Ml 300 /320/350 help

[Class2ldn]

Hi all,, me and the Mrs are on the lookout for a 4x4.
Never really looked at the mercs but after seeing a grand edition Ive tried to find out more about them in general.
Looking in AT etc there's loads of different engines but not sure of the pros and cons.
Ive spent last night searching through loads of threads on here and pistonheads etc but it's still not clear what the specs of each one are and which engine is better.
I've seen that the 350 has replaced the 320? What year was this? 2010?
Is it much different? The grand edition seems to be top spec from what I can see but are around 25k plus for the 350 little less for 300s. Is the 300 a decent enough car with the power or is it worth going for the 350? What's the extra from a sport to the grand edition?
In regards to the 320, I see these can be picked up for between 10-20k dependant on age and mileage etc. Are these the same as the 10 plate onward ones just been replaced with the 350 as seems daft to pay 5-10k extra for the 350 if the 320 is sound.
Is it worth the extra and if so is the grand worth the premium over the sport?
Local dealer has a 300 grand (well 3) which is closer to 23k but I've seen the 300 hasn't got much grunt.
Currently got a golf r and the Mrs a 207 gti so it will obviously be slower but still want a bit of grunt and some sort of economy. Think for mpg the 420 is pushing it especially for insurance aswell.
Any advice would be great and of there's anyone near crawley with one, would be great to have a look around it if possible.
Many thanks

 

[Jonwatson]

I'm collecting ML320 cdi sport next week, didn't try others as I couldn't stretch to bigger or newer engined versions, I have also owned a c320 cdi with same motor, it goes faster than a tank has any right to, sorry couldn't be more help, I'm sure there's people on here with more experience than me

 

[Borys]

I had ml350 blue efficiency
Sold it after 3 months
Mpg on 350 is a bit better then 320.Interior wise different steering wheel, bluetooth ipod connection.Still think price wise is very poorly equipped, seems cheap - x5 or RR much better choice. i'm talking 20k mark.
On the long run 1000 miles I averaged 29mpg, best I've seen 37mpg
I remapped it too but it only made it worse.
If I to buy another one it would be ml63 or ml420 and would rather try to keep budget around 10k
Compering to ml I had at the moment I picked up 07 S class for half price I paid for ml
They are good cars but I feel you are not getting enough for your money

 

[Class2ldn]

It's funny you say that as test drove an x5 yesterday and it felt so cheap inside. Plastic everywhere and just like sitting in a an old e46 but higher lol. Drove well but didn't like the steering on it. Very wallowy.
Plus you can't get the running boards on the msport which I like but the se looks crap. I felt the mercs was much more luxurious inside. Have to try a few more but was quite disappointed with the bmw.

 

[Borys]

Fair enough
Matter of taste I guess
Grand Edition would be my choice, leather dash just set its of big time and them seats look brilliant too

 

[Class2ldn]

Yeah well I thought if I'm going to spend 25k it may aswell be one with a good spec. What's the 300 like?

 

[Giantvanman]

What about this offer from a forum member?

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/clas...y-mercedes-ml-420-cdi-sport-full-amg-kit.html

 

[Class2ldn]

Looks good but mileage is too high for me. Looking to keep the next one for at least 4-5 years and mileage would go up a fair bit as it will be our main car. What's the 420 like on fuel compared to the 320/350? Need something fairly reasonable as it's going to be the Mrs that uses it the most.

 

[T5R+]

SPX's car is a real peach of a machine.

The 420/450 will return 25mpg. The ML63 is in the high teens.

The 350BE Grand Ed is the pick of the 280/300/320/350 bunch and will see you into the 32-35mpg.

Personally I think the 58 plate facelifted 320Sport are the best value for money. Many with added options around.

The W164 will continue to fall in price especially when the "winter" is over as the W166 is now the seemingly preferred ML.

X5 - nice car and great stance in sport guise.
RRS - smaller on the inside than you may imagine.
Q7 - worth a drive/view especially if 7 seats are handy BUT "it is an Audi"

 

[boxbrownie]

We had the 350BE sport, it drove very nicely but was not so refined in the ride department, it was quite nippy and gave around 32mpg generally, I had it mapped which it then gave about 270bhp and 700nm torque, and it was that torque that turned it into a very fun machine, made no difference at all to the consumption but made it much quicker.
I enjoyed the 7 months we had it but the ride annoyed me and we got rid of it as my wife could no longer climb into it due to deteriating health problems.

Got a New Q3 a few weeks ago, much nicer to drive and still feels 4X4'ish but gives presently 45mpg locally.

If I were you and had my heart set on another ML I'd go for a 420cdi with air suspension, definately.

 

[Class2ldn]

Well ive tried to do a fair bit of research and most reviews say the ml is a much better ride then the x5. Must admit i didn't notice the crashing in the x5, overall was very smooth and compared to my golf r i reckon it was much better. Need to get a drive in an ml to see, should be doing it Saturday as my mate works at a dealer. The 320 looks good.
Mrs has spotted some x3s aswell, I'm not entirely convinced on the looks but they are more economical then the x5,ml but not sure I could drive round in a wannabe x5 lol.

 

[boxbrownie]

Make sure you test drive an ML with the same suspension as your going to buy, there is a big difference in ride.

 

[flowrider]

I've had my ML320 Sport for over 3 years and have really enjoyed owning it. I find the ride to be very good on standard suspension but fuel economy is only averaging 28mpg and road tax is high at £485. If I was going to get another W164 ML I would definately get the Grand Edition, you get better seats, reversing camera, xenon headlights as standard. IMO the W164 is a much nicer looking ML than the W166.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I get early 30's mpg on a run and mid 20's driven locally.

The 320 V6 CDI is ample for most people, but if you intend not to buy a 420 then, whatever you do, don't test drive one; the engine is an absolute cracker.

This 4.0 V8 twin turbo diesel engine is a masterpiece; good mpg figures for its size yet plenty of power on tap, if recommend one to anybody.

 

[Jonwatson]

I'm loving my 320 cdi, only had it a week mind but so far so so good