NEW PURCHACE - HELP PLEASE

MIW615

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Hi All

Thinking of buying a "M" class Merc, don't know too much about them so would like to here what recommendations regarding model / engine size and type etc.

Is it a permanent 4 wheel drive or is it selective?

Are there any "nasty" bits to be aware of?

Many Thanks in advance

Cheers

MAlcolm
 

Mark A

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They are all permanent 4x4.

What's your budget, there are big differences between the W163 & W164 and what to look out for.

What sort of mileage do you do.

Any car in particular that has caught your fancy ??

Mark
 
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MIW615

MIW615

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They are all permanent 4x4.

What's your budget, there are big differences between the W163 & W164 and what to look out for.

What sort of mileage do you do.

Any car in particular that has caught your fancy ??

Mark

Hi Mark

Budget is up to £20k , what are the differences between W163 and W164 ?

Mileage is only about 5000 miles a year and I would prefer petrol engine - at the moment nothing has really caught my eye

Cheers

Malcolm
 

Mark A

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For that sort of money you would be looking for a newer shape ML, W164. If you are determined to go for a petrol, it'll be a 350, a 500 or a 63AMG.

If you can stomach the fuel bill I would go for the AMG.

The diesels are pretty good, and I wouldn't be too quick to discount them - there's. much better choice and if you don't think they have much get up and go try the 420CDI, you will be very surprised.

Build quality is much better than the previous generation. Buy one with a good history, the gearbox can be problematic with electro plate / valve body problems - but lots of people have had no problems, and if you buy with a warranty you shouldn't need to worry. Watch out for harsh downshifts especially in the lower gears when cold.

I would take one out for a spin, some people love them - others hate them, I'm in the former group. Despite having to get my valve body replaced (not under warranty), I still love it, and will replace the wife's W163 for a second W164 in the next year or so.

Mark
 
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hawk20

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Hi Mark

Budget is up to £20k , what are the differences between W163 and W164 ?

Mileage is only about 5000 miles a year and I would prefer petrol engine - at the moment nothing has really caught my eye

Cheers

Malcolm

Have a drive in the 320cdi or 350cdi. Most prefer the Sport version. Great to drive and they do 0-62 in about 7 seconds. Mine does 33 mpg on a decent run and high twenties locally. Latest software update (I had done in September 2011) has cured the slightly jerky gear change in low gears. Now silky smooth.

Latest model has dropped the 350 and 500 petrols and only the 6 litre AMG remains. Sells in tiny quantities. Diesel now well over 90% of sales and the same is true for BMW 4x4's.
 

Mark A

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But not for £20K hawk. The early 350CDI was over 8secs to 60, which is still perfectly adequate I grant you. The newer 350CDI came out early 2010 and that would be over budget - cheapest 2010 350 on autotrader is £27K. Several petrol models still kicking around within his price range though, and not big mileage so a 500 may be a tempting option.
 
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MIW615

MIW615

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Thanks guys for your input - I guessed that the diesel would be the most popular. Bit worried about the gearshift problems - I did lots of work on valve chests with Ferrari / Rolls Royce on the GM400 auto gearbox so I know that there isn't too much that can go wrong with them.

Tell me what the cost of a replacement valve chest is, also could the original not be updated / overhauled?

Cheers

Malcolm
 

television

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We do not get much if any problems with the valve blocks, the speed plates some times, but they are not expensive, this is the plate that bolts to the valve block to operate the valves.

I certainly would not worry about it on the ML
 
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MIW615

MIW615

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They are all permanent 4x4.

What's your budget, there are big differences between the W163 & W164 and what to look out for.

What sort of mileage do you do.

Any car in particular that has caught your fancy ??

Mark

Hi Mark

What is the difference between W163 and W164?
Also if going for a diesel what is the best engine size / model - I'm not that bothered on fuel consumption

Cheers

Malcolm
 

hawk20

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What is the difference between W163 and W164?
Also if going for a diesel what is the best engine size / model - I'm not that bothered on fuel consumption

Cheers

Malcolm

Forget the 163 as your budget will comfortably get you a 164. See WhatCar and Autocar reviews to confirm what many here have said that the 164 is a big improvement in many ways -performance, economy, comfort, ride, interior finish and on and on. I've owned both and while I liked both, the 164 is a step forward. The 320 diesel is probably the best all-rounder (later the name was changed to 350 with some minor performance and economy tweaks). The 280 and 300 versions are just detuned versions of the 320 and 350.

SE and Sport versions have the same performance, just different trim specs. Sit in both -the differences are clear to the eye.
 

television

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Forget the 163 as your budget will comfortably get you a 164. See WhatCar and Autocar reviews to confirm what many here have said that the 164 is a big improvement in many ways -performance, economy, comfort, ride, interior finish and on and on. I've owned both and while I liked both, the 164 is a step forward. The 320 diesel is probably the best all-rounder (later the name was changed to 350 with some minor performance and economy tweaks). The 280 and 300 versions are just detuned versions of the 320 and 350.

SE and Sport versions have the same performance, just different trim specs. Sit in both -the differences are clear to the eye.

You do not show that you have owned a 163 in your signature, and the first time that I have heard you mention it
 
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MIW615

MIW615

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Forget the 163 as your budget will comfortably get you a 164. See WhatCar and Autocar reviews to confirm what many here have said that the 164 is a big improvement in many ways -performance, economy, comfort, ride, interior finish and on and on. I've owned both and while I liked both, the 164 is a step forward. The 320 diesel is probably the best all-rounder (later the name was changed to 350 with some minor performance and economy tweaks). The 280 and 300 versions are just detuned versions of the 320 and 350.

SE and Sport versions have the same performance, just different trim specs. Sit in both -the differences are clear to the eye.

Thanks Hawk

That's the kind of info I was looking for - I'll be off "shopping" in the new year.

Just a quick question, what year did they start making the W164?

Cheers

Malcolm

PS

Thanks to everyone's contributions
 

hawk20

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You do not show that you have owned a 163 in your signature, and the first time that I have heard you mention it

I've owned many Mercedes I don't list in my signature.
I have mentioned it before but not much lately. I owned one for about 15,000 miles including driving to the South of France and back. I liked it very much. Very comfortable, and roomy. The ride was the biggest improvement with the 164 IMO, and the amazing quietness and refinement of the V6. Plus the performance of 3 litres instead of 2.7 and yet better economy. For once really tangible progress.
 


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