Mercedes ML 320 vs Touareg TDI - Help please can't decide ?
Discussion
Terzo123 said:
At that age, is go for Jeep Grande Cherokee instead. 3.0 CRD Merc drive train.
Truly awful cars, may use the basic drivetrain but they cut corners everywhere else.ML has it's fair share of issues that have surfaced over the years, you're also looking to buy the earliest of that particular era of ML (164). A V8 one would be more reliable than the V6 diesel. I don't know anything about the Tourag to compare but I would definitely be putting into a monthly slush fund to run a 12 year old ML!
I looked at X5's and Touaregs prior to buying my Grand Cherokee. Yes the others might have better road manners and better interiors, but the jeep has been great. The interior plastics are cheap, but very hard wearing and pretty much look The same as the day they left The factory. The 3.0 CRD has been reliable and gives great performance.
For this age bracket id take one again over the equivalant ML, X5 or touareg.
I'm trading mine in on Monday. Will be sad to see it go.
For this age bracket id take one again over the equivalant ML, X5 or touareg.
I'm trading mine in on Monday. Will be sad to see it go.
Bumpidy bump
Having the same thought processes... approx 2010/2011 Toureg vs Jeep GC
Would love an M Class I like the look of thaie but would want full leather which puts you in the 18-19k range for one with good mileage but the concern is despite the age i think they are all in the higher tax band
I do not need to do any serious offroading but I need something big and safe with 4wd that will not get caught out in a harsh winter
Have considered X5s but it seems you can get newer Touregs and Jeeps for same money. I need to do more research but the X3 at keast comes on run flats with no spare wheel well? Not sure about X5s circa 2009?
Having the same thought processes... approx 2010/2011 Toureg vs Jeep GC
Would love an M Class I like the look of thaie but would want full leather which puts you in the 18-19k range for one with good mileage but the concern is despite the age i think they are all in the higher tax band
I do not need to do any serious offroading but I need something big and safe with 4wd that will not get caught out in a harsh winter
Have considered X5s but it seems you can get newer Touregs and Jeeps for same money. I need to do more research but the X3 at keast comes on run flats with no spare wheel well? Not sure about X5s circa 2009?
Ml every time, We have had a O8 which took to 110 k and now have 12 reg 350
Both fitted with the low range pack and extremely capable off Road.
The 320 needed glowplugs and the Beru control from Europarts which seem common.
The X5 is hopeless offroad and the Towrag very expensive parts wise.
Look back on here for a similar post.
Both fitted with the low range pack and extremely capable off Road.
The 320 needed glowplugs and the Beru control from Europarts which seem common.
The X5 is hopeless offroad and the Towrag very expensive parts wise.
Look back on here for a similar post.
Dunit said:
No it's a extra but most seem to tick that box!
Also the early Ml was cheaper to tax but about O6 the tax went up £520 odd.
We had the Edition 10 version which came fully loaded.
By the way loads of part cheap on eBay for the ml.
I had an Edition 10 on an '08 and it was superb, had the glow plug control issue which seems common but other than that it was a fantastic mode of family transport. Had around 80k on it when I sold it and it was quite and comfortable the drive was very smooth, I used to get around 28mpg from it (320CDi) which I thought was pretty good - my work commute is only 8 miles each way so wasn't even warming up!Also the early Ml was cheaper to tax but about O6 the tax went up £520 odd.
We had the Edition 10 version which came fully loaded.
By the way loads of part cheap on eBay for the ml.
Most recently bought a '10 plate pre-facelift X5 30d which was a stunning car but also double the price to buy than the ML, although I did buy it from BMW which was lucky as it came with AUC warranty and it needed -
Alternator
Battery
Replacement air bag (self leveling rears)
Rear lights (common water ingress)
It was a nicer place to sit, ML is very plasticky in that era but I guess the flipside to that is that its durable, the X5 was costly in all aspects - buying, running (24mpg at best), taxing, parts, servicing.
I considered a Touareg but they are getting on now in terms of the tech/equipment fitted and despite looking MASSIVE the interior space particularly the boot are far smaller than ML and X5. I would also suggest the 3.0TDi which is obviously tried and tested across the VAG range is quite expensive to work on.
If you asked me to choose another tomorrow it would no doubt be the ML, its also worth considering that Mercedes evolution is more gentle and even an '08 doesn't look that far removed from the newer ones - personal opinion before I get flamed!!
Si
I had an 08 ML320CDI for 6 years and in that time the only persistent issue was the unreliability of the electric tailgate mechanism.
