ML320 On Sand

May 27, 2015 | 05:01 PM

Moosedes-Benz12

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2001 ML320

ML320 On Sand

I have an '01 ML320 and was planning on driving it on the beach this summer so I was wondering how well it would do on sand/loose ground. I know for sand that I have to air down the tires to about half the pressure, but that's about it. Should I use Low Range? BTW my ESP/BAS light is on, and I can't manually disengage ESP via the button on the center console. ESP does work however, during the winter it made itself very obvious. Would ESP being on be a problem? How well does the ML's AWD system work in sand? Any other tips?

May 28, 2015 | 09:03 PM

DrX

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Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 282

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From: Brisbane, Australia

2002 ML320, 2003 A160

Please read this: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w163...l#post10076161

May 31, 2015 | 07:29 PM

Moosedes-Benz12

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2001 ML320

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrX

Please read this: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w163...l#post10076161

From what I could understand from the translated stuff, I gotta air down the tires a minimum of 21 psi, go into low range, turn off ESP, and optionally turn on the ac to create a positive pressure in the cabin to keep sand out. The main problem I have is being able to turn the ESP off. As I said, my ESP/BAS light is on and I can't disengage the ESP via the button on the center console. I believe the ESP is working, but it isn't working as aggressively as it normally does when the ESP/BAS light isn't on, or so it seems.

May 31, 2015 | 10:21 PM

DrX

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Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 282

Likes: 5

From: Brisbane, Australia

2002 ML320, 2003 A160

If you want to bring your ML home, you should ideally have all relevant systems operational before you drive in the sand. Otherwise you may have the same fate as this GL owner.
http://www.9news.com.au/national/201...-fraser-island

Jun 1, 2015 | 04:29 AM

kylieshusband42

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Joined: May 2015

Posts: 7

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From: Brisbane, Australia

07 GL500 , 62 220Seb , 86 560SEL , 03 ML270

Just had my ML270 on the beach on Bribie Island Queensland Australia over the weekend. Went up the inland track. 22km of deep soft sand.
Perfect. Have done a lot of prep work. 265/70 17 Cooper Discoverer S/T tyres @18 psi.
Custom springs on the rear. Now I have 520mm from guard to wheel centre. Wound up the front tortion arm to give me 515mm guard to wheel centre.

Jun 2, 2015 | 03:28 PM

Moosedes-Benz12

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2001 ML320

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrX

Ouch! Yeah I don't want to get stuck, and I definitely don't want to end up like that GL. Pesky ESP problems, always made me pretty upset how these faults ruin such nice SUVs. I think I may replace the ESP module soon, and hopefully that will do. I think that will be either be a real hit or miss though.

Jun 2, 2015 | 03:43 PM

Moosedes-Benz12

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2001 ML320

Quote:

Originally Posted by kylieshusband42

Cool to hear of a successful outing! I have the same tires as you up front except instead of a 70 sidewall it's the stock 65. I have Bridgestone duelers in the back, stock dimensions. Both have plenty of tread, and a somewhat similar tread pattern, so I think it would do well in sand. It'd be nice to get some taller tires, and I might try tinkering with the tortion bars.

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Jun 3, 2015 | 07:41 PM

DrX

Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 282

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From: Brisbane, Australia

2002 ML320, 2003 A160

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moosedes-Benz12

I think I may replace the ESP module soon, and hopefully that will do.

Why don't you narrow down the problem by getting the codes read? I doubt very much that replacing modules blindly is going to help anything except the guy you buy it from.

Jun 4, 2015 | 05:05 PM

#10

Moosedes-Benz12

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2001 ML320

Quote:

Originally Posted by kylieshusband42

All the tires are the same size, 255/65/16 all the way around. As for the scanner, is it this one: http://www.x431store.com/wholesale/o...de-reader.html

Jun 4, 2015 | 05:10 PM

#11

Moosedes-Benz12

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2001 ML320

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrX

Why don't you narrow down the problem by getting the codes read? I doubt very much that replacing modules blindly is going to help anything except the guy you buy it from.

My father got the codes read a while ago but never told me what the codes were or what they were for specifically. All he told me was that the ESP module had to be changed. I'm not sure if I should believe him or not, seeing that i have no idea of what codes he got. I've been meaning to get the codes read and see it for myself, I may be able to do that this weekend.

Jun 4, 2015 | 10:28 PM

#12

wozzlegummich

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Joined: Nov 2011

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W203 C180 & W163 ML370

Quote:

Originally Posted by kylieshusband42

265/70 17 Cooper Discoverer S/T tyres @18 psi. Custom springs on the rear. Now I have 520mm from guard to wheel centre. Wound up the front tortion arm to give me 515mm guard to wheel centre.

Did these tyres fit (clear) before the suspension mods?

Jun 9, 2015 | 12:09 AM

#13

kylieshusband42

Newbie

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 7

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From: Brisbane, Australia

07 GL500 , 62 220Seb , 86 560SEL , 03 ML270

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moosedes-Benz12

All the tires are the same size, 255/65/16 all the way around. As for the scanner, is it this one: http://www.x431store.com/wholesale/o...de-reader.html

The Diagnostic tool that I have is the Launch X431 iDiag.
It is a dongle that goes into the OBD port on the car and bluetooths to
an app on my android phone. also available for iphone. They are different between the two.

I have a Red one and there is now an updated yellow one.

Jun 9, 2015 | 12:22 AM

#14

kylieshusband42

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Joined: May 2015

Posts: 7

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From: Brisbane, Australia

07 GL500 , 62 220Seb , 86 560SEL , 03 ML270

Quote:

Originally Posted by wozzlegummich

Did these tyres fit (clear) before the suspension mods?

Yes the tyres fitted but not a lot of room for suspension travel before the suspension mods.
And now he front's just hit on the inner guard on full steering lock. Without the inner guards, they don't touch at all.

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