Facelift ML 270CDI - how rubbish are they?

[NicDale]

It's quite well documented that early MLs are quite poor on quality both mechanically and for fit and finish, however i've not been in a facelift ML and ws wondering whether they are any better? Car's in question would be 02/03 270CDI's and i'd appriciate your opinions, worth looking at or avoid at all costs?

[marc.l]

My old 2001 270cdi has been great over 190k miles and one of the most reliable cars I`ve owned. It may be low on dynamics but has done every thing I`ve ever asked of it. It was at the time about the best 7 seater I could afford and loads beter to drive than a disco.

[toggs]

I know the earlier ones suffered terrible with coil springs on the rear not sure about the face lifted models.
I know of three people who's coils springs have busted on them.

[r129sl]

I don't think they are rubbish. They are unpopular with magazine journalists because they do not have rock hard suspension, bling-a-ling wheels and the handling (and off road ability) of a 3 series. The ML is not for the enthusiast, press-on road drivers: it is a proper multi-purpose, utility and comfort vehicle.

[Burba]

Nic, not sure if you'd be interested, but i'm in the process of selling my facelift 03 500 (inc LPG conversion, so runs cheap)?

[NicDale]

Could well be, what sort of money is it?

[Burba]

NicDale said:

Could well be, what sort of money is it?

pm'd

[POORCARDEALER]

I bought one for the wife, it had a bit of rust, which Merc tried to squirm out of sorting out despite the 30 years anti corrosion warranty, it had already had injectors (common and not cheap) despite having only done 60K miles, nice size, reasonably comfortable but very slow pulling out of junctions (270 cdi auto), would do 30 mpg on a steady long run but 22 around town. A bit flawed in many repects but I actually quite liked it.