Review: 2009 Mercedes ML320 Bluetec Diesel
#16
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#18
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Subarus, in general, outside of the high-performance WRX/STi models and those who want a cheap base Impreza, have not sold well with manuals. You won't find many Legacys, Outbacks, or Foresters (even turbo models) with them. Even the turbo Forester XT, which formerly offered a manual, dropped it for the 2008 redesign....it now comes only with automatic.
This is because Subarus in general, outside of a few I mentioned above, appeal to a group of people who usually don't drive hard, and buy them mostly for their AWD traction and good reliability.
I'm with you on the Legacy/Outback diesel, though.....I can't wait to try one out myself (it is already on sale in Europe), just to see how well it mates with the AWD system.
#19
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And I've heard alot of complaints from the enthusiasts about this. And when they dropped the 5MT Legacy/Outback Wagon. Doesn't seem like it would be that hard to me for Subaru to make one for a customer if they ordered it. Afterall, Subaru buyers tend to be pretty loyal. Might as well keep em happy.
#20
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I want to start with giving a huge THANK YOU to mmarshal. ![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
I was the member who requested info on the ML Bluetec as we think we are debating whether to get the new RX or not. I appreciate his objective, plainly worded reviews...even though I still disagree with his stance on the rough ride of the IS F.![Stick Out Tongue](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
As usual, looks are a very subjective conversation. We personally like this better than the '04 that we test drove before deciding on the RX.
I would like to open this discussion to the merits of the "greeness" of both vehicles. The reason we were considering the new RX450h was for the "green" aspect. We actually do more highway than city driving, so the benefits of the hybrid are not great, so in reality the RX350 is all we really need.
When we saw the ML Bluetec we were very impressed with the improvements that they had made...especially the interior. To be blunt, the '04 ML we test drove was beyond dissappointing inside. The new one, with the updated exterior, was very impressive inside. The 1000 km per tank is impressive (mpg doesn't really matter...just like the idea of only having to fill up periodically
), as is the reduction of emissions by 80%...all the time!
So I guess the question becomes...is only 20% emissions all the time better than 100% emissions part of the time (ie. highway driving) and 0 emissions some of the time (ie. city driving)???
![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
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![Stick Out Tongue](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
A useful vehicle? Yes, but for towing. I don't see any other benefit of this vehicle over the RX400h, other than perhaps offroad capability. It seems to me it would be more worth it to buy the cheaper, greener, more economical, and quicker RX400h. And with the RX450h expected to be even better, well MB had better hope that their planned ML hybrid can hit that mark as well.
When we saw the ML Bluetec we were very impressed with the improvements that they had made...especially the interior. To be blunt, the '04 ML we test drove was beyond dissappointing inside. The new one, with the updated exterior, was very impressive inside. The 1000 km per tank is impressive (mpg doesn't really matter...just like the idea of only having to fill up periodically
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
So I guess the question becomes...is only 20% emissions all the time better than 100% emissions part of the time (ie. highway driving) and 0 emissions some of the time (ie. city driving)???
#22
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And I've heard alot of complaints from the enthusiasts about this. And when they dropped the 5MT Legacy/Outback Wagon. Doesn't seem like it would be that hard to me for Subaru to make one for a customer if they ordered it. Afterall, Subaru buyers tend to be pretty loyal. Might as well keep em happy.
They dropped the Forester XT manual, though, from low sales. The manual Forester XT "enthusiasts" you refer to (and I've heard them, too...I read Subie forums) are loud on the Internet, but didn't actually represent a lot of sales and money.
Subaru does make changes, though, and reconsider things, if enough customers complain. The new Impreza/Outback Sport is a good example. A lot of people complained last year, on the 2008 redesign, that road/tire noise was excessive (it was indeed......I noticed that while test-driving them). This year, there is additional insulation in the wheel wells and cabin.
#23
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#24
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I would like to open this discussion to the merits of the "greeness" of both vehicles. The reason we were considering the new RX450h was for the "green" aspect. We actually do more highway than city driving, so the benefits of the hybrid are not great, so in reality the RX350 is all we really need.
But let's compare some emission #s just for fun
Tons of CO2 anually, air pollution score
ML 350: 10.8, 6 out of 10
ML 320 bluetec: 10.6, 6 out of 10 (vs. a score of 1 for the CDI)
RX 350: 9.6, 6 out of 10
RX400h: 7.3, 8 out of 10
Interesting.
#25
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![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
even though I still disagree with his stance on the rough ride of the IS F.
![Stick Out Tongue](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
In my experience, BMW, in general, does the best job of combining both good ride, steering feel, and handling characteristics in one car. BMW chassis engineers really know their stuff. Mercedes chassis engineers, on some of their models, are almost as good.....but the ML, of course, was not intended for sports-car handling. It is an all-weather people-mover, with some off-road capability.
I would like to open this discussion to the merits of the "greeness" of both vehicles. The reason we were considering the new RX450h was for the "green" aspect. We actually do more highway than city driving, so the benefits of the hybrid are not great, so in reality the RX350 is all we really need.
When we saw the ML Bluetec we were very impressed with the improvements that they had made...especially the interior. To be blunt, the '04 ML we test drove was beyond dissappointing inside. The new one, with the updated exterior, was very impressive inside. The 1000 km per tank is impressive (mpg doesn't really matter...just like the idea of only having to fill up periodically
), as is the reduction of emissions by 80%...all the time!
So I guess the question becomes...is only 20% emissions all the time better than 100% emissions part of the time (ie. highway driving) and 0 emissions some of the time (ie. city driving)???
When we saw the ML Bluetec we were very impressed with the improvements that they had made...especially the interior. To be blunt, the '04 ML we test drove was beyond dissappointing inside. The new one, with the updated exterior, was very impressive inside. The 1000 km per tank is impressive (mpg doesn't really matter...just like the idea of only having to fill up periodically
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
So I guess the question becomes...is only 20% emissions all the time better than 100% emissions part of the time (ie. highway driving) and 0 emissions some of the time (ie. city driving)???
Last edited by mmarshall; 12-02-08 at 08:39 PM.
#26
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Wonderful review as per usual. In fact they just keep getting better and better. You should set up your own website mate.
If you have time and find yourself around a Volvo XC70 or XC90, I would love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks
If you have time and find yourself around a Volvo XC70 or XC90, I would love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks
#27
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![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I'm also not the only one at CL who does reviews....Mike (SICKLEX) also does, although his are done in a different format than mine. Occasionally, other CL members will also do one.
If you have time and find yourself around a Volvo XC70 or XC90, I would love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks
Thanks
Last edited by mmarshall; 12-03-08 at 07:03 PM.
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