Mercedes Dealer News

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550 is now available!

Features and Accessories for the 2008 ML550

Mercedes combines additional styling and performance with the established functionality of the sport utility. Taking the place of the 500 series, the new Mercedes-Benz ML550 has more horsepower and more standard features than its predecessor. The first thing you will notice on the ML550 is the NOW STANDARD AMG BODY STYLE front and rear bumpers. This is on HOT looking and performing SUV!!

The following are all standard features of the ML550:

• AMG Front and Rear Bumpers
• 19" wheels w/all season tires
• Silver grille with chrome ribs
• Running Boards
• 7 Speed Automatic Transmission
• 5.5l V8 382hp / 391 ft-pounds of torque (26% horsepower increase over the ML500)
• Standard 4 Wheel Drive (4MATIC)
• 7200lb (Class III) Towing Capacity
• Dual square polished stainless-steel exhaust tips
• Power tilt/sliding tinted-glass sunroof with sunshade
• Dual heated power mirrors
• Privacy glass for rear doors, rear quarter windows, and tailgate
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Rear-window wiper with washer
• Electrically heated rear window with auto-shutoff
• Hydraulically assisted tailgate closing feature
• Black protective-coated roof rails (with 220-lb roof load capacity)
• Halogen headlamps and front foglamps
• Selectable light-sensing headlamps
• Programmable daytime running lamps with auto-on override in darkness

MSRP: $53,175

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There is also an array of OEM accessories that are available for the ML550:

• Rear Entertainment System

• Mudguards (avail only on rear w/running boards):

• Chrome grille guard
• 20" (Furud) Wheels

• Child Safety Seats
• Multi-Handset Interface (MHI) Cradle or Bluetooth Interface Puck

• Chrome Wheel Locks
• Illuminated Door Sills (also avail in non-illuminated)

• HItch Mounted Bicycle Rack (when equipped w/optional hitch)
• Ipod Integration

• Roof Rack Basic Carrier System
• Wood/Leather Steering Wheel

• All Season Floormats
• Chrome Door Handle Inserts

... and many more.

*Contact your dealer for the numerous other ways you can personalize your ML550!

ML350 receives top Safety Ratings from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety

ML350 awarded the Highest Safety Rating from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety.

2007 M-Class is class leading in Safety with:
8 Standard Air bags
Standard Tele Aid
Active Head Restraints
High Strength Ally Steel
4MATIC Permanent all- wheel drive

Here is a direct link to the IIHS ratings for the Mercedes-Benz M-Class

Introducing the 2007 M-Class Sport

Introducing the 2007 M-Class Sport

It just keeps getting better and better…

Mercedes-Benz is introducing the M-Class Sport. This new offering replaces the already successful Exterior Appearance Package, plus front and rear aluminum skid plates, running boards and a choice of two stylish wheels. Choose between the current 19” Appearance wheel or a new bold 19” wheel both fitted with all-season tires. All for an incredible value. The M-Class Sport (Package Code 333) is available as of February production on all M-Class models except the ML63 AMG of course.

Pricing is set at $1,550 on the ML320 CDI and ML350 and $1,100 on the ML500. The M-Class Sport dramatically enhances the exterior and will definitely be a popular choice.

The M-Class Sport:
Includes all items in the “former” Exterior Appearance Package (322) plus:

• Bold new 19” wheel design
• Front and rear chrome skid plates
• Running boards

Considering everything that you get in this Sport Package, It's a great bargain. The running boards alone can cost over $1,000 dealer installed.

Mercedes-Benz M-Class: Top rating in US safety test

Mercedes-Benz M-Class - Top Safety Pick

The U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has named the 2007 Mercedes-Benz M-Class a Top Safety Pick for the 2007 model year. After extensive testing the IIHS found that the M-Class performed at the highest caliber in all three areas (front, side and rear).

ML Diesel just around the corner?

So, what’s more efficient - a diesel or a hybrid? The German magazine Auto Bild drove the Mercedes ML 320 diesel and the Lexus RX400h from New York to San Francisco to find out which one was the master of mileage. The results from this cross-country trip give the edge to the diesel, which should come as little surprise for what we assume was mostly steady-state highway driving. The Mercedes’ average of 37 MPG edges out the Lexus’ 33 MPG and impresses the hell out of me in the process (note that the link below states the mileage using Imperial gallons). Also noted is that the hybrid was marginally (about 2%) better in urban-type driving. Which would I pick, you ask? Based on this, I’d probably go with the diesel, but I do very little true stop-and-go type driving. I’d also prefer said diesel in a nice midsize wagon instead of a “soft-roader”, but that’s a different discussion altogether.