W164 ML advice/owners

[clk320x]

At the beginning of 2018 I will be on the hunt for a ML

Will be looking for a cash buy, no finance nonsense for me

Budget would be between £5-6k

With that budget will be looking for a W164s around 2005-2006 with 100k-130k miles

The mileage doesn't put me off in the slightest

What are the common issues on these models? Has anyone had any experience?

I'm looking for a diesel most likely so it will be good on fuel.

Would it be better to stretch my budget and go for a slightly newer year?

Are they roomy in the back? Boot space? Compared to an E estate?

Another contender was an R class but I'm a bit iffy over the styling

Thanks
Abs

 

[clk320x]

Another option is getting a GL class but that would be possible during mid 18. Can see them going for around £9-10k

No experience with the GL class though

 

[Smart320]

Recently bought a2007 ML 320cdi Sport one owner full MB history with only 42k miles, damned expensive though to buy . Had problem with glow plug light coming on after start, 6 new ones and controller fitted according to the dealer ( not MB ) ok for 3 weeks , today same problem! Phoning them tomorrow . Also high engine idle 900 - 1000 rpm cured by new accelerator pedal, unbolt then plug and play new one, Non working Parktronic fixed by one new back sensor ( dealer paid for both ) Otherwise runs really well and I feel confident that as long as you have full MB / Indi specialist service record and interior upholstery / leather looks tidy then it should be ok. Had the same engine in my w211 E class and had no problems but also relatively low miles . Expect the usual V6 diesel faults need to be checked out, especially oil leaking from turbo seal and associated faults with flap motors etc. No doubt other forum members with high mileage examples can give you better info.
Make sure you check brakes , pads / discs, it is a big heavy motor compared with my E Class , stops well but I guess it will eat brake components. Will give mine a service at a local MB Indi after another 3 months will be only 3000 miles after it's last MB annual service that way I can be sure nothing else lurking. Good luck with your hunt , I looked for one with air suspension but they seem rare on the 320cdi

 

[l5foye]

Top book price for a 2008 ML with 61k is £6850. As regards brake pad wear, it is all down as to how they are driven. I got 50k miles out of the front pads though I hear about other people getting 9k miles.

 

[flowrider]

If you can find one get a Grand Edition, they come with nicer alloys, reverse camera and xenon headlights.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

The 164 generation ML/GL/R are fundamentally the same car, but do have a go in each of them to work out which suits you and your driving best. If you like them all the same, go for whichever you can find with the best balance of price, specification and condition.

I seem to recall you do a fair number of miles. Bear in mind that even a diesel will be fairly heavy on fuel relative to a car, especially if doing lots of stop/start or high speed driving.

Overall though, they're great cars, and excellent value for money.

 

[clk320x]

The 164 generation ML/GL/R are fundamentally the same car, but do have a go in each of them to work out which suits you and your driving best. If you like them all the same, go for whichever you can find with the best balance of price, specification and condition.

I seem to recall you do a fair number of miles. Bear in mind that even a diesel will be fairly heavy on fuel relative to a car, especially if doing lots of stop/start or high speed driving.

Overall though, they're great cars, and excellent value for money.

Yes in terms of miles we do a LOT

However the ML would only be used when the whole family is going out/holidays etc

I have practically decided on going for the ML now, the R CLASS styling is a bit iffy.. and the GL is too expensive/ do I really need 7 seats

In terms of economy as long as it hits 30MPG im happy haha

I'm still not sure on whether black or silver in terms of colour is the one to go for... lol

Didn't you have an ML dazzler ?

 

[Mactech]

We had and ML from 2008 thru 2014.

https://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/members/mactech-albums-dark-blue-ml.html

It only went as I had the use of 2 company cars and it seemed silly to keep 3 cars!
It was very much my wife'e favourite car over the past couple of decades and we covered almost 80k miles in it with just routine services. It was still on it's original discs and pads!....and just into it's third set of tyres.
The one addition I would recommend, if you can find one, is the Airmatic suspension. Makes a huge difference to the comfort, noise and ride quality on this tall car without sacrificing the handling.
Our 320CDI gave 32mpg overall and I have now ended up with the latest version of the car (The GLE with Airmatic) after driving or owning most other refined load carriers on the market
Find a good one and I'm sure you'll be happy

 

[Alex]

Get a 420. They are incredible.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I'm still not sure on whether black or silver in terms of colour is the one to go for... lol

Didn't you have an ML dazzler ?

