CAR WARRIORS: 2014 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 BLUETEC

Monday, June 2, 2014

2014 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 BLUETEC

We got our hands on a 2014 Mercedes ML350 Bluetec to see if it could check a few more boxes.

The keys to the ML350 Bluetec landed in my lap just in time for a day trip to San Diego. The SUV's indicated 575-mile range on a full tank of diesel meant I could get there and back with no stops, and still have enough to putter around the rest of the weekend. The ride was glass-smooth the entire way, and even the heavy rain I encountered later in the drive didn't slow the M-Class down much, thanks to the 4Matic all-wheel drive system, which comes standard on the Bluetec. That day, the ML's rain-sensing wipers were another welcome feature.

After the road dried a bit, I made the most of the ML Bluetec's all-aluminum 3.0-liter turbodiesel V-6, which provides 240 hp and an ample 455 lb-ft of torque. That twisting force surges around the 1800-rpm mark, pushing you back in your seat as the relatively low revs climb. My only problem was that I couldn't summon this earth-moving torque on command at highway speed. After a lane change, I would stomp on the accelerator to pass (and to feel that corrupting rush of torque again) and it would take a moment for the seven-speed automatic transmission to shift down to an appropriate gear. Getting back into the engine's sweet spot required two or sometimes three downshifts, which I usually chose to initiate manually using the steering column-mounted paddle shifters instead of waiting for the transmission to figure out what I wanted. It's not terrible, but I think the diesel's gearbox could use a recalibration for the next refresh to make highway changes more immedia.

When the M-Class diesel gets going though, it really goes. Test results were nearly identical in every measure to the 2013 ML350 Bluetec we tested, which is to say it's still quick for an SUV. Accelerating from 0-60 mph required 7.0 seconds, and completing the quarter mile took 15.4 seconds. That's par for the course when compared with other diesel SUVs, such as the Volkswagen Touareg TDI, Porsche Cayenne diesel, and Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel featured in our last comparison test. In that test, the ML placed third while the Jeep took the win. Though the ML Bluetec couldn't topple its competitors in that test, compared to its gasoline-fed counterpart it's easily the better buy. The standard ML350, which produces 302 hp and 273 lb-ft from a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6, is estimated by Mercedes to hit 60 mph in 7.3 seconds. But the diesel's 182-lb-ft advantage, which you'll notice almost immediately in the lower revs, is well worth the minimal premium over an ML350 4Matic. Also worth the extra cash is the Bluetec's 20/28 mpg city/highway EPA-rated fuel economy, up 3 mpg in the city and 6 mpg on the highway compared to the gas-powered ML350 4Matic, and up 2 mpg and 4 mpg compared to the two-wheel-drive ML350. During my weekend with the Bluetec, indicated average fuel economy held steady at 24 mpg -- and that was with me pushing the loud pedal to the floor at every opportunity.

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KNOWING ABOUT YOUR POWER-TRAIN WARRANITY

A powertrain warranty is a form of assurance offered by the manufacturer of an automobile. When a consumer purchases a vehicle, at the time of sale, he or she will be given a powertrain warranty, which will cover all or part of the powertrain of the underlying automobile. When a mechanical problem occurs to the powertrain the costs associated with repair or replacement are covered in the powertrain warranty—the manufacturer or dealer whole sold the automobile will pay to have the car fixed. That being said, what parts are covered and the extent of the repayment associated with fixing the car will vary greatly based on the powertrain warranty offered.

Depending on the manufacturer, a powertrain warranty will provide different forms of coverage based on interpretative differences; for example, one manufacturer’s definition of an engine can be referred to as a ‘long block’, meaning the engine, as well as everything attached to it cannot be removed. Another definition of an engine can be a “short block” meaning only part of the engine—typically the piece below cylinder head—cannot be removed. As a result, the coverage abilities will vary between these two warranties if the engine proved to be faulty.

In addition to the engine, the type of automobile will necessitate different variables within the powertrain warranty. For example, if you purchased a manual transmission vehicle, the warranty may exclude repairs or replacements for important pieces, such as the clutch—an extended warranty for a manual transmission will typically only provide coverage for the driveshaft and the axles.

A powertrain warranty will last for a certain number of years or for a maximum number of miles. In most instances, the powertrain warranty will last longer than a typical car warranty; the basic powertrain warranty is offered as a 10 year or 100,000 mile warranty, or whichever comes first.

Other Warranites Usually available to car buyers:

Basic: Also known as "bumper-to-bumper" coverage, this is the general coverage that would pay to repair defects in factory-installed parts. Tires are not typically included because they're usually covered under a separate tire manufacturer warranty.

Corrosion: Covers rust that causes holes in sheet metal in parts such as the doors or side panels.

Roadside assistance: Provides help with towing and tire-changing if the car breaks down while traveling.

