ML 2001 - 2005. What should I look for?

[Big Rod]

Thinking of chopping in SWMBO's Sharan and looking for something a little more robust.

MLs have crept on to my radar. I'm thinking on something around the £5k mark and see there're quite a lot for sale. I'd need the 7 seat option and it has to be an auto'.

Any common fail points or anything like that?

Also, we have a rather large caravan, what are they like for towing?

TIA.

[gizlaroc]

I really like them, but and it is a big but, make sure you buy a facelift one, from MY02 build.

I bought another one to sell on as it was the right price, but ended up keeping it as it drove so nicely.

They are definitely more 4x4 than the later one or the X5, but that seems a good thing as they get older as they don't feel as tired, or maybe they are but it suits it better than if it was an X5?

Things that fail?

270cdi can get 'black death' just search google.

Thermostats go on them but easy to replace and cheap, and so do the MAFs, but again it is £60 from Mercedes and takes no more than 5 mins on the drive to do.

Brake sensor goes which can cause ABS lights etc. to come up, but again a cheap fix.

But all in all pretty reliable to be honest.



I have just put an Alpine W925r in mine which has bought the cabin bang up to date, so I would find one without the comand fitted, which is crap at best.

I also fitted Michelin Alpine Tour tyres in 235.65.17 merc spec all round instead of the standard 265.60.17 Contis, and that has made it ride much nicer and seems I get another 30+ miles out of each tank too.

I get around 480 miles out of a tank and I put in pretty much 72 litres every time, which gives me 30mpg from it.
If I am up and down the motorway that creeps up to 35, but never any more. Having said that, I have never dropped below 28mpg for a tankful either, even doing all short journeys round town.

Mine is an 02 plate that has just hit 100k miles, including fitting the Alpine Nav system it has cost me £4500 and I am well pleased with that.

I had a 2010 E350cdi before and I prefer this in every way, the build is better, the materials are nicer, and just the fact it is £30,000 cheaper is a bonus.

[Big Rod]

Thanks for that.

Yea, I already have a S Class which I fitted a Parrot unit to so am unlikely to look for one with a Command option.

I've heard that the hub carriers can crack and cause bankruptcy. Any truth in that?

[Aidayboy]

Hi, we had one, a 52 plate with huge spec and when it worked it was great, problem was whatever could break did, all mechanical, worst thing was the steering rack and was very expensive to repair, even with a refurbished on. Sorry but couldn't recommend and i love my Merc's, infact just bought the wife another.

[gizlaroc]

Big Rod said:

Thanks for that.

Yea, I already have a S Class which I fitted a Parrot unit to so am unlikely to look for one with a Command option.

I've heard that the hub carriers can crack and cause bankruptcy. Any truth in that?

Never heard of that problem before.

[Big Rod]

Aidayboy said:

Hi, we had one, a 52 plate with huge spec and when it worked it was great, problem was whatever could break did, all mechanical, worst thing was the steering rack and was very expensive to repair, even with a refurbished on. Sorry but couldn't recommend and i love my Merc's, infact just bought the wife another.

Oh yeah, I also heard about the steering racks.

[gizlaroc]

Aidayboy said:

Hi, we had one, a 52 plate with huge spec and when it worked it was great, problem was whatever could break did, all mechanical, worst thing was the steering rack and was very expensive to repair, even with a refurbished on. Sorry but couldn't recommend and i love my Merc's, infact just bought the wife another.

But then you could get that with any car, some are just a pain from the get go.