ML500 or ML55 AMG

[IanRubie]

I am looking for a vehicle that can occasionally tow a 3500kg trailer. The first thing that leaps to mind is a Land Rover of some kind but reliability issues are putting me off. I have had several Land Cruisers in the past and they would be fine but I fancy something different.

I then discovered that the ML is rated to tow 3500kg. I have read that the 2002 facelift fixed a lot of the problems that the really early ones had. Having said that, it appears as if the 2002 and 2003 models still had corrosion issues. Do the ML55 AMG models suffer the same corrosion issues as the more common models?

Are there any nasty surprises that the 55 can spring that the 500 will not?

Budget is £4 - £5k so I am only really looking at 2002 or 2003 models. Fuel consumption is not a major problem as I do very little mileage.

Does anyone have experience of either a ML55 or ML500?

Thanks

Ian

[Goatboy]

Someone with more knowledge will be along shortly. I have a funny feeling that a lot of the AMG models were not type approved for towing and therefore you may not be allowed to. ML500 should be ok. As for reliability and rust I have an e class of the same vintage an it is a rust bucket but has been 100% reliable.

[IanRubie]

Thanks. I know the US models are limited to 5000lb (roughly 2268kg) towing but thought the UK ones were 3500kg. Parkers (who claim the data comes from MB) lists them as 3500kg http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/facts-and-fi... Can anyone confirm?

[Enigma AMG]

Ml55 is rated at 3500kg, I used one to tow my boat around 2500kg regularly launching and retrieving with no issues. Very underrated excellent tow car. Mine was a 2001 had no issues in 5 yrs of ownership, maybe I was lucky....
The firm suspension and relatively small dimensions vs RangeRover etc. helped with heavy nose weights and close manoeuvring, decent power too around 15 mpg towing.

[IanRubie]

Thank you. Did you have your 55 from new? Any corrosion problems?

Ian

[Enigma AMG]

No major corrosion issues I was 3rd owner , at 11 years old had a five pence size piece on tailgate, not visible as above number plate. Interestingly my ml63 has just had all four doors replaced under warranty for corrosion on inside of doors manufacturing defect 07 reg.....