Buying a M Class

[abecketts]

I've been to look at 2 M class and wondered of folks experiences in using them for day to day work.

I need towing ability for the farm of 3.5 tonnes and also something to get around as an everyday vehicle i'll be doing around 20k per annum.

As a first look a garage local to me has a ML280CDI and a ML300CDI in stock and i've had a good look at both with the intention of a test drive tomorrow.

The 280 on paper seems to be more polluting and less fuel efficient than the larger engine car for those that tow is that something you took into account when buying?

What should I look out for as issues? The 280 is a 57 plate with 92k and the 300 is a 58 plate with 82k

Thanks


Paul

 

[bullbars]

I had an 06 W164 ML320 CDI, which had over 100K on the clock when I part exed it.

When I bought it, the choice was ML280CDI or ML320CDI; these were later updated to ML300CDI and ML350CDI if I recall correctly. If I remember, they are all 3.0 v6 diesels just with varying states of tune. I went for the 320 since by comparison the 280CDI was ponderously slow. I seriously doubt that there is much in it by way of fuel consumption.

I had no major faults on mine, except a mysterious, intermittent problem that seemed like the car was hitting the rev limiter sometimes when accelerating; it would then sometimes go into limp home mode on the ECU which would reset after turning off the ignition. MB of Swindon couldn't find anything wrong despite several attempts and never fixed it; I have since learned from a local MB specialist that this could have been a problem with oil seals on the turbo, and is apparently a common issue on that engine, which can only be solved by a new turbo (likely to be £3k-ish I reckon, so I had a lucky escape). Check for this fault by accelerating onto a dual carriageway or similar, the engine will jerk as if hitting a rev limiter (at only half revs) when changing from 4th to 5th IIRC.

Now I think about it, the power tailgate would sometimes have a wobbly and not close properly, so I'd recommend checking anything electrical very carefully.

I think I got 26-28mpg out of mine, mostly motorway miles.

 

[abecketts]

I had an 06 W164 ML320 CDI, which had over 100K on the clock when I part exed it.

When I bought it, the choice was ML280CDI or ML320CDI; these were later updated to ML300CDI and ML350CDI if I recall correctly. If I remember, they are all 3.0 v6 diesels just with varying states of tune. I went for the 320 since by comparison the 280CDI was ponderously slow. I seriously doubt that there is much in it by way of fuel consumption.

I had no major faults on mine, except a mysterious, intermittent problem that seemed like the car was hitting the rev limiter sometimes when accelerating; it would then sometimes go into limp home mode on the ECU which would reset after turning off the ignition. MB of Swindon couldn't find anything wrong despite several attempts and never fixed it; I have since learned from a local MB specialist that this could have been a problem with oil seals on the turbo, and is apparently a common issue on that engine, which can only be solved by a new turbo (likely to be £3k-ish I reckon, so I had a lucky escape). Check for this fault by accelerating onto a dual carriageway or similar, the engine will jerk as if hitting a rev limiter (at only half revs) when changing from 4th to 5th IIRC.

Now I think about it, the power tailgate would sometimes have a wobbly and not close properly, so I'd recommend checking anything electrical very carefully.

I think I got 26-28mpg out of mine, mostly motorway miles.

much appreciated, i've just been reading about the turbo issue and it all comes down to a seal that costs a few pence. Appreciate the guidance on how to test it from a test drive perspective.

 

[bullbars]

By the way, I don't think it was just under full acceleration, just brisk acceleration. I used to work in Maidenhead, and it would often happen on my way home, either pulling on to the A404(M), or onto the M4. Not exactly convenient if trying to aim for a gap in the traffic.....! Don't know why MB Swindon couldn't identify it if it's a common issue, but then I have been less than impressed with them in the past on many things which would probably be a thread in itself!

 

[Deleted member 37751]

The W164 was initially the ML 280 CDi and the ML320 CDI, both of which were the V6. This changed around late 2009/59 plate with the 2010MY facelift to the ML300 CDI and the ML350 CDi. Both had negligible power increases of about 5bhp iirc.

First thing you'll notice when you drive is the near-suicidal lag in the gearbox from a standstill, I've owned numerous Mercedes with the 7G box and for some reason the delay in engaging first gear seemed worse on the ML.

Decent enough drive, if a little wallowy, doesn't really excel at any one thing but isn't bad either. I owned two; a facelift ML350 and before that the 420 V8 CDi which was a peach of an engine, shame the gearbox couldn't match it.

 

[gIzzE]

Yeah, every one seems to notice the on/off switch action of the accelerator when they first get the ML.

I read about that loads before I drove one, I just don't get why it is like that?

