By the time the tournament officials notified everyone that the weekend weather forecast was none too favorable to sustain three days of soccer, most of our team was an hour away from the hotel.

Traffic was horrible and we witnessed several dramatic accident cleanups on the opposing lanes, so there was no way we were turning back.

We all stayed overnight and had a fun social time. Most left the next morning. We hung out and I let the ladies shop a bit at the local outlet mall. They agreed to let me cruise the MB dealership nearby afterwards.

Well one thing led to another and...here we are moving our stuff from our trusty 99 ML320 into the new 07 ML350!



We drove through several rainstorms on the way, otherwise the 99 would be gleaming as much as the 07!



Was tough to let the old gal go...despite the horror stories about the pre 00 W163 series, this was the least troublesome MB I've owned. It ran beautifully (and was PAID FOR)!

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Sweet new ride, G-Benz! I like the look of it.

Always hard to let a faithful ride go, but the new one usually compensates, doesn't it?

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Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

Despite the constant threat of rain, I managed to clean up the ML for these shots:



I liked the new MLs, but they seemed bland unless you opted for the expensive appearance package...this one didn't have all of the gadgets on it, but it had enough to attract my attention...and it was priced right!



What really caught my eye was the 19" alloy wheel package...perhaps new for '07. The brochures only lists the 16" and 18" wheel options, with the 20" reserved for the AMG model...

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

For those of you who know me, I immediately fell in love with the 19" wheel package, so I will not desecrate this one with chrome dubs (LOL)!

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Slick cruiser G! It's even got dual exhaust!

The latest ML is one of the best looking SUV's, imo.

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'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

Yeah it rained here Thursday also, all I got was a lousy headache!

Congrats, sweet ride, and nice decal there soccer dad!

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

Magnetic of course! It was the first thing transferred from the old ML to the new!

Oh yeah, I checked the MB website, and the 19" wheels are part of the sport package option which included the slick running boards.

The Harmon Kardon "Logic 7 sound system is pretty sweet! The daughter liked having the ability to plug her Nano into the system as well!

Sirius came with this deal (six months free), and will be a joy to have when we travel across the barren Kansas plains next month!

So far the only awkward issue ergonomically are the paddle shifters on the back of the steering wheel...too easy to accidentally engage during steering maneuvers.

I was able to do a one-on-one comparison on cargo space as I transferred the soccer gear over from the '99 to the '07. Cargo room is about the same volume-wise, but a few inches narrower in width than the W163...the portable canopy laid flat in the '99, but did not in the '07.

The ML350 handles tighter than the '99, and the engine feels peppier, despite horsepower figures that are only slightly increased. Braking is much more pronounced...braking on the W163 always felt soft. The turning radius of the W163 was phenomenally tight IMHO, and the '07 maintains the same tight circle.

Interior is far more Mercedes-like, and I almost forgot how much plastic was in the W163. I'm not sure if I'll ever experience the benefits of the 7-speed tranny, but it sure is neat to announce to others that it is equipped with one!

The '07 was delivered with 4 miles on the odometer, so MPG figures to follow once the break-in period has come and gone.

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Great looking truck!

I gotta ask since no one has asked yet. What is that blue thing secured to the top with bungy cords?

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

Team flag...in its protective carrying case. For whatever reason, I never thought to strap it down on the '99 since it was also equipped with the rails, but this time, I thought I'd try it out...

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Nice ride. Congratulations!

Yeper.....That's a nice ride....I also love the brickwork on the house!!

Good for you!!..

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Matt (SD,CA)

1984 300SD.. White/Chrome Bunts..Green

1997 2500 Dodge Ram 5.9 Cummins 12 Valve 36 PSI of Boost = 400+hp & 800+tQ .. ..Greenspeed

2004 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Quad Cab Cummins 5.9 H.O "596hp/1225tq" 6 spd. Man. Leather Heated seats/Loaded..Flame Red....GREENSPEED

Global warming...Doing my part, Smokin da hippies..

Fight the good fight!......

I like how the W164 looks. Looks agressive, but in a refined manner.


Ahh, its definietly a G-Mobile stock.


You signature is funny.... 0k.....


BTW is this the Mr. G or Mrs. G mobile?

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Both...technically, the CLK is hers, and the 300E is mine. The SUV is considered the "family" vehicle, so whoever needs it, drives it.

Truthfully, we both drive whatever vehicle we want, so it doesn't really matter to anyone except the insurance company...

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Slick looking rig. It would be nice if you brought it to the next get together in Centerville, you'd be our first ML to ever attend.

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.