2014 ML-350 Bluetec (Diesel)

This is an SUV that is easy on you when you stop at refueling station (notice that I didn't write "gas station") city 20 and highway 28 mpg. Yes, the full size SUV that does not rob you from the power delivery in return. Vehicle is rated 240 hp and 455 lb-ft Torque. And yes, that means you can tow the boat, towing capacity of 7,200 lb with this Mercedes-Benz and not be slow. But I am not done with the benefits of this vehicle just yet. You can go without refueling for 600 miles, that means that you would need a break before the Benz does. Now you might ask; Can I tow this boat in the mountains where there is snow ? Right. Sure you can, however....... people will never have the same opinion about you, but 4 matic (all-wheel-drive) system will handle it without a judgement. Anything else ? Of course there is. I will tell you now about the "other stuff"....there is more to this car than just power-train.

Unibody ML-350 diesel offers all advanced safety features as a gasoline ML-350. Only difference between two is that Diesel version comes standard with 4 matic.
Since this is not the first year for this model, I am not going to bore you with the stuff that you probably know. So far this model was awarded;
Top Safety Pick; IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) 2012
Vehicle Satisfaction; Premium Luxury Crossover SUV - AutoPacific 2012
2013 Residual Value Award; Premium Alt-Fuel Vehicle - Automotive Lease Guide (ALG) 2013

Besides the standard interior color options for MB-Tex and Leather you can order Desgno Nappa Leather upholestry that is a sort of "off-menu" choices; Designo Auburn Brown, Porcelain, and designo Black leather that you can pair with designo Piano Black Lacquer wood trim.

For the standard suspension your are getting; 4 wheel independent with AGILITY CONTROL and you have an option for AIRMATIC SUSPENSION as a special order item from Mercedes-Benz.

While you are burning diesel in cleanest way possible, you cabin is library quiet. For the trip not to be boring you can turn on massaged seats as well as heated/ventilated feature depending on the season. Your drink in cup-holders can be heated or cooled and internet access can give you update on weather, stocks, news, facebook.......future....wait, not that....I get carried away....but Mercedes-Benz internet apps can tune you in the world outside your protective sheet metal.
Many more features of convenience & luxury are available, but I think it would be the best to talk about it when we standing in front of the ML-350 Bluetec.
ML-350 Bluetec a.k.a W166 in Benz talk, for 2014 offers; Sport Styling Package, Parking Assist Package with Surround View Camera System, Splitview, and On/Off road package as a special order. Some of these options were not available for 2013, or withing certain packages.
Now it's your turn.......talk to me.

2013 GL-63 AMG

2013 GL-63 AMG made its way to dealerships and its owners. The one you see in the photograph, is the one and only of its kind in Arizona, and there is not that many of its bothers/sisters in U.S. Total output for MY2013 is about 120-ish. Let's get the obvious out of the way.

Quick Facts; 550 hp, 560 lb-ft Torque, 5.5L Bi-Turbo AMG engine, 0-62 mph in 4.7sec., Quarter mile 13,1 All-Wheel-Drive with towing capacity of 7,500lb

So it's big, powerful, well dressed SUV that many of us would like to have if the price was............different...........(126k+). MB didn't offer 7-seater SUV before 2007, and this is the first year that a performance model is offered on the market. The Body is manufactured in the U.S.(Tuscaloosa-Alabama), the heart and soul (engine & transmission) from Afalterbach & Stuttgart-Hedelfingen,Germany. Your choice when it comes to big & powerful SUV's are not that vast. Mercedes-Benz GL-63, Infiniti QX-56, CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV, Lexus LX-570….....they even post on website 0-60mph.....guess what it is ?

So, what are the options on the car....well, it comes pre-loaded with just about everything, but you could customize it with designo interior colors & a few options; towing package, bang & Olufsen sound, NightView Assist Plus, Split-view, Rear seat entertainment....etc

Here is what I find amazing about this vehicle; this is a sleeper. Architects and designers of this product didn't want it to look too flashy. It does not have aggressiveness on its styling, but rather sharpness. As the lines of the vehicle indicate its enhanced styling while hiding it’s true nature, it almost blends in with the crowd. The term “wolf in sheep’s clothing” can be properly used in this case. The GL-63 is an extremely capable SUV ready to handle anything on the road in its heavy-weight category (...about 5,600lb), but it is not limited just to heavyweights. GL-63 is very multi-talented. Comfort of the ride is not compromised. Superiority of Airmatic suspension makes this vehicle exceptionally smooth, and it does offer Sport & Sport plus suspension settings. It will spoil you in it's very, very comfy AMG design seats, massage you, warm or cool you, while reaching your destination of 60, 80,110….miles per hour. The real reason you would consider this vehicle is your desire to show your spouse, kids, and grandparents that 0-60mph is possible in less than 5 sec. with 7 of you in the car. Yes, I meant three car seats and four adults.
Yes, I know, the answer is 104 feet....60mph to stand-still. How good is this; Corvette 427 convertible needs 101 feet.

You would not take pleasure leaving in the dust small sports cars. You would consider it as a right of an GL-63 owner. Also, you would consider as unethical receiving speeding tickets……..well..….that is a stretch, but you got the point.

While driver comfort is as guaranteed as the sticker shock price is, passengers will find a few luxuries for themselves such as; rear heated seats, rear a/c controls & vents, second row seats movable with the press of a button, as well as the third row seating. When passengers are in their seats, panoramic roof provides a chance to find their lucky star that gave them opportunity to enjoy the GL-63. In order to please your eyes anywhere you look, the GL-63 roofliner is upholstered with alcantara roofliner, which is almost irresistible to the touch.

