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Buying an ML320 - what to watch for?

A

A1GSS

Active Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2010
Messages
138
Location
Saffron Walden, Essex
<div class="bbWrapper">Hi all,<br /> <br /> Am thinking of an ML320 CDi SE or Sport as my next MB, would welcome any suggestions or comments from Forum members who've owned and run one of these for a while.<br /> <br /> My money would get me a 55 plate, or maybe an 06 or 56 with higher miles.<br /> <br /> I'm especially interested in info on spec changes to watch for, problems, things that go wrong at higher miles, all that kind of stuff. <br /> <br /> What extras are worth while?<br /> <br /> Any recommendations where to buy?<br /> <br /> <br /> Thanks</div>
 
<div class="bbWrapper">I was seriously looking to buy a 164 ML not so long ago, but the lack of a 7 seat option put me off.<br /> <br /> Other than that- I would have one tomorrow. <br /> <br /> I had an extended test drive in a 320 CDi Sport and it was brilliant. Looked especially well in black. <br /> <br /> Spec to go for, well COMAND is always popular. My own personal preference would be heated/ memory seats, parking sensors, COMAND, side steps. Airmatic would be nice as well, but it seems to have been quite a rare option.<br /> <br /> What's your budget?</div>
 
<div class="bbWrapper">Please read this if you are looking at a 55 or 06 plate.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/87154-320-cdi-main-crankshaft-bearing-failure.html" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/87154-320-cdi-main-crankshaft-bearing-failure.html</a></div>
 
<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="" data-quote="sweetpea" data-source="post: 1250837" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/goto/post?id=1250837" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1250837">sweetpea said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> ...What's your budget? </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> <br /> About 17k.</div>
 
<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="" data-quote="wobbly" data-source="post: 1250848" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/goto/post?id=1250848" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1250848">wobbly said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Please read this if you are looking at a 55 or 06 plate...<a href="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/87154-320-cdi-main-crankshaft-bearing-failure.html" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">l</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> Hi, does this issue only surface on those plates, ie is it fixed on 56 plate cars and later? <br /> <br /> Thanks</div>
 
<div class="bbWrapper">My E320 has the same V6 CDi that is in the ML and it's just turned 130k. Even though it's a cliche, it really does drive as though it's done 30k. <br /> <br /> Like I'm sure you know, £17k should buy you a nice Sport with decentish mileage. Personally I think that the Sport looks a lot better compared to the SE, yet there doesn't seem much difference in price for some reason?</div>
 
<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="" data-quote="antoniasdad" data-source="post: 1250926" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/goto/post?id=1250926" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1250926">antoniasdad said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Hi, does this issue only surface on those plates, ie is it fixed on 56 plate cars and later? <br /> <br /> Thanks </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> I was told it was 2006 engines, but I know of someone who has a late 2005 vehicle with the same problem.<br /> <blockquote data-attributes="" data-quote="sweetpea" data-source="post: 1250931" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/goto/post?id=1250931" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1250931">sweetpea said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Like I'm sure you know, £17k should buy you a nice Sport with decentish mileage. Personally I think that the Sport looks a lot better compared to the SE, yet there doesn't seem much difference in price for some reason? </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> I wanted a ML with full leather, so it had to be the SE, but I fitted it with the larger 19&quot; Sports wheels. Best of both worlds.</div>
 
<div class="bbWrapper">Make sure you get to spend a bit of time in the Sport model before you part with your money, I couldn't get on with the seats in it so went for an SE.<br /> <br /> Matt</div>
 
<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="" data-quote="wobbly" data-source="post: 1250945" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/goto/post?id=1250945" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1250945">wobbly said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> ... ML with full leather, so it had to be the SE, ... </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> Does the Sport not always have leather? <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f615.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":confused:" title="Confused :confused:" data-smilie="5"data-shortname=":confused:" /> Seems crazy. Right, good tip, thanks! <img src="/styles/mbclub/smilies/thumb.gif" class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":thumb:" title="Thumb :thumb:" data-shortname=":thumb:" /><br /> <br /> Prices for SE and Sport seem very similar.</div>
 
<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="" data-quote="antoniasdad" data-source="post: 1250993" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/goto/post?id=1250993" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1250993">antoniasdad said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Does the Sport not always have leather? <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f615.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":confused:" title="Confused :confused:" data-smilie="5"data-shortname=":confused:" /> Seems crazy. Right, good tip, thanks! <img src="/styles/mbclub/smilies/thumb.gif" class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":thumb:" title="Thumb :thumb:" data-shortname=":thumb:" /><br /> <br /> Prices for SE and Sport seem very similar. </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote> They have a half suede/half leather interior. <br /> <br /> I know someone about the same size as me that has a full leather interior skin though....<img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" /></div>
 
<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="" data-quote="ucr" data-source="post: 1250994" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/goto/post?id=1250994" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1250994">ucr said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Big Fuel Bills !!!!!! </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> Average 28.8 mpg, not bad for a 4 wheel drive 3 litre turbo diesel.<br /> <br /> Which is probably a lot more than a C36.</div>
 
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<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="" data-quote="antoniasdad" data-source="post: 1250993" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/goto/post?id=1250993" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1250993">antoniasdad said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Does the Sport not always have leather? <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f615.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":confused:" title="Confused :confused:" data-smilie="5"data-shortname=":confused:" /> Seems crazy. Right, good tip, thanks! <img src="/styles/mbclub/smilies/thumb.gif" class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":thumb:" title="Thumb :thumb:" data-shortname=":thumb:" /><br /> <br /> Prices for SE and Sport seem very similar. </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> Sport only comes with half leather half alcantera.</div>
 
<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="" data-quote="robpow" data-source="post: 1250950" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/goto/post?id=1250950" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1250950">robpow said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Make sure you get to spend a bit of time in the Sport model before you part with your money, I couldn't get on with the seats in it so went for an SE.<br /> <br /> Matt </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> Matt, good tip. I drove a Sport yesterday for two hours. It had 21&quot; rims... <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f631.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":eek:" title="Eek! :eek:" data-smilie="9"data-shortname=":eek:" /><br /> <br /> Hard, crashy ride, no clutch foot rest and I couldn't get comfortable. SE trials on Wednesday.</div>
 
<div class="bbWrapper">Just tried the SE version...<br /> <br /> On the positive side - fantastically more comfortable than the &quot;Sport&quot; version, shares the Sport's attributes being seemingly well made, roomy, great stereo, good ride, lively performance once you get it going, visibility pretty good with no big blind spots. No side steps, yay.<br /> <br /> On the downside - very odd gearbox ratios in 1/2/3 makes it sluggish to the point of lethargic when setting off or crawling, no &quot;S&quot; mode, no clutch foot rest, nasty gear change stalk (US style I guess). Hopeless SatNav (no change there).<br /> <br /> 6/10 I guess. I'm off to try the Range Rover.</div>
 
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