Mercedes ML - Take Two!
Discussion
We bought our first ML last December. We now have three children, my other half's previous car was a CLS which despite it's comfort was just not practical, she didn't want an estate and it's her car so an ML was the order of the day. We found a lovely silver one which served us well until some moron in a car transporter wrote it off on the M25 a bit over a month ago.
Fortunately car prices are strong and we only lost £200 on it. Well, this is it's replacement. It's another 2011 ML350cdi with 72k on the clock but this time a Grand Edition. The seller only sells MLs and we actually went to look at a grey one with lower miles that was cheaper but it wasn't in the condition we were looking for, plenty to choose from though...
The one that caught our eye is the one we eventually bought. The Grand Edition has a higher spec than the standard models so full leather interior instead of half, leather dashboard and doorcards, sportier steering wheel, few external styling changes and it has these 21" AMG wheels.
The condition is really good and the niceties certainly added to the appeal.
It came with Xenons but also the normal fog lights are replaced with the LEDs. Also the inside of the headlights is tinted which I think is a Grand feature but works well on the black paintwork.
Looking forward to getting my hands on it at the weekend and giving it a proper once over but so far very pleased with it. Will be quite glad to give the GLC back that we've had as a courtesy car. It's newer with better tech but the ML is just nicer! haha
Fortunately car prices are strong and we only lost £200 on it. Well, this is it's replacement. It's another 2011 ML350cdi with 72k on the clock but this time a Grand Edition. The seller only sells MLs and we actually went to look at a grey one with lower miles that was cheaper but it wasn't in the condition we were looking for, plenty to choose from though...
The one that caught our eye is the one we eventually bought. The Grand Edition has a higher spec than the standard models so full leather interior instead of half, leather dashboard and doorcards, sportier steering wheel, few external styling changes and it has these 21" AMG wheels.
The condition is really good and the niceties certainly added to the appeal.
It came with Xenons but also the normal fog lights are replaced with the LEDs. Also the inside of the headlights is tinted which I think is a Grand feature but works well on the black paintwork.
Looking forward to getting my hands on it at the weekend and giving it a proper once over but so far very pleased with it. Will be quite glad to give the GLC back that we've had as a courtesy car. It's newer with better tech but the ML is just nicer! haha
Lucky me had a day off work today so I gave the S a clean which was easy and then attacked the outside of the ML!
Nice simple clean first of all with some Meguiars Wash+. I only use this stuff if I'm stripping back and polishing the paintwork but it's good stuff.
I then went over the paintwork with that old classic, Super Resin Polish. It's actually quite an old bottle but still does the trick. I then protected it with some Turtlewax Seal N Shine. It's the new formula, no idea if it lasts longer but it smells different and really nice! :lol:
I've been using it as a last stage product on the S and it's so cheap and easy to top up that it doesn't matter if it lasts 1 month or 6 I just top up regularly.
The paintwork on the ML is lovely, I'm hugely impressed with it. The odd stone chip and a couple of small dings but otherwise not a scuff or blemish in sight.
Even got a good reflection of me in my questionable sunglasses! :lol:
The wheel nuts are rusty and look a bit rubbish compared to the wheels...
Some silicone covers I had spare sorted them out, well all but the locking nut!
The wheels were freshly powder coated before we bought so I get to keep the backs nice and clean!
Also gave the interior a proper once over earlier in the week. Very pleased with the full leather and white details.
Re-fitted the rubber mats we had in the old ML. Far more practical in winter and with family.
Nabbed all the leads out of the old ML so got the old iPhone 4 hooked up and playing through the stereo. Very 2010 I know but hey 32gb and playlists at the ready is still handy!
Slight blessing in disduise having the last one written off as despite us loving that car, this is a higher spec, lower mileage and slightly better condition overall.
Nice simple clean first of all with some Meguiars Wash+. I only use this stuff if I'm stripping back and polishing the paintwork but it's good stuff.
I then went over the paintwork with that old classic, Super Resin Polish. It's actually quite an old bottle but still does the trick. I then protected it with some Turtlewax Seal N Shine. It's the new formula, no idea if it lasts longer but it smells different and really nice! :lol:
I've been using it as a last stage product on the S and it's so cheap and easy to top up that it doesn't matter if it lasts 1 month or 6 I just top up regularly.
The paintwork on the ML is lovely, I'm hugely impressed with it. The odd stone chip and a couple of small dings but otherwise not a scuff or blemish in sight.
Even got a good reflection of me in my questionable sunglasses! :lol:
The wheel nuts are rusty and look a bit rubbish compared to the wheels...
Some silicone covers I had spare sorted them out, well all but the locking nut!
The wheels were freshly powder coated before we bought so I get to keep the backs nice and clean!
Also gave the interior a proper once over earlier in the week. Very pleased with the full leather and white details.
Re-fitted the rubber mats we had in the old ML. Far more practical in winter and with family.
Nabbed all the leads out of the old ML so got the old iPhone 4 hooked up and playing through the stereo. Very 2010 I know but hey 32gb and playlists at the ready is still handy!
Slight blessing in disduise having the last one written off as despite us loving that car, this is a higher spec, lower mileage and slightly better condition overall.
cerb4.5lee said:
That looks very nice. 
You've got it looking so clean too. Enjoy it.
Thanks you mate, it's a great example so a bit of work and it's come up really well. You've got it looking so clean too. Enjoy it.
QBee said:
We used to have a 2000 ml ML 270 cdi.
Great all rounder, towed 2.5 tonnes of horses and trailer with no problems.
Yours looks a whole lot more modern and has got me thinking.....
Enjoy your new car.
