Did some winter driving today.

"Mathias Rios" (Mars478)
12/09/2013 at 00:26 • Filed to: None

Conclusion, don't drive on the Pulaski skyway during the first snow of the year, I saw at least 2 people ALMOST get into 3 car wrecks. My mom's miata was following me while I was ahead in my ML (which handles like it's on rails even with all-seasons) and she said she couldn't stop sliding. Probably her driving skill but whatever. Saw a chevy equinox try to change lanes and literally slide all the way and then correct it back into the lane they were in.

I did have some fun in a few empty parking lots/ back roads of Newark NJ however. I love my car :D

DISCUSSION (18)

Squid > Mathias Rios
12/09/2013 at 00:33

Get your mom some snow tires for the Miata and it should do fine. It is too light and small for the no seasons to be of any use in the cold and snow.

Ian Duer (320b) > Squid
12/09/2013 at 00:35

Indeed it may seem weird to have to give a parent the "wear the correct rubber" talk but it's for their own good.

@rbalch1 > Mathias Rios
12/09/2013 at 00:37

Nice car, I drive a ML270CDI series 1, great car lots of room on the inside.
Is that an ML 320 series 1 with series 2 headlights and mirrors?
how many miles do you have on it and what issues have you had (bootlock breaking?)

Mathias Rios > Squid
12/09/2013 at 00:59

Yeah... it's funny because she just bought a new set of tires after one of hers exploded while driving. Should of told her to buy snows. Oh well.

Mathias Rios > @rbalch1
12/09/2013 at 01:04

Awesome! Manual or Automatic? Where are you from? What year 270CDI?

Are you on Benzworld?

I refer to them as pre and post facelift but I understand what you're referring to so mine is a Series 1 1999, ML320, 211k miles (not km), the mirrors are third party ones which fit the larger size while having the LED strip. The series 2 ones are much smaller and offer much less visibility. Those are indeed post facelift/series 2 headlights but they aren't OEM. They are however HID/Bi-xenon retrofits with Hella E55 projectors and 6000k bulbs.

The only MAJOR issue this car has had was the catalytics failed, and then the regular plastic trim stuff deteriorated. And yeah, my boot lock is broken, so I have to manually lock it from the inside and shut it at just the right force so it stays locked, and THEN lock the rest of my doors.

Post some pics of your 270! I would LOVE to drive one of those. We didn't get them here in the USA :(

Squid > Mathias Rios
12/09/2013 at 01:26

From what I've read, a Miata with no seasons is ridiculously hard to drive in snow and ice, if she doesn't want to get some winter tires, tell her to stay home when the conditions are terrible because there is a high probability that she might crash and then be stuck with a totaled Miata. If it is an NA or NB it doesn't take much damage for an insurance company to total the car out.

@rbalch1 > Mathias Rios
12/09/2013 at 01:51

Not on Benz world as of yet might join at some point though,

Kinja'd!!!

Its a 2000 model, in classic rather than luxury trim.
I think all ML's sold in Australia were automatic only, unfortunately no Manual
That means grey interior with cloth seats which are reasonably comfortable
It is a two tone white body with grey plastic bumpers and an aftermarket nudge bar on the front.
has the same 16inch oem wheels as you currently have
Currently has around 150,000km and recently required a new intake manifold.
Basically the plastic internals perished causing some of the swirl veins to jam putting it in LIMP mode woohoo!. quite expensive

Repaired our boot lock with some superglue after some online research.. probably still have the info around somewhere

I personally prefer the look of the pre face-lift headlights to the post face-lift but i can understand why you upgraded to something that lights up the road properly.

Apart from that its been a reasonably reliable car over the past years

Will post some pictures later

Kinja'd!!!

Der Käfer > Mathias Rios
12/09/2013 at 08:19

The fact you drive an ML320 and love it the way you do makes me so happy. These are the kind of cars that make me a gear head!

Mathias Rios > Der Käfer
12/09/2013 at 08:42

:) "Love the one you're with!"

Mathias Rios > @rbalch1
12/09/2013 at 08:46

I had the grey plastic bumpers. Plasti Dipped them black for a more "unified" look.

Wow! Plastic Intake Manifold?

I think the older headlights match the rest of the body work but they simply don't give enough output for me to stick with them. The performance with these headlights is (literally) night and day.

I love mine and it is super reliable. Great cars for what they are.

Der Käfer > Mathias Rios
12/09/2013 at 09:13

Idk if you get weird looks but I know I do, I'm in love with my 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

I def love the one I'm with! ;)

dinobot666 > Mathias Rios
12/09/2013 at 09:19

Install winter tires. I don't even hardly give road conditions a second though, that's how good winter tires are. They're phenomenal.

But still, you have to use a bit of common sense and good judgement whilst driving.

Mathias Rios > Der Käfer
12/09/2013 at 15:03

I definitely get weird looks and reactions sometimes. People are like what's so special about your car? And I point out the in dash ipad I put blood sweat and tears into making and they sort of get it :P

Mathias Rios > dinobot666
12/09/2013 at 15:04

Which do you reccommend?

Der Käfer > Mathias Rios
12/09/2013 at 15:09

ahahaha! I actually was looking at a 2005 ML special edition awhile back only that stopped me was quirky things that were broken like the trunk, the power locks wouldnt work and the nav screen was going in and out but it only had 55k miles. Loved the way it drove though.

dinobot666 > Mathias Rios
12/09/2013 at 15:19

Been extremely happy with my General Altimax Arctics.

Mathias Rios > dinobot666
12/09/2013 at 19:29

Will check them out. I've also heard good things about Blizzaks.

Mathias Rios > Der Käfer
12/09/2013 at 19:44

The trunk lock on mine doesnt work, so I have to manually lock it from the inside. But that's just because I'm lazy. Fixing it is a 50 dollar DIY. Power lucks are notoriously bad, was it the machine gun problem? Where the locks go in and out repeatedly and fast? Eh the nav screen is pretty useless as it is nowadays. Was it a 350 or 500?