Calling ML owners - buying tips

[marc777]

The kids are getting too big for my wife's Beetle and so we are considering a 3 years + ML.

Any do's and don't people can recommend regarding spec. etc specifically for the ML. I intend to buy from a trader - prefereable a MB dealer but the age is likely to be on the fringe of what they have on the forecourt. £13-£18k to spend.

FSH will be a must naturally.

All suggestions welcome!

Marc

 

[marcos]

Definately get the facelift version, much much better build quality and looks better too. I also found the 320 very thirsty but the cdi not too bad, I think the diesel suits this car better.
Best of luck mate.

 

[colinlowe]

ml spec

Hi, i recently had a o4 270cdi demo car, whilst my ml55 was in for warranty,
and i must say the build quality is just as bad on the facelift models.
nevertheless the 270 is the one to have as residules are far better, you must at least find one with lux pack as ive noticed used cars without it tend to hang around a while. although i only had it for 4 days, it was very good on fuel, personally i found it dificult to drive around town, as it had a annoying tendancy to lag when you initially put your foot down, in fact i found it quite dangerous pulling out of junctions, maybe i'm used to my car.. i would also try to find one with dark interior, mine is buffalo anthracite, and always looks good, but my previous c36 had light grey, and never looked clean with the kids.

 

[peterchurch]

If you want a _Good_ people carrier then I would reccommend a Honda CRV the trim quality is better than the ML the reliabilty is WAY out in front, and they are due to release a 2.8 and diesel version this year, both of which will be very quick. I bought a premier for the family in may and It came fully loaded including Auto box, Climate Comtrol, Privacy glass and Alpine navigation system separate DVD system with 2 LCD screens all for £24K!!!! and they seem to hold their residual value in the first few years 7000 miles on in 4 months and we are delighted with it Sorry it's not a Merc or what you would want to hear but
it might Help

 

[fuzzer]

The kids are getting too big for my wife's Beetle and so we are considering a 3 years + ML.

Any do's and don't people can recommend regarding spec. etc specifically for the ML. I intend to buy from a trader - prefereable a MB dealer but the age is likely to be on the fringe of what they have on the forecourt. £13-£18k to spend.

FSH will be a must naturally.

All suggestions welcome!

Marc

I wouldnt if i was you ...

 

[dougal74]

Hand on heart I could not recommend an ML. I had a 430 for two years which I sold within your price bracket but would not have bought it myself. It burnt out its catalytic convertors at a cost of £2k. I agree with colinlowe, the 270 is almost dangerous around town as it is so slow to pull away, but then again most things are after a V8. Too many problems with new MB cars so I now have an old 300TE with seven seats which is much more reliable and just as comfortable.

 

[fuzzer]

How about a Volkswagen Sharan/seat alhambra / ford galaxy type thing?

those look comfortable....

 

[glojo]

The kids are getting too big for my wife's Beetle and so we are considering a 3 years + ML.

All suggestions welcome!

Marc

Hi Marc,
I have read threads where members have said there is plenty of room in an ML. Obviously this is a very subjective point, I would recommend you get a demonstrator, load it up with all the goodies you might need and then look at the 'room' factor.

If your good lady wife has no intention of going off road, has she considered an estate, or mpv? My wife loved the looks of the ML, but as soon as we had the use of a demonstrator, it was the end of a very short 'love affair'

Sorry to be negative,
Regards,
John

 

[Dieter]

Hi,

Put the b....y thing in first (tiptronic yeah!!!) and you'll pull away fine (especially in wet! ). Don't forget it's a 'turbo' diesel and you've a lot of inertia (mass) to overcome .

I'm happy with my ML (facelift) and haven't had any 'build' problems. I think they're good value ( v X5, XC90 etc.) at the moment (though residuals may fall with availability of 'new' ML?).

As for room, I get three up (adults with suitcases) and large GSD in back, no 'probs'.

I agree with those above. Get a thorough test drive and see if it suits (you).

Cheers,

 

[marc777]

Cracking feedback - thanks everyone.

We went out today and looked at everything - Honda CRV, Nissan X-Trail, Suzuki Grand Vitara, - all NEW or nearly new at £18k, and compared them to a 4 year old ML. The ML looked very dated, but the killer was that it only seems to come in AUTO. My wife wants a manual car. And thats that.

MPVs and estates are out. Just Nicki's preference.

Decision, decisions.

4 doors.
Quality and a certain Individuality and is key.

My preference would be the Cayenne (not to everyone's taste I know) but way too much money at £40k.

Thanks for the input though.

 

[fuzzer]

Cracking feedback - thanks everyone.

We went out today and looked at everything - Honda CRV, Nissan X-Trail, Suzuki Grand Vitara, - all NEW or nearly new at £18k, and compared them to a 4 year old ML. The ML looked very dated, but the killer was that it only seems to come in AUTO. My wife wants a manual car. And thats that.

MPVs and estates are out. Just Nicki's preference.

Decision, decisions.

4 doors.
Quality and a certain Individuality and is key.

My preference would be the Cayenne (not to everyone's taste I know) but way too much money at £40k.

Thanks for the input though.

Im trying to talk dad into getting rid of his W211 for a 4.2 cayenne wish me luck

 

[adam1]

I guess if MPVs are out then the Honda FRV will be not included. But its not like a normal MPV, it looks more sporty and is...2.0VTEC 150bhp and the diesel will be even faster.

But I reckon the CRV diesel is the one to go for,(available Feb-march 05) with leather trim and you can get manual. Its just been facelifted and looks better than the previous model.

For 18K you would get a top end spec model with all the toys....residuals you'd be lucky to lose more than 2K per year.....these CRvs are in huge demand and the ICDTI diesel is the icing on the cake....the best Diesel engine Honda has redesigned from scratch.

If i didn;t have the Civic it would be the CRV/FRV my second runabout/wifes car....that way if she trashed it i wouldn't lose much sleep over it

 

[peterchurch]

AUTO. My wife wants a manual car. And thats that.

My missus was dead set against an auto as well. I made the following points
and as a result she gave her manual Volvo T5, up for an auto CRV and loves it to bits !

1) A car that size is a pain in the Ar$e to drive round as a manual as they take too much effort to keep the engine in the right power band.

2) You're driving a bloody family wagon for christ's sake! You are not racing _ANYONE_ and if you ever do get the un aerodynamic sprog van up to any amazing speed then it sure as hell is not going to go round the next bend it comes to ...

3) The honda auto boxes are great and they make the cars more refined after the initial learning curve they are also just as fast as the manuals anyway.

4) The after you have learned to drive the Autobox properly, the manuals just sound crass...

Tag any others points you might think of here ...

 

[glojo]

I think we must ALL respect the views of Marc and his partner.

If she likes 4 x 4's have you considered a Shogun, or are they too big?

Regards,
John

 

[peterchurch]

Sorry I really should not post while drunk

 

[BaldGuy]

Hi,

How about a Toyota Rav, good jap reliability etc etc and in Manual... also a strange but nice to drive is the new Subaru Forester 3.0 flat 6 boxer engine.... all the toys...

Good luck..

 

[peterchurch]

I parted with a 2 year old toyota MR2 to buy my SL and the one thing that I would say about Toyota is they are nice cars but their paintwork sucks big time (yes even worse than the newer waterbased mercs my bonnet finish lasted less than a month and the chips were allready starting to rust Toyota UKs answer to this was that stones are an act of god