Towing - ML?

[Seamster15]

Guys,

I need to regularly tow cars the size of a w202 on a Brian James trailer and need hence need to purchase a suitable 4x4 instead of borrowing one.

Having had an ML it was perfect in the comfort stakes, and looks good.

Other options are;

Toyota Landcruiser - Dont like the interiors but look good for reliability
Nissan Patrol - Not many about and a really large vehicle
Discovery - reliablilty?
Range Rover - Too footballers wives (and nice for the job!)
Shogun - Look ok...
X5 - I don't do the school run


BTW I'm looking around the 4-5K mark.

Any thoughts?

PS Whats the towing capacity of the W163 3500 kg's?

 

[A210AMG]

Hello

I think it is 3500kg on a braked trailer.


I've towed a Brain James trailer with our track car no probs and also (run for cover) our Caravan

Great stable tow car, I guess at that price your looking at pre facelifted (like you have had?)

 

[Seamster15]

Yes pre facelift - I'm fine with its faults as It would still be a nicer vehicle to drive than any Land Rover I can afford...... (don't really like the 80's rover interior)

 

[A210AMG]

My farther in law has a 2000 ML270cdi,

No probs so far and it does a lot more mpg than mine

 

[Piff]

Yes, the ML does tow 3500kg braked. Expect between 20 & 30mpg (depending on your driving style) from a 270CDi.
I can't find a perfect driving position in mine.

 

[219]

G Wagen . Watch out for rust but more robust mechanically .

 

[shorty]

If I lived in the Uk where you are not screwed by motor tax than i would have a ML 270cdi or ML 320cdi n o question . There great looking motors with a fantasic driving position

 

[Seamster15]

Thanks to all,

I was surpirsed to find that the ML has the same towing weight as the Disco and Landcrusier Amazon, it seems that the ML is a robust machine.

I will probably go for the petrol version as 8-10 years old I think the repairs would be simpler, rather than on the 270cdi.

Any thoughts to running costs Petrol v's Diesel ?

 

[A210AMG]

Hello


If you don't tend to do that many miles petrol will be cheaper.

Cheaper to buy the car
Cheaper to fill the car up
Much lower miles


My ML350 ranges between 17mpg (town) to 28mpg on a run

My father inlaw has a 2000 ML270Cdi and I think he must get over 30mpg on a run just... and probably 25 round town.

We both towed up to the Lakes last yr and I used a quater of a tank more fuel on the speedo..Diesal also have a lot more torque but to be fair I think mine could move our house so not sure thats a seller...

There loads out there so you have a good choice, I went for petrol as I only do 7K a year and when you work out the diffrence its better for me. It also makes a great noise ....for a bus !

 

[BTB 500]

I was surpirsed to find that the ML has the same towing weight as the Disco and Landcrusier Amazon, it seems that the ML is a robust machine.

That towing limit simply means it can do a hill start on a specified gradient with that load coupled to the towbar. A 4WD with an auto box will nearly always have a high limit.

It doesn't imply anything about how robust a vehicle is. Or that it will be stable when towing that weight at 60 mph.

Also be aware that anyone who passed their driving test after 31 Dec 1996 cannot tow a trailer that is heavier than the towcar (or a combination weighing over 3500 kg in total) unless they take a category B + E test.

Note that the above is based on the trailer's maximum allowed weight ... not the actual loaded weight!

 

[Seamster15]

I'm old now so the 1996 limit does not apply!

 

[BTB 500]

Go for it then!

 

[gbjeppm]

Thanks to all,

I was surpirsed to find that the ML has the same towing weight as the Disco and Landcrusier Amazon, it seems that the ML is a robust machine.

I will probably go for the petrol version as 8-10 years old I think the repairs would be simpler, rather than on the 270cdi.

Any thoughts to running costs Petrol v's Diesel ?

My better half has an ML500, fantastic engine. Yes it uses a lot of fuel, realistically around 15-17 in town, 20-25 on a long run, but they were approx 2k plus cheaper than the diesels when I bought it in Nov, and when you do less than 5k a year the premium does not make sense.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

The W163 ML tows well, but at that price point I'd be looking at a Shogun or Patrol.