5.5 V8 instead of 3.0d am I mad?
5.5 V8 instead of 3.0d am I mad?
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matc

Original Poster:

4,738 posts

237 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
Looking at getting a car for the OH to drive, we're due our first little one shortly and we need to change her mini for something that might carry more than half a shopping bag! Anyway I know it's a little on the stereotypical side, but she's set her heart on a 4x4 of some sort.

We had considered a FFRR but the potential for anything to go wrong worries the crap out of me! So considering I manage a Merc dealer it made sense to look at an ML as the running costs would be somewhat more favourable for me!

We've got a few 3.0 diesels in stock at the moment and they're obviously the stock choice, but we've just taken in a 500 with a massive spec that would be the same money to buy....clearly the fuel costs are going to be higher (not as high as I had thought!) but it's a 5.5 V8, instead of a boring old diesel!

Please PH, help me justify it!

Jacobyte

4,768 posts

272 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
Clattering smoky stinking taxi... or a growling V8?

scratchchin

Ooh, such a hard decision.

Zp

16,101 posts

219 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
Don't justify, just do it cool

fk the fuel costs.

ludicrous speed

959 posts

224 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
If you can afford it, do it!

unpc

2,998 posts

243 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
You need to ask?

matc

Original Poster:

4,738 posts

237 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
She's slightly daunted at going from a 1.6 mini to a 382bhp V8 though!

On the plus side she does like the pretty blue colour! hehe

GKP

15,099 posts

271 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
How does the workshop view the reliability of MLs?

Caulkhead

4,938 posts

187 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
Every aspect of the V8 is better than the diesel except for the MPG. Buy the V8. And then fit a fruity aftermarket exhaust.

gareth.e

2,071 posts

219 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
Go for a test drive and see if its worth the extra in fuel and possibly servicing..

eldar

25,291 posts

226 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
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GKP said:
How does the workshop view the reliability of MLs?

Earlies ones rubbish, improving with age. Post 2005 very good.

adycav

7,615 posts

247 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
That 5.5 V8 engine, the 388ps one, is a cracker. My old CLK500 had the same engine and it was hugely fast everywhere in the rev range and surprisingly economical (30+mpg on a long run).

Both of these attributes may be slightly affected by the additional size, weight and aerodynamics of the ML of course...

It made a nice noise under load too, albeit somewhat subdued.

matc

Original Poster:

4,738 posts

237 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
eldar said:
GKP said:
How does the workshop view the reliability of MLs?

Earlies ones rubbish, improving with age. Post 2005 very good.
Pretty much this! The one I'm looking at is an 09/58, so the latest engine etc. I'm pretty sure the engine will be ok, It's hardly overworked in an ML, the rest of the components are pretty spot on. Merc have worked stupidly hard on their reliability from the shambles of a few years ago!

James Dean

1,373 posts

195 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
matc said:
She's slightly daunted at going from a 1.6 mini to a 382bhp V8 though!

On the plus side she does like the pretty blue colour! hehe
Do it before she changes her mind. Just buy it.

MondeoMan1981

2,458 posts

213 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
OP you are not mad at all.

I am 12 days into my 1.4d to 2.0p swap and loving every minute. Well not the minutes I am filling the tank up biggrin

em177

3,149 posts

194 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
Its obviously up to you, but the running costs of an Ml500 will be similar to an E500, or possibly not too far away from an E55 Estate?

Just throwing the idea out there, she gets a practical estate, and you get something you'll want to steal the keys for at every opportunity?

matc

Original Poster:

4,738 posts

237 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
em177 said:
Its obviously up to you, but the running costs of an Ml500 will be similar to an E500, or possibly not too far away from an E55 Estate?

Just throwing the idea out there, she gets a practical estate, and you get something you'll want to steal the keys for at every opportunity?
I've tried that, got a lovely C63 estate in stock at the moment, but.....her sisters's got a 4x4, her best friend has a 4x4, so guess what, it has to be a 4x4! The V8 would be the only victory I get!

jon_80

216 posts

223 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
Mmm modest diesel vs big v8 petrol, same price.......If you're the sort of person who doubts yourself and has to talk it over, maybe you should stand aside and let a real man buy that car. Get a grip!

matc

Original Poster:

4,738 posts

237 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
jon_80 said:
Mmm modest diesel vs big v8 petrol, same price.......If you're the sort of person who doubts yourself and has to talk it over, maybe you should stand aside and let a real man buy that car. Get a grip!
You make a good point....I'll get it bought tomorrow!

McSam

6,753 posts

205 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
jon_80 said:
Mmm modest diesel vs big v8 petrol, same price.......If you're the sort of person who doubts yourself and has to talk it over, maybe you should stand aside and let a real man buy that car. Get a grip!
hehe Possibly a bit harsh, but not far off the money.

Get on with it - you said yourself, it's not even that much less economical! Get it bought and I don't think there's a single reason you'll regret it for smile

ETA - Ooh, beaten to it by you agreeing - GOOD!

Edited by McSam on Tuesday 17th May 22:36

jon_80

216 posts

223 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
matc said:
jon_80 said:
Mmm modest diesel vs big v8 petrol, same price.......If you're the sort of person who doubts yourself and has to talk it over, maybe you should stand aside and let a real man buy that car. Get a grip!
You make a good point....I'll get it bought tomorrow!
Very glad to hear it!