Old shape ML320, few questions

[Oli]

I've recently been offered one of these for what seems very good value, the car is a 1998 320 petrol but is LPG converted so was thinking of ditching the 405 for it to be my every day sit in traffic etc car still leaving the E55k for the weekends, plus the knowledge that come winter time I won't be completely stuck if it snows again and when I had my Range Rover I did enjoy a spot of green laning and off roading.

Is there anything specific that goes wrong on the ML other than the usual rust issues of this vintage? and is the 320 V6 ok on LPG usually?, I've not had an LPG car before so it would be new to me.

The only other question I really had was what is thier off road ability like?, compared to say a Range Rover?, can they handle the rough stuff or are they more akin to an X5 that would wet itself at the sight of anything more than a grassy field.

 

[gtvlusso]

They are better than an X5, but cannot touch any of the Land Rover variants......I have a W163 ML270cdi 2002.

I think you would call it "basic" off road ability....I.e. you will get stuck!

 

[prprandall51]

It will need proper tyres to be any use off road.

Before you buy, have you driven it? The ride quality on those early MLs is nothing short of atrocious. Bump, thump, bang, crash....

 

[R2e]

I believe they are good in the snow. At least I hope so as otherwise I will have a red face this winter! I have a 2000 ML320 which I had converted to LPG. No problems with the conversion, you cannot tell if it is on petrol or gas, and I'm getting the equivalent of 30mpg mixed driving (in other words if I take the amount I pay for gas, say £27 convert that to litres at £1.34.9 a litre of diesel, that's 20 litres, convert to gallons 4.4, and divide that into the miles I've done since last fill up, eg 132, and I get 30mpg) and that's genuine mixed, I have a 70 mile commute of single carriageway A and B roads, a little motorway and dual carriageway, and through three towns. Straight LPG mileage is up to 20% less than with petrol (petrol mixed driving is 20mpg).

The ML W163 does not have a good reputation for reliability, mainly electrics but, touch wood, I have had little problem with mine in the first three months other than the driver's window switch being a bit intermittent (a known problem, there is a fix for it apparently) and it needed the (original) battery replaced (£80). I did consider a P38 Range Rover instead but that has even worse, and much more expensive reliability issues, engine, air suspension and most of the electrics.

 

[Oli]

Is there more to go wrong on them electrically than other Mercedes of this era?, I had a facelift W208 CLK and found that pretty solid apart from the dreaded arch rust!.

I used to have a 2003 Range Rover 4.4 which I found fantastic off road, it took everything in its stride, although the ML has a low range box I'm assuming it doesn't have nearly the same capability then?, I have driven it and found it to be pretty ok for a 4x4 of that era, certainly not going to win any handling contests but not too bad, it felt more solid than a similar age Discovery I've driven in the past.

 

[gtvlusso]

I believe they are good in the snow. At least I hope so as otherwise I will have a red face this winter! I have a 2000 ML320 which I had converted to LPG. No problems with the conversion, you cannot tell if it is on petrol or gas, and I'm getting the equivalent of 30mpg mixed driving (in other words if I take the amount I pay for gas, say £27 convert that to litres at £1.34.9 a litre of diesel, that's 20 litres, convert to gallons 4.4, and divide that into the miles I've done since last fill up, eg 132, and I get 30mpg) and that's genuine mixed, I have a 70 mile commute of single carriageway A and B roads, a little motorway and dual carriageway, and through three towns. Straight LPG mileage is up to 20% less than with petrol (petrol mixed driving is 20mpg).

The ML W163 does not have a good reputation for reliability, mainly electrics but, touch wood, I have had little problem with mine in the first three months other than the driver's window switch being a bit intermittent (a known problem, there is a fix for it apparently) and it needed the (original) battery replaced (£80). I did consider a P38 Range Rover instead but that has even worse, and much more expensive reliability issues, engine, air suspension and most of the electrics.

Mine has been "average" in the snow. I use General Grabber UHP tyres 255/70/17 - Grip on acceleration is fine, however, stopping and guiding 2 tons + on ice and compacted snow was pretty horrifying - not much steering feedback.

Better off with a small engined, lightweight FWD car. Peugeot 106 or something..with thin tyres.

As for Range Rovers - Great off road, but I have heard so many stories from collegues about reliability and service, they just don't seem worth it.

Our ML is the "only" family car and seems to be fine for most things. They are quirky and average at most things you expect of a 4 x 4......I have had no "real" problems with mine, so, I am pretty happy.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Our ML has been with us 7 years now and it's been great. The Interwebhighway says that the later the model the more reliable it's likely to be.

Super in the snow but: 4WD + Mud+Snow Tyres + Sensible = Nothing stopped us yet

Off road, I don't doubt the Range Rover will ultimately be better, but I think you'd have to be seriously off-road and an expert to notice.

I went on a Mercedes off-road driving day at MIRA and the instructor did events for other SUV manufacturers also, and he said the 'old' ML was the next best thing to a Range Rover or Land Rover, and leagues ahead of the 'current' ML, X5, Cayenne/Touareg, etc. He didn't know we had one BTW, I just asked if the new one was better off-road.

 

[A210AMG]

Hello

If you want proper off road, then you need a Land Rover and the 90 / county style. However for most normal road conditions, wet fields and snow its pretty good.

I miss my ML, its nice sat high up !!

Things to check are rust under arches and under rear tail gate, Brake discs quite exspensive so check they are ok. Other than that in just over 3 years I owned an ML350 it was great.

Interesting about the comment that the old model better than new? My dads new shape one has adjustable suspension and locking front and rear diffs (off road pack) surely that would be better actually 'off road'

Either way if you can get it cheap then have a go why not you can probably sell it after winter for similar money

 

[Oli]

Thanks everyone, really tempted to give it a try, as the previous poster said, if it doesn't work out it's cheap enough to just sell on at no great loss.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Interesting about the comment that the old model better than new? My dads new shape one has adjustable suspension and locking front and rear diffs (off road pack) surely that would be better actually 'off road'

That was my reason for asking. He said the off road pack puts it close to the 'old' one, but he'd still rather take the old one off road.

To be fair, if asking him which one would you rather own and use everyday he would have no doubt answered very differently....

 

[gtvlusso]

Oh - check the rear shocks and springs! They are a bit heavy on them, springs will break - It is a single unit and costs £275 + to replace.

If it has been used for towing or carrying load - definitely check the springs!!!

 

[R2e]

Oh - check the rear shocks and springs! They are a bit heavy on them, springs will break - It is a single unit and costs £275 + to replace.

If it has been used for towing or carrying load - definitely check the springs!!!

I believe although they are a unit and the stealer likes to replace them as a unit, the unit can be disassembled, you can buy the springs and shocks separately. See - Mercedes ML 1998-2005 (W163) Rear Springs (Pair) | eBay UK

 

[gtvlusso]

I believe although they are a unit and the stealer likes to replace them as a unit, the unit can be disassembled, you can buy the springs and shocks separately. See - Mercedes ML 1998-2005 (W163) Rear Springs (Pair) | eBay UK

Not tried it myself, the only ones I have had go I have claimed the money back from the council - pothole damage.

usually have an Indie fit them.