 

[zipdip]

Well if I were you I would look for your M class car in Essex,not around the corner in Wiltshire,you can bet those cars have been doing heavy work,where as the cars in Essex will have only driven on road and never been near a farm

 

[MercedesDriver]

Well if I were you I would look for your M class car in Essex,not around the corner in Wiltshire,you can bet those cars have been doing heavy work,where as the cars in Essex will have only driven on road and never been near a farm

...because in Essex we luv our 4x4s

 

[abecketts]

Yeah, every one seems to notice the on/off switch action of the accelerator when they first get the ML. I read about that loads before I drove one, I just don't get why it is like that?

I'll look out for the experience tomorrow afternoon

 

[abecketts]

Well if I were you I would look for your M class car in Essex,not around the corner in Wiltshire,you can bet those cars have been doing heavy work,where as the cars in Essex will have only driven on road and never been near a farm

Being Essex born and bred should I chuckle or be standing up for gods own country...

Seriously, I've only found one with a tow bar fitted which means around £500 to spend fitting one.

 

[kid-jensen]

Just to give another owner's view, I have never noticed any lag in the Auto from standstill, and generally find the box very responsive. Maybe you have to be a bit "positive" with the accelerator to get it to change down, but otherwise no problems at all.

Or maybe I have the only good one?

Not very likely given my usual luck. Could be I've just got used to driving Autos only for 40-odd years and don't notice anymore...

I've had no other problems with mine apart from parking sensors (tenner each on ebay)

I don't like the utilitarian look of the brushed alluminium trim, so I vinyl-wrapped it in woodgrain. Makes a huge difference out of all proportion to the minimal cost.

I do get quite a violent side-to-side oscillation on bumpy roads which is very irritating and bad for my neck, but that could be something as simple as worn Anti-roll bar bushes, or even over stiff sidewalls on the tyres....One day I'll look into it..

I get between 26 and 32 mpg in local/motorway driving, but the BIG annoyance for me is the 500 quid "Road" Tax!

 

[gIzzE]

The lag is the map on the throttle it is above linear on the W164, you get used to it really quickly, but if you jump from one car to another it is very noticeable.

The ML map is like the red line, this has been discussed on the US forums a fair bit, many think it is to make such a big car feel more responsive, which is probably true, but most mercs are like the blue line, and in C mode many actually go up at less than 45º so it is very smooth around town until around 50% when it then goes up at a much faster rate.

 

[zipdip]

Being Essex born and bred should I chuckle or be standing up for gods own country...

Seriously, I've only found one with a tow bar fitted which means around £500 to spend fitting one.

I rest my case :bannana: this county is a gold mine for underused 4x4 as you say no tow hitch,

 

[abecketts]

Test drove the m280 seemed sluggish but I am comparing a 1700kg w210 with 204bhp to a 2110kg 190bhp w164 so perhaps the e320 drive tomorrow will be better.

Beyond the throttle being far more instant than my e class I didn't feel I had any issues with the gearbox.

Plastic trim seems cheap by comparison to the w210 or am I being picky?

Enjoyed the driving position but there was a little of the side to side shake mentioned earlier, with the state of roads in wiltshire that might be a concern

 

[gIzzE]

There is a slight delay with the gearbox and engine, but it is the throttle delay that makes it stand out.


Yeah the plastics really do let it down, the W163 was much nicer in this regard.

Also the steering wheel is a bit thin, which makes the car feel cheaper, I would consider getting a retrimmed one from Royals, £100 and makes all the difference to overall feel imho.

 

[abecketts]

Looked at a Ml320 today it had tyre pressure monitoring fitted but not working as the error message showed, is it an easy fix or something I ought to walk away from?

 

[gIzzE]

Did you check the pressures and reset it?

 

[abecketts]

Ah, learning point for me, I'd just assumed it was a fault, when I go back for a test drive I will do that cheers

 

[davidjpowell]

From my own personal experience I've found the 3.0 v6 engine and gearbox to be unreliable and costly to fix. All 3 of them have given me big bills, two of them transmission related. I'd be hesitant if I had to tow to capacity with one.

Personally I'd look at LR Disco or RangeRover (but owning one gives me blinkers). If I really have to remove blinkers I'd look at the Japanese alternatives.

 

[DieselPete]

I always thought the v6 was bomb proof. A good friend is a mechanic for the welsh ambulance service and the mercedes ambulances use the v6 some have more than 400,000 miles on and they have not had many problems with them at all. Considering they have to haul 5 tons and get there teeth kicked in thats not bad imo. Iv not longed joined this site and one thing iv learned is mercedes build quaility is not as good as i thought tho.