Test drove W163 ML500...

[Gucci]

So I finally got my hands on an ML500 (W163) and went for a spin. Have to say, the sound was nice, but quite muted. Also, there were a few creaks, but much of that seemed to be the leather? A low achiever revved up his 1.0 Micra at the lights - he was of course dispatched.

So, why didn't I buy? The fuel guage dropped HUGELY in 10 minutes..not even giving it any real stress either. That was enough for me to say 'au revoir' to that little dream . Looks like the 270CDi IS the answer (as some of you have suggested )

 

[Dieselman]

Reality bites!!

 

[GSMGuy]

M8 - my chipped (to 200bhp) ML270Cdi averaged 22mpg in town and about 26 on a run - It was horrendous compared to the 35 I am getting now, god help me if it was a petrol...

Mike

 

[glojo]

There was me about to post this link A lot of bangs for the buck, just don't think about the fuel. I must confess to not being a fan of LPG, but is there a reputable company that can do a first class conversion?


Regarding the new ML
ML350 or 320CDI??

John

 

[A210AMG]

Hello,

I've only driven a ML500 for breif periods when a work colleague had one a few years ago, but in that time I noticed the on board computer reading between 11mpg and 13mpg (ok I was having a bit of fun also though).

That WOULD be very bad, and even with my low annual millage (6k) you would notice it.

When I was looking head says 270cdi (and I would have had a remap to close on 200 bhp) or the 350.

As I was coming from a 3.0 petrol car I like the smooth quite engine and worked out the difference if I get 20 out of a 350 and 30 out of the 270. Its not in my book worth me paying more for a derv with higher millage given the miles I do.

My ML350 has so far returned 22.5 mpg and is so quite and smooth.

Depending upon your annual millage I would seriously consider one, its a very nice drive. Also people have said they only get 25 out of the 270 so makes even more sence.

Resale maybe lower but I've paid less for the equivalent year and on a LOT lower miles.


I'm happy

 

[Ted]

Perhaps sir would prefer THIS

http://sis.virtual-showroom.co.uk/(npzh2s45xwq1ks45vdo0ymfg)/templates/stocklista/stockItem.aspx?clientCode=G-Wagen&mode=search&stockID=10979|30

little beauty.

Go on. You know you want to.

 

[Gucci]

Perhaps sir would prefer THIS

http://sis.virtual-showroom.co.uk/(npzh2s45xwq1ks45vdo0ymfg)/templates/stocklista/stockItem.aspx?clientCode=G-Wagen&mode=search&stockID=10979|30

little beauty.

Go on. You know you want to.

Good lord... my neighbours would call the police. (and bank manger would slaughter me)

 

[westfieldzetec]

So, I had an ML500 on an 2004 and (although the wife drive it most of the time around town) it returned average of 18.4, and it would do 21 on a run. strange thing was there was 'absolutely naff all difference' when I attached my 500kgs trailer on which my 500kg race car sits. Merc, Trailer and race car would also still see practically anything off the lights. Have to say it was a good car, should have kept it and LPG'd in hinds sight

 

[A210AMG]

Westfieldzetec.

My dad years ago had a 280G wagon built like a tank, that did 20 mpg its own or 20 mpg with 4 of us and the caravan full of all our holiday stuff...

I will see what my own ML350 does when we tow our van, so far I'm getting 22.5 (mixture of driving) and probably do 25 on a run.

As it a brick like shape and heavy itself, attaching the van may not make a huge difference to my fuel? My last car a bmw 330 convertible did 20 towing.

cheers

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I will see what my own ML350 does when we tow our van, so far I'm getting 22.5 (mixture of driving) and probably do 25 on a run.

With a little driving either side of the journey, and calculated from the tank rather than trip computer, our ML270 CDi will do around 30 mpg on a motorway with cruise set to 77mph.

When towing under the same conditions but with cruise set to 56 mph we get about 26 mpg.

 

[BTB 500]

As it a brick like shape and heavy itself, attaching the van may not make a huge difference to my fuel?

With a tall & wide towing vehicle the air resistance doesn't go up as much because the caravan is effectively slipstreaming. So the MPG when cruising my not be that different. If you're doing stop/start then the extra tonne plus of weight you have to accelerate each time will certainly affect the fuel consumption.

My claim to fame is that I got an average of 11 MPG towing to Longleat one year (with my V6 Sharan). I was in a hurry and driving into a strong headwind. On the way back I got almost 18 MPG IIRC.

 

[glojo]

My claim to fame is that I got an average of 11 MPG towing to Longleat one year (with my V6 Sharan). I was in a hurry and driving into a strong headwind. On the way back I got almost 18 MPG IIRC.

I have personally driven a Range Rover absolutely flat out, pedal through the floor board and averaged about 8mpg from Tewkesbury to Torquay Two refuels in less than 200 miles But that was in another life. I think the surprising thing is the beast didn't go bang! (I had previous)

John the reminiscer

 

[westfieldzetec]

interesting that there is only a few mpg difference from your ML350 and my ML500. I think you are right that you won't see much of an mpg hit when you tow the van as (once you are moving) the ml will have puched most of the air outof the way and the van will be draged along inside the ML's wake turbulance