ML350 CDI, Thoughts on buying
Discussion
st4 said:
I've had three cars with the V6 diesel engine in it.
My advice - don't. Buy a Lexus RX450h if you want a refined and comfortable SUV type car.
Predictable response from st4 - Mercedes is rubbish, buy a Lexus. But that’s the view of a somewhat embittered ex-owner who is somewhat of an outlier.My advice - don't. Buy a Lexus RX450h if you want a refined and comfortable SUV type car.
Up to you, but my view is (a) yes, the V6 diesel is excellent from my own perspective (b) the ML is all right but not what I’d buy; would go for an E-Class in preference.
(For the record, I currently run an S211 E220Cdi and a W221 S320Cdi. No problems with either engine, even at 200k miles)
I have had Mercedes before, my last one that I sold this last year was a e500 W124 built between Porsche & Mercedes , a lovely car and not expensive to run.
My reason for posting is the fact that I need to buy another 4x4 and have no wish now to buy an overpriced unreliable vehicle such as a RR.
I see reports that the ML is a good reliable car with an engine & gearbox that is capable of many thousands of miles, but would like some confirmation from actual owners rather than just so called reviews over a few miles.
My reason for posting is the fact that I need to buy another 4x4 and have no wish now to buy an overpriced unreliable vehicle such as a RR.
I see reports that the ML is a good reliable car with an engine & gearbox that is capable of many thousands of miles, but would like some confirmation from actual owners rather than just so called reviews over a few miles.
I’m on my second ML (W164) and am about to hit 100,000 miles having taken my W163 up to 130. I’m very pleased with it , the only problem seems to be persistently high idle ( which it has done for the last 60k) despite various attempted fixes including a new throttle pedal! Car does as it says on the tin - not the last thing in driver dynamics but is a reliable comfortable daily driver. We use the service plan but I’m not convinced it’s great value for money but really like the car and hope to get many more miles out of it.
JamieG said:
I’m on my second ML (W164) and am about to hit 100,000 miles having taken my W163 up to 130. I’m very pleased with it , the only problem seems to be persistently high idle ( which it has done for the last 60k) despite various attempted fixes including a new throttle pedal! Car does as it says on the tin - not the last thing in driver dynamics but is a reliable comfortable daily driver. We use the service plan but I’m not convinced it’s great value for money but really like the car and hope to get many more miles out of it.
Thank you for your reply, just the answer I’m looking for, very much appreciated.Had our family ML350CDI from new, bought it 2010 and just ticked over 51k.
Had it up for sale but got annoyed with interested parties and hadn’t found a suitable replacement so took it off the mkt.
Bar routine servicing and consumables the only thing that caused us bother is abs sensors/ wheel bearings which caused the esp/abs to crap out. Not the most dynamic but great family transport that eats up the miles and still gives good mpg.
Didn’t like Last gen ML/GLE but the new one looks lovely, a nice spec 400d is coming in At over 70 grand so not really sure I can stomach the cost to change.
Had it up for sale but got annoyed with interested parties and hadn’t found a suitable replacement so took it off the mkt.
Bar routine servicing and consumables the only thing that caused us bother is abs sensors/ wheel bearings which caused the esp/abs to crap out. Not the most dynamic but great family transport that eats up the miles and still gives good mpg.
Didn’t like Last gen ML/GLE but the new one looks lovely, a nice spec 400d is coming in At over 70 grand so not really sure I can stomach the cost to change.
foz01 said:
Had our family ML350CDI from new, bought it 2010 and just ticked over 51k.
Had it up for sale but got annoyed with interested parties and hadn’t found a suitable replacement so took it off the mkt.
Bar routine servicing and consumables the only thing that caused us bother is abs sensors/ wheel bearings which caused the esp/abs to crap out. Not the most dynamic but great family transport that eats up the miles and still gives good mpg.
