I'm thinking of getting rid of the ML and buying a W210 4-matic stationwagon and raising it a coupla inches. Sound silly?

Kuan

What?????

Howdy Kuan,
Oh no more competition for the Mog Does the stationwagen have a body on frame or unibody?Ώ That might decide what you can do.

__________________
Frank X. Morris
17 Kia Niro
08 Jeep Wrangler 4 door unlimited

Sure does!!!

(No offense!!)

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

What, Volvo and Audi have raised wagons right? All I want is AWD, I don't need low range, but the ML is just too dang high. I'd also like to get better mileage and not have to shovel myself out of two feet of snow in the winter. I also need cargo space in the rear and the ability to load a canoe on the roof by myself. I figure raised 4-matic wagon would be the perfect solution.

Kuan

I have no first-hand experience with the 4-Matic wagons, but I was considering one about a month ago -- until I posted a question here. I asked what people's experience was with these cars. Everyone said, "stay away from them". (Even a couple of MB mechanics said these cars are trouble)

But like I said, I have no first-hand experience. So don't take my word for it. Search the archive and draw your own conclusion.

Just my 2 cents.

tvpierce

__________________
Jeff Pierce

Current Vehicles:
'92 Mercedes 190E/2.3 (247K miles/my daily driver)
'93 Volvo 940 Turbo Wagon (263K miles/a family truckster with spunk)
'99 Kawasaki Concours
Gravely 8120
Previous Vehicles:
'85 Jeep CJ-7 w/ Fisher plow (226K miles)'93 Volvo 940 Turbo Wagon
'53 Willys-Overland Pickup
'85 Honda 750F Interceptor
'93 Nissan Quest
'89 Toyota Camry Wagon
'89 Dodge Raider
'81 Honda CB 750F Super Sport
'88 Toyota Celica
'95 Toyota Tacoma
'74 Honda CB 550F

Kuan there are at least a couple of solutions. First you could simply get a lowering kit for the ML. If I remember correctly Brabus makes one, and I think I made mention of it in my research about the ML. This would drop the height by I think 3-5 inches.

Second, while I don’t live or drive in Minnesota, I only rarely had problems due to road/snow clearance or accumulation in my TE. If you look, MB actually gives the wagons a fair amount of clearance in the form of large wheel wells and actual ground clearance. Due to the wheel wells you could easily plus-size the winter tires and gain a couple of inches that way.

Having previously owned a wagon and now a ML I am absolutely sure you will love the wagon

Oh, Tvpierce: The older w124 4-matic system made between I think it was ’90 and ’93 was problematic. The newer 4-matic system made beginning ’98 and still in production (although enhanced) is a very good system

__________________
...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

Volvos were raised from the start. The XC that is. Don't raise something that never was intended to be raised from the start! Besides it would look funny as hell! Keep the ML.

later,

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Current stable......
17' Rogue SV 70k
11’ Saab 9-5 NG 94k
10’ e550 4matic 185k

sold
02' e320 210k
00' e430 167k
01' e320 171k (regret sale)
91' 300d 2.5t 300k (sold to ecoofidaho)
79' 240d 177k (old yellow my avatar)
87' 300d 169k (junk but fast)
85' 300tdt 261k (RBM parts delivery)
85' 300dt 68k (one owner cream puff)
82' 240d 250k
84' 300dt 198k (sold to diesel don)
91' 190e 2.3 61k
88' 260e 140k