ML 350 BlueTEC AMG Line Premium Plus 258 Automatic 5dr SUV

Luxury in abundance, and superbly relaxing to drive.

When the time came to replace my beautiful and much loved VW Phaeton earlier this year, I resided myself to expect that my next car would be a step down, as there is nothing out there, even today, that matches what I had in my fully loaded example.

It is true that my 'new to me' ML350 BlueTEC AMG Sport isn't everything that my previous car was, but it has brought a different dimension to my driving experience that I wasn't expecting.

Having had Active Cruise Control in my Phaeton, I was searching for a vehicle with the Mercedes Distronic Plus option in my next car having been over the moon with the Distronic on my other Mercedes, a GL420 V8 Twin Turbo Diesel - an absolute beast of a car, and a superb towing vehicle.

My eye was caught by this fully loaded ML350, with every single assist package that Mercedes offer, together with all the other optional extras such an Panoramic Sunroof, DAB Radio, Air Suspension, Mercedes Comand Online, the advanced Satnav with traffic assist and a myriad of other extras. I have to thank the original owner for ordering such a superbly specified example of this beautiful 4X4.

Having owned what was effectively a Bentley Continental with a VW badge on the front grill, I had become a much more relaxed driver, as you tend to become when you drive a limousine. With Mercedes you know you are going to get a class car, and with the luxury feel you get when driving the ML, you become that naturally relaxed driver without consciously changing your driving style. The car does that to you. The ride is so smooth and quiet, that you forget you are driving an SUV, and you can't help but feel that air of superiority as you glide around in your own little world.

A friend of mine has the new Range Rover Sport V6 TDi, and he had to admit that the drive comfort in the ML was a lot better, and was so much quieter than his £70k Range Rover.

The features of the ML that have changed the dimension of driving on a personal level, are the array of assist packages. You feel so assured knowing that the car is quietly doing everything to make your drive as safe and as smooth as it possibly can, on top of how carefully you are driving. It's like having your very own in-car guardian angel looking after you.

I couldn't be more pleased with my choice of new car. I drive on average 12-18 hours a week visiting clients around the UK, on top of the 40-50 hours a week of actual working time, so it is important to me to be comfortable and relaxed during the time I am behind the wheel, and to arrive feeling fresh. The ML ticks all of these boxes, and I would recommend it to anyone who needs a car for all occasions.

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