OK enthusiasts, I need some advice. I've read the posts for a few months now and realize the possibilities of getting a problem ML. Read about most of the things that go wrong. Most advise to buy as new as possible. OK, I got that! But what I'm looking for, I think, is the ML that is the most truck-like, most off-road worthy (ie. stiff suspension, light weight etc.). Wanna be able to throw the dog in the back, go down a dirt road and not worry about abusing a low mile expensive luxury SUV. Don't want a soft riding FWD Japanese grocery getter. I've also noted that the MLs have been getter heavier and more luxurious with poorer gas mileage. I'm willing to spend up to $15K. Gotta admit that gas mileage is a consideration...but would gladly sacrifice a couple MPG for the power of the 430, if I need it. So... what year model and engine will I be the most happy with? And, do I need to be concerned with higher mileage (approaching 100K)? Thanks in advance

 

Well I have no major problems with my 01 Ml320, but I seem to be the only one. I do some...not-so extreme off roading with friends sometimes. I really havn't done it with any other SUV so can't offer comparitve information. All I know is that there is this pretty steep little hill that the 430 has no problem getting up, whilst my little engine whines to do it. I would def. go with the ML430 or the ML500. It is heavy and that extra horsepower will def. make a difference (I watch my friend's 430 with green eyes of envy!).

 

Depends on how much power you want...ML500 is around 300hp I think while my 430 is 260/70isn...both v8s...

personally since I've driven both...I do like 500 more...the power of taking off and leaving everyone is a great feeling! but my 430 does fine too...

my 430 does 20-25 mpg on the highway, which is not bad...

And in my having also driven the 320/350...too slow for me...could barely keep up with the big guys on the road...give me power any day!

 

Your not going to get much for 15K. Expect an old high mileage potentially troublesome vehicle. The 320 is fine for what you want to do.

 

Oh yeah...I doubt you'd get a decent Ml500 for 15K.

My Ml320 has been appraised at 14500 trade-in value...and its in "fair" condition. But it has less miles than the average 2001 Ml (around 10000 less miles). So I guess you could get yourself a decent 320 from 2000, 2001 for 15K.

 

I have the worst year you could buy, but overall have been happy with it, I have a 98 that I bought in 00, it had about 25K miles on it, it now has 157K miles, I have had most of the problems everyone here talks about, but I can do most of the work myself so its been fairly inexpensive to own. It is relatively easy to work on it you have any intrest in doing so. I would say if you buy an older one ask about the fuel pump, and hope that it did go out and has been replaced,(newer ones didn't have this problem) when the MAF was replaced. Make sure to change the oil on schedule to me that is a big part of engine life. I would buy another one and the 320 has enough power to do most everything, but I would like a 430 or 500 too, depending some now on gas milage, if a 430 will get 22-25 I would get it.I don't even know what mine is worth, but I am sure not much, so in 6 months its is going to be driven by my soon to be 16 year old. Before this MB I had a 88 260 E that we drove until it had 406K miles : ) it was built better IMO.