It's best to check with dealers for specifics, but here is a list of seven top auto companies that offer among the best car warranties, despite the fact that many are rated safe cars by independent research firms.

Car Insurance Tips

Find out what’s covered and what isn’t. Get your quote in writing and confirm the accuracy of each vehicle and driver you are insuring, as well as the coverages you requested. Ask about free, value-added features, such as emergency roadside assistance. Check to see if repairs are guaranteed for as long as you own your car, and find out what kind of payment options are available.

To see if you’re getting credit where credit is due, it's a good idea to find out all the discounts available to you. Some simple ways to save money on your auto insurance include maintaining a clean driving record, being a good student and the inclusion of certain safety features when buying a new car can save you money on your policy.

Your state sets forth the minimum liability coverage you must maintain, as mentioned above. But these are just the legal minimums and might not give you the coverage you need. You'll have to decide what you want to buy beyond these minimums. Keep in mind that you are looking to find the balance between having adequate coverage and overpaying.

According to Consumer Reports, a general guideline for adequate bodily injury liability limits is $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, plus $100,000 for property damage. These amounts are what your insurer will pay to someone you are in an accident with. For uninsured motorist coverage, you should get the same amount as for bodily injury liability, as this covers your medical costs when someone who is not insured hits you.

Auto insurance tip #1
Understand why you need auto insurance
In short, you need car insurance to protect your car, yourself and your passengers. You also protect any assets, like your home and savings, as well as comply with state law.

Auto insurance tip #2
Know your current coverages-but be willing to adjust
Use your current coverages and limits as a starting point; you can refer to your declarations page for this information. Then, adjust your coverages as necessary to match your lifestyle-which might be different than it was when you first bought the policy.

For example, if your teenager starts driving next month, you might consider adding him or her to your policy now. Or, if you just bought a new car, you might choose loan/lease payoff coverage, so that if your car is stolen or declared a total loss, you'll have help paying off your loan or lease.

Auto insurance tip #3
Decide what you want to protect, then choose your coverages

Auto insurance tip #4
Use deductibles to your advantage
Your deductible is what you agree to pay out of pocket when you use your car insurance. In general, the higher you set your deductible, the less you'll pay for your policy. And conversely, if you set your deductible low, you'll pay more for your policy, but less when you have a claim.

Auto insurance tip #5
Know that certain things affect your rate
Insurance companies evaluate a variety of things when they calculate your rate, from your driving record to where you live and how many miles you drive on average. Keep this in mind when you see your rate.

More alternatives:

Raise your comprehensive and collision deductibles to at least $1,000, which lowers your premiums and prevents you from filing small claims that could jeopardize a claims-free discount. Add some more money to your emergency fund so you’ll have the cash to pay the deductible if anyone in your family does have an accident.

Drop collision and comprehensive coverage entirely on older cars that are worth little more than the deductible. You may be paying more in premiums than you could ever get back from the insurer, even if the car is totaled.

Tell your insurer if your child goes away to college. If your child goes to school more than 100 miles away and does not use the car, you can usually get a big break on your premiums but still have coverage when he or she comes home for vacation.

Ask about other discounts for teenage drivers. Some insurers offer discounts for driver-safety programs, cutting costs if the kids take a special class, watch a DVD, or read a driver-safety book and take a test. Ask your insurer what your kid needs to do to qualify.

Make the most of multi-policy discounts. You’ll usually get a break on your auto insurance and your homeowners insurance if you keep both policies with the same company. You may get an additional discount if you include an umbrella policy, which provides extra liability coverage beyond your auto-insurance limits and can be particularly valuable when you have a teenage driver.

Some insurers offer much better deals than others for teenage drivers, so it’s important to compare costs. The insurance company that offered the best rate for you and your spouse may have some of the highest rates when you add a teenage boy to the policy - and it’s almost always better to add the child to your policy rather than have him get his own policy.

You can get price quotes from several online insurance companies like Progressive or AllState or get personalized service from an independent insurance agent who works with many companies. You may not want to switch from a longtime insurer just to save a few dollars, however, because your current company may be less likely to raise your rate or drop you if your child has an accident. If you stay with the insurance company you currently have there more room for forgiveness and benefits of such various programs. Also keep in mind that if you have been getting a multi-policy discount, your homeowners-insurance rate might rise if you take your auto-insurance business elsewhere.

One thing you don’t want to do in an attempt to reduce your premiums is skimp on liability coverage. recommends liability limits of at least $250,000 per person, $500,000 per accident and $100,000 for property damage or a policy with a “combined single limit” of $500,000, when available, which does not limit the coverage to $250,000 per person involved in the accident. Young drivers are more likely to have accidents, and lowering your liability limits could leave you on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars in expenses if your child does hit another car or injure someone.

CAR WARRIORS

Monday, June 2, 2014

2014 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 BLUETEC

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