Are MLs that bad?

[gIzzE]

Got to say that I didn't have any problems with Build quality, it was just the ride.

 

[fatboab]

I got a new 270CDi ML in March this year.

So far I have been fairly impressed with the build quality - no squeaks or rattles after 7500 miles yet.

It is a comfortable car while travelling on motorways or long fairly straight 'A' class roads but driving around town and country roads is absolutely dreadful. It is very rolly polly around corners and the seats give very little side support to hold you in position. I now use the auto box like a manual around the town as it helps to stiffen up the handling around the corners and roundabouts and reduces the amount of throwing around of passengers.

This is the first car that I have had for many a year that I have had passengers (3 off) in the rear seats complaining of car sickness - one of them being me!

Fuel consumption is also a bit disappointing - the best I have managed is 25.3mpg and this was on a long run with very little town driving.

Would I buy another... no way!

 

[l5foye]

Adam- I reckon you have figured out that MLs generally fall into 2 camps- pre facelift and post facelift ( Austrian built) . £ for £, a ML 2.7CDI is better value than a X5 diesel for essentally the same size of vehicle. I have a 6 speed manual one which I find great (31-34mpg) and much much better than the current shape 3.2 diesel Shogun it replaced. The dealer offered a friend who has a 1yr old 2.7 auto ML to change to a new 2.7 auto ML for £3000- evidence of residual values. Mine has been off road and has performed on standard road tyres better than many other 4x4's on rough tyres. One trick is to have it on 2 wheels (same side!) and then drive off normally- try that in many 4x4's to see what happens. I have just had a E320CDI for the past week and, to be honest, I was glad to get back into the ML. Even our little dog was unsettled in the E320, yet lies perfectly content in the ML. Maybe the dog experts can explain that !!

 

[hash]

hi all we re on our third ml, a 98 s plate very early was crap, a 99 t plate was also poor, we now have a 2003 inspiration 2.7 cdi auto and it's been great bought it new and no problems in 20000 miles other than self inflicted (phone)

so would i buy another, yes but only after it has been in production for a bit!!!

cheers

kenny

 

[fuzzer]

X5 or an X3 , depending on your budget.

The X3 is surprisingly big inside

 

[Richard W]

...<snip>. Get the tool to do the job.

Which (unless you're a farmer, or you live in the country and need the 4wd) is an estate.....

Only kidding, I bought an ML 'cos I was lured in by the 'trendy factor' and I was trying to kid myself that I needed 4wd for the rallying I do. I did 1 rally whilst owning it, which was on tarmac, and found that the true reason for me to get rid of it (apart from the appaling build quality) was that it was no substitute for a car. Look at the comments here about driving them, there's mention of driving with circumspection and allowing for the height and weight of the vehicle.

I would suggest you study how you drive and ask yourself a couple of questions:

1. Do you enjoy driving?

2. Could you live with having to drive slowly?

If the answer to 1. is 'no' or 'not really' and the answer to 2. is 'yes' then I think you could cope with a 4wd. If you enjoy driving and the satisfaction of a car which handles, then don't get a 4wd unless you've got something else in the garage that you can take out for a 'blast' when you get frustrated!

 

[V12]

We have had a 2001 ML270CDI since new, now upto 50,000miles, my mum mainly drives it, and i am one of 6 kids, me and my sister spend a lot of time away from home but other 4 are school age. We have had no failings with the car whatsoever, the navigation went out of sync, had to be reset at a main dealers, but apart from that all usual service work...

My mum loves driving it, i dont mind driving it when i have to, i think it has adequate power and after driving our g-wagen/sprinter or vito, the ML feels like a racing car round corners with the 285/50/18's on!! I have taken it off road on some land we own and it fared very well, but i did get it stuck where i g-wagon never does...(bear in mind it was running the same road tyres)

It is tight on space all round when comparing to our previous e-class estate for the family...but it's mainly used when we do not travel as a whole family as we have a chevrolet day van for those occasions...

Overall, i like it.

 

[V12]

And to all the people who complain about the body roll and stuff...for a 4wd, you can throw this thing around...If you find that this cannot perform well enough for your driving habits, frankley, you shouldn't be on our roads!!

Ricky

 

[Dieter]

Hi,

My pennies worth. I agree with V12, you can throw it around (but not recommended at high(er) speeds ). Pre-facelift models (some not all) were built in Austria. Post facelift models predominantly built in USA .

Had mine 2 1/2 yrs, still doesn't rattle and averages 28.5mpg. 'It does wot it says on the tin' IMHO.

I'll accept that X5. VX90, Lexus etc. drive on road better cos ML was (one of) the first. However this pecking order should change soon with the 'new' ML (ladder frame out, airmatic in etc.).

Get a good test drive (day) and see if it fits YOUR remit.

Cheers,

 

[Richard W]

....snip...i think it has adequate power and after driving our g-wagen/sprinter or vito, the ML feels like a racing car round corners with the 285/50/18's on!!

It is tight on space all round when comparing to our previous e-class estate for the family...

Overall, i like it.

At the risk of taking things out of context here, there seems to be some agreement.....

Power is adequate, when fitted with big wheels the handling is better than a van or dedicated 4wD ...You'd expect it to be wouldn't you...

It's not as big as an E-Class estate....

And to all the people who complain about the body roll and stuff...for a 4wd, you can throw this thing around...If you find that this cannot perform well enough for your driving habits, frankley, you shouldn't be on our roads!!

Yes I agree you can throw the thing about, but when doing that it's still not rewarding to drive quickly as it's been designed as a compromise between on and off-road ability. When throwing it around it's still not capable of travelling as fast as a good estate and the angles of lean which can be achieved are quite disconcerting for passengers. I found the body roll uncomfortable and in comparison with an estate car very uncomfortable for passengers (even makes small ones feel ill).

