Observations of ML320 vs. Xterra

[ChuckH]

I had an opportunity to ride in an ML320 tonight and while I know they're not really all that similar I thought I'd share what I observed.

First of all I was surprised to find that the ML had more interior rattles than my Xterra...certainly not what I would expect from a MB. Otherwise, the ride was pretty nice and there isn't much road noise or anything.

The seats of the ML are only marginally better than the Xterras, though there is more room for us larger guys (mostly in width). For the money I would expect better seats. Also, I thought the door panels were kind of plain and "cold." The flip out cupholders on the dash were kind of neat though!

I was shocked to see a "low range" button on the dash. I didn't realize MB had actually put in a low range. Shows you what I knew about the ML before!

The ML definately wins hands down on lighting. While not the best I've seen, the headlights were far superior to those of the Xterra.

I liked that the ML has a short and steeply sloped hood. That would certainly come in handy in some offroad situations.

Anyway, I thought it was nice, but fell short of what I would expect from MB. It was definately Chryslerfied in design and execution. Add to that the low ground clearance and there's no question it's not soemthing I would like. A true grocery getter that costs too much and does too little, I guess. Sorry MB, Land Rover would get my money in that class of SUV!

[superjens]

Do some people actually take those 320's offroad? I see them all the time around here (tons of them in Vancouver) but those wide street tires just don't look like they'd do that well.

I just heard about the MB Galaendewagen (G-wagen), a d90-looking beast. Expensive but capable.

[warmonger]

An ML-320 is not a true 4WD. It is All Wheel Drive. AWD means that the transfer case is a torque splitter. Basically you never get true direct drive at both front driveshafts like you do on 4WD. There is no low range and there is a differential built into the transfer case much like the LSD we have all come to know and love and it delivers a 60/40 torque split. As for capabilities off-road, it has some, but whoever is driving would do well not to get cocky and try to play follow the leader with a true 4WD. The ML-320 would not fare well.

[xoc]

Originally posted by warmonger
An ML-320 is not a true 4WD.

So I guess the Toyota Land Cruiser and Jeep Grand Cherokee aren't true 4WDs either ?

The ML320 uses a real transfer case, with a 2.64:1 low range ratio and an even 50:50 split, and a crawl ratio of 48:1 (twice that of the Xterra).

I've seen an ML320 on a very difficult trail here in Colorado, and talked with the owner. The only problem he mentioned was dragging a few bits here and there, but so were we.

The ML320 has 8.4 inches of ground clearance, the same as an Xterra.

[Philosopher]

http://4x4abc.com/ML320/offroad.html

[Schludwiller]

From your link:

"Bottom line is, when the going gets rough the M-Class will get stuck where other SUVs without traction support (Jeep Grand Cherokee for example) don't even show signs of wheel spin."

Interesting link, I'll read up some more.

[xoc]

Originally posted by Schludwiller
From your link:

"Bottom line is, when the going gets rough the M-Class will get stuck where other SUVs without traction support (Jeep Grand Cherokee for example) don't even show signs of wheel spin."

Articulation = traction.

[warmonger]

Interesting. I was under the impression that it used a similar setup to that of the BMW. But with a 2.64:1 Low Range, how did it achieve a crawl ratio of 48:1? What is the diff gearing? Does it have a granny gear? The X with a 4.60/1 ring and pinion and a 2:1 transfer case has a crawl ratio in the 24:1 range. Can the 2.64 possibly make that much of a difference? I would expect the transfer case gear to be more in the 3:1 range to reach that level or a much stouter gear in the diff. It is interesting that MB actually used a real transfer case though.

Originally posted by xoc


So I guess the Toyota Land Cruiser and Jeep Grand Cherokee aren't true 4WDs either ?

The ML320 uses a real transfer case, with a 2.64:1 low range ratio and an even 50:50 split, and a crawl ratio of 48:1 (twice that of the Xterra).