ML350 or ML270
 

After 2 weeks of thinking, I can't afford a W164, so it is a time to look for a second hand W163. Diesel is cheaper for long run because petrol price is getting higher and higher. But diesel engine is very noicy. Should I go for it?

Kevin :zoom:

Your posts don't say where you live but if you live in the USA you won't be able to get any used version of an ML diesel including the ML270. The only Benz diesel we've had the last few years is in the E Class. We get the ML320 CDI this fall. If you think a Benz diesel is noisey you haven't listened to one lately. HUGE difference in the diesels of old. Go check one out. If I lived where I could get a used one I think I would buy an ML400.

I am in Australia. I haven't driven a new ML320 CDi, so I don't know. But I test drive a brand new BMW X5, it is noicy.
I am not saying it is very noicy, but not as good as petrol engine. But when I see a petrol bill, I think I will go for diesel engine.

Kevin

We have a W163 ML270 CDi, and it's fair to say that it's not particularly refined, I would say less so than the X5 (same goes for ride quality too).

Hard acceleration from standstill is probably the worst. But on a 60 mph cruise - even towing - it's fairly quiet - in fact tyre roar on less smooth surfaces is enough to drown out engine noise.

Being a 5-cylinder engine it has a tendancy to have an off-beat "thrum", a bit like a boxer engine (Subaru style), that you don't get in vehicles with 4/6/8/12 cylinder engines. This probably doesn't help keep noise and vibration down.

Oooh, and if prices in AU are anything like UK, a nearly new W163 will be cheap-as-chips compared to an X5 or W164 ...another good way of drowning out the noise!!

Good luck with your purchase.