Avi02C32

Hi guys,
I have a c32 2002 and I am a big Mercedes fan. I am looking for an SUV for my wife and was looking at the 2007-2008 ML 320 CDI (Gas is getting pretty expensive). I wanted a few suggestions and also things that are most common problems in this vehicle. Kindly advise.
Thanks
D

paulybagadonuts

Yes Gas sure is getting expensive but so is deisel!

I noticed it was over $4 this weekend with high octane being somewhere around $3.50.

When I fist bought my ML Dec '06 diesel was less than High test but now it's more.

Incidentely I love my ML. Nicest car I've ever owned (close to 40 years).

Good Luck.

koobah

I've heard that MB will be offering a hybrid ML soon and I think it's a much better alternative than diesel.

snowpooch

Diesel is currently cheaper than premium gas in Ontario - the price of diesel seems to be fairly stable throughout this winter while the price of gas has jumped all over the place. Someone told me (another owner) that diesel is generally cheaper in the summer than winter due to additives to keep the diesel from freezing in the winter.

The fuel economy is very impressive for an SUV, surprisingly even beats my wife's previous 4 banger Honda CRV. The large fuel tank also means a refueling visit is once every few weeks or so.

My car has only 4000Km and is still loosing up however the kick-down power is quite a surprise and have blown past a few drivers on the highway when I needed to change lanes in a hurry.

The car is fantastic in the snow and ice and considering we had more than 12 feet of snow fall this winter (so far ) I can state with confidence this is best winter car I've ever owned.

As for problems I've not owned it long enough to know what they may be - I did have a horrible start with a front differential failure on Christmas eve but this was nothing to do with the car being a CDI - and as far I could tell it was a freak event rather than a general quality problem.

koobah

here's an interesting article I just read in the April Car & Driver

snowpooch

This recent article from popular mechanics has good info on the subject of diesels and their future (and is readable).

http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...45.html?page=1

red00lght

I've owned a few Mercedes over the years and the ML is the first one I will recommend without hesitation. Awesome SUV!! The biggest problem is my wife keeps stealing it!

kimcork

Diesel was $0.65 cheaper than premium through much of the summer here in NJ...now it's $0.65 more...and has jumped nearly 40 cents in the last three weeks, which is a bit of a shocker.

I've noticed this summer vs winter swing through the years while driving cross country, but never paid close attention because I wasn't driving a diesel. There are probably several reasons, but one is certainly that diesel comes from the same fraction as heating oil.

When I was calculating the costs for my truck, I looked at the difference betw fuel costs for the ML 350 and the 320 CDI, and concluded that it wasn't a compelling reason to decide for one or the other, regardless of fuel prices.

I prefer the diesel's torque profile, and I also really like going about 550 miles between fuel stops. The gas mileage makes me feel good, as well. My truck is still low mileage, under 6k miles: I manually calculate mileage each time I fill up and have gotten between 21 and 27 mpg. The 21 mpg tanks included a lot of idling as I scraped ice off in the morning. The 27 mpg tanks were xc with lots of 75 - 80 mph time.

DUTCH

The hybrid will be diesel/electric.

koobah

unfortunately, the forum attachement tool has resized the original file, but here it is again (worth the read)

DUTCH

I'm getting 25-26 mpg on the highway with my ML320CDI. I paid $3.64/gal this week for ULSD and $3.32/gal for Premium UL gasoline.

Based on the EPA numbers for the ML450 and the ML320CDI, ULSD would have to go up to $4.42/gal for the diesel savings to be washed out.

cogtooth

I don't usually drive all flat highway miles with my CDI, but here's the mileage for a 140 mile trip over the weekend: 44 mph average speed, 30.8 mpg.

dgiturbo

It just keeps getting better as the engine wears in.
Where I live, UlSD is now seriously pushing 4 per gal., but in my observations, whatever diesel ends up at the end of winter, gas catches up by late spring, and by summer will pass it. Then there will be lots of CDI "haters". Any one see 35MPG yet???

ralph2

havent hit 35 yet but i use my diesel to tow alot and can say it makes one hell of a tow vehicle. I race atv's and dirtbikes and haul a 16ft trailer sometimes up to 600 miles and can not say anything bad about it. The motor gets stronger every time i drive it! and the fuel economy is amazing even while towing. some of my buddies tow their trailers with full size trucks and brag about geting 12/g while im getting 16 and towing a heavier load. Amazing truck