Brabus ML270 D4

[Brabusml270]

I'm looking into the purchase of a Brabus ML270 and was after a bit of advise, and guidance?

I've only seen a couple of these advertised with the brabus body kit on so I am assuming they are quite rare? Do any of you guys on her own one? Do they command a premium price as there rare or dies it just make them harder to sell for good money?

Was the brabus styling only possible at the factory or are there 'copies' out there?

I understand that the ml270 cdi is a very thirsty car? Dies the d4 tuning help improve this or just add to the problem? Is it possible to get 30mpg from these vehicles as I've read somewhere or is that just a dream??

Also pics of your ml's would be good as I'm looking at brabus models cause I like the styling however if there are other nice ones out there I may be led in a different direction.

Any thoughts, opinions and pictures are welcome?

Thanks in advance.

 

[gIzzE]

I have owned two, once back in 2003 new and that was chipped for 205bhp and returned 29mpg over the year I had it, and the one I have now is standard, and that is returning 28mpg over the last 15,000 miles.

To be honest it does 26mpg round town and 30 on a long run, pretty consistent.
I can get 34 if I sit at 50mph, but I never do.

As a comparison, my 2010 E350cdi estate returned 33mpg average, and my father's 2010 ML350cdi is averaging 25mpg, so I don't think they are that bad consumption wise.


I chipped my W211 with a Brabus D6 and that went from 34mpg average to 37 average, so I think it does help, you can feel it is far less laboured in the mid range so you are not constantly on the gas, but if you use that extra power it will drink more.


I wouldn't buy a chip for mpg, that will only disappoint.

 

[Brabusml270]

I wouldn't buy a chip for mpg, that will only disappoint.

Looking to buy one with chip already installed hopefully!!

That new one must have set you back a few pennies in 2003 the brabus 2003 is still expensive now seems to command the most money out of the ml's more than AMG. Infact the brabus makes the AMG look common!

 

[gIzzE]

I had a regular ML270, well the Inspiration model, in fact found my old webpage where I had the advert for it hosted when I sold it....

Gizze's ML270cdi for sale! Back in 2004

 

[Brabusml270]

Someone on here must have or know of someone who has a Brabus specked ML or a Brabus anything for that matter?

I've seen one with full Brabus kit on it and D4 engine chip but it's advertised for about £2000 more than you'd expect to see a std ML of equivalent age and mileage etc is this a fair price?

Is Brabus worth the money?

 

[cinek]

Someone on here must have or know of someone who has a Brabus specked ML or a Brabus anything for that matter?

You posted less than 24h ago, so how about giving that 'someone' a chance to answer.

 

[Brabusml270]

You posted less than 24h ago, so how about giving that 'someone' a chance to answer.

Sorry guess I'm just used to busier forums where replies are must faster!!

 

[After Shock]

Think you have hit a busy forum. But with an unusual question.

Replies on here are usually quick and helpful. But if people don't know they don't Bull Sxxt!

 

[Alex]

I'm looking into the purchase of a Brabus ML270 and was after a bit of advise, and guidance? I've only seen a couple of these advertised with the brabus body kit on so I am assuming they are quite rare?

Brabus "bodykit" for ML of that era is nothing but a set of fender flares, bolt on bull bar with a pair of built-in fog lights and a rear styling piece to make exhaust look part of the package. Unlike now, original ML didn't have fancy bumper exhaust cut outs so without it Brabus exhaust looked more like an afterthought. There was also an on-road version of front bumper with a fog/high beam kit and a rear skirt but it was discontinued after the facelift. I liked it better actually. Looked like this:

Do any of you guys on her own one?

Personally, no. Not anymore. I used to own '99 ML320 with that kit but not 270.

Do they command a premium price as there rare or dies it just make them harder to sell for good money?

Not really, Brabus is not a household name in the UK. Most people wouldn't tell the difference between the two (Brabus v. regular ML).

Was the brabus styling only possible at the factory or are there 'copies' out there?

Brabus makes parts. Authorised dealer across the world fit them. When fitted, looks the same. I've seen a copy of the bull-bar on the internet but never in real life.

I understand that the ml270 cdi is a very thirsty car?

A 2.5 tonne 4x4 is a thirsty car regardless of the engine. You don't really buy them for economy.

Dies the d4 tuning help improve this or just add to the problem?

In theory it would improve the mpg somewhat but in real life it's negligible. They are a heavy car, no two ways about it.

Is it possible to get 30mpg from these vehicles as I've read somewhere or is that just a dream??

How heavy is your foot? I get that on average from a V8 ML420 diesel so don't see why not.

Also pics of your ml's would be good as I'm looking at brabus models cause I like the styling however if there are other nice ones out there I may be led in a different direction.

There were at least 8 different companies who did styling for ML W163 but you'll struggle to find them in the UK. There are plenty of pictures on the internet, just search for Expression, Lorinser, A_R_T, Carlsson, Brabus, Fabulous, Hamann, MKB, Wald and "ML". I have a collection but it's on my hard drive and I have no means of sending it out as it's too big. Here's a couple of Brabus brochures to get you started:

Free large file exchange service without size limits

Any thoughts, opinions and pictures are welcome?

Buy one, they are a good car.

 

[Brabusml270]

Thanks for the reply Alx very helpfull. I didn't realise the bits just bolted on I thought the bumpers were completely different! The led side steps are a brabus addition aren't they?

From what you've said I'm getting the impression brabus never really took off in the uk market?

I'll look into the info you supplied see if it gets me any closer to what I want!

Thanks.

 

[Alex]

Thanks for the reply Alx very helpfull. I didn't realise the bits just bolted on I thought the bumpers were completely different! The led side steps are a brabus addition aren't they?

From what you've said I'm getting the impression brabus never really took off in the uk market?

I'll look into the info you supplied see if it gets me any closer to what I want!

Thanks.

Brabus is not as integrated with Mercedes as it is with Smart, where they actually manufacture the parts. Most Brabus kits are subtle add-ons to OEM styling and are not noticeable to an untrained eye. The good thing is they don't ruin the look of the car but on the downside, until very recently they were not made to replace the actual bumpers so you have potential fitment issues. My 08 ML has Brabus off-road kit and don't get me started on the installation. I think my 4 year old would do a better job making the parts. Wheels and running boards are made by other companies for Brabus and don't suffer from this.

 

[WEN]

I have 2 units of 2003/2004 W163 ML 350, and I am looking to buy a ML 270 that has Brabus D4 on its boot.

I am still puzzled after reading this thread, is Brabus D4 a chipped version of ML270 or is it just body kit?

I like my car clean and neat and actually preferred the pre facelift version of ML over the post facelift if not for the reliability issue. To be honest, the D4 that I looking sports a rather ugly bullsbar, my first 2004 ML350 with the shark fin thingy on the bonnet also comes with the original bullsbar which I removed.

It has a four out tail pipes, I haven’t seen the car in real yet, does the exhaust come out from these tail pipes or purely decorative?