Yes, I replaced 4 coil packs and the controller and at about 120K miles there was a hesitation creeping in as I pulled away at junctions which I believed was associated with the turbo but if I had wanted to keep it, I could have resolved that cost effectively.
They are astonishingly strong cars and can tow 3500Kg - more than any of their peers from other manufacturers.
Don't get hung up on the leather either, both the fake leather and the half fake leather seats are easy to keep clean and they don't sag like real leather does.
Mine had 19 inch wheels which meant a set of Grabber ATs fitted perfectly making it a very useful tool in snow and mud. And they made no more noise than the road tyres it originally wore.
I now have a GL350 which is slightly more powerful (but slightly heavier), slightly quieter, has a (so far) reliable tailgate mechanism, and ridiculously large wheels which restricts my tyre choice. The air suspension is amazing - rides like a limo - but I have just had to replace the compressor (at 50K miles). However at £700 fitted, I don't mind too much. It's quite an involved piece of work and I now have a Mercedes warranty on it.
Yes, I replaced 4 coil packs and the controller and at about 120K miles there was a hesitation creeping in as I pulled away at junctions which I believed was associated with the turbo but if I had wanted to keep it, I could have resolved that cost effectively.
They are astonishingly strong cars and can tow 3500Kg - more than any of their peers from other manufacturers.
Don't get hung up on the leather either, both the fake leather and the half fake leather seats are easy to keep clean and they don't sag like real leather does.
Mine had 19 inch wheels which meant a set of Grabber ATs fitted perfectly making it a very useful tool in snow and mud. And they made no more noise than the road tyres it originally wore.
I now have a GL350 which is slightly more powerful (but slightly heavier), slightly quieter, has a (so far) reliable tailgate mechanism, and ridiculously large wheels which restricts my tyre choice. The air suspension is amazing - rides like a limo - but I have just had to replace the compressor (at 50K miles). However at £700 fitted, I don't mind too much. It's quite an involved piece of work and I now have a Mercedes warranty on it.
We had a 60-reg X5 for a while too. I'd say that drove more car-like than the ML. It was lighter and faster but the ride was jarring. It too (like my GL) ran on stupidly large wheels though which are just wrong for any of these trucks.
However, I liked it too in a different way to the Mercs but it was a target for thieves and we lost it to them after a while. The Mercs have never been targeted.
All of them, the Mercs, BMWs and VAGs are brilliant to take your family on holiday. We stick a massive roofbox on top and 4x bikes on the towbar mounted carrier, and we blast our way to La Rochelle in comfort. It's a great way to travel.
However, I liked it too in a different way to the Mercs but it was a target for thieves and we lost it to them after a while. The Mercs have never been targeted.
All of them, the Mercs, BMWs and VAGs are brilliant to take your family on holiday. We stick a massive roofbox on top and 4x bikes on the towbar mounted carrier, and we blast our way to La Rochelle in comfort. It's a great way to travel.
I'm picking up an early 06 ml320cdi at the weekend. It has the air suspension which I've got to admit I'm fearful of it going wrong. Can anyone give me a rough guide of how much per corner it is to replace?
Also is there any routine pre-maintenance I can do to the ml to keep the big bills away if possible. I have a V6 Alfa Romeo so am used to keeping on top of things but I know relatively little about the ml and Mercedes overall..
Also is there any routine pre-maintenance I can do to the ml to keep the big bills away if possible. I have a V6 Alfa Romeo so am used to keeping on top of things but I know relatively little about the ml and Mercedes overall..
Airbag suspension is fairly reliable these days - they tend to just work, and for a long time too.
To replace is fairly simple in theory but they do need to release the air out of the compressor tank first because it's held at quite some pressure (I forget how much), and they (Mercedes) made a "thing" about itemising this on the bill for my replacement compressor. Implies they felt it was worth charging for.
Anyway, the compressor replacement was £700. An airbag ought to be far far cheaper, and you don't need to go to Mercedes if you have a convenient alternative garage. Mercedes is the most convenient for me but I do wish there was an alternative sometimes.
To replace is fairly simple in theory but they do need to release the air out of the compressor tank first because it's held at quite some pressure (I forget how much), and they (Mercedes) made a "thing" about itemising this on the bill for my replacement compressor. Implies they felt it was worth charging for.
Anyway, the compressor replacement was £700. An airbag ought to be far far cheaper, and you don't need to go to Mercedes if you have a convenient alternative garage. Mercedes is the most convenient for me but I do wish there was an alternative sometimes.
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