I have a 1998 ML320 W163 from new. 86K on the clock and fully optioned with 7 seats, wheel carrier etc. Average mileage now 5K. Book Value £2.5K
V. Good condition apart from some rust on the wheel arches, front side wings and bottom wing beside the doors. Otherwise a clean car with expected inside wear and tear for the age. Engine very sweet.
Over the 19 years of ownership it has cost me an average of £600 pa excluding tax, insurance and fuel. Need to add that between 2001- 2010 the car was only driven for about a month per year (working overseas) and not serviced. But the last few years components have had to be replaced, springs, steering hose, wiper motor.
Early yesterday I was driving over the North Pennines East through Nenthead. It had been snowing for some time, so the roads were not the best and the gritters were not out of bed yet. The road out of Nenthead is very steep with a 17% gradient going up and a down the other side.
There were cars and trucks parked at the side off the road that had abandon trying to get up the road. I engaged Low Range and 2nd gear and cruised to the top, stopping to ask the parked-up cars and trucks if they were OK. At the top I looked down and saw cars and trucks again parked up waiting for the Gritters before attempting their ascent. There were no tyre tracks going down the hill, so it seemed I was that first since the snow started falling. I engaged 1st in Low Range and went smoothly down, again stopping and asking parked up car and trucks if they were OK.
Have used the W163 extensively over the past year to haul stuff -furniture, concrete paving, garden machinery etc. to holiday home in North Pennines.
ML has done what I needed it to do
So I am considering buying at the end of this year a W167:
/1/ With a 19 year old vehicle I have all the safety and tech. (no GPS but I use paper maps anyway and I gave away my mobile phone in 2000 and never had one since) would I be buying new tech I do not need?
/2/ Will the new GLE W167 have Low Range? – I may need it
/3/ Depreciation and service of new one (£62K) over 5 years mileage @12K pa = £40K
/4/ Keep the W163 just have rust spots attended to (re-spray) and hope there is no major mechanical replacements (£40K/5 = £8K pa) until 110K miles (5years time)?
/5/ Suffer the 18 MPG? £900 saving with the W167.
Would appreciate your thoughts.
To me it is a 50/50 decision
John
V. Good condition apart from some rust on the wheel arches, front side wings and bottom wing beside the doors. Otherwise a clean car with expected inside wear and tear for the age. Engine very sweet.
Over the 19 years of ownership it has cost me an average of £600 pa excluding tax, insurance and fuel. Need to add that between 2001- 2010 the car was only driven for about a month per year (working overseas) and not serviced. But the last few years components have had to be replaced, springs, steering hose, wiper motor.
Early yesterday I was driving over the North Pennines East through Nenthead. It had been snowing for some time, so the roads were not the best and the gritters were not out of bed yet. The road out of Nenthead is very steep with a 17% gradient going up and a down the other side.
There were cars and trucks parked at the side off the road that had abandon trying to get up the road. I engaged Low Range and 2nd gear and cruised to the top, stopping to ask the parked-up cars and trucks if they were OK. At the top I looked down and saw cars and trucks again parked up waiting for the Gritters before attempting their ascent. There were no tyre tracks going down the hill, so it seemed I was that first since the snow started falling. I engaged 1st in Low Range and went smoothly down, again stopping and asking parked up car and trucks if they were OK.
Have used the W163 extensively over the past year to haul stuff -furniture, concrete paving, garden machinery etc. to holiday home in North Pennines.
ML has done what I needed it to do
So I am considering buying at the end of this year a W167:
/1/ With a 19 year old vehicle I have all the safety and tech. (no GPS but I use paper maps anyway and I gave away my mobile phone in 2000 and never had one since) would I be buying new tech I do not need?
/2/ Will the new GLE W167 have Low Range? – I may need it
/3/ Depreciation and service of new one (£62K) over 5 years mileage @12K pa = £40K
/4/ Keep the W163 just have rust spots attended to (re-spray) and hope there is no major mechanical replacements (£40K/5 = £8K pa) until 110K miles (5years time)?
/5/ Suffer the 18 MPG? £900 saving with the W167.
Would appreciate your thoughts.
To me it is a 50/50 decision
John
Some nice discounts here 
