Advise on buying a ML

[reggieboy]

Hi can anyone advise on the ML,are they as bad as people say,or do you just hear about the bad ones.
Can anyone point me in the right direction or a previous thread.I have around £7000,which i have saved.
What i am looking for is a good family 4x4 which will take the kids and also tow a 17ft boat in comfort.
Any advise would be appreciated.
Thanks
Reg.

 

[flango]

It's a while ago now but I had a 1998 ML 320 one of the worst cars I have ever owned, still don't know to this day why I bought it, drove like an agricultural vehicle and I'm not sure who had it most me or the dealer. With the money you are looking to spend you will get a lot newer but my bad experience has put me off them for life. When SWMBO was looking for a 4x4 last year I test drove a few again 2002 - 2005 vintage and still hated them with a passion.

If I were looking again and for the reasons you want one it would definitely be a Range Rover or a 7 seat Land Rover Discovery.

Probably not what you wanted to hear but just my experience

 

[The _Don]

Dont

 

[Tim V]

I've had mine for nearly 2 years regularly pulls a 7M RIB with two sets of dive kit.

53 plate ML270 not the most fuel efficient car I've awned but does just what we bought it for.

Tim

 

[reggieboy]

your right i did not want to hear that,as i do like the ML,

 

[h17n dj]

i know a couple of people with an ML! ones a 51 reg ML270 CDI and the other is a 2004 ML320 with the full amg works and loaded up..... both of them have been fine not rele any probs....ive driven the ML320 and it sure does shift but it is a petrol so very thirsty.... but both nice cars...

 

[A210AMG]

Had mine for over 3 years and love it.

ML350 3.7 petrol V6, pulls our caravan like a dream

Mines and inspiration model so nice Seats / AMG bits / dark wood interior.

 

[reggieboy]

Can anyone explain the lux/family extras on the ml,is the family package just extra seats and not to sure on the lux package.
Thanks

 

[dokalj]

Family Pack (Vehicle is not fitted with luggage cover and protective net)
Electric rear ventilation windows
Lockable box (under driver's seat)
Third row of seats (reduces load space)

Luxury Package (standard of the ML500)
Automatically dimming rear-view mirror and driver's exterior mirror
Driver and front passenger seats - electrically adjustable with memories
Heated front seats
Leather upholstery
Leather trimmed steering wheel and gearshift
Walnut wood trim

Details taken from May 2003 brochure

 

[reggieboy]

Dokaij your a star
Thanks

 

[dokalj]

No worries!

 

[A210AMG]

^ Just to add you can take the seats out of the boot if you have the 7 seat option,

Mine are in the loft.

Depending upon your miles don't dismiss the petrols, cheaper to buy and lower miles.

Mines been a great bus so far.

 

[Alex]

I'm on my second ML. Both have been exceptionally reliable, trouble free and great vehicles all round.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

We've had our ML270 almost 6 years now. By far the longest we've had a car. It's been great too. The later the car, the better (in terms of quality).

Don't expect a sports car or Maybach, and instead expect a relatively old-tech ladder frame SUV and it's actually rather good.

We tow a twin axle caravan with ours, and it's a relaxing and stable tow car.

Part of the reason we've kept ours so long is because it's so good, and would need to add a heap of cash to get something signifcantly better for what we use it for.

 

[Gucci]

I owned an ML350 Inspiration 2004 and loved it. Problems = nil. The earlier models (pre-2001) were not as sorted as the newer, facelifted versions...identified by the indicators in the wing mirrors. Petrol = thirsty, but sounds great.

For £7000, the choice between ML and any Land Rover is easy in my mind...ML.

 

[flango]

For £7000, the choice between ML and any Land Rover is easy in my mind...ML.

You are joking the Disco is twice the car an ML will ever be just been to the German F1 GP in ours V8 never missed a beat averaged 21.7 mpg over 1100 miles on shell unleaded My ML 320 struggled to do that, give me the V8 anytime. 7 seater and the largest towing capacity of any 4x4 on the road, blinds the ML in that respect. I came back from London with a Brian James 4 wheel trailer on the back loaded with a BMW 5 series and you did not even know you were towing it was that good.

ML = Mediocre Lump

 

[Gucci]

You are joking the Disco is twice the car an ML will ever be just been to the German F1 GP in ours V8 never missed a beat averaged 21.7 mpg over 1100 miles on shell unleaded My ML 320 struggled to do that, give me the V8 anytime. 7 seater and the largest towing capacity of any 4x4 on the road, blinds the ML in that respect. I came back from London with a Brian James 4 wheel trailer on the back loaded with a BMW 5 series and you did not even know you were towing it was that good.

ML = Mediocre Lump

You stated your experience was based on a 1998 ML - the early bunch were indeed "Mediocre Lumps". Mine was based on a 2004 ML which was totally reliable. £7,000 gets you into one of these. I knew a previous generation Range Rover and Discovery owner, both had major problems. Luck of the drawer I guess.

 

[flango]

You stated your experience was based on a 1998 ML - the early bunch were indeed "Mediocre Lumps". Mine was based on a 2004 ML which was totally reliable. £7,000 gets you into one of these. I knew a previous generation Range Rover and Discovery owner, both had major problems. Luck of the drawer I guess.

I also stated I had experience in 2002 - 2005 vehicles last year and they are still a bag of sh*te, nowhere near the comfort levelsof either the Rangie or Landie. Most RR or LR problems are caused by owners thinking they can short cut maintenance or servicing and it comes back to bite them.

I do accept it is the luck of the draw though I had a 2001 BMW M3 and that was nearly as unreliable as the ML, yet read the reports and forums and they are bullit proof apart from the Vanos issues, guess there is still the Monday morning Friday afternoon build still out there

 

[Gucci]

Now I come to think of it, test driving virtually identical cars can throw up some very different experiences. I tested an ML500 before the ML350 and it felt rattly and cumbersome (sounded nice). The 350 was tighter and seemed better built.

Same scenario with the V50 I just bought. I tested one of same age and it just felt unloved (if you know what I mean). The one I bought is solid and feels like new.

p.s apologies for spelling 'drawer' like a plum

 

[reggieboy]

Thanks to you all.
Is there anything that I should be aware of or to look for that are common faults on the MLs.i do know that they are heavy on the brake pads and discs, ball joints and tyres, but if you shop a round this parts are quite cheap to do your self.