ML420 CDI v S320cdi v E350 - Talk to me

[IATM]

Well Guys,

I am in the market for a new car (change of car). I would really like a mercedes after having a BMW and Audi for the last 3 years.

I currently have my eye on three cars I would really like to own:

ML420 CDI - High spec with AMG pack
S320 CDI - Again high spec with AMG Pack
e350 CDI - Sport model - comes with most spec I like (Would need to source one with memory seats)

20-22k Price range

I am very confused on which one I want - the ML420 is shouting out at me just because its rare and I doubt the future will allow the production of a 4.0L twin turbo Derv again with the way these ecobooooooooooost engines seem to be flooding the market - Last chance to own one ?


Need to know running costs of all three possibly - the only thing drawing me to the E350 is that is a gorgeous car - will be newest of the three in my price range, low millage however dare I say it - very very common now - great car non the less and would fit my needs to the T.

the S320 AMG pack - well not much more I can say other than its sex, luxury and 1st on wheels

please help - I dont mind reasonable running costs for something I really want but at the same time I dont want to shot my own foot

examples of cars:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201224475107927/sort/default/usedcars/maximum-age/up_to_5_years_old/model/m_class/make/mercedes-benz/radius/1500/postcode/ka36fe/keywords/amg/page/2?logcode=p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201222474161441/sort/default/usedcars/maximum-age/up_to_5_years_old/model/s_class/make/mercedes-benz/postcode/ka36fe/page/1/keywords/amg/radius/1500?logcode=p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201219469759683/sort/default/usedcars/engine-size-cars/3l_to_3-9l/maximum-age/up_to_3_years_old/body-type/saloon/transmission/automatic/model/e_class/make/mercedes-benz/page/6/keywords/sport/postcode/ka36fe/radius/1500?logcode=p

[JackCarter]

I was recently looking at an ML versus an E class. In the end I went for a W212 E class. IMO they are a better built, better finished car. More of a "proper" Merc. Obviously the same goes for an S class too, but that could be because I don't like SUVs...

[DJRC]

We have the ML 420. Bloody brilliant device. In fact Im driving it down to the south of France tomorrow fully loaded with the dog and kit and fully expect to enjoy it.

They have not replaced it in the current lineup which is bloody annoying.

The torque is hilarious, it just powers up the road in any gear as soon as you prod your right foot. Its comfy, its discreet and its got loads of toys.

Not looking forward at having to replace the tyres after the holiday though

[IATM]

Thanks for the reply DJRC! How long have you had your ML420 and do you know/heard of any known issues in general with the ml and specific to the 420 CDI ?

Thanks
Shahzad

[Aeroresh]

Just sold my ml 420 cdi and have a new e350 cdi cab. ML is a brilliant piece of kit. A true hidden gem in the merc line up. Most people dont even know they exist!

If you are looking for one make sure its got a decent spec as there are some oddly specced ones on the market. Airmatic, comand (even though its rubbish) and bi-xenons are essentials.

Look out for air suspension and electronic gremlins. Other than that they are pretty bomb proof! In comparison the e350 feels a little blunt but still a swift motor. My brabus d6s tuned car (313hp) returns 40 mpg easily compared to the 25 mpg that my old kleemann tuned ml used to turn in.

Hope this helps

[DJRC]

Hello from deepest France.

Agreed about kit...sunroof and auto closing tailgate we think you need. mpg is about 27 on combined driving...and that includes hammering it upto Andorra!

Issues? Hmm we seemed to have picked up a random turbo/kick down issue where suddenly I lost a shedload of power and performance. Stopping the car, letting the ECU reset itself clears this though, so I not yet sussed the conditions of why it happens.

Oh, have I mentioned the torque yet? NOTHING lives with a 420 up a hill, it just crushes everything!

[richarda0109]

Like the OP I am looking for a Merc with a bit of poke. The ML420 got me thinking. So I had a quick look on the net for cars for sale. Had a look at the pictures and I noticed a difference between the centre console for two 07 plate ML420 (both with AMG kit). One had the airmatic ride height, hill decent, lock diffential dials below the heated seats set of switches while the other didnt. I looked on a ML63 2010 plate model and that didnt have them either. Can someone please explain since I thought this was standard on the top end of the ML range.
Thanks

Richard

[IATM]

Strange as you may find it, they don't classify the ml420 as top of the range, to merc is same as ml320, ml280 - same spec/trim

[IATM]

I have to say though, I do think sellers of ml420 cdi's do over price them - yes they should command a premium with an AMG kit but certainly not as much as people think.

[Aeroresh]

richarda0109 said:

Like the OP I am looking for a Merc with a bit of poke. The ML420 got me thinking. So I had a quick look on the net for cars for sale. Had a look at the pictures and I noticed a difference between the centre console for two 07 plate ML420 (both with AMG kit). One had the airmatic ride height, hill decent, lock diffential dials below the heated seats set of switches while the other didnt. I looked on a ML63 2010 plate model and that didnt have them either. Can someone please explain since I thought this was standard on the top end of the ML range.
Thanks

Richard

Different centre consoles probably mean one is an se (sliding cover) and the other was a sport (recessed cup holders). Both trim levels were available with amg bodykit.

