Buying a used ML 270 CDI (?) on a budget
Discussion
The wife and I have decided to go back to a 7 seater car and are looking at the ML 270 CDI as a potential purchase. Budget is tight but we could probably stretch ourselves up to around £6k if required.
Any pointers? Things to watch out for beyond the ordinary? I've never owned a MB but have always fancied it. We have a BMW E39 530i at the moment so we are not that concerned about fuel costs (!), but I was thinking the diesel might be a wise move? Would you rule out the 3.2 petrol? The car will only be used for school runs and general family stuff (not off road).
Thanks for your advice. And if anyone wants a mint 2nd hand 5 series: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3825210.htm
Any pointers? Things to watch out for beyond the ordinary? I've never owned a MB but have always fancied it. We have a BMW E39 530i at the moment so we are not that concerned about fuel costs (!), but I was thinking the diesel might be a wise move? Would you rule out the 3.2 petrol? The car will only be used for school runs and general family stuff (not off road).
Thanks for your advice. And if anyone wants a mint 2nd hand 5 series: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3825210.htm
Consider a v8? a good friend of mine is selling an ml500....he bought it with 30k and it's been very well cared for and virtually trouble free bar a couple of wheel bearings. It's on lpg so cheaper than a diesel to fuel. On the whole I never liked this shape ml till I spent a bit of time in this one and it really grew on me. the v8 may have helped. 
http://www.usedcarsni.com/89070982
http://www.usedcarsni.com/89070982
I recently bought a 54 plate ML350, and am very happy with it.
I chose it over an ML270 CDI because reliability is important to me. The ML350 has a normally aspirated chain-driven 3.7 litre V6; a relatively simple setup. It's heavier on fuel, but I figure that you get the extra fuel spend back through the lower price of petrol compared to diesel, and lower maintenance bills.
I also considered a BMW X5, but the interior did not feel as nice as the ML at the same price point.
Things I found when looking:
- Tyres can be expensive. Ensure that the one you buy has a good set, or that replacements are correctly priced in.
- The tailgates can corrode. My one has a bit of corrosion around the number plate plinth. These cars came with a lifetime corrosion warranty, but I'm not sure what the conditions are, whether the car has to have full MB service history etc. I need to check the documentation.
- The handbrake arrangement is a bit odd if you are not used to MB. You apply it with a floor-mounted foot pedal and release it with a lever near your right hand. Takes a little getting used to.
- Automatic transmissions appear to show signs of wear at relatively low mileages. All the examples I looked at (including the one I ended up buying) had transmissions that were whiny in low gears.
- Cheap ML270 CDIs appear to be a bit of a lottery. I saw evidence of big bills either paid in the past or imminent. Injectors appear to be a problem. I found that ML350s tended to be better looked after, on the whole.
- The model up to 2004 didn't have a Thatcham category 1/2 alarm, so your insurer might require you to fit one in order to get theft cover.
It's great to drive. It feels very solid. You can chuck it around with confidence. It was excellent in the recent heavy rain, when my previous cars would have started to lose grip.
The early MLs (1999 - 2001 I think) were a little cheap-looking inside and had lots of quality problems. From 2002 onwards the interior got a lot nicer. I would go for a 2003 onwards if possible. I think that an all-new model was introduced in 2005, but that might be out of your price range.
I've only had mine for 3 weeks and 500 miles, so too early to comment on reliability, but nothing has gone wrong so far and everything appears to work.
I would recommend them. Will try to get some pictures and writeup done soon.
I chose it over an ML270 CDI because reliability is important to me. The ML350 has a normally aspirated chain-driven 3.7 litre V6; a relatively simple setup. It's heavier on fuel, but I figure that you get the extra fuel spend back through the lower price of petrol compared to diesel, and lower maintenance bills.
I also considered a BMW X5, but the interior did not feel as nice as the ML at the same price point.
Things I found when looking:
- Tyres can be expensive. Ensure that the one you buy has a good set, or that replacements are correctly priced in.
- The tailgates can corrode. My one has a bit of corrosion around the number plate plinth. These cars came with a lifetime corrosion warranty, but I'm not sure what the conditions are, whether the car has to have full MB service history etc. I need to check the documentation.
- The handbrake arrangement is a bit odd if you are not used to MB. You apply it with a floor-mounted foot pedal and release it with a lever near your right hand. Takes a little getting used to.
- Automatic transmissions appear to show signs of wear at relatively low mileages. All the examples I looked at (including the one I ended up buying) had transmissions that were whiny in low gears.
- Cheap ML270 CDIs appear to be a bit of a lottery. I saw evidence of big bills either paid in the past or imminent. Injectors appear to be a problem. I found that ML350s tended to be better looked after, on the whole.
- The model up to 2004 didn't have a Thatcham category 1/2 alarm, so your insurer might require you to fit one in order to get theft cover.
It's great to drive. It feels very solid. You can chuck it around with confidence. It was excellent in the recent heavy rain, when my previous cars would have started to lose grip.
The early MLs (1999 - 2001 I think) were a little cheap-looking inside and had lots of quality problems. From 2002 onwards the interior got a lot nicer. I would go for a 2003 onwards if possible. I think that an all-new model was introduced in 2005, but that might be out of your price range.
I've only had mine for 3 weeks and 500 miles, so too early to comment on reliability, but nothing has gone wrong so far and everything appears to work.
I would recommend them. Will try to get some pictures and writeup done soon.
The early ones were indeed dire. I remember Clarkson reviewing one on Top Gear, and finding that the build quality was so poor that he could literally stick his hand into the space between the rear bumper and the bodywork.
Definitely go for a 2002 onwards facelifted model. They still don't feel quite like a Merc should feel (for that you need the 2005 onwards model) but they are much, much better.
Definitely go for a 2002 onwards facelifted model. They still don't feel quite like a Merc should feel (for that you need the 2005 onwards model) but they are much, much better.
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