ML270 opinions please

[dougal74]

I am going to see this ML later today. I swore to myself after my ML430 that I would never have another but this facelift 7-seater ticks so many boxes it is hard to ignore:-
Linky
I know the problems with this model (injectors, glow plugs, discs & pads etc.) but they are all known issues that can be mitigated. It has had 3 owners, is missing Parktronic but otherwise is in good shape. The owner also works for a Merc indy and says nothing needs doing.
He is firm in wanting £7k for it (a 5 seater with slightly more miles and no Comand went for £6k on eBay this week).

Guys - am I mad?

 

[kwakdonut]

Guys - am I mad?

Yes!



Oh sorry, you mean't about buying this car?!!!

The 5cyl 2.7 CDi is an excellent unit and the injector/glow plug 'problems' are not as common as you might be lead to believe.

Other than that, you probably understand that the 4x4 market is just about the worst it ever has been!! I would take cash and make silly offers..... (can't follow the link as E-Bay is banned on our system!)

 

[dougal74]

Other than that, you probably understand that the 4x4 market is just about the worst it ever has been!! I would take cash and make silly offers..... (can't follow the link as E-Bay is banned on our system!)

Thanks...I think!...I need the seats and don't want an Espace et al (useless out in the sticks where I am and where both sets of parents are).
Also the market can't be that flat if the same car with the wrong spec. makes £6k?

 

[kwakdonut]

To be honest, the 'market' is all over the place at this time. Price guides mean almost nothing (as I have found out!). People really are offering what they believe the car to be worth. It is also down to how desperate the seller is/was. If both buyer and seller are happy with the price, it shouldn't make so much difference surely?

Just take a look at Auto Trader to see how topsy-turvy prices vs spec is at the moment.

Bonkers :bannana:

 

[IanA2]

I had a 270 SE which was ok. I bought a 500 7 seater a few months ago (one owner from new, MY 2001) for £5.5K. I'm not the greatest fan of the M Class but Mrs IA2 likes them, and I have to say I quite like the 500. Personally I'd go for a fewer owner, petrol (the 500 is averaging 19.8mpg) car. £7K looks like a lot of money, sit tight, there are plenty around.

Just my 2p worth

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Check for rust around the tailgate release. Not to be confused with the 'handle' running above the number plate which sits around the release.

 

[kwakdonut]

I had a 270 SE which was ok. I bought a 500 7 seater a few months ago (one owner from new, MY 2001) for £5.5K. I'm not the greatest fan of the M Class but Mrs IA2 likes them, and I have to say I quite like the 500. Personally I'd go for a fewer owner, petrol (the 500 is averaging 19.8mpg) car. £7K looks like a lot of money, sit tight, there are plenty around.

Just my 2p worth

There are indeed - many bargains to be had

 

[dino645]

It looks like it has quite a nice spec. +

The price seems reasonable but just under £7k would make it very tempting.

 

[A210AMG]

Love my ML350

Its lost a fair bit since I bought it 2 years ago but I enjoy driving it, makes a great towcar and I still think it looks smart. Actually cojmpared to if I bought a new car its not lost much really

Mine does around 17-20mpg in town and 25-28mpg on a run.

Goes well and sounds great

I've fitted 3m Coving straight in it and the other day 8ft*4ft sheets of plywood straight in. Its a very handy bus. Used the 7 seats on the odd occasion athough these are now in the loft

Over 2 years of ownership and two trips to Europe (3000 miles each) its only needed 1 service, one oil change and a £45 fix to sort the BAS / ESP light out.


Great car for the money

 

[dougal74]

It looks like it has quite a nice spec. +

The price seems reasonable but just under £7k would make it very tempting.

That is what I was thinking - £6.5k to £6.75k would make it even more tempting but he claims to have a part-ex against a Navara of £7k...

 

[Adam230K]

ML320Cdi would be a better comprimise, my friend had the 270 and it was damn slow!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

ML320Cdi would be a better comprimise, my friend had the 270 and it was damn slow!

The 320 CDi is better but sadly the step up in cost from a W163 is huge, in fact Stuart O is finding exactly this.

For it's bulk I think it's pretty good, catch it on boost and you get a kick sensation you don't even get in the C32.

A Kleemann chip is good for 200 bhp.

 

[dougal74]

ML320Cdi would be a better comprimise, my friend had the 270 and it was damn slow!

Not for me I'm afraid, no 7 seats, complex gearbox/mechanicals. I'll wait to see how reliable the GL is, but my fear is it is just too big.

 

[A210AMG]

My Father inlaw has a ML270cdi, I think you would be supprised Adam... It feels pleanty quick enough?

The ML320CDI is much newer and prices start around 18K a fair bit more....

 

[st4]

Would a VW Toureg or BMW X5 be an alternative. Both better than W163's and not much more cash for a much better car.

 

[A210AMG]

Have to say I like the toureg inside. I had a Bmw 330 before my ML and didn't like the 'same' inside in the X5 plus the 'image' they seem to have...

3.0d a great engine though, not sure they are down to 6K yet?? maybe petrol and the VW would be a 2.5d... big bus for that??


Not sure on the Better comment? just different. I drove the Lexus RX also when choosing mine but didn't like it or the use of space.

 

[st4]

Have to say I like the toureg inside. I had a Bmw 330 before my ML and didn't like the 'same' inside in the X5 plus the 'image' they seem to have...

3.0d a great engine though, not sure they are down to 6K yet?? maybe petrol and the VW would be a 2.5d... big bus for that??


Not sure on the Better comment? just different. I drove the Lexus RX also when choosing mine but didn't like it or the use of space.

The Toureg 3.2 petrol would be down to pretty much that price. A 3.0i X5 manual (or auto) could bagged for £7k.

Materials in the X5 were like the E46 BM you had, but these are good materials IMHO and a match for a 211 for sure. Good driving cars too....

 

[dougal74]

Toerag and X5 great cars both but only 5 seats...

 

[A210AMG]

I so nearly bought a 3.2V6.

Love the inside with the big auto shifter knob...

Think outside the ones without rails look odd, almost as though they are missing something.

Recently been looking at the V10 Tdi's and I also like the Attitude special, in fact a colleague bought a brand new one 3.0tdi Attitude for £24K but its a friend of a friend deal....

Some of the cheapest are the bigger engines the 4.4 X5's for example..


Like you say a lot of cars for the money all of them and a petrol if you don't do the miles is the way to go.


If your only spending 6K and it lasts 3 years you have your moneys worth

 

[st4]

Aye, these Touregs are cool. And very safe, very high euro NCAP and safer than X5. Volvo XC90 also gets a good press as a practical family car, and can seat 7.

The 4.4i X5's aren't as good as the 3.0i I6 petrol - I had both and prefered everything about the later. That I6 is one of the best engines ever and has "enough" to make an X5 go fast....