Yes we've had every generation of ML, we do like them a lot, they're great cars.

The bar is set high in the full-size premium SUV class, so there's not really a bad car to choose from between the ML, X5, Cayenne, Range Rover Sport, etc. We have tried them all but the ML has been the car which has suited us best over three generations of ML. The Cayenne has run it close though, but it attracts a little more attention and the service is too variable at our local OPC.

 

[clk320x]

We had and ML from 2008 thru 2014.

https://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/members/mactech-albums-dark-blue-ml.html

It only went as I had the use of 2 company cars and it seemed silly to keep 3 cars!
It was very much my wife'e favourite car over the past couple of decades and we covered almost 80k miles in it with just routine services. It was still on it's original discs and pads!....and just into it's third set of tyres.
The one addition I would recommend, if you can find one, is the Airmatic suspension. Makes a huge difference to the comfort, noise and ride quality on this tall car without sacrificing the handling.
Our 320CDI gave 32mpg overall and I have now ended up with the latest version of the car (The GLE with Airmatic) after driving or owning most other refined load carriers on the market
Find a good one and I'm sure you'll be happy

Wow I don't think I've seen one not in silver or black yet

Yours looked brilliant

Good advice re:airmatic but was just thinking on a higher miles on if it failed it'd be a big bill?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I'm still not sure on whether black or silver in terms of colour is the one to go for... lol

Didn't you have an ML dazzler ?

Black or silver? We've had several silver MLs but only one black. The black one looks great when it's clean and it's clean until the moment you start driving it. The silver ones look great when anytime, they hardly ever look dirty! Not sure we'll get another black one.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Wow I don't think I've seen one not in silver or black yet

Yours looked brilliant

Good advice re:airmatic but was just thinking on a higher miles on if it failed it'd be a big bill?

Budget on a new compressor for the air suspension pump every four or five years, and if you don't need it then it's a bonus. It's around £220 for the pump and around £80 for fitting if you shop around.

 

[clk320x]

Budget on a new compressor for the air suspension pump every four or five years, and if you don't need it then it's a bonus. It's around £220 for the pump and around £80 for fitting if you shop around.

Don't the actual struts fail and cost £1k a side?

 

[clk320x]

Black or silver? We've had several silver MLs but only one black. The black one looks great when it's clean and it's clean until the moment you start driving it. The silver ones look great when anytime, they hardly ever look dirty! Not sure we'll get another black one.

I know what you mean..

My silver CLK NEVER looks dirty... but when clean it does pop...

However black is just so rewarding when clean... it's probably gonna be down to spec and condition rather than colour...

May look around to see how much the AMG bumpers are going for on eBay as an upgrade

Before I buy in January the prices will fall even more! Win win!

 

[zenman63]

The winter will keep price up with 4x4. AMG bumpers will cost a fortune as the chrome bits are expensive and the front lights and grill all change so 2k or more plus paint.

 

[clk320x]

The winter will keep price up with 4x4. AMG bumpers will cost a fortune as the chrome bits are expensive and the front lights and grill all change so 2k or more plus paint.

Oh yeh s***

That's fine as long as the prices stay similar I'll be happy

If not I'll just wait till the summer and get a better spec one after saving a bit more £££

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Don't the actual struts fail and cost £1k a side?

They can, but not common so I wouldn't worry too much. They're available cheaper if you buy from an air suspension specialist rather than the main dealer.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I know what you mean..

My silver CLK NEVER looks dirty... but when clean it does pop...

However black is just so rewarding when clean... it's probably gonna be down to spec and condition rather than colour...

May look around to see how much the AMG bumpers are going for on eBay as an upgrade

Before I buy in January the prices will fall even more! Win win!

There are cars with the AMG kit fitted from the factory, especially 420 CDi models. You may find it more cost effective to buy one of those (or even buy an ML63) rather than retrofit a car with standard bumpers.

 

[clk320x]

There are cars with the AMG kit fitted from the factory, especially 420 CDi models. You may find it more cost effective to buy one of those (or even buy an ML63) rather than retrofit a car with standard bumpers.

Ahhhh yes that's a good idea

I'd love a 63 but just too expensive on fuel... maybe if I lived in Abu Dhabi