2005 ML270 CDI - What to look for

[thefair1973]

Hi All, First post as I'm not actually a MB owner (yet).

I'm off to see a 2005 '05' ML270 on Friday and just wondered if there was anything I should be looking out for when inspecting and driving the vehicle? It is a pre-current facelift model (not sure what number that makes it)

It's done around 22000 miles, which is pretty low for a car 4 years old, and has full MBSH, with the next service due in 5000 miles or so. I'm just after an idea of whether the next service should be a big one, roughly what they cost and any pointers of what I should look for inside & out when testing the car and anything that should have been changed during servicing has been done. I understand that there are a few reliability issues with the ML, but was hoping that they had been ironed out by 2005.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[A210AMG]

Hello

The facelifted models are pretty sorted, I've had one for over 2 years now and love it. I went for the Inspiration model (a special that had some AMG goodies, nicer leather, chrome bits etc)

I would check it over as you would any car, check the stamps in the book, brake discs take a hammering and can be expensive if you use a dealer so try to check the discs and pads. Press all the buttons and make sure everything works. Check the gearbox kickdown, tiptronic and even test the low range.

I was told to go for the family pack and lux pack, so I have the dark rear windows, opening rear windows, 7 seat option, etc etc

Its a W163 model they started life around 1998 and first ones were pecieved to have issues (saying that my father inlaw has a 2000 ML270cdi and its been fine), Around 2001 they facelifted them with indicators in mirrors and many more upgrades / changes. Around 2005-6 they changed it completly and its then called a W164.

I love mine, do few miles (6 to 7k) a year so went for petrol (ML350) which is a 3.7 V6, that does between 17 and 28mpg, a 270cdi does over 30mpg on a run. I use an indy as the labour charges at dealers is crazy. Smaller service (a) £200, last service (b) including MOT and repair to speed sensor casusing the ABS / ESR light to be on was £300.

 

[mercedes lover]

I just got an ML320 2001 Y reg I am very very happy with it so far. I think they're great cars and all though there are many people slate them, you will find many happy owners.

 

[Barney9304]

Such as me with a 2005 ml 270cdi

 

[thefair1973]

is there a link anywhere to what all the switches on the centre console do? This doesnt have COMAND in it, just the stereo that looks like it came out of a 1995 Escort (what were they thinking on a 2005 car????). I have seen a pic of a car that has a lot of switches lined up under the aircon controls area - ESP, rear wiper etc. The one I'm seeing on Friday doesnt have a complete row - is that where the electric 3rd row windows sit?

Barney - as yours is the same year, anything problematic I should look out for that you've experienced?

 

[A210AMG]

Hello

If its a casette unit in may well have a disk changer in the boot. Another thing to check if it has the safe under the drivers seat is that you have the keys for it. Its a handy thing to have.

Here is a picture of my buttons which I think has all the options? heated seats, extra opening rear windows.

 

[mercedes lover]

That lock up box is good. I have that pants looking stereo, the idiot dealer I bought it from told me had no CD auto changer just played tapes, 2 days after I got the car home I looked everywhere and what did I find a 6 CD auto changer :bannana: Can't believe after asking the dealer twice if it had one and them saying it didn't, I find one.

 

[thefair1973]

it's the buttons with the '3' on it that this one is missing, but as I dont have a third row of seats, I can live without an extra set of electric wondows. The other buttons are all there. Is there dual-zone aircon or just single zone? also, where will the CD Autochanger normally be located? Glovebox or boot?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

In the ML there's front/rear aircon/heater controls as standard, but not left/right - or at least I've never seen a car with left/right.

As pointed out already, brakes take a hammering and are expensive.

Listen for rattley cats, again expensive if you need them - they can get damaged off road.

Check operation of rear centre seat belt as they're prone to being over sensitive, and are a bit awkward to work on.

Check for rust around the release lever on the tailgate - best open the tailgate so the bottom edge is at eye level so you're looking under the handle that runs across the top of the number plate. You're looking for rust specifically around the release lever - not the handle.

Cost of service will depend upon what the computer says. Press the odometer trip button twice in quick succession and it will tell you how many miles to the next service - one spanner means small A service, two spanners means larger B service.

