£3k ML - Madness Or Not?

[V8 Disco]

Hi, Mrs V8 Disco has decided to maybe change our 4.6 P38 Rangie for an ML - the budget will be around £3k, will that sort of money buy me a fair one, or am I risking a money-pit experience?

Not too worried about fuel/tyre costs as her annual mileage is pretty low, however horsebox towing will be on the cards a couple of times a month so comments regarding towing would be useful, plus I can't abide unreliable cars, so that's the main question....

Thanks in advance...

[Walter Sobchak]

Relative sanity compared to a P38!!, 270 CDI engines can have a few issues with injectors etc but nothing major, best bet would be a 320 V6 or a 430 V8, the main thing to look out for is rust and play in ball joints.

[slippery]

Walter Sobchak said:

Relative sanity compared to a P38!!, 270 CDI engines can have a few issues with injectors etc but nothing major, best bet would be a 320 V6 or a 430 V8, the main thing to look out for is rust and play in ball joints.

Agreed.

[V8 Disco]

Thanks for the info - yes, P38s can be er, challenging... ours has not been entirely fault free, but none of the dreaded air suspension issues. Previous owner must have hated it though - liners slipped and had to have a new block at 55k, cost £3,500 fitted!!

Good news on the ML. The big petrol ones are what we are after, I am fortunate to have access to a workshop with vehicle lift and decent tools, plus a very capable mechanic pal, so general maintenance doesn't worry me too much. Scary hydraulic and electronic stuff are my main worries, these seem to often be big $$.

Appreciate the replies.

[irish boy]

Mate bought a 30k 04 ml500 around 2 years ago and uses it hard, currently over 100k and it's been basically trouble free bar a couple of ball joints and standard service items. I'd heard bad stories but this is my only real world experience and based on that I'd go for it!

[Walter Sobchak]

I had a Classic RR and loved it, and an L322 and again it was a great car, I avoided the P38 altogether!!, by the sound of it you're probably better off going for a 430 V8 ML, even the 320 will offer similar performance to your 4.6 RR, they make pretty much the same power, not as good for proper off road stuff but will deal with light green laning and will tow fine and definatly a better on road car than a P38 is, I would go for it.

[neiljohnson]

Walter Sobchak said:

Relative sanity compared to a P38!!, 270 CDI engines can have a few issues with injectors etc but nothing major, best bet would be a 320 V6 or a 430 V8, the main thing to look out for is rust and play in ball joints.

Also watch out for rear coil spring failures they come as a complete strut with the shock so are pretty expensive but are an easy job to replace also crank sensors can cause some starting issues but are cheap even from the dealer.

My Dad has run a 430 for @ 7 years now & bar the two issues i have mentioned it has been a great motor (on;y one set of tyres/ brakes in 60k ) & it also tows very well