[New2Merc]

Hi all. I'm new to Mercedes and I'm really taken by the M Class. With children and a dog I'm looking for a SUV/4x4 and have decided after speaking to a couple of others that an ML is for me.
Has anyone got any advice for a newbie? i.e. particular engines to avoid, any year to avoid, and what to look for when buying a used ML etc. My budget is between £4500 - £5000 roughly.
Many thanks.

 

[slik560]

I'm in a similar situation and budget and from what I've read so far, I would try to stay with 2003 and later. Based on your budget, that creates a fairly narrow range of 2003-2005 models. I've done numerous searches on other forums, and one actually published a list of potential issues: The list of stuff to watch out for on a 163 - MBWorld.org Forums [link posted in the interest of information sharing, not to promote another forum site]

At first I was looking at 2001 models, but I keep wondering if I would just be buying another set of problems. For every problem that is posted, there are likely 80 to 100 other ML owners that have never had an issue. People tend to post about the negatives, not the positives.

Right now I'm trying to figure out if I can go with a 2006 ML. Fingers crossed! Good luck with your plans. Don't let me discourage you - there are good ML's out there.

 

[New2Merc]

Thanks for the prompt reply, this is of great use, also the link to the things to watch out for

 

[pdxgrease]

well.. do you want petro or diesel? I would imagine petro ML's are cheaper to buy. Also being that a great many of us are in the states... not sure what the used prices are in UK for ML's. That being said I would shop 2000+ from what I gather from anecdotal info. I have a 1999 ml430 myself that I got for $6k US with 106k miles.. Its at 116k now and I have had no major problems. In general a used ML is a bit of a dice game. Some people here have virtually no problems and take theirs over 200k miles... Others are cursed with a high incidence of problems. There seem to be a good number of wear items around 100k miles. So be prepared to refurbish your used ML or buy one that has been well maintained by the previous owner.

 

[pdxgrease]

Right now I'm trying to figure out if I can go with a 2006 ML. Fingers crossed! Good luck with your plans. Don't let me discourage you - there are good ML's out there.

2006'ers seem to go for $22-30k... you are trading body on frame w163 for unibody w164. Obviously w164 will be more modern and refined but also has yet unproven reliability with age. However $11-12k will buy a 02-03 ML500 with under 80k miles.

 

[slik560]

Here is another link with some fairly candid assessments; more positive information:
Looking to replace my E320 with an ML320 - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

 

[pdxgrease]

oh wow i just looked on autotrader UK - looks like there are lots of ml320, ml430, and ml270cdi in your price range. There is little reason to get an ml320 in my opinion as the fuel economy difference is slight. The ml270 will obviously get the best fuel economy but its much slower that the v8 petro.

 

[New2Merc]

I'm definately looking at petrol as by the performance info the ml270 diesel is proper slugish. One of my other questions was gonna be 320 or 430, however like you the difference in economy is minimal.
Do any of you guys know the cam belt replacement intervals?
Do you recon that it's better to go for a certain milage in hope alot of the big stuff has been replaced?

 

[Stitch]

I don't know but I kind of feel like I'm overhearing a conversation on the train.

 

[Noodles]

I'm definately looking at petrol as by the performance info the ml270 diesel is proper slugish. One of my other questions was gonna be 320 or 430, however like you the difference in economy is minimal.
Do any of you guys know the cam belt replacement intervals?
Do you recon that it's better to go for a certain milage in hope alot of the big stuff has been replaced?

I would say more the year than the mileage. If a 2002 or newer is in the budget
then that would be the way to go. However having lived in Weybridge, Surrey
I know how much higher the prices are for Mercs in the UK than in the US.
For what it is worth our US spec 99 ML is a decent truck the later model years
they just got better as bugs got worked out in production and parts suppliers.
If I had to choose a 60,000 mile 1999 over a 100,000 mile 2001 I would take
the 1999.

 

[pdxgrease]

yeah.. but an oil burner is turbo charged and thus a prime candidate for an ecu remap. I think with a tune the 270 has 200hp/330 ft lbs. However - diesels arent for everyone. If they offered oil burner ML's stateside - i sure would be saving my coin for a ml420cdi.. but thats a bit more than 5k sterling i believe. I just saw a 1999 ml430 on craigslist today with 288,000 miles... So some chaps make out pretty well with the late models. But the meme seems to be 2002+. Or if you are getting a ml430 get a 00 or 01.

 

[gwwaterman]

I would think that for any car with 75K+ miles on it and a SINGLE OWNER would be all worked out as far as the minor annoyances you here about in this forum. From then on, you are in the realm of how the car was treated during its life, at least as far as the likelihood of other major issues arising. How well was it maintained? Was it driven in a high salt environment?, etc. It's true they did work out some bugs as the ML matured. One of the big ones was the transmission as I understand it. I think the 00-01 range included major improvements on the INSIDE of the transmission from what I've read here and elsewhere.

Also, if I remember correctly, did we not change the frame to UNIT BODY in the '02+ range? I found that a great disappointment having survived a horrid crash where the frame construction of the truck I was driving was a major factor in preventing the collision from being fatal on my side of the steering wheel. Henceforth I will always choose a frame body over unit body, but that's just my experience.