I am looking to upgrade my wagon, I love the space of a wagon, but I need AWD and better ground clearance. I also want enough power to be able to pull my 63 Beetle.
My question is, am I better buying an ML or an RClass. I love the funkiness of the Rclass, but I'm worried about the problems. I love the four wheel drive capabilities of the ML but am wondering about the cargo room. Does anyone have an opinion on this?
I'm not sure what to do.

 

To me the ML is a no-brainer. I managed to fit an entire full size refrigerator in the back once. Try that with an R-Class.

 

That is good info. I'm wondering how the rear seats are compared to the R as far as leg room. How is the towing Capacity for the ML?
Thanks for the info.

 

ML will have a larger demographic for resale also.

 

I have an ML 320 CDI; I pull a boat with it to the Keys, plus a motorcycle on a trailer to NC from FL. I also folded the seats down (FLAT!), put an air mattress and a sleeping bag in the back, and drove to Alaska from Florida. Took two months, and I slept in the back, every night. I'm 5'10", and there was more than 6'1" length, diagonally. Slept in Wal-Mart parking lots (they encourage that) and in Flying J truck stops. I got a Flying J Rewards Card, and every 50 gallons of diesel fuel earned me a free shower in the Flying J Trucker's Lounge (very nice).

Downside: mine's a 2008 ML 320 CDI 4-matic, 140K miles. It's had three major failures: rack-and-pinion steering went out at 85K; dealer said $2800; I fixed it myself, but that was VERY hard to do, because it went into the car before the front differential, the motor, and the body were installed above it, afterward. I couldn't remove that stuff, to get to it; took a long time. Second failure was the transfer case, behind the transmission, at 110K; dealer said $3000+. I got a used one for $700 from LKQ auto parts (nationwide) and installed it myself. Disassembled the old one; the chain was stretched, a lot! Poor engineering! Max torque of the engine is known, thus max possible load on the chain is known, thus max stress on the chain plates is known. Somebody screwed up that calculation, but I don't see how. Third failure was an oil leak of the seals at the oil cooler. Known, common problem on many of the 164-series engine; the original seal was made of a material that took a 'set' over time, and leaked. Again, poor engineering. That's plagued many of these cars. So if you get an ML, get a late-model, with the newer seals.

Either way, read on these MB forums, all that you can find on the car models, and engine/transmissions, that you're interested in. I'm a Design Engineer, on jet engines, and my vehicle was very poorly engineered. I'll not buy another Mercedes.

Bottom line? I'm just finishing up the oil seal replacement, and selling the vehicle. I wanted a diesel engine, and 4-wheel drive to tow the boat up slippery ramps. I've owned mostly BMWs since the early seventies, have done all my own work, and never had so many unexpected failures. The BMW X5 now has a diesel, with 4-wheel drive, and I'll go back there.

 

About 7,000 lb if you have the OEM towing option.

 

Thank you so much guys. I appreciate the feedback and help.

 

 

That's because the W164 is a truck and the R-class is a passenger van. At 140 mph on the German autobahn, my ML550 rode like a boss. Solid as a rock. I'm sorry I sold it but a car like that in Berlin is way overkill.