I can't get ML on my 06 order, it'd have to be a 07 and will be in Oct at earliest. Is it worth the wait? I only heard the regular stereo playing FM and it was loud, but I couldn't give an honest review unless I hear the Ml for myself, which is unfortunately not available anywehre.

 

i originally wanted ML also, but was sorta impressed at the stock system. there were no ml demo cars anywhere so i had no idea how it sounded. i also wasn't prepared to wait 3-4 months for a special order so i settled with the stock system. i sorta convinced myself out of ml by asking myself how often i'd use the dvd feature. i don't even own that many dvds. and my hearing is so bad that i probably wouldn't even be able to notice the sound quality between the two.

 

I love the ML system. It sounds so good and the dvd function is great too. The dash looks so much better with the ML/NAV combo. But if you want the car now, get the car now. If you think you are going to regret not getting ML, then wait. The worst part would be to have regrets.

 

you can always get aftermarket sound systems to make it even better than the ML

 

Get the NAVI for sure. Then put aftermarket speakers and sub in the back. The ML crappy paper sub in the back is meant to be set very low - it tends to bottom out very easily. If you arent the type that likes it loud or likes the bass, go with the ML. It isnt bad at all.

 

Yes and No. While you can get very good aftermarket equipment you might still have imaging issues with speaker placement affecting the surround sound capabilities. You can build custom kickpods, etc., but you're looking at a lot more $ in that case.

 

I would have always regretted not getting Nav & ML. I am very pleased with it.

 

If I had not gotten either, I would have totally regret not getting Nav and partially regretted not getting ML, maybe 3/4 regret.

 

I already know I'm gonna regret it, but a 5 month wait, after already waiting the past month is more than I can stand. I'm hoping for a dvd solution in the future and will probably just get a sub, amp and maybe speakers for the future. I guess I just really wanted to be one of the few in the northeast with ML and a 350.

 

I was wondering, does the center console setup with the standard system/Nav look any different than the ML/Nav setup?

 

to be completely honest w/u, although I have the ML, I can live w/o it. I'm not that much of an audiophile to even notice a difference between stock and ML. Only thing that I absolutely cannot live w/o is Nav. I've only used the dvd function once or twice and that was to show off to friends and family that I can play DVD's in my car and that's about it.

PS. The ML has been known to have more problems than the stock system possibly due to a faulty amp. I created a thread on here before about the ML shutting completely down on me once and other ML owners chimed in that it happened to them also. So with that said, you may reconsider getting ML...

 

I have ML and I haven't had that problem....or maybe I have and just don't know it since my radio stopped on me once (but I wouldn't exactly blame that on ML). Do you have a link to your thread so I can what people are saying?

P.S. My 350 engine shut off on my ONCE so you might reconsider the 350 and go with the 250...LOL j/k

 

For argument's sake, if you rate ML a "perfect 10", I would give the stock an 8.5. I thought it was very good for a stock stereo, but, like many others above, I knew I would regret not getting it. I don't think you would be disappointed with it. Since I wanted nav. and ground effects kit, I was special ordering anyway, would've been an unforgettable mistake for me.

 

I think ML is highly overrated. The stock system is one of the best available on the market... it sounds amazing. ML doesn't improve things all that much. Kind of a waste of money in my opinion.

 

I was in the same boat... The vehicle they had had everything I wanted, it had NAV but no ML, even the colors were what I wanted. In the end, I decided that the ML wasn't worth the wait.

The base system is ok, but then again, i'm pretty picky when it comes to sound, and I don't think I would have been 100% pleased even if I had the ML. I will likely go with some aftermarket speakers and a nice amp (or two) before long.