Calling ML Owners..

[wu56Shoozz]

..I'm thinking of getting rid of My Jeep GC in favour of an ML. but my questions are:

Are they any good as a 4x4 ( My Jeep is..)

What's the best engine set up - I'm looking at another 2.7?

Can anyone advise..

 

[jtotheb]

Can't advise on 4x4 suitability but I've had a ML350 for the last 3 yrs and now in a GLE350. I absolutely love them. Go for the 3 litre V6 if you can.

What age are you looking at?

 

[prm]

..I'm thinking of getting rid of My Jeep GC in favour of an ML. but my questions are:

Are they any good as a 4x4 ( My Jeep is..)

What's the best engine set up - I'm looking at another 2.7?

Can anyone advise..

Why are you getting rid of the Jeep?

 

[gIzzE]

Any good as a 4x4?
To do what in it?


You say 2.7 so you must be talking about the first gen ML.

270cdi is lethargic, no end of issues with swirl flaps and it is a 12 hour job to get the manifold out, flaps sorted and put back in again. Check for oil down the side of the block.
EGR will probably need cleaning up.
Cats may be getting blocked up at this age.

Suspension on most is starting to feel tired, front easy to do and cheap, rear is tricky and expensive, complete damper and spring, looking at around £800 to £1500 depending where from.


MY02 facelift is a must imho. Much better build quality.

I really liked mine, and would even have another, the only thing stopping me is the 270cdi engine. I do keep looking at ML350 and ML500s though.

 

[wu56Shoozz]

Yes, I take your point...

I'm looking at a 2006ish model pending on cashflow... my Jeep GC is 2001 and getting on in years, having said that it handled yesterdays journey in snow over Shap & Borders with ease..

My reason for change is the woolly steering - is the ML a steering rack as the GC is not, so a little more positive wood be nice..

"To do what?" just Chelsea tractor stuff really - handle heavy rain fall, snow that sort of stuff my GC handles this with real ease and the missus loves it for this..likes being high up. My reason for ML was Merc reliability (so I was told, or was I misinformed? ha ha )

 

[Deesidecars7]

Had my 2008 320 ml for a couple of months now, had a Toyota rav4 for 4 years, the rav nothing ever went wrong, the merc since if had it, new glow plugs, new gp module, rear brake caliper but it is a big complex vehicle, lovely to drive plenty of power and a great tow vehicle, never used it off road so cant comment on that, reliability, well not to good so far, but i do love driving it

 

[flowrider]

A 2006 ML compared to a 2001 GC is light years ahead in build and materials quality. I have owned a 2002 and 2006 GC and a 2009 and 2012 ML and they are like chalk and cheese but the ML whilst good off road is no match for a GC unless you can find one wth the offroad package which is rare. As others have said go for a ML320 with the V6 diesel.

 

[prm]

..I'm thinking of getting rid of My Jeep GC in favour of an ML. but my questions are:

Are they any good as a 4x4 ( My Jeep is..)

What's the best engine set up - I'm looking at another 2.7?

Can anyone advise..

I've had my ML350 bluetec 13 plate for 2 years and it's been very reliable. Extremely comfortable, better than the E class I had before. I had new glow plugs and relay on the 280 cdi e class, it was a common problem on 06 to 57 reg v6. But not on later cars.

 

[SL300-24]

I recently bought a 350ML 3.7 V6 inspiration model. I had a 3k budget and did not go for the 2.7 diesel for 3 main reasons. Expensive to fix, lethargic performance and ( I already have another diesel) impending diesel taxation. I really like it went for the robust petrol engine.I do a lot of fishing quite often using farm tracks and unmade roads it is great for this type of "soft roading" I cannot comment on real off roading ability but it's a pretty solid car IMHO.

 

[gIzzE]

What sort of range are you getting from a tankful on the 350?

350 miles achievable?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

We've had a few MLs and we've loved them all. I'm sure the first generation (W163) was the best off road. I'd avoid the 2.7 diesel, it's a great engine but can be costly in repairs. A facelift W163 ML500 would be ideal.

Why not buy a later Jeep GC? Lots of car for the money.

 

[gIzzE]

I preferred the interior quality of my W163s over the 2010 W164, nice soft touch materials everywhere on the earlier car.

But the engine and overall drive is better on the W164 and looks far more modern too.

 

[gl boy]

I've had numerous ML's and only thing I can say against 4wd capabitlity is that it all depends on the tyres you have on it . I have just got winter set of wheels / tyres and it so much better in the snow than the normal tyres on it .
I've a 2011 ml 350 all signing and dancing , has the 4wd pro package fitted and the air suspension system ( used it once or twice ) . Only suggestion I'd say is get one with good service history ( preferably me dealer IMO ) .
Other wise happy hunting

 

[flowrider]

We've had a few MLs and we've loved them all. I'm sure the first generation (W163) was the best off road. I'd avoid the 2.7 diesel, it's a great engine but can be costly in repairs. A facelift W163 ML500 would be ideal.

Why not buy a later Jeep GC? Lots of car for the money.

Before i bought my ML350 I looked at the latest GC, in fact i was lucky enough that the Jeep dealer and MB dealer were next door to each other. Doing a direct comparison the ML build and material quality was miles ahead of the GC, i did like the exterior styling of the GC though.

 

[Mercland]

2006 will be the new shape W164 model. Much better cars than the W163.

That said every model has its issues so you need to check the car is all good and everything works.
Diesels are by far the most common. Plenty of choice out there.
At that age items that should have been taken care of:
- Turbo and Inlet Port Shut Off Motor
- Transmission Speed Plate
- Air Intake/Turbo Seal replaces regularly
- Gear Selector Motor on side of gearbox is a less common but expensive failure.

Other than that a good MB dealer/specialist history must be there to offer peace of mind.

 

[Benzowner]

If you are looking at a 2006 model, that was the year of tax change. Some later 2006 are taxed at nearly £500 earlier ones at £290. Worth checking out the road tax details when buying.

 

[wu56Shoozz]

Wow! Good Advice Sir! Didn't know that...