Early 2000s ML270 CDi

[Output Flange]

I'm looking to replace my utility hack, and one of the options is an early 2000s ML270 CDi.

I had a look for a guide, but didn't find anything, so a few questions if I may:

- I know to look for a facelift car. What are the common faults to check for?

- I'll be doing fairly regular towing. Are they good with 2 tonnes on the back?

- I've read that a remap gives them a useful bit of extra poke. What does a remapped one get MPG-wise on a steady 75mph motorway run?

- Are there any gotchas to ripping the standard head unit out and replacing with a more modern single DIN unit?

Thanks!

[V12 AMG]

Output Flange said:

I'm looking to replace my utility hack, and one of the options is an early 2000s ML270 CDi.

I had a look for a guide, but didn't find anything, so a few questions if I may:

- I know to look for a facelift car. What are the common faults to check for?

- I'll be doing fairly regular towing. Are they good with 2 tonnes on the back?

- I've read that a remap gives them a useful bit of extra poke. What does a remapped one get MPG-wise on a steady 75mph motorway run?

- Are there any gotchas to ripping the standard head unit out and replacing with a more modern single DIN unit?

Thanks!

Swirl flaps work loose and leak. They don't completely break up and end up inside the engine like the BMW ones do though.

Rear springs crack if used for towing or heavy loads regularly.

Expansion tank can crack and slowly loose coolant down the back of the engine.

Injector leak off and injector seals.

Have towed at the 3.5 tonne limit many times and it does the job very well. Before and after remap it cruised along nicely at 60mph no probs.
Remap really changes the drive of it massively, but MPG will stay the same in the real world. Just over 30mpg on a run.

No problem plugging any head unit in.

They are a sound old bus generally and much more hardy than a lot of the rivals.

[Output Flange]

Thanks. Sound like usual 10 year old German diesel issues then!

Do people remove the swirl flaps on these like you would on a BMW?

Any particular recommendations on where to get a remap done?

[OldGermanHeaps]

They are quite probe to climate control faults which can be hard to diagnose and that is slap bang in the middle of the rusty era so check for bodged bodywork. These are bargains now, a lot of car for the money. Good luck.