I'm afraid I'm the only one here with a ML400...
So I'm sorry but you must have to deal ...
I'm afraid I'm the only one here with a ML400...
So I'm sorry but you must have to deal with my poor english.
I recently traded my '99 ML320 with a ML400. It still doens't have enough miles to made a exhaustive report, but I can share my first impressions.
I didnt bought it for only for fuel savings, but even because I normally prefer Diesel engines. The ML 500 and the 400 Cdi have exactly the same price here, so one must made a choice.
One argument is the resale price: the diesels have here (Italy) a much better resale price (especially the 270 Cdi). You can got a good value for your ML320 but a 430 is very low priced after a couples of years.
So I had the opportunity to test drive a ML400 and....and I ordered it the same day.
If I must compare it to my old ML320, the V8 engine is obviously more powerful, but it is even quieter a highway speed (say 60 Mph). Maybe because engine Rpm is very low. I already has some of passengers who want to see the CDI label on the rear hatch after a ride.
When you drive it at low speed (like in the city) engine sound it is slightly more audible (despite the way much better noise isolation of the post-2000 MLs) but to my taste it is a very amazing sound: its recall me more a turbine than a diesel..
Vibrations are hard to feel, but at startup when the engine run at idle there is a kind of vibration you can feel in the driver seat.
Typical diesel 'clicketing' sound with cold engine is no longer an issue, even because this V8 reach the working temperature very soon (after some 3-5 kilometers). This also avoid another well-know Diesel engine inconvenience: the heating system is very quick, allowing to heat the air inside the cabin in a short time.
In this two-turbos engine, the 'turbo-lag', isn't too much noticeable, perhaps even because automatic gearshift tend to unveal it.
Even at full throttle (kick-down) I can't see any black smoke coming from the exhaust. And when starting inside my garage there is no annoying smell.
I haven't started it at very low temperature for now, but at 8° C degrees the pre-heat ignition light goes off after a couple of seconds and you will not see it for the rest of the day.
It is too early for have serious fuel consumption reports, but for know the board computer displays an average 24,5 MPG driving on small roads. Not too bad for such an heavy Truck.(the 400 is the heaviest ML with 2335 Kgs)
My neigtbour own a ML500 so we had the possibility to made some comparaisons: of course the 500 has more horses under the hood, but -strange to say- the diesel gives sometimes a more powerful feeling. I know this may sound excessive, but when accelerating from 0 to 10/20 miles the Diesel push quite strong.
And I also found it very impressive in light off-road (serious off-road isn't for me) where the high torque at very low Rpm (1700 Rpm) helps a lot. I guess it would be helpful even for towing purposes.
I can say I don't miss my petrol V6 (ML320) at all. For my kind of driving (grandfather style) this big diesel is almost perfect.
As you may have understand, I LOVE IT !!
I was interested in an ML400 CDI too, and I even checked the "can I buy it in Mexico" rout...
I was interested in an ML400 CDI too, and I even checked the "can I buy it in Mexico" route... sadly, it is not for sale there either. Importation from Europe seems to be the only way to get one, and even that isn't out of the question...
Vehicle: MBENZ ML320, AUDI A4 SPORT, MBENZ C230K SS (current)
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 1,708
i would love to have a diesel engine. It's has a better gas consumption and torque. In a...
i would love to have a diesel engine. It's has a better gas consumption and torque. In asia all my family's SUV's are diesel engines. love the sound of the engine.
I would advise against using gas, diesel is safer in that type of engine.
Quote:
love the sound of the engine
You're up for disappointment, MB common rail injections are quiet
Incidentally, how do you change spark plugs on a CDI?[xx(][xx(]
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Seriously, they are marketed in Europe with the same package as the ML500, and for a picture of the engine, check Krystof's currentavatar.
You are right, same package and same price of the ML500. If one remove the rear lettering, it is nearly impossible to identify a diesel.
When at the driver's seat, only differences are the pre-heat light and the EPC warning light.
Here a bigger pic of my V8 CDI:
Linear Mode