Mercedes-Benz incorporated all the latest safety innovations in the 2013 GL-63as part of the standard equipment.

Bottom line; GL-63 doesn't have friends, it is sitting all alone on top of the world, as the only one of its kind……..ready to lead the way……….higher...no….sorry……..….FASTER !!!

Oh, I forgot, …..……GL won the award as “2013 SUV of the year”

2013 G-class/G-wagen/ Geländewagen

Not that many cars cause as many contradicting comments as G-class does. Great, ugly, commanding, goofy, dominant, ego-problem.... Anyway...this car has been in it's civilian production since 1979 (suggestion from ??????), and available in the US since 2001. This fact alone demands everyone's respect, if not affection. The Concept of G-Wagon is that it resists changes, and it is not giving into pressure of fashion updates. Fan base of G-class think this is cool. The changes on the vehicle are minimal through the years, and in the most cases they involve electronic advancements in the industry. Significant design changes are on the interior could be noticed every decade. On the exterior there are minor touches. For 2013 new exterior changes include LED daytime running lamps and electronically folding exterior mirrors. I have to say that daytime running lamps are give away for 2013...otherwise it would be a good guessing game "which year is this G-Wagon".

Not too long ago, I had my client asked me, after he circled around the G-63 few times (after he purchased his car) Why would someone buy this? What is so great about this car that you can charge $136,000?
Well, it is hard to engage logic in the purchase of a vehicle that costs this much (base $113,000) but the good thing is that logic is not our only guidance in life. So, let's get engage emotions, ego, pride......everything else.

This vehicle is hand build in Graz, Austria by Magna-Steyr for Mercedes-Benz.In the case of AMG, the engine is also hand built. So, those that are worried that anyone can just go to a MB dealership and get one are wrong. On the average dealerships are allocated only few per year. In first half of this year only 1,273 G-wagons are sold in U.S. market. This speaks volumes about it's resale value.

To it's off-road credit, G-class proudly offers three locking differentials..... paired with heavy duty axles, rugged body on frame construction, with more than 8" ground clearance......a.k.a. extremely capable off-road vehicle. I have to add that the G-wagon is used by 60 countries (including US) by it's armed forces as a fast-attack vehicle. Now....I don't think it can get more MACHO than this.

On the light side, the interior of this vehicle is refined & luxurious, completely wrapped in leather with about 45,000 stitches. The wood trim is hand picked & finished and brushed aluminum accents the dash. Again, this vehicle is hand made, and it goes through many vigerous inspections before it's subjected through yours.
Technologically, G-class is equipped with latest technology that Mercedes-Benz considers adequate for it's top of the line SUV.
Lastly.....for those of you that are unfamiliar with G-wagon, everything is standard on the vehicle, and your only options are; G-550/G-63 AMG, interior & exterior color, and wood trim....and yes, the wheels....for AMG version only. If this is not enough, you can get the Brabus edition G-class. But don't limit yourself. Here is an idea what you can do with your G-63 AMG and Ford Fiesta ST.

2013 S-550 Revisited

By now, almost everybody on planet earth know that 2014 all-new S-class is coming out soon. Many have forgot that we still have 2013 S-class models for sale....you know....you give us money or sign contract and we give you the car :-)
So, why would someone buy this 2013 since 2014 new and improved is coming out? I will give you reasons why would this be good decision.
As far as the quality of the workmanship go, last year of the product cycle is always the best. Why, because have been perfecting it since 2007. That's wright. Just about when we have the car almost perfect, car-makers decide to build something new and exciting.
Another reason would be a great deal. This starts from MB giving away Premium Package 2 as standard equipment for this model year. (front seat comfort package, rear view camera, Parktronic with parking guidance, front comfort headrest, Keyless GO). Savings from a dealer on 2013 models are so big that you would have to use the trunk.
So, when is the good time for you to stop by? :-)


Bottom line; you can lease one now for a good payment and wait for the 2015 models come out when the new model get a bit more perfected or just purchase good quality automobile that would give you years of good service.

2014 E-350 / Sport Sedan

Latest and the greatest from Mercedes-Benz; 2014 E-class.
New technology that will help us be a better drivers (not that we are not great, but we are going to be just a bit better) and we are going to do that in style. Those of us that own a television set probably saw advertisement for E-class where MB is showcasing it's stereoscopic cameras who "survey the road ahead" and act/stop the car in critical situation (pedestrian recognition)...and like the ad said; " technology might be hard to imagine...but why would you wont it....is not"

Greatest piece of technology is; Distronic Plus with steering assist, cross traffic assist & pre-safe break with pedestrian recognition....I highly advise you to watch these video links, for the sake of understanding what is so great about this technology, and how it actually help us. O yes, technology that I just mentioned, is exclusive for E-class for right now.....until new 2014 S-class rolls out in Sep/Oct.

Second part of the greatness is the revised styling of the E-class. This is the first time that E-class is available with the MB star integrated in the grill, and a good news for the ones that prefer classical look of MB is that hood ornament is available in Luxury styling version of 2014 E-class. Besides the star placement, other two changes are considered major in respect to E-class; no more double headlights, and no more five gauge instrument cluster (three gauge from 2014, style was taken from C-class). Other changes are minor and not worth taking picture off.

Diesel lovers have a news; 6-cylinder turbo diesel is being replaced with 4-cylinder twin-turbo diesel. Power goes down from 210 to 190 and torque form 395 to 369.........but.....but.....fuel economy shoots up. Official numbers are not out yet, but rumor is highway mileage is suppose to be 40mpg. Wow. This part will cheer you up.

IN SHORT; new exciting new styling on the outside, with the new diesel 4 cyl engine., and state of the art safety technology that can make you feel you are better driver than you actually are :-)