All round Workhorse question.

[ajlsl600]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164624853142

This would be even better.....

Yr first bill will be more than car cost !!!!!!!!

 

[rorywquin]

Not unless you’re a Yorkshireman!

Yep ...they seem to hang onto the pennies here.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Yep, all of em!

Gosh! Some serious metal for little relative cost!

 

[Blobcat]

Gosh! Some serious metal for little relative cost!

Cheap as chips...*

*but only to buy...

 

[V6Matty]

Cheap as chips...*

*but only to buy...

They don’t cost much to maintain, do they Russ?

 

[John Laidlaw]

Cheap as chips...*

*but only to buy...

a world of pain right there, better of with a 230....wait where's me straightjacket?

 

[Blobcat]

a world of pain right there, better of with a 230....wait where's me straightjacket?

I'm "sure" it doesn't need the engine out because the cam has skipped a tooth...
Or that one of the 2 fuel pumps has failed (another engine out job)...

 

[John Laidlaw]

I'm "sure" it doesn't need the engine out because the cam has skipped a tooth...
Or that one of the 2 fuel pumps has failed (another engine out job)...

Of course not..."Highway sales" quite apt really....

 

[MBDevotee]

Yeh, If I get Toureag it will be 3.6 petrol on LPG or a 3.0TDi

Heard the horrors of the v10

 

[LostKiwi]

Not a bad shout although another 1400 to LPG it!!

I think i’d be permanently terrified of the repair bill mind!

Steer well clear of the V8 - they have nasty habit of the Nikasil bore coating failing. Starts as a ticking like a noisy tappet. Ends as an engine replacement.

 

[LostKiwi]

I'll just park this here....
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-de...d=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New

 

[MBDevotee]

That will only tow 2700kg

Need this shape

https://play.google.com/store/apps/...onsumersearch&referrer=utm_source=App%20Share

That will tow 3500

 

[KennyN]

Steer well clear of the V8 - they have nasty habit of the Nikasil bore coating failing. Starts as a ticking like a noisy tappet. Ends as an engine replacement.

And they leak coolant from the pipework between the V`s.

K

 

[MBDevotee]

In truth, I love the "hewn from granite" drive of Merc's. My w163 ml's lacked that a bit being American built - does the Touraeg and Portchester/ w164 have that feel?

 

[John Laidlaw]

That will only tow 2700kg

Need this shape

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.autotrader.androidconsumersearch&referrer=utm_source=App%20Share

That will tow 3500

what, a Google App?

 

[Blobcat]

The sensible option...

 

[John Laidlaw]

The sensible option...

One month is within budget certainly

 

[MBDevotee]

Nothing with a land rover/ Range rover badge is sensible. I'd like to complete more than 10% of trips without breaking down please

 

[MBDevotee]

So ruled out Touareg - been on the VW website and even the fans hate the repair bills.....

So narrowing down now.

W163 ML if I found a good one that was a bargain, more likely to be rust buckets these days tho
W164 ML - contender

Grand Cherokee diesel or 4.7 v8 if I can find one 55 plate on. There seem to be some good ones out there at decent prices (sub 3k) so 5k would get a decent one - anyone know how reliable they are - did they still use the Merc mechanicals?

 

[M80]

2.7 (WJ) Gr Cherokee is the 5cyl Merc engine and 5 speed box.
Both components, and the vehicle generally very reliable.
The fuel pump can be a let down, the design of the electrics can be a bit wanting.
Solid strand wiring out to the doors across a hinge is dumb, for instance, it should've been multi strand flex, they break. Easy enough repair / upgrade.
'A' frame bush at rear axle can give, causing an annoying shunt. Cheap part, not so easy job.
Heated seats (drivers mainly) burn out.
Very good for no rust.

Next model after the WJ moved the the Merc V6 642 CDI. smoother but with gremlins. Still used in many Mercs today.
I 'think' it still used the 5sp box.
No personal experience but wouldn't be afraid to buy one.

They then went to VW and then Fiat engines.