Mercedes ML270cdi advice please

[newsseller12]

Hi I am considering buying one of these used with a budget of approx 13k.
After doing a bit of reading on this model I have come across mixed views about it and was wondering if anybody on this forum owns or has owned this model and what you think of it. Many thanks for reading.

[peterg1965]

Have driven one. They are OK but nothing special. The engine is a little noisy and they are not particularly good off road, if that is a consideration. Running costs are quite high, so if you get one make sure you find a good independant merc garage to service it. There are loads around, buy one that is as new as possible within your budget, go for the steptronic auto, leather, lux and family packs. Make sure it has a full and comprehensive service history and get it checked over by the RAC or AA. Check out the autotrader website and parkers.co.uk for used prices/specs and what to look out for.

[mjr600]

Don't touch the old model M class would be my advice. Whilst the engines and transmission are generally trouble free the build quality and electrics are terrible. The model was designed and built during Mercedes cost cutting years and it really shows. Interior door panels have a particular habit of coming away from the frame and Mercedes dealers are not at all good to deal with.

It may be a diesel you are after for good mpg but I have to say you should go for the Lexus RX 300.

I know it is a petrol but 25mpg is perfectly possible around town and 30mpg on the motorway.

I bought a four year old example from a Lexus dealer earlier this year, it only had 15,000 on the clock and set me back just less than 15k.

I have owned a number of cars and the Lexus is beautifully made, quality is superb, bank vault doors, stunning cream leather and wood interior (cream carpets are a bit of a pain), the engine is near silent but still races to 60 in 9 seconds with a good press of the fast pedal. I got the SE Navigator model, fully loaded with factory sat nav, I did look at the M class but the Lexus was in a different class.

The Lexus experience was second to non, they endeavour to sell their used cars in near factory condition. The handover took 2 hours with 1 hour taking me over the vehicle from bonnet to boot to ensure I knew what everything did.

I really would avoid the Merc, 13k will get a great RX300se and you won't have to worry about bits falling off or being left at the side of the M1.

[Dave Brooker]

Hi I am considering buying one of these used with a budget of approx 13k.
After doing a bit of reading on this model I have come across mixed views about it and was wondering if anybody on this forum owns or has owned this model and what you think of it. Many thanks for reading.

They're made in america using parts from Sprinter vans.

A discovery would be a better choice...

[nullogik]

...a Discovery would be an even worse choice, since LR are hardly famed for their superior build quality and reliability. Look at all the reliability surveys out there and LR are always at the bottom or very near it.

I'd stay away from a Disco.

[vikingaero]

Unless it is the facelifted version of the original ML, I would avoid like the plague. Even then if it is a facelifted version I'd consider a X5.

[apk1]

They're made in america using parts from Sprinter vans.



Funny I have been looking at exactly the same, same price, after a lot of reading up (look on www.MBclub.co.uk ) it seems to be the originals were quite poor, greatly improved with the facelift. They do seem very good value, your budget should get you a 2003/4 whereas an X5 will be 19-20k.
Feedback seems to be a good sound vehicle with no serious regular problems on the cdi, not as good to drive as an X5 but at least its not a BMW!!

p.s. Dave Brooker - the cdi were built in Austria, most of the petrols were built by uncle sam.

[Dave Brooker]

...a Discovery would be an even worse choice, since LR are hardly famed for their superior build quality and reliability. Look at all the reliability surveys out there and LR are always at the bottom or very near it.

I'd stay away from a Disco.

That's because they sell lots of them.

If you want a real 4x4 buy a LR...

[nullogik]

That's because they sell lots of them.

If you want a real 4x4 buy a LR...

That doesn't quite make sense.

"they sell lots of them"...and what? You should expect them to be unreliable???

Toyota sells a lot of cars, no expects them to be unreliable and they aren't. Production rates are no excuse for reliability issues and poor build.

[Dave Brooker]

That doesn't quite make sense.

"they sell lots of them"...and what? You should expect them to be unreliable???

The more you sell of something the more go wrong now and then.

[vikingaero]

The more you sell of something the more go wrong now and then.

Land Rovers have only just reached acceptable quality with the recent Defender facelift/revamp. The previous Freelander was poor, the previous Discovery a joke, and the previous Range Rover was poor. The current Freelander is too new to comment on as is the new Disco. The current RR has too many niggling issues for a premium marque.

Granted the Defender is easy to fix if you have the knowledge but most Aussies would rather venture in the Outback in a Jap 4x4 than a LR.

[mr_accountant]

The more you sell of something the more go wrong now and then.


Im afraid that’s not true, not if you want to be successful.

Toyota or Honda sell far, far more cars than Landover; yet have far fewer failures on their cars. LR has abysmal build quality and are mind numbingly expensive to repair. You only have to look at the Internet review sites to see all the wide range of problems they have. Only time will tell how the new range fair- but they will not reach the quality and reliability of Japanese’s off roaders.

I read somewhere 90% of off roaders.in Australia are Japanese…. says it all really

[dnc1781]

Reliable:
http://www.reliabilityindex.co.uk/top10.html?apc=3128339010848601
Unreliable:
http://www.reliabilityindex.co.uk/top10_worst.html?apc=3128339010848601
Top 100:
http://www.reliabilityindex.co.uk/tophundred.html?apc=3128339010848601

[newsseller12]

Thanks for your help and advice although the end of this thread has suddenly turned into the great Land Rover Debate!
Used to have a 1993 Discovery, Biggest pile of ##### to grace my driveway! Never again