Didn’t like Last gen ML/GLE but the new one looks lovely, a nice spec 400d is coming in At over 70 grand so not really sure I can stomach the cost to change.
The same reason as I cannot take the risk on buying another RR product is the high cost of purchase plus the added unreliability.Had it up for sale but got annoyed with interested parties and hadn’t found a suitable replacement so took it off the mkt.
Bar routine servicing and consumables the only thing that caused us bother is abs sensors/ wheel bearings which caused the esp/abs to crap out. Not the most dynamic but great family transport that eats up the miles and still gives good mpg.
Didn’t like Last gen ML/GLE but the new one looks lovely, a nice spec 400d is coming in At over 70 grand so not really sure I can stomach the cost to change.
It does seem that Mercedes doesn’t have the unreliability factor therefore making it a far better buy though.
My wife has genuinely been spoiled by the cars relaibility, she wants an L405 Range Rover but I said if you get one you are on your own, you can call the recovery trucks, scandalously bad attitudes from the main dealers as well, prep levels etc just crazy. Maybe this downturn will force them to up thief game but doubt it!
foz01 said:
My wife has genuinely been spoiled by the cars relaibility, she wants an L405 Range Rover but I said if you get one you are on your own, you can call the recovery trucks, scandalously bad attitudes from the main dealers as well, prep levels etc just crazy. Maybe this downturn will force them to up thief game but doubt it!
I quite agree, I have been lucky with mine, I have always bought new ,had them serviced by RR , and then also bought their additional Car Warranty when RR Warranty ran out and also moved them on when the magic 50,000 miles comes up, as their gearboxes so I understand run out of warranty at that mileage.Kneetrembler said:
I have had Mercedes before, my last one that I sold this last year was a e500 W124 built between Porsche & Mercedes , a lovely car and not expensive to run.
My reason for posting is the fact that I need to buy another 4x4 and have no wish now to buy an overpriced unreliable vehicle such as a RR.
I see reports that the ML is a good reliable car with an engine & gearbox that is capable of many thousands of miles, but would like some confirmation from actual owners rather than just so called reviews over a few miles.
Google rear oil cooler leak OM642 and 722.9 speed plate faults. My reason for posting is the fact that I need to buy another 4x4 and have no wish now to buy an overpriced unreliable vehicle such as a RR.
I see reports that the ML is a good reliable car with an engine & gearbox that is capable of many thousands of miles, but would like some confirmation from actual owners rather than just so called reviews over a few miles.
Listen, I've had 3 cars with this V6 and 7 speed drivetrain. ALL of them had faults. Yet my current Lexus, old petrol BMWs and Ford Era Volvo S80 had none.
Make of that what you will.
longblackcoat said:
Predictable response from st4 - Mercedes is rubbish, buy a Lexus. But that’s the view of a somewhat embittered ex-owner who is somewhat of an outlier.
Up to you, but my view is (a) yes, the V6 diesel is excellent from my own perspective (b) the ML is all right but not what I’d buy; would go for an E-Class in preference.
(For the record, I currently run an S211 E220Cdi and a W221 S320Cdi. No problems with either engine, even at 200k miles)
I've had 3 OM642 7g cars, you've had one. You might wonder why I could be "embittered" - it is for a reason you know...Up to you, but my view is (a) yes, the V6 diesel is excellent from my own perspective (b) the ML is all right but not what I’d buy; would go for an E-Class in preference.
(For the record, I currently run an S211 E220Cdi and a W221 S320Cdi. No problems with either engine, even at 200k miles)
I think my experience on the matter is more than yours. I would concede the old 5g and pre OM651 220cdi is a pretty bombproof drive train but that's irrelevant to the OP.
My family has had six OM642 engines in a W164 ML320, C350 estate, E350 saloon, E350 convertible, X164 GL350 and GLC350. They've all been solid performers. The only one we have had any issues with was the ML320 which, at 120K miles, really needed a new turbo - it was whining and occasionally stuttering. I think the two issues were separate - one being turbo bearings, and the other being the valve issue associated with the recirculating oil vapour.
