ML320 advice / recommendations

[corr3007]

Hello MBC!

My first post here so you have to apologize if I seem a tad green. I really have set my eyes on an ML and I'd really like some advice on what things to look out for, what year / model (it doesnt necessarily need to be the 320) are good and less problematic, what to look out for when going to look at the car and first and foremost, what should I pay?

Now, I'm Norwegian and my girlfriend is Slovenian and we're thinking of buying a Slovenian car, rather than in Norway (I work in Norway, but we live in Slovenia). After scouting some auction prices here it seems they are even cheaper in the UK than here. Even after converting the british pounds to euros and miles to kilometres. I'm not sure if outside links are allowed, but just an example is this: www.Avto.net (I apologize for Slovenian text)

If you can't see link then its pretty much like: 2008 ml320 cdi - 82k km (51.1k miles), 1st owner, says to be in top condition, never crashed, full servicebook, at 31,800 euros. Is that steep? I don't want to overpay too much. Is there alot of haggling in the used car market, at those dealerships?

My budget really would be preferred to around 25-28k euros, can be stretched a tad if it's a great purchase. Any advice at all for a first timer? I'd be really happy guys and appreciate all the help I can possibly get.

Thanks for a great site,
Best Regards
Magnus B.

 

[corr3007]

Google Translate

website translated to English, thanks again for any inputs.
http://translate.google.com/transla...//www.avto.net/_AVTO/ad.asp?ID=7045296&show=1

 

[Rory]

I'm not really sure what you're asking?

Few people on here will know the used car market in Slovenia, but used cars in the UK tend to be the cheapest in Europe.

Looking at AutoTrader, there are plenty of similar cars for around £20K, so a bit cheaper than you're looking at.

 

[corr3007]

I guess I'm asking if that's normal, that prices fluxuate that much. And whether a car like that is a good purchase for that price. Obviously you can't know that before you get it checked out by a mechanic or look / drive it, just wondering the general rules of the autotrade at dealerships. Can I haggle to reduce the listed price? If I find something to be noted, like rust under the fender or something.

Thank you for the autotrader tips, I've been looking at the British market and those cars are actually significantly cheaper than the one I'm looking at, with less milage. I'm just wondering tips and tricks of people who's been around trading cars for a while, that can help me out getting a fair and good price on my first purchase ML

Thanks so much
MB

 

[corr3007]

Also, more specifically, what to look for in an ML320 CDi like the one I linked. I heard good things about the 2008 model, so I'll be looking at acquiring one of those, with sidesteps and P2 package. Pref black, I just love the look in black and exterior chrome.

I don't personally know that much about that specific car, so it would be awesome with some advice on what to look for, that you might not notice if you didn't know about them.

Thanks!
MB

 

[corr3007]

Just curious about the value of buying a 2008 model ML 320 or 420 when it comes to longevity. Is there value in buying one that has gone 150,000 KM or is that when things starts to get costly? I really could use some advice on this, I'm really interested in this car and they look really sleek, even after 5 years and that milage. I'm just wondering how long these type of cars last and how much trouble they can get in, when they've been driven this long.

I'd appreciate any input,
Thanks!
MB