As far as Im aware the ml 63 had airmatic as standard but things like diff locks werent available as it was marketed with an on-road bias.

Maybe things have changed but when I was looking the amg kitted cars didnt appear to command any premium over the other cars for sale. However decent spec cars with comand, airmatic, xenons and intergrated side steps, etc did.

[IATM]

does anyone have much information on the ml420 cdi in terms of reliability or common issues - its obviously a rare car but just wanted to see if there have been any issues in the ml or gl

[chv01823]

Mine has been pretty good - had it for 3 years and it only had one claim on the warranty (dodgy cruise control switch) although the parktronic goes batty every now and again.

I don't really like the gearbox; it's not that smooth at low speed and can sometimes get caught out by the torque, but no real problems. Its also got some winter tyres and was great fun in the snow a couple of years ago.

Its odd seeing this thread as I also run an 07 s320.... All I can say is that if the 420 engine had gone into the s class I would have sold the ML ages ago, despite the handy loadspace and family positives. The v8 engine makes a fairly dull car good, but its no substitute for an S if you're going to spend any real time in it, the quality in the S feels far higher, the Comand seems a generation newer and I prefer the ride/handling. The S also has more presence, although expect plenty of old-man-car comments and some fun fitting it round tiny carparks....

Hope that helps, Charlie

[gizlaroc]

I would want a post facelift ML, so much better interior wise, feel like a real upgrade.
The GL420 is also worth considering, feels S Class quality inside, but it is big.

I am in an E350cdi estate, it is OK, but I don't like it as much as the E320cdi S211 estate that I had before if I am honest.

The S Class is a cracker, but if spending £22k then look at contract hiring a new S350cdi, my neighbour just hired a new one for £389+vat a month, which he worked out would cost him less over 2 years then buying a 4 year old 50k mile one.

[mhhayes]

Afternoon, been reading this thread with interest.... The current family fleet is an S350CDi Bluetec, a new ML250 CDi Bluetec,.......and a ML450CDI. Previous cars have included a GL420CDi and a ML320CDi.
Firstly, I'll ignore the ML320 diesel, fine though it was! The GL did 50000 miles in 2 years with absolutely no problems and really turned me on to the 4 litre diesel V8, but it is a big car. Forget most multi-storey car parks and most car parking spaces, it just won't fit. It did howvere lead me to replacing it with a new ML450 in 2009, which we've still got. It is brilliant, has had no problems, and can get 30-31mpg on a run. Very torquey, bags of power, and it has the legs of most other vehicles on the road. Overtaking is great, as long as you remembewr that you are high up and it does roll a bit. The S350 Bluetec is also great, especially as a motorway cruiser, and I'm getting 37-40mpg out of the 3 litre V6 easily. The new ML250 was bought as a gesture to local running about, getting dirty, etc, and it's fine. Adequate power, high 30s economy, a gruff engine note, low spec (eg steel springs). It'll do the job without emotional attachment. Which is best? Well, as someone else said, if Mercedes had fitted the V8 diesel into the S-Class, that would have been best, but they didn't..... Of our cars, the keeper is definitely the ML450. Does everything so well,and won't be replaced in the Mercedes range sadly. A gem of an engine that hardly anyone knows about.

[richarda0109]

Hugh

Does your ML450 have the adjustable ride height and diff lock switches on the centre console?

Regards
Richard

[mhhayes]

Mine (which is an ML450 CDi SE) has the standard air suspension - which has two height settings via a switch low down below the Comand (but you can only use the high setting at low speeds), and a three position option for the air-suspension, namely Sport, Comfort, or Auto, also via a switch in the same area. You can tell the difference between Sport and Comfort, but I leave it in Auto and it switches between Sport and Comfort automatically, depending on 'how much progress you are making'!!! It has no diff locks, but relies on lots of electronic gubbins to keep drive going to the wheels - you can hear the wheels without grip being braked or locked...great fun on wet grass for example, and I've never got stuck, even in snow (with some semi-chunky Yokohama tyres on).
My previous GL had a lot more suspension height settings on the air suspension, and a low ratio/offroad box as well - but I never needed to use it. If you wanted to be serious with the ML (W164 series (2005-2012)), I seem to remember that you could order an OffRoad package (ie high/low ratio box, and other bits and other electronic aids) as an extra, but my local MB dealer doesn't remember selling many - even in this rural area. It might be that some of the MLs you've been looking at have this, in which case the switch layouts may well be different.
Another respondent mentioned the difference in the centre console. My former W164 ML320 had a 'smooth' centre under nice wooden flaps, the GL had 2 big centre cupholders, and the ML450 has the same. Whether these were originally differences between Sport and SE trims I don't know.....but I suspect that the whole range got standardised with cup holders at some time.

[mhhayes]

Another thought.... If you are looking at an ML, ask to have a look at the Owner's Manual. Mercedes are good at showing the dashboard and switch layouts, and show all the possible permutations, ie with and without options. This might resolve some of your queries....