2012 onwards ML350 Bluetec

[Oli]

Would be interested to hear from owners what they're like?, I was thinking about getting a slightly older GL but would rather have the later generation ML for not a lot more money. From what I've read they seem to have pretty positive reviews and are all Euro 6 so I shouldn't need to worry about banning/taxation issues in the near future?.
Lastly how rare is it to find one with Airmatic and the On/Off road pack?, as with these it should more or less match the capability of my RR Sport hopefully without the endless and frustrating bills!.

 

[prm]

Would be interested to hear from owners what they're like?, I was thinking about getting a slightly older GL but would rather have the later generation ML for not a lot more money. From what I've read they seem to have pretty positive reviews and are all Euro 6 so I shouldn't need to worry about banning/taxation issues in the near future?.
Lastly how rare is it to find one with Airmatic and the On/Off road pack?, as with these it should more or less match the capability of my RR Sport hopefully without the endless and frustrating bills!.

I've got the standard ML350 bluetec sport, had it 2 years now (2013). Have to say it's been a great car, servicing a bit pricey, but only £270 road tax and 40+ mpg on a run, drops to 27 towing a caravan though lol.

 

[prm]

I've got the standard ML350 bluetec sport, had it 2 years now (2013). Have to say it's been a great car, servicing a bit pricey, but only £270 road tax and 40+ mpg on a run, drops to 27 towing a caravan though lol.

Also,, I quite fancied a rr sport, but was scared off by so many people, but they keep buying them, go figure lol

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Aromatic and off road package aren't common options on the ML so finding the right car with both may take some time. Do you really need the off road package, because even without it, the ML will deal with anything a typical driver will ever come across on or off road. There's always an exception to the rule though.

Generally though the GL and ML are both great cars, but getting into the W166/X166 would be best if budget allows, as it feels even more refined in every respect.

 

[Oli]

40 MPG is good!, I'm getting about 25 MPG out of my 2.7 TDV6 RRS without towing anything!.

I used to do a bit of green laning for fun occasionally, but now I do genuinely need some off road ability as I have to go into some quarries and sites which can be quite tricky in winter or after heavy rain, I've needed to use low range in the RRS a good few times so would rather have it than not in an ML, to be fair I'm not in a huge rush though so can wait for the right car.

 

[Abb]

We too have one and think its a great all round car. Not managed more than 32 on a run, mid 20's around the doors, its a 350 bluetc sport. Finding one with some options ticked is the hardest bit, I found most are quite poorly specced when they class power folding mirrors as an optional extra as part of the mirror package.
Recently carried out some cosmetic changes to ours, I would say go for it but look for a well maintained, decent specced one.
When it comes to extras make a list of 'must haves' and 'nice to have' to assist in your search.
I would definitely recommend you get one with ILS, as halogens were standard. My brother has one with halogens and ours has ILS and the difference is pretty incredible.

 

[Abb]

Some pics

https://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/bodywork/220657-ml-350-w166-so-far.html

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

40 MPG is good!, I'm getting about 25 MPG out of my 2.7 TDV6 RRS without towing anything!.

I used to do a bit of green laning for fun occasionally, but now I do genuinely need some off road ability as I have to go into some quarries and sites which can be quite tricky in winter or after heavy rain, I've needed to use low range in the RRS a good few times so would rather have it than not in an ML, to be fair I'm not in a huge rush though so can wait for the right car.

Sounds like you're the exception

I visited a quarry around 10 years ago, and they had only recently stopped using Renault 4 to get around the quarry, as it could get to anywhere their Land Cruiser could get to! Maybe you need the GL, so you have a big boot to keep a Renault 4 in!

 

[Oli]

Sounds like you're the exception

I visited a quarry around 10 years ago, and they had only recently stopped using Renault 4 to get around the quarry, as it could get to anywhere their Land Cruiser could get to! Maybe you need the GL, so you have a big boot to keep a Renault 4 in!

Well I did have a Renault 5 as my first car so it would be more or less full circle!.
Out of choice I'd probably have a GL but I'd rather have a newer shape ML with newer interior, comand and Euro 6 compliant than the older shape GL, as the new shape GL is unfortunately out of budget.
I'm also guessing the ML 250 is a bit coarse and not as pleasant to drive as the 350, I've driven the 250 engine in a C Class and thought that compared to the V6.

 

[Bigdrew]

We too have one and think its a great all round car. Not managed more than 32 on a run, mid 20's around the doors, its a 350 bluetc sport. Finding one with some options ticked is the hardest bit, I found most are quite poorly specced when they class power folding mirrors as an optional extra as part of the mirror package.
Recently carried out some cosmetic changes to ours, I would say go for it but look for a well maintained, decent specced one.
When it comes to extras make a list of 'must haves' and 'nice to have' to assist in your search.
I would definitely recommend you get one with ILS, as halogens were standard. My brother has one with halogens and ours has ILS and the difference is pretty incredible.

If you only get one with standard halogens you can always put a
hid kit in it the whole kit can fit into the light housing that's what I
did on mine without any problems certainly a whole lot of a difference
had my ML for about 2 years been very good and reliable engine has a
good bit of poke for its size

 

[steeevo]

Just picked up a 62 plate 350 bluetec and love it, I test drove the 250 and it just lacked overall power and felt like it was working too hard, when I drove the 350 I was sold.