ML270 - owners views

[se9boy]

Thinking of buying a diesel ML up to the value of £16-17k within the next 6 months or so; I guess that would equate to a good spec 2000/1 model with no more than 50k miles.

What I want it for;
1. 2nd car [have company car for daily use]
2. 'Her indoors' to drive it [there's my first worry, will she adjust to the size / handling of an ML from a VW hatchback?]
3. Must be a diesel [economy reasons]
4. Would only ever have minimal off road use [I can't afford to wreck a 16 grand car larking about in the woods on Sunday afternoons!]

I'd really appreciate some honest opinions, including comments on running costs.
I seem to recall some adverse opinions in the motoring press some time ago but am not sure exactly what the press criticised.

Am also considering a good spec Discovery of the same value - anyone owned both?

Many thanks in anticipation.

[steve-p]

se9boy said:

2. 'Her indoors' to drive it [there's my first worry, will she adjust to the size / handling of an ML from a VW hatchback?]

It's probably not as big as you think. It's actually only 30cm longer than a Golf, and 20cm shorter than an E class saloon for example. It's 35cm wider than both though, but after the first few scrapes it would probably be OK - just get a protected NCB

[tonylal]

Good value for money, and not really as bad as Clarkson would have you think. I would question the fuel economy though. You wont ever get 30mpg out of it. Takes £70 to fill and I used to average around 300 miles. If she aint doing that much mileage then go for it. They take whatever you throw at them, great lifestlye vehicle. Easier to park than you'd imagine. Just don't buy a manual. 4 pedals in the footwell and all that. Turbo's can cook/leak and brakes and tyres take a pounding. The rear seats rattle and it rolls around corners, but then its no GTI. Faulty electric seats are normally stretched cable and easily sorted. Not been around long enough to rust (yet) and bumpers are pretty cheap to replace (though not if fitted with parking sensors). If you find one email me the chassis number and I can check it out.

[nickwilcock]

Why buy a 4x4 if it isn't going to be used off-road? Wouldn't an estate car be more suitable if you need all that space?

Chelsea Tractors are really too big for many urban roads - do you really need one?

[se9boy]

Thanks for all the replies so far. It does sound as if I'm jumping on the chelsea tractor bandwagon but....
1. I live in the country and do have the opportunity for some 'soft' off roading. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to be hooning about off road but if that were my main driver then I'd invest in a Defender instead
2. We like the driving position in a 4x4 [i.e. it aids vision in the lanes]
3. I could buy a people carrier but I don't like them, just personal taste
4. I like estate cars but she doesn't

I'm aware that an ML, or any other big 4x4, is not exactly an economical prospect and it's going to cost a few quid to run but also want something I feel happy with - and I think at this moment in time it's got to be a 4x4.

[nickwilcock]

Sounds as though the ML should "Suit you, Sir! Ooh yes - the ladies like an ML, sir, they do!"

If I was in your situation, I'd try to tempt your lady with something like an Audi allroad 2.7 T quattro. About £19K for a 2002 model with Tiptronic and average mileage.