My opinion is still:

4wDs are a compromised design, if you're prepared to put up with their flaws, then buy one and be happy. Personally I wasn't and sold it for a good estate car which fulfills my wants and needs far better. I'd still have one though, but only an X5, as so far it's the only one I've experienced which gives me the level of on-road ability I'm prepared to accept.

 

[wobbly]

Have had a 2000 320ML Tiptronic for the past year,it has covered 72,000 miles and have enjoyed owning and driving it.
I have owned Land Rovers, Shoguns and a Ford Explorer, and yes the X5 may be a better car, but compared to a similar spec ML, you will pay 8-10K more for the X5.
It is no good comparing the ML to a estate car, it is not, For a four wheel drives the ML handles and performs as it should, it is sure footed and if pushed has good performance.It is comfortable, and have at times I have carried 5 adults, luggage and a rottweiler, in comfort.
As for build quality Ive had no problems, in 18,000 miles I replaced one ignition coil pack. It also returns 21mpg around town.
Overall Im very pleased with the ML

 

[V12]

Richard...

Of course it is not capable of travelling AS FAST as a good estate, but your comparison with an estate is as valid as mine with a vito or a g-wagon! (not very)

The X5 is a high rise estate...Take the two off road...you will see!

It does depend entirely what you want to do with the machine that matters...i think that is something that we all agree on here.

All is in MY PERSONAL OPINION...

BMW drivers can of course disagree

 

[glojo]

I have carried 5 adults, luggage and a rottweiler, in comfort.

Are these the family my daughter lost from her dolls house??

Where on earth did the luggage go? We tried the ML and turned it down mainly because of the disappointing lack of room. My first remark is meant more as humour rather than sarcasm, but my two teenage tall children were cramped in the rear of the ML, solely because the lack of legroom, (plenty of height).

Once our german shephed laid down in the rear of the vehicle there certainly was NOT any spare space. Three adults in the rear seats a very nice Rottweiler (spell checker said one 'l' but I'm not so sure) in the rear compartment??

I am NOT a 4x4 'knocker', each to their own. I respect your choice and you certainly do NOT have to justify it, but I am feeling a tad guilty or perhaps to picky. Were my children be too fussy? How tall\wide? are your five adults. A fully grown 'Rott' is a blooming big dog? Is yours still a pup?

Nice speaking to you,
John

 

[Alfie]

You always get one!!!

Nice to hear about your experience. I note in your signature you state your ML is a 320AMG. I don't doubt you for an instant, but I thought our neighbours was an ML55AMG. Did they make two AMG's?

They no longer offer the AMG in ML spec.

Regards,
John

Its an ML320 with the full AMG bodykit, factory fitted. It also has the extra 18" AMG wheel upgrade, suspension and AMG exhaust factory fitted. It has every extra in the book except COMAND and family pack.The only bit that isnt AMG modified is the engine. The difference is outright performance/economy, boot space (ML55 spare is in the boot), fuel capacity and about £11,000 price difference.

As for build quality its great. I see some on this forum have had bad experiences but mine really is very well sorted with no creaks or rattles.

 

[glojo]

The difference is outright performance/economy, boot space (ML55 spare is in the boot), fuel capacity and about £11,000 price difference.

Hi Alfie,
Thanks for the reply. It is certainly sounds a nice looking vehicle. Has yours got the 'humps' on the bonnet?

I note dealers no longer import the ML55AMG, it certainly makes the typical 'rumble' of the big V8. It would be nice if your AMG exhaust gave the same deep rumble.

Beautiful spec. I should imagine you are in absolutely no hurry to trade it in.

Regards,
John

 

[Alfie]

Hi Alfie,
Thanks for the reply. It is certainly sounds a nice looking vehicle. Has yours got the 'humps' on the bonnet?

I note dealers no longer import the ML55AMG, it certainly makes the typical 'rumble' of the big V8. It would be nice if your AMG exhaust gave the same deep rumble.

Beautiful spec. I should imagine you are in absolutely no hurry to trade it in.

Regards,
John

No humps on bonnet sadly. The exhaust note is certainly different to other 320's i've seen/heard not quite the same as the ML55 though. I guess I'm lucky because it was all factory fitted from new, it didnt compromise the warranty. I might be trading it in soon we'll see. Its only done 16,500 miles though so its barely run in!

 

[Richard W]

...snip...
BMW drivers can of course disagree

I regularly do....

Sorry I had missed the proper glad you took it in the humour with which it was meant

 

[Alfie]

Here is my final point on this;

I had a new Volvo V70 new shape for a while (I know I know, poor choice). The Mercedes ML has a bigger boot in height, width and depth. The tailgate lifts above my head unlike the V70. There is more leg,height,knee arm room in the rear for three adults than the V70. I dont have to bend down to get my young child into his seat. I dont have to bend down to put shopping etc in the boot. I dont have to bend down to get in the car. The ML returns just as good fuel economy as the V70. The ML isnt made by a Ford subsidiary. The ML will still be going long after the V70. Servicing is cheaper for the ML than the V70. The dealerships are better than Volvo aswell.

Now with all the debate about having an estate as opposed to a 4x4, in my experience the ML outperforms the Volvo V70 by far. In fact I cant think of an area where the Volvo bettered the ML!

Still each to his/her own. The ML wins it easily for me but that doesnt mean it wins with everyone.

 

[V12]

Richard W, no hard feelings, i'm sure BM's aren't all THAT bad...

 

[Richard W]

Richard W, no hard feelings, i'm sure BM's aren't all THAT bad...

After an ML it's absolutely..... NO I WON'T GO THERE.......!! you'll just have to try one to find out