Shop around negotiate and supply your own oil and you should get the A service for about £130 and the B service for about £220 - that's an MB main dealer. You may get it a touch cheaper if you work them hard.

Finally, budget for a brake fluid change at the next service.

PS You can sort the stereo no problem, get a nice secondhand Becker Mexico off ebay - it will cost tuppence, will match the look of the interior, and will transform sound quality!!

 

[Smiley]

On a low mileage 4 yr old car I would ask the seller what "full MBSH" really means - is it one service two years ago at 15,000 miles or is it four services one each yr? My bet would be the former. In which case it needs a B service now despite the low miles - imho.

 

[thefair1973]

I just spoke to the dealer and it was serviced in Jan 2007 @ 10000 miles, Jan 2008 @ 15000 miles both @ MB main dealers and service was due in Jan 09. He is now going to service it tomorrow @ MB Specialist, so should be issue-free for a while at least (touching wood).

Do the ML270's have a trip computer, or is that only available in those fitted with COMAND?

 

[A210AMG]

Hello

The computer was an option, it fits in the light console at the top near the rear view mirror. Also where the garage door opener and sunroof buttons would be.

No too bothered about a trip computer I can watch the needle drop in almost real time

 

[thefair1973]

I took the plunge and bought one on Saturday. '54' plate ML270 and collecting it on Friday, so can't wait. DOes anyone know if you can download the owners manual from anywhere so I can familiarise myself with the bits&bobs so I'm not fiddling with stuff all the way down the M1???

 

[A210AMG]

Hello

Great news, nothing I think is out of the ordinary. If you press the mirror button either left or right when you put it in reverse the mirror drops to the side you have it on which is nice...

The safe under the seat is handy, make sure you get the two keys. I found this by accident..

Gearbox is nice, tiptronic handy. If bobbing on and you come to a round about keep the lever over to the left and it changes to a lower gear. Or you can flick it down / up D, 4 ,3, 2, 1 etc..


Shame the mirrors don't fold automatically like on many cars now, but one button does that on the centre console.


If you leave the lights on 'Auto' they come on at dusk and go off etc, nice touch when you park the fogs stay on to guide to home etc..


Other than that enjoy the car and post some pics

 

[thefair1973]

Thanks A210AMG.

Quick question - as I'll have 50+ miles of M1 to cruise, how do I trun the cruise control on? As for the safe - I didnt even look under the seat, so not sure if tehre is one. If there's no keys, do you know if they can be ordered via MB?

Looking forward to hopefully getting years of trouble free motoring.

 

[Piff]

Thanks A210AMG.

Quick question - as I'll have 50+ miles of M1 to cruise, how do I trun the cruise control on? As for the safe - I didnt even look under the seat, so not sure if tehre is one. If there's no keys, do you know if they can be ordered via MB?

Looking forward to hopefully getting years of trouble free motoring.

Cruise control on separate stalk on steering column. Very intuitive - probably one of the easiest to use.

 

[A210AMG]

Hello

The little stalk on the left is the cruise.

At your set speed move the stalk upwards and it keeps the speed. Remove foot from pedal and rest it by side (I always keep my foot close just in case)

You can accelerate and slow down slightly using the stalk, pressing the brake will knock it off completely or push it away from you.

You can also set a speed limit (I've never done this as don't think its safe)

Accelerate by pushing the stalk up (as if using an indicator to turn right) keep holding it up and it will even change down a cog


Love cruise so handy in roadworks, and pretty much everywhere else for that matter.

As above it does seem very easy compared to some cars cruise control. Get use to it on a quite road first as if you have never had it it may feel odd...

 

[thefair1973]

Thanks guys, much appreciated. Looking forward to being an active member of these forums. Out of interest, why are there no model-specific forums? I.e why dont they break the forums down to say A, B, C, E, G, M, R, S-class etc and then have the various areas of discussion, such as electrics, engines etc under each class?

 

[A210AMG]

Hello

Theres an American one that does that, quite neat idea.

I tend to like just clicking on 'new posts' and read about other things though so its quite nice.