Performance varied between cars. The ML was only the 222bhp version, and at 2.3 tonnes was no sportscar but it towed an 1800Kg caravan with ease.
The GL is the 262bhp version and despite being about 100KG heavier than the ML, seems disproportionately faster. When towing, it feels similar in terms of pulling capability but the air suspension makes it seem more stable at speed.
The others are just hilariously fast. They're all a good half tonne lighter than the big trucks noted above - even the GLC. We have a long uphill road out of our town and you see people dropping gears and revving to gain any sort of speed. Our Mercs make the hill seem flat. Those with the 7G-Tronic don't even change down - they just seem to "flick" the cars up that hill as though they were being pulled by elastic. The GLC has a 9G-Tronic and I am aware that it changes ratio more often but it's almost imperceptible, and it absolutely flies.
I would certainly recommend this engine but when the GLS400 comes out, with the new 3-litre inline-6, I'll be looking for a good low mileage one when they become available on the 2nd hand market. I think that will be a game changer.
Performance varied between cars. The ML was only the 222bhp version, and at 2.3 tonnes was no sportscar but it towed an 1800Kg caravan with ease.
The GL is the 262bhp version and despite being about 100KG heavier than the ML, seems disproportionately faster. When towing, it feels similar in terms of pulling capability but the air suspension makes it seem more stable at speed.
The others are just hilariously fast. They're all a good half tonne lighter than the big trucks noted above - even the GLC. We have a long uphill road out of our town and you see people dropping gears and revving to gain any sort of speed. Our Mercs make the hill seem flat. Those with the 7G-Tronic don't even change down - they just seem to "flick" the cars up that hill as though they were being pulled by elastic. The GLC has a 9G-Tronic and I am aware that it changes ratio more often but it's almost imperceptible, and it absolutely flies.
I would certainly recommend this engine but when the GLS400 comes out, with the new 3-litre inline-6, I'll be looking for a good low mileage one when they become available on the 2nd hand market. I think that will be a game changer.
I have just bought a GLE350d 4matic 1owner with a very low mileage, I have had the car just over a week now, so far very pleased with it.
It seems to drive very smoothly, is very comfortable and looks to be very good on fuel useage .
Bought from Marshalls in Southampton who with their Customer care service been very good right from the very first initial conversation with the girls on reception through to the final collection of the car and phoning after a few days to see that we are happy with everything.
I shall come back and report on this after we have been around some of Europe with it ( provided we are allowed in and out ).
Thank you all for your positive comments and details of your experiences.
It seems to drive very smoothly, is very comfortable and looks to be very good on fuel useage .
Bought from Marshalls in Southampton who with their Customer care service been very good right from the very first initial conversation with the girls on reception through to the final collection of the car and phoning after a few days to see that we are happy with everything.
I shall come back and report on this after we have been around some of Europe with it ( provided we are allowed in and out ).
Thank you all for your positive comments and details of your experiences.
Kneetrembler said:
I have run a series of Discoveries,FFRR & also the last one RRS
What is it like expense wise running a ML 350 4 matic in comparison as I’ve heard they are just as good but cheaper to run on services & parts.
Does anyone here run these and can offer some advice please ?
Hi, What is it like expense wise running a ML 350 4 matic in comparison as I’ve heard they are just as good but cheaper to run on services & parts.
Does anyone here run these and can offer some advice please ?
How are you getting on with it. Did you end up buying a ML350?
Mohass89 said:
Hi,
How are you getting on with it. Did you end up buying a ML350?
Hi yes I bought a GLE 350 4 matic with 32,000 miles in mint condition just coming up to 3 yrs old and it has been a brilliant car especially driving long distances just swallows the miles up in comfort and would not hesitate to buy another one , but will never buy another RR nowadays.How are you getting on with it. Did you end up buying a ML350?
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