More powerful M-Class thoroughly enjoyable to drive
Mercedes created quite a stir in 1997 when they introduced a sport utility vehicle with a luxury nameplate:  the M-Class. 

Undercutting Mercedes reputation as a world-class builder of German sedans, the M-Class, which is manufactured in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, quickly became known for its poor build quality and reliability woes.  In fact, J. D. Powers’ customer surveys placed the M-Class at the very bottom of the list for initial quality results.

That first M-Class was constructed with body-on-frame platform, much like other truck-based SUVs of the time.  The starting price was in the low $30s. Despite the quality problems, Mercedes sold over 80,000 M-Class vehicles in its first two years of production.

Since then, other luxury-brand automakers have joined the SUV market.  Models like BMW X5, Cadillac Escalade and SRX, Lexus RX350 and GX470, Volvo XC90, Porsche Cayenne, Volkswagen Touareg, Lincoln Navigator and others and have passed up the aging M-Class with superior product offerings.

In 2006, the M-Class was completely redesigned from the ground up.  The biggest change came with the full truck-frame platform giving way to a car-like unibody construction chassis, enabling a more car-like feel with new front and rear suspension setups.

Since M-Class buyers seldom wander off road, the change to unibody allowed engineers to make the new model lighter, despite an increase of almost 6-inches in overall length and three inches in width.  The wheelbase has been stretched by almost 4-inches to 114-inches. 

Despite the boost in size, gone is the third-row seat in favor of an increase in front and rear legroom by a full two inches each.  You’ll need to move up to the GL-Class or R-Class models if you want the three rows of seating.

For 2007, the M-Class added two new and very different models:  the ultra-high performance ML63 AMG and the fuel-efficient ML320 CDI diesel.  The ML350 gasoline powered V-6 and V-8 powered ML500 models were carryovers from the previous year.

Also new for 2007 were three options: a dual-screen rear-seat DVD entertainment system, a rearview backing camera that activates when the vehicle is put in reverse, and a Bluetooth cell phone interface for hands-free operation.  Everything else remained unchanged.

All engines are teamed with a seven-speed automatic transmission that uses driver-adaptive shift logic. It is the only transmission available.  Gone is the traditional console-mounted shifter and five-speed automatic from the previous generation.  The shifter is mounted on a stalk to the steering column, almost identical to the setup on the BMW 7 Series.  There’s also dual rocker buttons on the backside of the steering wheel for shifting gears manually. 

So smooth and quick is the seven-speed transmission, it renders the manual mode completely unnecessary. However, as you become accustomed to operating the column-mounted shifter, you’ll want to keep your foot on the brake until you’re certain of the vehicle’s gear.

Unlike its predecessor, the M-Class now looks more like an SUV than a loaf-shaped mini-van.  The new model looks like it spent time at the fitness center with a more chiseled, aggressive appearance similar to the sporty Mercedes SLK roadster.

Headlamps are multi-element projectors.  Taillamps are larger.  The bolder grille is black on the ML350 and diesel model, silver on the ML500.  Both models have three side louvers with air vents that display the familiar three-point Mercedes-Benz star in the center.  The AMG version is easily identified with a unique grille, flared fenders, deeply sculpted side flanks and an aggressive front and rear apron.  The 2008 ML550 shares the AMG version grille.

Mercedes also introduced a new scratch resistant paint that embeds ceramic flecks to help resist the best efforts of kids, bikes and toys. For those who do wander off-road and tangle with overgrown brush, it will help avoid “Arizona pin striping.”

Inside, everything is new and passengers are treated to a luxurious, well-appointed cabin.  Four huge, round air vents compliment the dash.  There’s a new multi-function steering wheel with wood adorning the top half and leather below.  There’s ample use of bird’s eye maple wood and brushed aluminum trim about the dash, door panels and center console.  You can also swap at no cost the wood/leather steering wheel for one that’s heated.

The leather seats are exceptionally comfortable, yet firm enough to ward off fatigue from long spells behind the wheel.  Power seat adjustments have been relocated from the door to the side of the seat bottom.  The rear seat is split 60/40 and folds easily for additional cargo room, but the folding mechanics — consisting of the bottom cushion folding up, then the seatback down — is antiquated compared to competition. 

Despite a firm suspension, it rides better than most sedans you can buy and easily absorbs bumps and jars.  All M-Class models are full-time all-wheel drive.

The 2007 diesel powered ML makes 215 horsepower and 398 pound feet of torque.  Similar to the 2005 E-Class diesel powered sedan I reviewed, I experienced significantly better fuel economy than the comparable gasoline-powered ML350, without losing power during acceleration or passing. 

The diesel will cost you an extra $1,000, but is easily recommended over the gas powered ML.  The added mileage extends the full-tank cruising range so you don’t have to stop and refuel as often.  The per gallon cost of diesel fuel was identical to that of unleaded regular during my weeklong test drive. 

Standard safety gear includes front dual stage airbags, front and rear side airbags, front and rear side window airbags, front knee bolsters, traction control, four-wheel disc brakes and electronic stability control.  The M-Class also offers the unique Pre-Safe system that senses and responds to impending collisions by pulling the seatbelts taut.

There’s no major changes for 2008, but new standard equipment has been added that was previously optional like running boards, sunroof, navigation, a backup camera, and AMG 19-inch spoke wheels.  The ML500 has been replaced by the more powerful ML550 with 382 horsepower, 80 more than the previous ML500.  Mercedes says the new ML550 will reach 60 miles per hour in just 5.6 seconds, a full second quicker than the ML500.

As expected, you’ll pay a high base price for these additions, but Mercedes says that it’s about 6 percent less than last year’s comparable model similarly equipped and without the more powerful 5.5-liter engine. 

With the added standard equipment, options are few and include a keyless-go system, trailer hitch, rear-seat DVD mounted on the back of the front seat headrests. 

But not all is perfect with M-Class.  Unlike competitor models, the rear backup camera does not operate unless the audio-navigation system is turned on.  This should

automatically turn on when the vehicle is placed in reverse.  I thought the audio system was at best average and certainly not up to what I found in the optional systems on the C-Class. I’m also surprised to find keyless door handle entry is optional, given the class and price of the ML. 

Another quirk is the LCD screen in the center of the dash. It is operated by an old-fashioned button rather than a contemporary touch-screen interface.  The buttons lining both sides of the screen correspond to functions displayed on the screen and change as you move through the various settings and adjustments.

I spent a week behind the wheel of a 2008 ML550 and was thoroughly impressed. The feel was solid, performance beyond impressive, the seven-speed automatic transmission was silky smooth and the cabin library quiet at all speeds. 

A switch on the instrument panel allows for a soft or firmer sport suspension setting.  The sport setting stiffens the suspension and noticeably improves the handling on twisting canyon roads in Arizona’s rural mountain stretches. 

Both the 2007 and 2006 models earned the highest 5-star front and side crash test scores from the NHTSA and the IIHS awarded its highest “good” rating for frontal offset crash test results and side impact crash test results. I would anticipate the same results for the 2008 model.

I have not tested nor driven the V6 powered ML350 nor the high performance ML63 AMG.

While Mercedes continues to work on correcting the quality and reliability problems of the previous generation M-Class, early results are encouraging.  What I can confidently state is the new model is hugely improved and — despite the flaws noted earlier — highly recommended, setting the standard in its class.

 

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