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W163 M-Class (1998-2005)

The Mercedes-Benz M-Class is a luxury mid-size sport utility vehicle (SUV), first offered in 1997 as a 1998 model, and built by the German automaker Mercedes-Benz. Gradually, the M-Class became a sales success in the United States and Mexico. In terms of size, it is slotted in between the smaller GLK-Class (based on the C-Class) and the larger GL-Class, with which it shares platforms. For a short time, between the years 1999 to 2002, the M class was also built by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria, for the European market, until it moved to part of the U.S. market.

The M-Class was the first luxury SUV to feature stability control, a system designed to detect loss of control and instantaneously intervene with selective braking to bring the vehicle back on its intended course. This system is now hailed by safety experts, and studies have shown stability control and systems like it are capable of reducing single vehicle crashes by up to 30 percent. Furthermore, the M-Class boasted front- and side-impact airbags with advanced occupant detection for the front passenger seat, which, combined with Mercedes' legendary safety structure, earned the M-Class the highest marks in insurance industry crash tests.

A road test on the BBC programme Top Gear revealed that the presenter, Jeremy Clarkson, could put his fingers into the gap below the rear lights and above the rear bumper. This improved over the years, especially after a mild facelift for 2002. However, owners are often unhappy with the car's quality — for example, the car was placed last out of 142 cars in the Top Gear Motoring Survey 2004. DaimlerChrysler spent US$600 million on improvements at the Alabama factory before launching the second-generation ML in 2005. The modified W163 that appears in Steven Spielberg's movie The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997).

Before the vehicle was launched, Mercedes-Benz allowed the producers to use two pre-production M-Class SUVs in the film The Lost World: Jurassic Park, and used the vehicle's appearance in the film as a way to advertise it when it was launched. As a result, a Mercedes-Benz ad appears before the film on original VHS copies of the film.

Major model variants have included the ML320, ML350, ML430, ML500,and the ML55, along with the 4-cylinder ML230 and the turbodiesel ML270 CDI and ML400 CDI in Europe. The ML55, or ML55 AMG, featured a V8 engine made by AMG, modified body-work, and other performance features. The ML350 replaced the ML320 as the base model in the United States in 2004, although the ML320 CDI is sold in states where emissions regulations allow.

The M-Class was Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year for 1998. The ML320 was voted the 1998 North American Truck of the Year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, in January 1998.

The redesigned M-class (chassis name W164) was introduced in April 2005 as a 2006 model after a showing at the North American International Auto Show in January. It was almost entirely new, with a more sporting, aerodynamic look—the coefficient of drag is down to 0.34. Mercedes-Benz has also made the new M-class larger, measuring 150 mm longer than the first model. The M-Class was named "Best New Sport Utility Vehicle" in the 2006 Canadian Car of the Year awards.

Mercedes-Benz extensively publicized the US$600 million spent to update its factory and add manufacturing space for the new R-Class. According to early automotive press reports, the 2006 M-Class vehicles demonstrate vast improvements in quality.

The W164 platform used for the new M-Class is shared with the new GL-Class and is a unibody type rather than the former (W163) body-on-frame used by the M-Class vehicles produced from 1998–2005. The X164 GL-CLass, a longer 7-seater version of the W164 platform, is also available.

New features in the 2006 M-Class include the 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission, optional Active Curve-Illuminating Bi-Xenon headlights which "steer" in the path of the vehicle, and an adjustable-height air suspension. The manual transmission has been dropped.

4-valve engines are replacing the previous 3-valve SOHC V6 and current 3-valve V8:

* ML350 - 3.5 L 4-valve V6, 272Hp(258 ft•lbf)
* ML500 - 5.0 L 4-valve V8, 302HP
* ML550 - 5.5 L 4-valve V8, 382HP(550 N•m)(North America)
* ML63 AMG - 6.2 L 4-valve V8, 510HP (370 kW)
* ML280 CDI - 3.0 L V6 Turbo Diesel, 190.4HP (325 ft•lbf)
* ML320 CDI - 3.0 L V6 Turbo Diesel, 224HP (376 ft•lbf)
* ML420 CDI - 4.0 L V8 Diesel, 306HP (700 N•m)

Models using Bluetec Diesel engine with urea injection were introduced for the 2009 model year.

Facelift

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class got a minor face-lift as it debuts at the 2008 New York International Auto Show.

This face-lift includes new front headlights, redesigned front and rear bumpers, new exterior mirrors, new rim choices, a larger front grille, restyled interior, and a new ML 420 CDI engine choice.

Appendixes compliments from our benzers.

1. Details: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_M-Class

2. If you are interested to know more, please find time browsing into the enclosed link.

http://www.mybenz.org/zoopp/html/modules/newbb/viewforum.php?sortname=p.post_time&sortorder=DESC&sortsince=1000&forum=35&refresh=Go&forum=35

3. W163 M-Class Members

Below you will find a list of members who have the pleasure of driving this car.

Enjoy your stay and happy reading!

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Cheers/Mabel

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm
Take time to read. It is the fountain of wisdom
Membership Number: One Nine Seven Seven

1. adly
2. ..
3. ..

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Cheers/Mabel

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm
Take time to read. It is the fountain of wisdom
Membership Number: One Nine Seven Seven

I am a new member. Just got 2001 model ML 270 cdi. Need help to find ML 270 cdi radiator. TQ Saari

Welcome sbomar !

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Cheers/Mabel

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm
Take time to read. It is the fountain of wisdom
Membership Number: One Nine Seven Seven

Quote:

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Wah!!Cantik yer...Sedap memandang sedap lg yg membawa ye..
I like suv but not have so much money to get one .
Last time i want buy herriear but so exspensive want buy 01 2.4 old model around rm 85k-95k so cute for hope somedays i will get it! Hehehe

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W124 is always the best model ever!!
VIP LOOK! RARE FOR US! THE SPECIALS CAR EVER!
NO outdate for the last W124 models!
This is orig Merz Look Like!

Quote:

WELCOME BRO.

KAT MUDAH BARU ADA ADVERTISED.

CUBA2 LE.

ASKUM

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Apo den!!Dok msk tak ketuk pintu!! Dok msk tambah post je ke...Hehehe!! Nanti dok mabel mrh kat den br tau!!!Meow!!

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W124 is always the best model ever!!
VIP LOOK! RARE FOR US! THE SPECIALS CAR EVER!
NO outdate for the last W124 models!
This is orig Merz Look Like!

ML Class GPS/DVD/TV
Bonson auto Facelift
No: 10, Jln. Maju 1/16, Tmn. Lembah Maju. off Jln. Pandan Aman. 56100 Kuala Lumpur.
We have DVD/GPS replacement set made original plug in without any modification on wiring etc for ML W164 car.
7" Double Din Screen touch with Steering CANBUS Control.
Its a DVD/GPS/TV/I-Pod/USB/SD/Reverse Camera & Bluetooth function. RM3,800.00
Original German OEM maker.
View at: www.bonson.com.my.
or call Mr. Tan 012-3030788

1. adly
2. sbomar, 2001, ML 270 cdi.

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Cheers/Mabel

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm
Take time to read. It is the fountain of wisdom
Membership Number: One Nine Seven Seven