Thinking of buying a 2008 w164 ml280 - advice welcomed

[glassdome]

Hi there. Great forum.

I am thinking of trading in my s class w220 1999 (yes the first year of that shape). Before I go on, I have to say that the w220 has given me zero problems for 9 years. Absolutely amazing car. Which brings me on to why I am posting, I want to have a fairly trouble free life with my next car.

I have looked at a 2008 Mercedes-Benz M Class ML280 CDI Sport 5dr Tip Auto 3.0 and I have 2 big questions:

1. Is this a good model to go for (economical, reliable, good spec, etc)

2. One thing it lacks which I am not happy about is that it only has the audio 20 head unit and I want sat nav, bluetooth and iphone music connectivity. Is it straightforward enough to upgrade this?

Any thoughts on these 2 questions would be really appreciated.

I have looked around the forums and understand that in respect to question 2...comand upgrade should be possible. There seem to be a few aftermarket head units with more functionality coming to the market such as:

Benz W164 Navigation - Mercedes Benz ML W164 2 din 7" In Dash Car DVD Player FM DVB-T IPOD RDS Bluetooth CAN BUS - Car DVD GPS Navigation

Has anyone got any experience with these? Are they any good and easy sy to install (are they just plug n play or need wiring loom changes to pins, etc)?

Sincere thanks in advance

 

[thecolonel]

hi,

just been through the same process as you, so thought I would share my thoughts.

reference the 280, it is negligible whether the 25ish hp extra of 320 is truly noticeable in such a heavy brick, there is a little extra oophhh in the 320 yes but worthy of the price hike in two identical cars I think not. If power is an issue in the 280, a simple ecu mod / reprog will give you the same bench power as a 320 depending who you go with for £250-400.

Reference spec, the Audio 20 can be upgraded easily but at a cost Mercedes Retrofit Specialist - Comand.co.uk are the go to guys and their costs are detailed on the webpage. However, its worth noting that the 320 doesn't as default come with the iPod capability either so either way you will be paying for that.

reference Sat Nav, I personally didnt like the ML Sat Nav, found it clunky, cumbersome, slow and not very efficient at all - spent a few days in a W164 ML320 with it fitted loaned to me and realised a nice feature to have, but again, can live without it (and I am a SatNav guy, use it all the time in my Range but just didnt get on with the Merc unit) but thats a subjective statement so personal choice. BTW NONE of these systems are PnP when retrofitted, they all need additional looms and programming to function on ALL mercs. The link you posted doesnt work so catn comment on that system.

I would focus more on a car with good history, all fluids changed on spec, good tyres, no noises, no leaks, good bodywork, faultless interior, no tow bar, genuine owner (if private) etc all basics intact (such as the sport is a better choice than an SE but the Edt 8 or 10 a real bonus). rather than worry about the 280 - 320 engine difference. Again, from my research and all the viewings I had of cars, some 320 had a good spec, some lowish and the same with the 280 - so its not as if you are getting a high spec car just because its a 320 in my experience.

Good luck anyway

BTW - I took my own advise, and sought a car that ticked all the boxes but the perfect one I found was a 280 and didnt have side steps which I am having fitted next week.....

 

[Alfie]

I would go for a late 2008 car (model year 2009) as they are the facelifted ones and have a better spec generally. Its also easier and cheaper to fit comand to them.

If you find a car with audio-20 negotiate hard for a discount because these cars are difficult to sell without comand?

good luck.

 

[glassdome]

Awesome - thanks. The responses are really helpful and appreciated. I was concerned about he power drop between the 320 and 280 but it sounds like it is not that dramatic. Also the one I am looking at is a new shape 2008 with the more up to date headlights. Fingers crossed comand should be an easy upgrade.

Would you recommend getting the car inspected professionally before buying? If so, any recommendations on Mercedes's aperçus lists who could help with this - the car I am currently considering is in the Basingstoke area.

Thanks in advance

 

[thecolonel]

from Comand Online in Surrey, they told me "To upgrade to the latest Comand with full european navigation, built
in bluetooth, DVD movies, 7 digit postcode etc costs £1300 inclusive". if your that way inclined.

Reference technical inspection, personally either go to the RAC/AA type inspections which are usually under written, take an Indy Mechanic with you or buy from a dealer if you are not mechanically minded IMHO.

Dont be worried about buying the car - its better to get another opinion now rather than when its too late and bought.

Agree with the above, haggle hard for non Comand cars, but would worry too much about the 280 / 320 issue, your better looking for a good sound car with as many toys as you can afford. But its easy to keep smashing a budget by looking a one a year younger with this and that, so have a budget and stick to it or else your £14k will turn into an £19k spend with not a huge amount to show for it in the current market (words of experience now.... lol).