Not quite as modern as the GLC we had as a courtesy car but it's definitely a good design and I think the exterior really hasn't dated too much, more so in this Grand spec. The interior lacks the connectivity of the newer cars but the ride is excellent and it's so comfortable. Not far off my S Class in terms of being a long distance drive. Great all rounder, towed 2.5 tonnes of horses and trailer with no problems.
Yours looks a whole lot more modern and has got me thinking.....
Enjoy your new car.
ritch said:
looks fantastic in black, body work looks good and swirl free. a positive end to the transporter incident.
Thank you mate, a thankfully positive outcome. The bodywork is in really lovely condition overall. It does have swirls as I'd expect but SRP is good for masking them and giving a nice shine, I may get the DA out on it next year if I get time but it'll get daily use and is nicely protected so that will do. BrettMRC said:
That looks really nice! Got a soft spot for the ML's
Did any of the dealers cars have the offroad pack?
I never did until my other half bought the last one. She needed five proper seats and a big boot, her CLS wouldn't cut it and she was not having an E Class estate so the ML was the obvious choice. Totally won me over in terms of comfort and drive. Nice driving position in these too! Did any of the dealers cars have the offroad pack?
We didn't actively look for that option but there are a few about. Tended to notice this spec'd on the ML420cdi. Sadly couldn't convince the other half to go for a V8 diesel sadly haha
LazyMechanic said:
Looks nice. Always really liked the MLs.
I have had a few W163s as well, very underrated imho.
The W164 Grand Edition also got interior ambient lighting, a nice feature to have, and led rear lights, which also make it feel much more modern.
A good choice, enjoy.
I am definitely won over with the ML now and I assume the GLE would make for the modern equivalent. I have had a few W163s as well, very underrated imho.
The W164 Grand Edition also got interior ambient lighting, a nice feature to have, and led rear lights, which also make it feel much more modern.
A good choice, enjoy.
I can't say I've been in a 163, I knew someone who had one new and had issues but again I bet it was a comfortable, nice drive.
I hadn't realised it had the ambient lighting, not been out in it in the dark haha. I've just had a Google and it looks to be really nice, very similar to the lighting in my S Class. Under the dash, round the doors etc. Look forward to testing that out.
Really nice looking ML, I have a 08 320cdi which I kind of fell into owning as I needed a stop gap during Covid and I haven felt the need to replace it! Find it very different to my wife’s D4 much more car like but that’s fine for me as a daily, it’s standing up to 2500 miles a month well after only 1000 a year with the previous owner!
I put a set off Avon all terrains on it and it’s even decent in a muddy field!
Have you driven a 420 bet they go really well!
I put a set off Avon all terrains on it and it’s even decent in a muddy field!
Have you driven a 420 bet they go really well!
A lovely old bus. We have become quite fond of our 350CDI. I was very dubious at first when we bought ours used but it has more than earned its keep. As mentioned, I believe that it hasn’t dated too badly if I’m the right spec (interior excluded). On 110k miles now and I hope that we keep it a good lot longer.
Aids0G said:
Really nice looking ML, I have a 08 320cdi which I kind of fell into owning as I needed a stop gap during Covid and I haven felt the need to replace it! Find it very different to my wife’s D4 much more car like but that’s fine for me as a daily, it’s standing up to 2500 miles a month well after only 1000 a year with the previous owner!
I put a set off Avon all terrains on it and it’s even decent in a muddy field!
Have you driven a 420 bet they go really well!
Good to hear it's handling the mileage. They certainly seem to be very capable of plenty of use. Ours will likely do 7-9k a year with some good regular long drives but nice to know it's got plenty of life in it hahaI put a set off Avon all terrains on it and it’s even decent in a muddy field!
Have you driven a 420 bet they go really well!
I've heard they're fairly capable with some light off roading!
Not had the pleasure of a 420 but I bet they're quite something, love the idea of that engine.
muchacho said:
A lovely old bus. We have become quite fond of our 350CDI. I was very dubious at first when we bought ours used but it has more than earned its keep. As mentioned, I believe that it hasn’t dated too badly if I’m the right spec (interior excluded). On 110k miles now and I hope that we keep it a good lot longer.
I wasn't sold on the idea of a 4x4/SUV at all, I'm firmly of the saloon/estate camp but it's my other half's car, her money and after her CLS the ML was the only car she liked. I was won over by it too, does everything we need well and it's a nice relaxing drive. I think the looks are still relevant more so on this one with the LEDs/Xenons as they bring it up to date slightly more. Kinky said:
I think it might be Clovelly in Fleet.
That's exactly the one, chap called Mark runs it. He seems to buy them directly from Mercedes where he can, he uses a local dealer for servicing etc. Can't complain at all plus a great selection of MLs. sbk1972 said:
Nice, I like that. love that it's a facelift too as the rear lights are LED.
i want a Ml63. Ive got a ML55 so one day I will upgrade to a 2011 < ML63.
Yep LED tail lights which I hope will last well. My S needed a tail light LED strip and not quite as cheap as normal bulb hahai want a Ml63. Ive got a ML55 so one day I will upgrade to a 2011 < ML63.
Bet the ML55 is a good laugh though, big brutish engine there. Any AMG with the M156 is rather special.
whytheory said:
Absolutely lovely car, just bought an older one myself. The Grand Edition is the one to have IMO, the small changes they made just make it look so fresh.
Thanks mate. We'd never even looked at a Grand Edition until we saw this. Luckily the condition and mileage were the main selling points so everything else is a nice plus. Must admit though, the subtle extras make it feel a bit special. More so than the last one. 
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