In 2002 Mercedes-Benz introduced the ML55 AMG with 342bhp that single-handedly invented the super-SUV. Other manufacturers decided to contend with AMG which as a result led to the much written about ML63 once titled the most powerful SUV in the world.

At the heart of this devastatingly quick luxury SUV was something very special. Where previous AMG models had made do with modified Mercedes-Benz engines, the ML63 received the M156 engine, a ground-up 6.2 litre naturally aspirated AMG production and the firm’s first ever V8. Its 503bhp was enough to catapult the ML to 60mph in under 5 seconds.

Each engine is individually manufactured by hand, by a single individual and a signed plaque attached to each unit from the engineer who assembled it with great care and precision. “One man, one engine”.

The ML63 one of the last of a breed, a big capacity engine with prodigious power. Only a few hundred were sold in Europe, barely more than that in North America, making it a rare sight. This late 2010 ML63, one of the latter ones made, looks superb in its bright silver paintwork complemented with bright chrome work and black floating roof.

With low mileage over the years it has clearly been cared for as the condition attests. Equipped with a long specification, including radar cruise control and keyless entry, it combines huge capability and considerable luxury. The seller has owned many large capacity V8’s and has enjoyed this very rare and very capable SUV and its ready for its new owner to enjoy.

This ML63 AMG is a UK delivered car hence the rarity with its low mileage. It has clearly been looked after its entire lifetime with the underside showing little signs of age. Thanks to the low mileage, and the beautiful condition inside and out, we can assume this car has been well pampered.

There is an outstanding manufacturer recall on the vehicle to replace the drivers airbag and brake booster and the seller has organised this at no cost with the local Mercedes-Benz dealer with parts on order from Mercedes-Benz Germany, but this will likely have to be completed after the sale.

The current owner had the engine looked over by his well-respected mechanic who gave it a clean bill of health while fitting 8 new NGK Iridium spark plugs at 45k miles and has also had the auto gearbox recently serviced with fresh fluids and filter, both of which were due, since then it has only covered approximately 200 miles.

When Mercedes-Benz took the fight to Porsche with the ML63 they did it with real intent. At the heart of the new car was an AMG-designed and developed V8 generating over 500bhp.No turbochargers here, just cubic capacity and natural aspiration.

Reviewers rated the W164 ML63 highly, but sales were slow, which makes these cars not just rare but amongst the last of a breed of brutally quick, big capacity SUVs that we will likely not see again. There’s something just inexplicably fun and cool about fast SUV’s, and with one that held the title for the world’s fastest naturally aspirated at one point in its life, this is definitely among the best.

Blistering road-going performance wrapped in a luxury casing, as well as the fantastic usability, it doesn’t leave much to be desired. The ultimate family car puts this beautiful SUV in a class of its own. This very well presented and bright high specification ML63 offers a low mileage and the reassurance of Mercedes Benz excellent build quality. As an alternative to more common high performance SUVs, it looks an enticing prospect.

The original ML Mercedes-Benz set a benchmark for what buyers could expect from a luxury SUV, delivering saloon car-like luxury and ride with SUV practicality. The second generation W164, like this car, move d the goalposts again and this top of the range example was best of breed. The ML63 provides the sense that you are in something quite special, which is evident in the Mercedes-Benz quality of trim, light grey leather and carpets throughout this stylish car giving a quality and airy feel.

The fittings are in very good, unmarked condition, except for the usual patina on the drivers seat bolster. There are no obvious indications that this is a 13 year old car. The leather seats are in excellent condition and have been recently re-conditioned in July 2023.The front pair are electrically operated with memory function as well as being heated and ventilated. The rear bench is also heated. This is a 13 year old car but the level of technology is remarkable.

It has also been heavily optioned. Radar cruise control and steering wheel gearbox controls were standard while the original buyer added keyless entry and start, an electric sunroof, satnav, reversing camera, multi-contoured seats with memory and ventilation and heated rear seats. There is also an upgraded Harman Kardon sound system with 6CD multi-changer.This car is also fitted with the rare optional glass sunroof.

The W164 re-introduced some bolder lines to the established ML silhouette. The bright Silver metallic paintwork of this car seems to particularly suit it, delivering a clean but obvious presence with those giveaway ‘6.3’ and AMG badges and quad pipes on display. It is a low mileage car that has clearly been well cared for by its owners.

The bodywork is in excellent, virtually unmarked condition. There are the usual but limited stone chips on the front. The optional polished two-tone diamond cut 21” AMG alloy wheels are in excellent condition with no visible kerbing and four brand-new Continental Conti Sport Contact 7 tyres are on order at the time of writing and will be fitted before sale. These are considered one of the very best performance tyres on the market.

The ML63’s party trick is performance. That is all down to the AMG designed M156 engine, a 6.2 litre V8 that utilises raw naturally aspirated power rather than turbocharging. Unlike previous AMG-badged cars, it is a proper AMG unit rather than a modified Mercedes motor.

The engine’s astonishing 503bhp reaches all four wheels via AMG’s specially developed Speedshift 7G-Tronic 7spd gearbox, which was specially developed to deliver very quick shifts, whether in full automatic or DSG ‘flappy paddle’ mode.

This ML63 rides on factory air suspension, beautifully refined, quiet, and comfortable. The adaptive suspension on the car allows you to choose between a responsive sport setting or a more cushioned comfort mode. Whatever you prefer, this car will not disappoint you.

Along with the adaptive suspension selections, the car allows you to raise the vehicle with the touch of a button allowing for more ground clearance. With so much handcrafted engineering under the bonnet you need to know the car has been cared for. The previous owners have clearly done that, as the condition of the vehicle attests.

The seller confirms that the car drives and sounds exactly as expected.
There is a gap in service history from 2016 to 2021, albeit only 12k miles during this time, and largely assumed to be the lack of servicing being recorded on the Mercedes-Benz online system.

However the car was sold by VVS, a known reputable car sales company in 2017 with a fair assumption it would have been serviced and likely the new owner kept up the routine servicing in his four year ownership, although no invoices are held on file.

 

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