W163 ML320; good/bad/ugly?

[deadtom]

Dear PH,

I've been considering potential vehicles for this expedition: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

And it seems that mk1 w163 ml series are scandalously cheap for what they are:
Lots of toys
Good amount of power
Comfortable
Proper low range transmission and 4 wheel t/c for some semblance of off road ability
Not too horrific mpg

Specifically looking at the 320 of facelift 2002 - 2004 vintage. Avoiding the 270 as I don't trust the cdi engines to not break expensively (my only personal experience of the these is my friends 270 whichever he loved except when the injectors kept going)

What's PH thoughts on these? The only topic i could find is quite old now but was generally positive. I am wondering if the consensus has changed since then

Thanks all

Deadtom

[KevinCamaroSS]

IIRC early MLs only had 4wd with the 'technical pack'. Nowhere near the top in terms of abilities. For that age of vehicle I would go with a Grand Cherokee.

[deadtom]

from my reading, all ML are full time 4wd, and while they handle light to medium off road duties well enough, their lack of wheel travel limits them for more serious off roading.
I am not anticipating any proper off road stuff on this advenure, nothing more than byways really.
I have looked at jeeps and they are a lot of car for the money, however the vast majority are the 2.7 diesel, which I am trying to avoid in either the merc or the jeep

[KevinCamaroSS]

We ran a 2.7 GC for some time. Excellent car, even if a little slow. Plenty reliable though, unlike the ML320s of that era. Not sure what your budget is, but a good WK GC (3.0CRD) can be had for £3.5-5K.

[deadtom]

KevinCamaroSS said:

We ran a 2.7 GC for some time. Excellent car, even if a little slow. Plenty reliable though, unlike the ML320s of that era. Not sure what your budget is, but a good WK GC (3.0CRD) can be had for £3.5-5K.

I took your advice and have been looking at cherokees. I actually really like the look of the WK shape and there are a few hovering around the 3k mark, which is very tempting. budget is ideally capped at 2.5 but its proving hard to find something suitable other than the ML, which you and others have put me off somewhat.

my ideal is now an early WK if I can find the money, but failing that ML320 still tempts me. It only has to be reliable for a couple of months or so, and off roading will be of the mild to medium sort

[KevinCamaroSS]

Good luck with whatever you buy, enjoy your trip

[deadtom]

KevinCamaroSS said:

Good luck with whatever you buy, enjoy your trip

took your advice, got a WK 3.0 CRD limited

[ZackM]

The Jeep is probably a better option. I had nothing but trouble with my ML320. I guess what they say about Mercedes of that era is true. After spending and continued headaches with it I sold it. I then bought a Ssangyong Rexton of all things and have been very happy with it for the last 2 years. Who would have thought. Way better than the rotten Merc.

Edited by ZackM on Monday 16th July 14:09