Purchasing ML.. Is it worth it?..
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Purchasing ML.. Is it worth it?..
Hi I'm new to mercedes and i've been looking into a purchasing an ML for my family and I was wondering on your guys experience with the car, which ML is the best to buy and that wouldn't give lots of problems in the future. Im looking to keep the car for a long time.. any help would be great. Thanks
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 270
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From: Overland Park, Kansas
SOLD both: 1987 560SL 2003 ML320
I'm looking for an ML to pick up as a daily driver, especially for the winter months. I'd been looking for one from 2001 - 2005 age-wise, but I had a service mgr with the dealer advise me to stay with 2002 and newer if at all possible. There are a lot of ML issues with 2001 and older, but most of those were recalls.
I'm curious about the ML experience as well. More feedback!!!
I'm curious about the ML experience as well. More feedback!!!
Last edited by slik560; Jan 25, 2010 at 11:44 AM. Reason: spelling - what else?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
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From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
I am on my 4th ML, 1998 ML320, 2002 ML500, 2006 ML500, 2020 ML550. All were very good with the exception of the 02 which was a bit troublesom but no big problem as my dealer is excellent. The 06 and so far the 10 have been bullet proof and neither has had any issue or repairs required at all. Can't say enough good things about them.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 304
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From: Guelph, Ont. CA.
2014 ML350 BlueTec.
Do your............
homework.............l'm on my fifth M-Class...and for the most part, l have enjoyed them.......l recently returned from the Detriot auto show and was impressed with some of the other the competitors......such as the Audi Q5 and Q7, the BMW X5 and X6 and even the Volvo XC90...wonderful vehicles......Good luck.............
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
homework.............l'm on my fifth M-Class...and for the most part, l have enjoyed them.......l recently returned from the Detriot auto show and was impressed with some of the other the competitors......such as the Audi Q5 and Q7, the BMW X5 and X6 and even the Volvo XC90...wonderful vehicles......Good luck.............
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Member
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'08 IS F; '09 ML 320 Bluetec; '10 X5 35d
....maybe. 
Thus far it's been one of those love/hate relationships.
I'm looking for an ML to pick up as a daily driver, especially for the winter months. I'd been looking for one from 2001 - 2005 age-wise, but I had a service mgr with the dealer advise me to stay with 2002 and newer if at all possible. There are a lot of ML issues with 2001 and older, but most of those were recalls.
I'm curious about the ML experience as well. More feedback!!!
I'm curious about the ML experience as well. More feedback!!!
CRod, My take is that they all look good when displayed at a show. We have the best of the lot though. I think that the Volvo is a slug, and is a maintenence hog, The Audis are, or my perception is, that they are lightly built and not as durable as the ML. The BMW is smaller with less cargo area and today is not as reliable as the ML. Also do not think it handles very well and the 6Cyl is a slug when compared to the ML350.To really get the actual feeling for the cars one must own and drive one for as long as you and I have been driving ML's.
I'm sorry, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but there is zero chance that the ML handles anywhere even in the ballpark of the X5....and yes, I do own both. It isn't even close the X5 handles light years better than the ML. That isn't to say that the X5 is the better vehicle, as it certainly has it's downfalls, but handling isn't it's shortcoming.
Not sure which BMW SUV you think is smaller than the ML, but the X5 is almost identical in size go the ML. The GL is considerable bigger than the X5.
The 3.0 X5 may be a slug...and a pointless vehicle imho...but the X5 35d will leave the ML 320/350 Bluetecs standing still....as will the bigger engined X5's.
The ML has several advantages over the X5. The ML is significantly quieter in both engine/diesel noise and wind noise. The ML is much, much smoother over bumpy surfaces. The turbo lag isn't as bad in the ML. The fuel economy is about 2-3 mpg better in the ML thus far...I assume due to the 7 speed vs. 6 speed transmission.
Personally, I prefer the 3rd stalk in the ML for the gear shift as it frees up space on the center console. The phallus like gear shifter in the X5 gets in the way when I reach for my coffee....
.Overall, they are two very good SUV's that offer very different things....that cater to very, very different drivers. My wife and I were actually discussing tonight how it works out very well that the ML is a better fit for her, and our X5 works better for me. To each their own.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,524
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From: CT
Mercedes, Porsche, BMW, Tesla
Hi I'm new to mercedes and i've been looking into a purchasing an ML for my family and I was wondering on your guys experience with the car, which ML is the best to buy and that wouldn't give lots of problems in the future. Im looking to keep the car for a long time.. any help would be great. Thanks
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 304
Likes: 1
From: Guelph, Ont. CA.
2014 ML350 BlueTec.
Fair enough..............
