2009/10 ML300. Anything I need to know.
Discussion
I know there are a lot of threads like this, but the ML ones seem a bit thin on the ground, so I hope I can draw on you experience.
I'm going to look at, and hopefully drive, a couple of ML300 CDI Sports this weekend. They will be 2009/10 vintage. Anything not obvious it's essential I check? Any major faults likely to be financially ruinous? What options should I hold out for?
Be greatful of any advice for a potential buyer.
I'm going to look at, and hopefully drive, a couple of ML300 CDI Sports this weekend. They will be 2009/10 vintage. Anything not obvious it's essential I check? Any major faults likely to be financially ruinous? What options should I hold out for?
Be greatful of any advice for a potential buyer.
My previous car was a 58 ML280. The car you are looking at has an improved engine. I had no major problems with mine and was only in the garage after a woman drove into the back of me at a roundabout!
If you buy from merc garage, you will get 12 month warranty and peace of mind!
Some points to consider:
1. Check the paddle gear changers work - there have been problems with them as people aren't using them - and to be honest, you don't need them!
2. Check the auto boot open and close mechanism works and that the tail gate is aligned ok. I had some problems with mine - but due to crash I think.
3. This is because I look after my cars - but I had some corrosion starting on my alloys - merc reconditioned them. Also check the roof bars for any early corrosion of them.
4. My CD player broke but replaced under warranty.
5. Also check the folding side mirrors and heated seats work ok. There have been problems with them - interesting to note that they weren't standard on my new ML!
6. Check the running boards - the rubber studs started coming off mine - but replaced under warranty.
As for extras most thing come as standard - but command system is always a nice toy - but not a necessity.
They are good reliable cars - I would recommend them. No mechanical problems at all and was good in the winter and in snow.
Any other questions let me know.
If you buy from merc garage, you will get 12 month warranty and peace of mind!
Some points to consider:
1. Check the paddle gear changers work - there have been problems with them as people aren't using them - and to be honest, you don't need them!
2. Check the auto boot open and close mechanism works and that the tail gate is aligned ok. I had some problems with mine - but due to crash I think.
3. This is because I look after my cars - but I had some corrosion starting on my alloys - merc reconditioned them. Also check the roof bars for any early corrosion of them.
4. My CD player broke but replaced under warranty.
5. Also check the folding side mirrors and heated seats work ok. There have been problems with them - interesting to note that they weren't standard on my new ML!
6. Check the running boards - the rubber studs started coming off mine - but replaced under warranty.
As for extras most thing come as standard - but command system is always a nice toy - but not a necessity.
They are good reliable cars - I would recommend them. No mechanical problems at all and was good in the winter and in snow.
Any other questions let me know.
Thanks, that's really useful. I really haven't been able to find any horror stories, and fewer moans than most cars. A Merc specialist has told me to make sure all the Parktronic sensors work, as they can be prone to failure. High tyre wear is apparently a problem on the 20" wheels too, it's a shame the sport didn't come with smaller wheels really, as tyre choice is not massive.
I would like Comand, if only to give me one up on the Wife's A-Class! A colour other than black or silver would be nice, but I'm not holding my breath.
Out of interest, how far do you think they go on a full tank. Not really important,mbuk I wonder if I could get to my In-Law's place in France on a single tank.
A m
I would like Comand, if only to give me one up on the Wife's A-Class! A colour other than black or silver would be nice, but I'm not holding my breath.
Out of interest, how far do you think they go on a full tank. Not really important,mbuk I wonder if I could get to my In-Law's place in France on a single tank.
A m
I visited two MB main dealers today and looked at 6 MLs. I test drove a 350cdi and really liked it, just what I'm after, very relaxing place to be. I very nearly caved, but it had a few too many niggling blemishes.
TBH I was a bit disappointed by the quality of them all. Ditchfinders, stone chips, scuffs, minor shopping dings and worn Artico leatherette. Maybe I'm expecting too much from a used car, but for £20k+ I was expecting better. My focus has done more miles and is four years older, but was in far better nick than any of them. I'll keep looking and see what comes up.
Quick question, there a two buttons on the centre console, one for hill decent and another that has a picture of a car over rough terrain? What does that do? I asked the salesman but all he could manage was "that's for yer 4x4".
TBH I was a bit disappointed by the quality of them all. Ditchfinders, stone chips, scuffs, minor shopping dings and worn Artico leatherette. Maybe I'm expecting too much from a used car, but for £20k+ I was expecting better. My focus has done more miles and is four years older, but was in far better nick than any of them. I'll keep looking and see what comes up.
Quick question, there a two buttons on the centre console, one for hill decent and another that has a picture of a car over rough terrain? What does that do? I asked the salesman but all he could manage was "that's for yer 4x4".
The button activates the off road program. I've only used it a couple of times - it basically stiffens things up for driving on rougher terrain.
