Off road capabilities of ML
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Joined: Jun 2008
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Now - RAV4. Soon MLxxx
Off road capabilities of ML
Hi,
Newb here. I'm considering buying a 2nd hand 2002 ML270 from a dealer and need some advice.
The car will mainly be a family runabout, but in time, we'll be looking at taking it away on holiday pulling a camper trailer and doing some basic off-roading e.g. beach/track driving. How well (or not) will the ML handle these sorts of conditions? I'm based in Western Australia so snow is not an issue here!
Any comments would be appreciated.
Cheers
JamboJacko
Newb here. I'm considering buying a 2nd hand 2002 ML270 from a dealer and need some advice.
The car will mainly be a family runabout, but in time, we'll be looking at taking it away on holiday pulling a camper trailer and doing some basic off-roading e.g. beach/track driving. How well (or not) will the ML handle these sorts of conditions? I'm based in Western Australia so snow is not an issue here!
Any comments would be appreciated.
Cheers
JamboJacko
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Joined: Aug 2007
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I have an ML270 and it has proved to be very versatile. I's no hardcore offroad vehicle, but can easily tackle basic to medium duties.
As a family runabout - fantastic. I have the third row seats with motorised 3rd row windows. Good to go for nearly half a kids soccer team. Mileage around town (dep. on driving style) around 10-11L/100km. I've gone down to 6.5L/100Km on highway stints.
To pull a trailer - very good. I have a heavy duty Reece hitch, no probs lugging a full size caravan.
Basic offroading - not bad. I crawl up 45 deg slopes with ease (at my farm). Sand hopping is good provided you remove the solid mudguards prior to getting on sand, as they end up as anchors in the soft stuff.
Is your potential ML a Series III? That's the one I would recommend as all the bugs have been sorted out (cf Series I-II).
I've also modded my ML to increase its offroad and touring ability, and have been very pleased with the results. Even without mods it performs decently.
As a family runabout - fantastic. I have the third row seats with motorised 3rd row windows. Good to go for nearly half a kids soccer team. Mileage around town (dep. on driving style) around 10-11L/100km. I've gone down to 6.5L/100Km on highway stints.
To pull a trailer - very good. I have a heavy duty Reece hitch, no probs lugging a full size caravan.
Basic offroading - not bad. I crawl up 45 deg slopes with ease (at my farm). Sand hopping is good provided you remove the solid mudguards prior to getting on sand, as they end up as anchors in the soft stuff.
Is your potential ML a Series III? That's the one I would recommend as all the bugs have been sorted out (cf Series I-II).
I've also modded my ML to increase its offroad and touring ability, and have been very pleased with the results. Even without mods it performs decently.
Last edited by mohawk; Jun 20, 2008 at 06:16 PM.
Thread Starter
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Now - RAV4. Soon MLxxx
Thanks for the info! Top tip about the mud guards 
Pardon my ignorance, but which year was the series III released? I can't find any info on when that particular series started. I had heard that any 2002 or newer model had most of the earlier models bugs sorted out?
Cheers
Pardon my ignorance, but which year was the series III released? I can't find any info on when that particular series started. I had heard that any 2002 or newer model had most of the earlier models bugs sorted out?
Cheers
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: New York City
95 Audi urS6 Quattro
ML55's road capabilities are meh. I beached mine in the sand 2 days ago, 10 inch wide tires really do not cope well in the sand, nor does the lower clearance. Though if you take the bumpers off its okay on a intermediate offroad course.
Im sure the lower ML models are a bit better, with narrower tires and higher ground clearance. Mind you, ESP is a royal pain in the a$$. Constantly going off even when off, it really detracts from the offroading.
Im sure the lower ML models are a bit better, with narrower tires and higher ground clearance. Mind you, ESP is a royal pain in the a$$. Constantly going off even when off, it really detracts from the offroading.
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I have a 35mm suspension lift up front and 40mm rear. I can run 33in tyres easily but use 245/65R17s in an ATR pattern as an all-round package (larger tyres rob torque). No probs on sand whatsoever.
Hmmm... Never had a problem with ESP, and haven't experienced it intruding when switched off, so can't comment on that one.
And yes - the Series III was introduced in mid year 2002.
Hmmm... Never had a problem with ESP, and haven't experienced it intruding when switched off, so can't comment on that one.
And yes - the Series III was introduced in mid year 2002.
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ML270 w163
I have a 35mm suspension lift up front and 40mm rear. I can run 33in tyres easily but use 245/65R17s in an ATR pattern as an all-round package (larger tyres rob torque). No probs on sand whatsoever.
Hmmm... Never had a problem with ESP, and haven't experienced it intruding when switched off, so can't comment on that one.
And yes - the Series III was introduced in mid year 2002.
Hmmm... Never had a problem with ESP, and haven't experienced it intruding when switched off, so can't comment on that one.
And yes - the Series III was introduced in mid year 2002.
May I ask how you did the suspension lift? Spacers on the springs?
Also, I have recently bought a serries II (w163 facelift), which I know the fixed a lot of the issues from the very first ML's. But do you know off hand what issues were fixed between the serries I and serries III ?
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 165
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From: San Diego, CA
07 S600 Designo, 03 SL500, 1959 220S
My ML500 sucks in the snow. It loses traction easily when turning and when it is in deep snow the esp doesn't let you go over 3mph even when flooring it. Next winter I'm going to try it without the ESP to see if it will go faster.
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Australia
X350d GLE500e 2017, ML350 BlueTec 2012(sold), A200 2013, ML350CDI 2009(sold), Aston Martin DB7 2003
Jambojacko,
I will presume you will have 17" wheels which will allow a reasonable deflation to about 18psi to negotiate the WA beaches which are reasonably rock free. (You can go down to 12psi for a short while but avoid sharp turns or rocks. Turns can pop beads and rocks love rims at those pressures.)
Keep to the main tracks - do not venture of to new territory. And do not tackle the beaches alone.
You will not have a low range, so do not try too hard or you will cook the trans.
And carry a pump to raise your tyres back to 25 for gravel roads or 32 for bitumen.
The ML will easily cope with all the main tourist tracks including Gibb River and Gunbarrel. Just make sure the camper is up to it!
Of course it will tow any van but keep to the bitumen.
Do not consider the Canning or Simpson, with or without a trailer, regardless of what anyone says.
I will presume you will have 17" wheels which will allow a reasonable deflation to about 18psi to negotiate the WA beaches which are reasonably rock free. (You can go down to 12psi for a short while but avoid sharp turns or rocks. Turns can pop beads and rocks love rims at those pressures.)
Keep to the main tracks - do not venture of to new territory. And do not tackle the beaches alone.
You will not have a low range, so do not try too hard or you will cook the trans.
And carry a pump to raise your tyres back to 25 for gravel roads or 32 for bitumen.
The ML will easily cope with all the main tourist tracks including Gibb River and Gunbarrel. Just make sure the camper is up to it!
Of course it will tow any van but keep to the bitumen.
Do not consider the Canning or Simpson, with or without a trailer, regardless of what anyone says.
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Newbie
Joined: May 2012
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ML270 w163
That will be a problem with your tyre choice, not the car...
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 165
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From: San Diego, CA
07 S600 Designo, 03 SL500, 1959 220S
Yes you're right about the turning in the snow being mostly the tires fault, but the car not being able to go faster then 3mph with traction control on is definitely the cars fault.
Newbie
Joined: May 2012
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ML270 w163
These cars are very capable in snow, so if your is battling it is most likely tyres, or some fault (get MB star diagnostics checked).