CRod, My take is that they all look good when displayed at a show. We have the best of the lot though. I think that the Volvo is a slug, and is a maintenence hog, The Audis are, or my perception is, that they are lightly built and not as durable as the ML. The BMW is smaller with less cargo area and today is not as reliable as the ML. Also do not think it handles very well and the 6Cyl is a slug when compared to the ML350.To really get the actual feeling for the cars one must own and drive one for as long as you and I have been driving ML's.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 359
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From: Kelowna, BC
'09 ML550
I am on my 4th ML, 1998 ML320, 2002 ML500, 2006 ML500, 2020 ML550. All were very good with the exception of the 02 which was a bit troublesom but no big problem as my dealer is excellent. The 06 and so far the 10 have been bullet proof and neither has had any issue or repairs required at all. Can't say enough good things about them.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 359
Likes: 1
From: Kelowna, BC
'09 ML550
I'm sorry, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but there is zero chance that the ML handles anywhere even in the ballpark of the X5....and yes, I do own both. It isn't even close the X5 handles light years better than the ML. That isn't to say that the X5 is the better vehicle, as it certainly has it's downfalls, but handling isn't it's shortcoming.
...
Overall, they are two very good SUV's that offer very different things....that cater to very, very different drivers. My wife and I were actually discussing tonight how it works out very well that the ML is a better fit for her, and our X5 works better for me. To each their own.
...
Overall, they are two very good SUV's that offer very different things....that cater to very, very different drivers. My wife and I were actually discussing tonight how it works out very well that the ML is a better fit for her, and our X5 works better for me. To each their own.
How different are the two? My sister last drove with me in my X5. Just this past Christmas she drove with me in the ML for about an hour before suddenly looking around the interior and asking: "Did you get a new car?"
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 898
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From: Woodstock, IL
His 2019 RAM Cummins Turbo Diesel Laramie; Her's 2007 ML320 CDI P3; Mine BMW R1200R
"Hi I'm new to mercedes and i've been looking into a purchasing an ML for my family and I was wondering on your guys experience with the car, which ML is the best to buy and that wouldn't give lots of problems in the future. Im looking to keep the car for a long time.. any help would be great. Thanks"
If the goal is to own it for an extended period of time, (+10 years) go with the Diesel ML.
Reasons:
Engine durability and performance, fuel savings, less service requirements. Over time these will make the costs of ownership well worth it for the family.
Good luck.
If the goal is to own it for an extended period of time, (+10 years) go with the Diesel ML.
Reasons:
Engine durability and performance, fuel savings, less service requirements. Over time these will make the costs of ownership well worth it for the family.
Good luck.
Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 148
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'08 IS F; '09 ML 320 Bluetec; '10 X5 35d
I don't often disagree with you, but I have to differ on this. If your ML has Airmatic suspension, then in my experience it is both more comfortable than the X5 and handles at least as well if not actually better -- although not both at the same time, as you have to choose either regular/comfort or sport.
How different are the two? My sister last drove with me in my X5. Just this past Christmas she drove with me in the ML for about an hour before suddenly looking around the interior and asking: "Did you get a new car?"
How different are the two? My sister last drove with me in my X5. Just this past Christmas she drove with me in the ML for about an hour before suddenly looking around the interior and asking: "Did you get a new car?"
Our ML does not have the Airmatic. We test drove it and wasn't very impressed by it. I have always stated that the ML is a better ride, as far as comfort goes, but didn't think that Airmatic provided a significantly better handling experience. Just my opinion of course.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6
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2005 clk500, 2003 525i, 1999 ml320
Have 1999 ML320 and close to 120k miles. Bought it since new in April 1999 and it has been very good to me. Only had few minor fixes which less than $200 per instance but I just fix 2 stepping motor for the temperature dial for the A/C which cost me $1100 at local MB dealer. I did not follow any of the recommended ABCD service from MB but I did take care of the normal wear and tear item such as oil change/oil filer/air filer/cabin filer which I did them myself, transmission fluid, break fluid, brake pad, brake rotor, tire, etc (still on original suspension parts) and you can not really count these as repair since you will have same expense (more or less) whatever car you drive. To me, this ML is very reliable and it got the job done, furniture moving, 12 feet tree, 1200 pound nature pave stone, lumber, people mover up to 8 (2 in front, 4 in back and 2 in cargo space), etc. Overall, I would recommend any ML (each new version of ML make many improvement) to anyone need a German midsize SUV. Now, I just have to find the excuse to get my next ML because with 120k miles, it drive like the first day I took it home except few noise from suspension and back seat latch is loose due to endless fold down the back seat to carry stuff. Remember, this is only my own experience and can not speak for others.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 393
Likes: 3
From: Hawaii
'09 C63 AMG, '10 ML350 4Matic
I have an 09 C63 and am pricing the ML350...are you happy going back and forth between the two? Granted, the ML is mainly for my wife, but still want to know if I will be disappointed (from a driveability perspective).
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,853
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From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
SLS Irridium silver,2014 GL350 BT Irridium, 2015 White Dodge RAM Hemi Quad
I am a former BMW driver, and since I got my C63, I became a Mercedes man and traded in the BMW for the 09 ML350 for my wife, I love this SUV for its feel of being solid and quiet, it looks great and is a good fit for our two young children (boy 2yrs, girl 3mnths) enough space for now, point is....I have a truck and if Mercedes made a pick up I would probably own one as well...I am happy with our Mercedes and the service I receive from my dealer.
