Despite rising fuel prices, the Mercedes M Class is still big news for the Three Pointed Star. It sells in big numbers in the UK, and is the country s forth biggest selling full-sized SUV on the market.
The original M Class launched in 1998, and more than 600,000 have since found homes. It was replaced by an all-new model in 2005, and it is this which has received a raft of changes to keep it up to date.


Stuart Milne went to Wiltshire to put the latest car through its paces, both on- and off-road. The changes Mercedes have made to the 2008 M Class are mainly centred on extra equipment. It has worked hard to differentiate the two trim models in the range   SE and Sport   and has loaded them both with kit, to justify the price rises. The SE is up to $250 more than the previous model, but comes with $2,100 worth of extra kit, while the Sport is $2,750 extra but features $3,470 worth of extras.  And this, says Mercedes, makes the M Class even more of an attractive proposition.


It has also worked on its engine line-up, which sees the petrol engine from the ML350 dropped, and the rest of the range tweaked for slightly better economy and improved emissions.  But even so, all models fall into the top tax band and the ML280 CDI and 320 CDI offer the best fuel economy, at an average of 34.9mpg. Out on the road, both models offer plenty of performance, although the ML320 CDI is noticeably pokier when the two are driven back to back. There s a surprising amount of diesel engine clatter under acceleration, but at speed it s well refined.


Those seeking extra refinement should seek out the ML420 CDI, which offers petrol engine refinement, and plenty of go. This model will reach 62mph from rest in 6.5 seconds, before reaching 146   3.3 and 2.1 seconds faster than the ML280 CDI and ML320 CDI respectively. Naturally running costs suffer, with an average of 31mpg and emissions of 292g/km.  Confusingly for buyers, consumption and emission figures are slightly lower for the SE than the Sport figures quoted here.


As times change and tastes evolve, people still want what they consider to be premium manufactured automobiles because that is what they feel represents them best. Mercedes is still the brand that drivers look to when it comes to delivering luxury performance and refined style in one package. Always a name in the highest demand, it is the level of engineering that makes up the bulk of what separates Mercedes from most everyone else, but its emphasis on the detail and textures within the interior that has managed to attract prospective drivers as well. CARiD knows it s an absolute must for you to keep your very own model happy, which means you re going to need the highest quality Mercedes accessories along with the best value available to do so. The pursuit of happiness begins here.
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