M-Class (W163) Produced 1998-2005: ML 230, ML 320, ML 350, ML 400 CDI, ML 430, ML 500, ML 270 CDI

Question about ML 320 CDI

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Old 10-03-2006, 12:06 PM
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SLK 350 2008
Question about ML 270 CDI

I'm thinking of getting a ML320 , (2003+ more exactly facelift model)

One of the main purpose of the car is going through dense snow (up to 40cm / 16 inch) during the winter.

Will the ML manage to work well in this conditions ? Or should I go for something else? (I don't want this only if it's necessary )

Last edited by Bogdan; 10-04-2006 at 07:36 AM.
Old 10-03-2006, 12:56 PM
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2002 ML270
Originally Posted by Bogdan
I'm thinking of getting a ML320 , (2003+ more exactly facelift model)

One of the main purpose of the car is going through dense snow (up to 40cm / 16 inch) during the winter.

Will the ML manage to work well in this conditions ? Or should I go for something else? (I don't want this only if it's necessary )
A 2003+ ML320 (W163) is a petrol engined vehicle, not diesel (Cdi), the 2006 ML320 is a Cdi (diesel) and is the newer version of the ML (W164).

However, either would be good in snow, the biggest factor being proper snow tyres.

I live in England where it almost never snows, so hopefully someone with more direct experience will give you a more useful answer; from what I have read on this and other forums, the ML (either W163 or W164) is an excellent choice.
Old 10-03-2006, 01:12 PM
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SLK 350 2008
Originally Posted by marcelc
A 2003+ ML320 (W163) is a petrol engined vehicle, not diesel (Cdi), the 2006 ML320 is a Cdi (diesel) and is the newer version of the ML (W164).

However, either would be good in snow, the biggest factor being proper snow tyres.

I live in England where it almost never snows, so hopefully someone with more direct experience will give you a more useful answer; from what I have read on this and other forums, the ML (either W163 or W164) is an excellent choice.
You are right , i thought that ML320 was CDI (with the same engine that you cand find on older E320cdi or so) .. I'll go then for 270. But how it handles with only 163 hp ? Is it a slow car for its weight ?

Thanks for clearing things up.

P.S. ML 270 was built in Europe ?

Last edited by Bogdan; 10-03-2006 at 01:14 PM. Reason: Forgot something..
Old 10-03-2006, 01:20 PM
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Another question, I noticed there is a manual version of 270. What do you suggest , manual or automatic ?
Old 10-03-2006, 03:16 PM
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2002 ML270
Originally Posted by Bogdan
Another question, I noticed there is a manual version of 270. What do you suggest , manual or automatic ?
I would not suggest the manual gearbox, Mercedes reduced the torque of the 270 engine from 400nm to 370nm because the manual gearbox is not robust enough. Furthermore, the fuel consumption in town is LESS with the automatic than with the manual gearbox! This shows you how very well Mercedes have setup the engine/gearbox.

The 270 is not slow below 100Kph, the high torque works well in lower gears, however, it slows much above that speed and is not lively, although it does accelerate to above 160Kph reasonably well.

I am sure the ML400 is a beast to drive, but they were not sold in the UK and I have heard that both the motor and the transmission are quite unreliable, perhaps due to the very high torque (540nm).

Unless you do lots of very fast autobahn miles the ML270 will be fine, and you can have the engine 'chipped' and get another 10% torque.
Old 10-03-2006, 03:20 PM
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2002 ML270
Originally Posted by Bogdan
P.S. ML 270 was built in Europe ?
No, all ML's were made in the USA, however, I believe the motors and transmissions were made in Europe and fitted in the USA.
Old 10-03-2006, 04:02 PM
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Originally Posted by marcelc
I would not suggest the manual gearbox, Mercedes reduced the torque of the 270 engine from 400nm to 370nm because the manual gearbox is not robust enough. Furthermore, the fuel consumption in town is LESS with the automatic than with the manual gearbox! This shows you how very well Mercedes have setup the engine/gearbox.

The 270 is not slow below 100Kph, the high torque works well in lower gears, however, it slows much above that speed and is not lively, although it does accelerate to above 160Kph reasonably well.

I am sure the ML400 is a beast to drive, but they were not sold in the UK and I have heard that both the motor and the transmission are quite unreliable, perhaps due to the very high torque (540nm).

Unless you do lots of very fast autobahn miles the ML270 will be fine, and you can have the engine 'chipped' and get another 10% torque.
Thanks again for the info. I will go then for ML270 Automatic, you advised me well. Going well from 0 to 160 suites me because I don't have to much autobahn's in my area and also I have other cars to go faster. Maybe a chip someday.

I asked for production country because I have to pay extra 30% taxes for cars that are not made in Europe.

Hope very soon i will be back home with a ML

Last edited by Bogdan; 10-03-2006 at 04:07 PM.
Old 10-05-2006, 05:39 PM
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Any other opinions ?
Old 10-05-2006, 07:58 PM
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The new ML320 CDI comes with very respectable low-end performance, primarily due to 369 tq on tap. I wish they had a 270 trim here, that would be a great car at a great price. Test drive both, and see what happens with overall feel of the car.
Old 10-06-2006, 04:40 AM
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Originally Posted by HLG600
The new ML320 CDI comes with very respectable low-end performance, primarily due to 369 tq on tap. I wish they had a 270 trim here, that would be a great car at a great price. Test drive both, and see what happens with overall feel of the car.
But I am not looking for a new car ... my goal is a ML 270 CDI W163...
Old 10-07-2006, 08:16 PM
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Transmission and motor made in Europe, transfer case & differentials are made in USA

Originally Posted by marcelc
No, all ML's were made in the USA, however, I believe the motors and transmissions were made in Europe and fitted in the USA.
Just got a full tranny/drive train flush on my ML320 approaching the 100K miles...asked the SA about the drive train, and was told past the tranny, all other components of the drive train are made in USA.
Old 10-08-2006, 10:04 AM
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2002 ML270
Originally Posted by mihir_d
Just got a full tranny/drive train flush on my ML320 approaching the 100K miles...asked the SA about the drive train, and was told past the tranny, all other components of the drive train are made in USA.
Thanks, nice to know.

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