When I got my previous ML I got the dealer to sort out all the minor damage as part of the price. MB have detailers that can tidy things up - I also got a new windscreen as it had a stone chip. If you don't ask....you don't get......
Good luck!
When I got my previous ML I got the dealer to sort out all the minor damage as part of the price. MB have detailers that can tidy things up - I also got a new windscreen as it had a stone chip. If you don't ask....you don't get......
Good luck!
RBrown said:
The button activates the off road program. I've only used it a couple of times - it basically stiffens things up for driving on rougher terrain.
When I got my previous ML I got the dealer to sort out all the minor damage as part of the price. MB have detailers that can tidy things up - I also got a new windscreen as it had a stone chip. If you don't ask....you don't get......
Good luck!
To be fair, the salesman was very accomodating. They did offer to replace the screen, but I wasn't 100% happy because I've heard some bad things about problems from disturbing the electronics from auto liights/wipers that are attached at the top. Plus potential for corrosion to start. I take it there were no issues from your screen swap?When I got my previous ML I got the dealer to sort out all the minor damage as part of the price. MB have detailers that can tidy things up - I also got a new windscreen as it had a stone chip. If you don't ask....you don't get......
Good luck!
Out of interest. What sort of miles had your car done?
I'll probably just keep looking for another one. I'll know when I see the right one.
Always negotiate hard with the dealer...they will budge.
Yes the Parktronic sensors fail, the wife has just reported ours are going.
Be warned about the ABS Sensor...if it goes it locks down the entire braking system. Its £200 to buy the part if bought from Merc!
Avoid the 300 engine, bugger all grunt.
Yes the Parktronic sensors fail, the wife has just reported ours are going.
Be warned about the ABS Sensor...if it goes it locks down the entire braking system. Its £200 to buy the part if bought from Merc!
Avoid the 300 engine, bugger all grunt.
DJRC said:
Always negotiate hard with the dealer...they will budge.
Yes the Parktronic sensors fail, the wife has just reported ours are going.
Be warned about the ABS Sensor...if it goes it locks down the entire braking system. Its £200 to buy the part if bought from Merc!
Avoid the 300 engine, bugger all grunt.
The salesman I was with absolutely would not budge on the screen price. He came up a bit on my trade in (which was a good chunk under the We Buy Any Car price) and that was after two excruciating trips to see the manager. He must have been up on his targets for the month Yes the Parktronic sensors fail, the wife has just reported ours are going.
Be warned about the ABS Sensor...if it goes it locks down the entire braking system. Its £200 to buy the part if bought from Merc!
Avoid the 300 engine, bugger all grunt.
With regard to the 300, there seems to have been two variants. Early ones with 185hp and later ones with a touch over 200, is that right? Are even the higher powered ones gutless? I've not driven either.
They wouldnt budge on us during the face to face either. I said bye and walked away. Got a phonecall within a week taking 2 grand off the price to what I wanted.
All the 300 stuff is gutless, these are big heavy cars. You want the grunt of the 350 or the big 4ltr. Im biased though, I LOVE all 500ft of torque from ours
All the 300 stuff is gutless, these are big heavy cars. You want the grunt of the 350 or the big 4ltr. Im biased though, I LOVE all 500ft of torque from ours
We have an ML300 Sport coming available for sale next week at work. It has done 110,000 miles since March 2010 without any major faults. Cannot comment on power but it has been far more economical than a slightly newer ML350 we had which struggled to do more than 25 mpg. Will be interesting to see what the car makes on Ebay as high mileage cars seem to make way more than we get offered on trade-in.
My old man has a 10 plate ML350cdi and it is a great car.
The sensors do go on them, main ones are abs/rpm sensor and it is a real pain as the brakes grab and you can't drive.
All his have gone in the last few weeks, and all replaced.
The 7g gearbox can also be a bit of an issue, valve body can can be an issue, sensor goes and Mercedes have said replace the whole thing, at a cost of £1200+vat and fitting, but there is now a repair pack, so much cheaper.
But a lot of the time they replace the above when it is not necessary.
All in all good cars though.
The sensors do go on them, main ones are abs/rpm sensor and it is a real pain as the brakes grab and you can't drive.
All his have gone in the last few weeks, and all replaced.
The 7g gearbox can also be a bit of an issue, valve body can can be an issue, sensor goes and Mercedes have said replace the whole thing, at a cost of £1200+vat and fitting, but there is now a repair pack, so much cheaper.
But a lot of the time they replace the above when it is not necessary.
All in all good cars though.
Thanks for all the advice. Having looked at loads of MLs I gave up in the end. I just couldn't find a nice one within budget. It seems noone looks after them. Too many stone chips, curbed wheels, discoloured running boards and marked interiors. I ended up spending slightly less on much smaller, newer BMW.
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