The Cant Believe The Price of Vans Thread: Mercedes ML350
Discussion
We bought a 1960s bungalow on a large private site, right on the coast, late last year that needs to be completely modernised.Various trips to the local builders yard and further journeys for furniture and other bits and pieces have meant van hire for a few days at a time.
Decided earlier this week that it was time to buy a small van. Sweet Baby Jesus and the wee donkey but I can’t find a decent van at what I would call a good price. I’ve previously owned VW Caddies and Transporters, but they are still making very strong money and as much as I liked my previous Caddies there’s not enough room in the back for anything more than a few tools or small bits and pieces.
So I was browsing FB Marketplace yesterday and I spotted a pretty nice looking Mercedes ML350. Local, looked good in the photos, just over 100K miles and has a good maintenance record. Four new matching decent branded tyres and an hour later I’m taking it for a test drive and a deal was done for £3K. Lovely drive home and I’ve really missed the higher driving position of a van/SUV.
Quick scan on the Launch X431 shows two faults which the seller had already told me about. Faulty rear door closing control module and a faulty rear parking sensor. Had a look and it’s a corroded wire.
MPG isn’t going to be great, road tax is a wee bit dear, but fingers crossed it will save me from weekly visits to the local Enterprise Van Hire.
Rear seats are folded down and I’m about to do my first trip to the local council recycling centre. It’s run by Adolf Hitler, who despite seeing a large van with Enterprise Van Rental written in large green and black letters on each side, won’t let you in without a copy of the rental agreement.
Decided earlier this week that it was time to buy a small van. Sweet Baby Jesus and the wee donkey but I can’t find a decent van at what I would call a good price. I’ve previously owned VW Caddies and Transporters, but they are still making very strong money and as much as I liked my previous Caddies there’s not enough room in the back for anything more than a few tools or small bits and pieces.
So I was browsing FB Marketplace yesterday and I spotted a pretty nice looking Mercedes ML350. Local, looked good in the photos, just over 100K miles and has a good maintenance record. Four new matching decent branded tyres and an hour later I’m taking it for a test drive and a deal was done for £3K. Lovely drive home and I’ve really missed the higher driving position of a van/SUV.
Quick scan on the Launch X431 shows two faults which the seller had already told me about. Faulty rear door closing control module and a faulty rear parking sensor. Had a look and it’s a corroded wire.
MPG isn’t going to be great, road tax is a wee bit dear, but fingers crossed it will save me from weekly visits to the local Enterprise Van Hire.
Rear seats are folded down and I’m about to do my first trip to the local council recycling centre. It’s run by Adolf Hitler, who despite seeing a large van with Enterprise Van Rental written in large green and black letters on each side, won’t let you in without a copy of the rental agreement.
Smart looking Merc for £3k. What year is it?
This week's Shed Of The Week is a knackered old Dacia Duster, which someone quite reasonably suggested would make a good dump car. This Merc is a bit fancier, but I like your style!
TrevorHill said:
Rear seats are folded down and I m about to do my first trip to the local council recycling centre. It s run by Adolf Hitler, who despite seeing a large van with Enterprise Van Rental written in large green and black letters on each side, won t let you in without a copy of the rental agreement.
Can see the logic for buying a "dump car" if your local recycling centre is tricky to deal with. My local council (Surrey) is quite reasonable, and a £10 van pass buys you 12 visits in a year in a van, so long as it's household waste.This week's Shed Of The Week is a knackered old Dacia Duster, which someone quite reasonably suggested would make a good dump car. This Merc is a bit fancier, but I like your style!
spreadsheet monkey said:
Smart looking Merc for £3k. What year is it?
It’s late 2010. Just over 100K miles, but has been well maintained.spreadsheet monkey said:
Can see the logic for buying a "dump car" if your local recycling centre is tricky to deal with. My local council (Surrey) is quite reasonable, and a £10 van pass buys you 12 visits in a year in a van, so long as it's household waste.
This week's Shed Of The Week is a knackered old Dacia Duster, which someone quite reasonably suggested would make a good dump car. This Merc is a bit fancier, but I like your style!
Our local recycling centre is a nightmare. You have to book a time slot. If you’re five minutes early he won’t let you in until the allotted time, even if the place is empty. I’d happily buy a pass to avoid the aggro, but that not an option. He’s a complete jobsworth, but he’s the same with everyone else. This week's Shed Of The Week is a knackered old Dacia Duster, which someone quite reasonably suggested would make a good dump car. This Merc is a bit fancier, but I like your style!
RC1807 said:
Decent wagon, that.....
I’m delighted with the ML. We’ve two 718 GT4’s and a Jaguar with a tiny boot, so the ML350 is the perfect fit for the renovations.RC1807 said:
I couldn't abide having to use a recycling / dump place like that.
Ours is sooo easy. The staff even help you unload stuff!]
He was a member of the Gestapo in a previous life, probably hen-pecked at home and this is his revenge. We are new to the area, but everyone we meet warns us about him.Ours is sooo easy. The staff even help you unload stuff!]
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