I ask to know your wisdom oh learned ones....

[Ianb2010]

Hey guys, hopefully you guys can either give me a boot towards owning a Merc, or a strong hoof in the opposite direction...

I drive a manual focus estate at the moment that I had before I got married, wife doesn't like driving it and now whats mine is 'ers we are looking at shifting the focus and entering into the more 'raised' world of bigger cars - 4x4's, or in this case ML270's.

We've started our own business so money is a bit tight, but I've see a lot of nice looking 2005 ish ML's slightly less than 100k and for less than £5k.... I'm just wondering if it's as simple as that to become a Merc owner, or whether I should be preparing a solid contingency fund incase stuff that ain't supposed to go bang, does go bang... or vice versa...*Edit* - I know that is sort of the risk with every vehicle, but I'm just wondering if Mercs or ML's in particular are more expensive to work on or get parts for... *Edit*

Hope you can help

Ian

 

[markjay]

Like with other marques.... avoid unnecessary complicated electronic options or clever suspension and opt for a basic model. Same with engine... a smaller (DPF-less, if Diesel) engine, etc. Keep it simple and and you'll be fine... incidentally, the Mercedes 5-Gear automatic gearboxes are very reliable. And establish a relationship with a good local Mercedes specialist who will service the car properly. I am sure that one of the ML gurus will be able to provide more specific advise...

 

[renault12ts]

*DPF* Diesel Particulate Filter.

 

[Ianb2010]

hmmm definitely know a lot about DPF's having manage to avoid them with the focus. I'm not sure when they came in for Mercedes, but I know with the focus it was around 2007-2008, I had one of the last models before DPF's

 

[markjay]

*DPF* Diesel Particulate Filter.

Thanks - corrected.

 

[clk320x]

hmmm definitely know a lot about DPF's having manage to avoid them with the focus. I'm not sure when they came in for Mercedes, but I know with the focus it was around 2007-2008, I had one of the last models before DPF's

2005 as in facelift?

 

[Ianb2010]

2005 as in facelift?

I don't think so, seen then ranging from 2001-2005 (ish)

 

[Yugguy]

If money is tight I'd stick with the Ford and then perhaps fund a better car through the business once you're established.

 

[Meldrew2]

Good tough car, lots of room, and as long as you get a decent independent garage the servicing isn't too pricey. I'd certainly go for a late W163 over an early W164.

05 is also before the hike in road tax bands.

Look for corrosion at bottom back corner of front wings and tailgate (especially round handle). Flaking paint on the rear pillar trims is easily fixed with a bit of vinyl wrap.

Inside is pretty tough, but the trim at the side of the front seats (where the switches for electric seats are) breaks loose at the rear fixing. A long machine screw and washer is a cheap fix.

 

[SL300-24]

^^ as above^^ If you don't do many miles stick with the petrol 3.2 or 3.7 V6 is a pretty bullet proof engine. Gearboxes are tough, check for leaks underneath. They are thirsty beasts around town about 20mpg nearer 30mpg on a motorway run. Diesels more economical and more potential troubles. Also watch for corrosion on rear wheel arches. Inspiration model is nice with black wood and AMG ML55 seats for better support. 7 seaters have opening rear side windows and command a slight premium.

 

[NDFR]

Find a good Independent in your area if you're not planning to DIY it.

 

[Ianb2010]

Please excuse my ignorance on the mercedes subject, but are you mostly suggesting I avoid the 270 and go for at least the 320 (petrol).

Certainly opens the options up a little... I know with diesels that 100k miles is pretty avg, could the same be said for a mercedes petrol engine then?

We don't do massive mileage, less than 10k a year probably, and we also have a van which tends to do a lot of the daily stuff, so this would be more to give the wife something she likes driving (with it being auto and up higher etc), I don't want her to give up driving altogether if the focus worries her.

A quick scount on auto trader and there are a lot of petrols available less than £3-4k, most with service history...

 

[Stratman]

In my very humble and personal opinion, there's nowt wrong with a petrol ML.

Heavy on fuel they may be , but that's mitigated by your low mileage and cheaper fuel. The diesels also have their own particular problems, not least 'black death' (look it up, there's plenty on it). There's also the inlet manifold swirl flaps which can go on strike and are a monumental pain to repair. I exaggerate a bit, but the instructions may as well start with "Remove the rear bumper".

As ever, buy on condition.

 

[Ianb2010]

hahaha, remove rear bumper!

Hmmm I have heard of the dreaded swirl flaps on bmw's, but as it may appear, my knowledge on Mercedes is poor.

I suppose the other bonus of a petrol is that there is less cost up front as I know diesels in all brands tend to be higher value that petrols...

Plus who knows what the gov is going to do regarding diesels..... (probably give everyone owning them £10k just to scrap them just after I've sold and bought a petrol...knowing my luck)...

 

[219]

Please excuse my ignorance on the mercedes subject, but are you mostly suggesting I avoid the 270 and go for at least the 320 (petrol).

Certainly opens the options up a little... I know with diesels that 100k miles is pretty avg, could the same be said for a mercedes petrol engine then?

We don't do massive mileage, less than 10k a year probably, and we also have a van which tends to do a lot of the daily stuff, so this would be more to give the wife something she likes driving (with it being auto and up higher etc), I don't want her to give up driving altogether if the focus worries her.

A quick scount on auto trader and there are a lot of petrols available less than £3-4k, most with service history...

Indeed : no less than Setright put it in print that ' since Mercedes-Benz petrol engines were just as well made as their Diesel engines , they last just as long ' .

My 300TE-24 managed 380,000 miles on its original engine , and a further 60,000 on its second engine before being written off by an uninsured driver . I've lost count of the other cars I've taken well north of 200K , but my 272K W114 280E deserves an honourable mention .

 

[Ianb2010]

Thanks very much for the info guys, definitely food for thought and I know as someone mentioned purchase based on condition, but it's definitely nice to know there is some confidence backing the ML's...

...now just have to find a potential purchase