumb::thumb:

It's taller but shorter than my S! haha

 
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#3 ·
What a lovely example. Looks incredible with those wheels!

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#7 ·
Thanks for all the comments guys, I have amended that 0-60 time too haha

Sadly this era of Mercedes, new owners weren't very adventurous with colours. Considering the chap we bought from had 12-13 of these they were all either black or silver. I couldn't face looking after another black car, silver is far more forgiving. We saw one in a deep metallic blue that looked promising in the pictures but the interior which was an ivory white let it down. Looked dirty beyond the point I could bring it up looking as good as this one.

As for the wheels, they do look good but I would have preferred maybe 18 or 19 as it makes for a harder ride but it's not too compromised considering. :)
 
#14 ·
Haha yeah that's me, I get about a bit! :lol:

Well we haven't sold the CLS just yet, we're swapping the plates over and I want to get the wheels refurbished as they let the car down. They're not overly kerbed but they're started to bubble and make the car look scruffy when overall it's in good condition. Likely it won't shift until new year but we have space to keep it off the road luckily.

There's some good ones online. The prices vary quite a lot, an older one with well under average mileage will go for closer to a newer one with average miles.

Very nice, I almost bought an ML but could not justify the running cost and higher purchase price , ended up with an E220
To be fair to the CLS350 it's actually been very cheap to run. It averages 35mpg and the only fault with it was a window mechanism. Otherwise it's jut been tyres and servicing.

I know the ML will be a bit more costly to run but I'm covering the tax and will use it now and again so I'll end up putting fuel in it. So sharing some of the ownership costs despite it being my other half's car. :)

Looks great - and that before a full machine! You'll have to get that done before March ;)

All the best for your growing family as well :thumb:
Thank you mate. Yeah I'll have to give that a go over. It's got a lovely finish but definitely some marks that will polish out with a proper machine. This will do for now, will have to see how that Holy Water holds up over the winter. :)

Next I'll have to teach my other two how to detail! :thumb:
 
#18 ·
That's definitely my favourite part as well. I don't think it's a terribly pretty car, it's purposeful and imposing but then I don't think any SUVs or 4x4s are particularly pretty. From the inside though it's a really nice place to be. Upright but really comfortable, excellent visibility and a nice concise interior. Very functional.

Typically having washed both cars (and my mums) over the weekend it rained last night. On a positive note though it gave me a chance to see how that Holy Water sealant beads and actually it's surprisingly good.





I wouldn't say the beading is as upright as Meguiars Hybrid Ceramic but it seems to be working. Easy to apply too and if you can get it for £10 a bottle could be a bargain. Will be intrigued to see how well it lasts now.
 
#20 ·
Good looking car and a great detailing job - I love the beading!
It's pretty decent beading. I don't think it's the best sealant I've used but if you can pick up a bottle for £10 as they seem to go for, could be a nice cheap option. Let's see how it lasts.

I'm jumping the gun on this little update as we've not got the V5 through yet but as soon as it arrives, my other half's plate will be on. Lexi is the name of my youngest hence the plate. Also fitted some simple Mercedes frames as makes swapping the plates so much easier.





Much better...



Don't worry it's not going on the road until the plates are formally assigned to the car but we're not going anywhere at the moment anyway! haha
 
#22 ·
Another change on the ML today. I like working from home as I can pop out in my lunch break and do stuff haha

The centre caps were knackered. The wheels aren't perfect but overall they're pretty good considering their age and I believe it's the original finish but the centre caps were a let down. So are the bolts but one thing at a time! :)



Using my ingenious and copied from Google technique I grabbed the Gorilla tape and applied with a tab..



Let it adhere for a minute then give it a yank.



I opted for a simple Mercedes logo this time round. The blue/silver logo it had were a bit lost on the 20" wheels so felt this was a less fussy option.



New ones fitted in nicely and much tighter than the old ones.



I was under the impression these were maybe cheap non-OEM caps but they are original. I suppose 9 years of road salt and whatever else will do it.

 
#26 ·
Haha yeah it worked on my other half's CLS wheel caps so thought I'd give it a try here.

It wouldn't work on a brand new set like the ones I've just fitted but they clearly get looser over time and a sharp yank does the job. :)
That's an excellent idea. I drilled a hole through the caps on my wife's car and pulled them off with a little pick. Your way is much less aggressive.

Cheers

Cooks

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#29 ·
I think previous owners/washers probably accelerate the wear of these items when using harsh products for wheel cleaning. Certainly don't fancy paying OEM prices for replacements myself!

Love the ML, always admired them from afar and think they shape of the rear windows when tinted looks superb.
 
#31 ·
Another vote for the Artico pleather, it's brilliant - I've got it in my GLC in cream and I am so happy with it, much easier to clean than leather too, just wipe over with APC and you're done. I've got a gliptone air freshener so it smells like leather (cheating I know).

This facelift version of the ML definitely looked the best before they changed the shapes and model designations. Tbh this looks better than the GLE to my eyes.
 
#34 ·
Certainly from a practical perspective, Artico is a winner and for a car that's going to kart two or three kids and two adults. I had it in my E-Class which had 60k more on the clock and other than the driver seat bolster, the rest still looked great. Like you say, only needs a wipe over with an APC. I just use the CG's Inner Clean on the plastics and the seats haha

I can't say I'm hugely familiar with the latest range of Mercedes SUVs although I see they do a couple of coupe ones! :confused::confused:

I'm a bit partial to the GLA45 though, looks like a WRC car haha
 
#32 ·
I had the OE Centre caps in the large star design on my old S320. With the silver-grey back and chrome star.

As far as I know they were the originals, and after a good clean they lasted for thd 3 or 4 years I had the car. So I would guess they might be more lasting than the blue/chrome version?

In contrast I fitted the large star cheap copies to Lindsey's S500, and they corroded after the first winter.

Just my experience if it helps?


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