shaunywrx

Anyone know anything about the new shape ML's good or bad, any experiences appreciated, going to look at one tomorrow, anything i should look out for or know about?
p.s It's a 320 Sport on an 06 plate if that helps

Matteeboy

Petrol or diesel?

They are pretty good again after a patch of being utter sh1te.

shaunywrx

Diesel, i drove one at the weekend and could'nt believe how quiet it was, i struggled to believe it was a diesel!

Matteeboy

Merc are making some good soot chuckers now - a bit behind on raw power and torque compared to BMW and Audi but I reckon they are probably more solid.

The 420CDI is a beast!

shaunywrx

It's a 320 sport i.e. a 3 litre turbo diesel that chucks out 510 Nm of torque, it sounds impressive, but iv'e no idea what that means in old money as in lb's/ft. It drove really nice and as i say, i could'nt believe how quite it was, i did look at a slighty older ML500, but could'nt see the point really as the 320 was'nt a complete slug, and did i mention how quiet it was

Matteeboy

The 320CDI will be a MUCH better choice. The 500 has a massive drink habit.

510Nm is approx 375lbs/ft which is more than enough. Bhp is around 220ish (this is from memory so might not be bang on) so they move pretty well.

shaunywrx

The bhp is 224 i think, it's got a seven speed auto box, so the car never revs very high, it just wafts along in near silence. It should be ideal for towing as well with all the torque.

Matteeboy

It should tow the QE2 across dry land with that much torque.

XRS

Should be good - that's almost as much torque as my scoob (532 Nm)

Matteeboy

And not far off my Bimmer (580Nm...)

XRS - that's a lot of torque for a petrol even if it is turbo'd. Seen your graphs (340bhp I think)? Must be rather nippy?

Who has the most torque of any regular SNer?

I know Zip's Porka has oodles. Anyone with a V8 diesel?!

richs2891

Are the Merc ML's an alternative to Range Rover - ie has the ability to actually leave the tarmac and has a low range gearbox ?

Cheers

Richard

Matteeboy

I'd called MLs "medium" off roaders - nowhere near the ability of a Range Rover (ones without stupid huge alloys and tyres that is), Disco or Landcruiser but a lot better than stuff like the X5.

hodgy0_2

where are they made?

I think the original ML's were made in the US

Matteeboy

Think it's back in Germany again. When they were made in the US, they were near bottom of the JD Power survey...

I reckon every car should have a clear label on where it was built. For example the mk3 GTis made in South Africa were utterly dreadful. The ones built in Germany were well made - but you had to be a geek that knew the VIN number codes to work out where it was made.

People think every German marque means German quality (not always as good as it's made out to be but generally a sign of quality) - often it's cobbled together in the Eastern Block or somewhere and isn't very well screwed together.

stuart2008sti

iTrader: (1)

Went to buy the ml but came away with an e class 320 sport estate with the same engine and box,much better than they used to be but not very capable off road.All depends on what you are using it for really,wish i had bought one before the hatch sti.

shaunywrx

Not as standard, but you can have a off road package as an option, which consists of diff locks and a low range box.

Matteeboy

Errrm - isn't an off road package in a 4x4 a bit silly?! Shouldn't it be standard?!

SimonD

Most of them don't even have the option.

Matteeboy

Hmm - "here sir is your new plane. You ask where the wings are? They are an option included in the "flying" pack."

The Trooper 1815

iTrader: (31)

Most German cars are like that!

Mercedes-Benz M-Class - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Still built in the US

RS Grant

I was under the impression they were nailed together in Austria these days.

Used to roll around in Jeep Grand Cherokees and Jeep Commanders with the 3.0 Merc Diesel under the bonnet and they were whisper quiet as well... massive value for money these days too, however, interior is a bit plasticy unless you go to a Grand Cherokee Overland which has a trimmed dash panel etc that lifts things slightly..


Cheers,
Grant

Dave Thornton

The old MLs were either built in Alabama (chassis number with an A in the middle) or shipped as parts to Austria and assembled at the Steyr factory (along with Jeeps I think) - these have a chassis number with an X in the middle and are regarded as more reliable. Mine's 10 years old now - the Mercedes engineering is fine and will still be going long after the last bit of plastic inside has snapped or fallen off. Shame the new MLs don't have the 7 seat option - you have to get the GL for that, which is as long as a narrow boat.

alistair

Well it costs money and not everyone wants or needs it.......

Our Range Rover has never been in low ratio, but is used to tow a boat, sometimes for 1000 miles, so needs to be solid and comfortable, but then capable of pulling a reasonable weight up a wet slip road once we're there.

Anyway, mud/snow tyres can make way more difference than locked diffs and not many people have those either.

My Jeep on the other hand makes extensive use of mud tyres, low ratio & locked diffs but isn't much fun to drive very far or very fast.

shaunywrx

Oh well i bought it, all going well should pick it up wednesday, lets just hope it makes it home (300 miles) without breaking down or bits falling of