Anyone know the pricing, or any other details of the ML350 being released in December? Will mercedes replace ALL their 3.2 engines with this 3.7?

Yes, most 320s will be replaced by 350s, starting with the S 350 and ML 350 late this year, then the SL 350 early in 2003, followed by the C 350, CLK 350, E 350 and G 350.

__________________
W163.154, M112.942, 722.662, ZF.970.402

Just following up on your post about the '03 ML350.

Do you have any more details about the 350? HP? Features v. ML320? Pricing?

My dealer told me it will be available for delivery in December as something called an "inspiration" package (see MB Worldwide site under ML for a video). Dealer did not know pricing or feature/option specs.

Any insights would be appreciated.

BTW, the mbusa website makes no mention of the ML350, when will I be able to "build one"

This info. is posted by Ken Yee at M-Class Outpost:

http://www.keysolutions.com/M-Class.nsf/

There will be a midstream engine change so the ML320 will be replaced w/ the ML350 in the US in December. The new engine has 240HP and 285ft-lb of torque. In addition, Obsidian Black will replace Orion Blue in December.

In December, there will be an "Inspiration" option for the ML350/ML500. This will include Anthracite Leather w/ silver cross stitching, AMG sport seats, dark poplar wood, the ML55's white dash gauges, and floormats and the rear labelled "Inspiration"; the grill will be painted silver, the lower grill will be body color, metallic paint is included in the price, and the ML500 wheels will be included w/ the ML350 Inspiration package. The package cost is $2450 and $1200 for the ML350/ML500, respectively. It will also include the M1/M3 packages for the ML350/ML500, respectively, so you don't have to order them w/ the respective ML.

The ML55 is only in limited production (November to April build dates).

The ML500 gets a DVD navigation system standard. Installation on the ML320 is roughly $1800.

ML320 $36,600 (0.8% change vs. MY02)
- metallic paint ($505)
- Bose ($1250)
- Bi-Xenon ($875)
- Parktronic ($1015)
- Heated front seats ($650)
- M1 pkg; leather, power front seats, privacy glass ($1670)
- M2 pkg; memory front seats, trip computer, safebox, rain sensor, autodimming mirrors, power folding mirrors, memory mirrors ($1275)
- M5 sunroof and power rear quarter panels ($1350)
- M7 3rd row seats ($995 cloth, $1200 leather)
- M6 sport "look" pkg ($3350)

ML500 $45,350 (0.9% change vs. MY02)
- metallic paint ($505)
- Bose ($1250)
- Bi-Xenon ($875)
- Parktronic ($1015)
- M3 pkg; memory front seats, rain sensor, power folding mirrors, memory mirrors ($1275)
- M5 sunroof and power rear quarter panels ($1350)
- M7 3rd row seats ($1200 leather)
- M6 sport "look" pkg ($3350)

ML350:
- DVD navigation system - Dealer installed accessory (no price stated yet)
- Integrated Motorola V.60 phone - Dealer installed accessory (no price stated yet)
- Bose sound system with integrated 6 disc changer - $1250
- Bi-Xenon headlamps with dynamic auto leveling & headlamp washing systems - $875
- Parktronic forward/reverse warning system - $1015
- Heated seats - $650
- Metallic paint - $505
- M1 luxury - $1700
- M2 - ML350 convenience - $1275
- M5 moonroof (note, must be ordered with all "M" packages) - $1350
- M6 Sport pkg - $3350
- M7 3rd row seats (cloth) - $995
- M7 3rd row seats (leather) - $1200
- Limited "Inspiration edition" package (requires M5 package) - $2540

Thanks for the information. It was very informative. However, I was still not able to locate base pricing for the ML350. I'm trying to decide if the price difference from the '03 ML320 & '03 ML350 is worth it. I'm heading to my local dealer this weekend to possibly place my order for the '03 Ml320 or ML350, but still iffy on the "inspiration" package.