I quite fancy an M-Class

[RATATTAK]

I have a bit of spare cash and quite fancy an M-Class as a family hack. I want it to look immaculate and it won't do many miles (up to 4K/year) but it can be up to 12 years old. I like big engines, so an AMG 63 springs to mind. Ideally I'd like the colour to be dark blue. Please give me your views on what to look for and what you'd go for.

 

[Srdl]

4k a year needs to be petrol because diesel emissions systems don’t like short journeys or low mileage. Big petrol has to be V8 (I don’t think they did a 3 litre 43). What about a more recent GLE?

 

[Blobcat]

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[EmilysDad]

nice car .... the screen showing the reverse camera screen suggests it has a factory tow bar .... not what you'd expect of a performance ML! ;-)

 

[ajlsl600]

As mentioned. Avoid the diesels. Nice place to sit, too many electronics, heavy doors that won't stay open on any cross gradient, (gets ur leg as u try to get out. Water runs of roof edge into car if window not fully closed, water leaks into back lights (benz are crzp at keeping water out of car.)Plastic water pumps.
Before u buy ask dealer how much replacement headlight is!!! Up to a grand and more a side, depending on specc.
If you buy either bid low or buy, get a good warranty.

 

[EmilysDad]

...., heavy doors that won't stay open on any cross gradient, (gets ur leg as u try to get out.

Never had a problem with doors not staying open on the stay

Water runs of roof edge into car if window not fully closed,

Again .... never had a problem, but windows generally stay shut

water leaks into back lights (benz are crzp at keeping water out of car.)

No water in the back of mine

,,,,
Before u buy ask dealer how much replacement headlight is!!! Up to a grand and more a side, depending on specc.
....

That applies to many many new cars on the road .... even mainstream cars that don't consider themselves as 'prestige'

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

Awesome trucks, although I prefer the last of the W164's over the early W166's.

I still have my ML350cdi W164, 160k miles. The tech in it is a bit old now, but as a car its brilliant and bullet proof.

 

[ajlsl600]

Hit in one. Less tech, less walking n payin out simples
Also ala G I would far prefer to decide the need of 4 wheel drive or low range myself.

 

[ajlsl600]

Never had a problem with doors not staying open on the stay

Again .... never had a problem, but windows generally stay shut

No water in the back of mine

That applies to many many new cars on the road .... even mainstream cars that don't consider themselves as 'prestige'

Maybe. But I have read on here about other 166 back tailgate lights letting water in. And mine deffo don't keep door open on cross gradient most of time. And water does run onto door interior trim if window opened just after rain or from c wash, even wiper water will run off roof side into window opening it's also well documented on here that water gets into floor from drains . Great design, no warning, just wet electrics, not in service manual as far as I know.
A useful design might be to organise that if drains block the next option is a secondary exit not wrecking the electrics, no? Perhaps a sensor??!! Putting yet another dash light on to indicate block, christ knows there's enough barely useful sensors on the cars.

 

[EmilysDad]

.... it's also well documented on here that water gets into floor from drains . Great design, no warning, just wet electrics, not in service manual as far as I know.
.....

Botus can confirm that also happened on Vauxhall's Omega .... it also happened to EmilysMum's Citroen, so not just MB

 

[ajlsl600]

Get you. But I don't drive omega or citroen and I don't think they market themselfs as prestige cars. Even the 90k sl, s let water in!

 

[Richard Moakes]

All cars let in water if you don’t keep on top of drain channels, Mercedes just seem to have an issue of locating expensive electronic modules where the water gets into the car. Had issues with Porsche, Mazda, Lexus due to leaves blocking drain channels. Even had to modify the drain channels on the C216 to ensure water drains away quickly and efficiently.