ML Off Road Ability

[3146bj]

I'm looking to replace my old Discovery with a later 4WD.

Can anybody help with their experiences of using an ML (preferably diesel) off road? By off road, I mean serious off road work on dirt tracks, water crossings up to 2 feet deep, low speed work in high temperatures (40c and up), a lot of dust as well as long distances on corrugated gravel roads at reasonably high speeds (100kmh +). How does the suspension stand up to rough roads? Is the cooling system good enough for 8 hours of low speed (< 10kmh) at 40c? Is the dust sealing any good or does everything end up covered in dust? How rattle free is the interior trim and fittings? How good are the seats? And are they reliable enough to take a pounding for 4 or 5 weeks at a time with minimal servicing?

Can you help?

 

[jberks]

The ML went through various 'eras'. What production year are you looking at ?

 

[MotardMan]

Buy a Landcruiser or Patrol.

The ML is a soft roader and does not have the capability you have in the Disco. I'm sure it is built reasonably well (bear in mind most are American made...), but the use you describe may challenge a car built mainly for clambering up kerbs in Chelsea... ;o)

 

[A210AMG]

Hello,

For what you want I have to agree and and you would be better off with a Landcrusier or patrol, even a 90 if you can live with it being a little basic. The old GL wagen may be pretty good though? did that have diff locks?

The problem you would have with the ML amongst others maybe actually finding parts for it, sump guards, snorkle, different bumpers for gradients, nerf bars. diff protector etc etc

Main thing we have found after doing a bit of proper off roading in my brothers Jeep Wrangler is that That tyres make a huge difference.

I'm sure a kitted out Merc ML would be good, but others would be up to the job better almost out of the box.

There are some American web sites that have kitted out ML's for off road but in the UK think you would struggle finding parts.


How about a newer disco than you have now?


cheers

 

[oigle]

I'm looking to replace my old Discovery with a later 4WD.

Can anybody help with their experiences of using an ML (preferably diesel) off road? By off road, I mean serious off road work on dirt tracks, water crossings up to 2 feet deep, low speed work in high temperatures (40c and up), a lot of dust as well as long distances on corrugated gravel roads at reasonably high speeds (100kmh +). How does the suspension stand up to rough roads? Is the cooling system good enough for 8 hours of low speed (< 10kmh) at 40c? Is the dust sealing any good or does everything end up covered in dust? How rattle free is the interior trim and fittings? How good are the seats? And are they reliable enough to take a pounding for 4 or 5 weeks at a time with minimal servicing?

Can you help?

My thoughts, having used mine in central Australia etc.
Following your questions -
Off road on dirt tracks - insufficient ground clearance, particularly if loaded. High centred tracks are a real problem.Water crossings without snorkel. Air inlet is high on grill and there is another inlet from inner guard so OK with care up to 2ft.
Low speed work in high temps. Ok - runs around the 100C mark when electric fan cuts in and maintains temp quite well.
Suspension - very poor. Need to upgrade to Bilstein or do what I did and fit a set of self modified Konis. Original ones have almost no rebound and bump control. Even with this, suspension travel is very limited and bottoms out easily.
Dust - reasonable but only single sealed doors rather than the double sealed ones on Patrols and the like. Some dust will get in for sure.
Interior stayed pretty rattle free and suspension handles corrugations quite well - better than a Patrol or Cruiser!!
I find the seats to be comfortable enough on long term but that can be very personal. Some may not. I don't think they have a strength problem.
Servicing is a strong point with 20000km service schedule under good conditions - maybe 10000km under very adverse but better than most of the Japanese. Parts in the bush are non-existent.
Overall, the vehicle is NOT made for those conditions but can cope in an emergency. Better to use a higher clearance Japanese 4WD if intending to use your vehicle in this manner on a number of occasions. Cruiser, Patrol, Pajero, Pathfinder spring to mind. Pathfinder (current model) has very good specifications and can do the off road thing quite well (albeit not to the same extreme level as Landcruiser or Patrol) along with good on road manners.
Hope that helps.

 

[3146bj]

The ML went through various 'eras'. What production year are you looking at ?

Looking at '04 or later.

 

[3146bj]

After using both Cruisers and Patrols in Qld and the NT, I'm looking for something a little easier on the backside, weighing a bit less than the latest Kenworth and using less fuel than an Abrams (or a Challenger for the Brits). Towing Pajeros (Shoguns? in the UK) and Pathfinders out of trouble with a 16 year old Disco doesn't leave one with a good impression of their abilities.

So far, a later Disco looks good, if only the Lucas (rebranded Hitachi) electrics would keep working properly.

 

[oigle]

If you have been towing Pajeros and Pathfinders out of trouble, then don't even consider the ML. 10 times worse!!

Landrovers are good off road but spend too much time really "off the road" - in the workshop!!

 

[jberks]

A post 04 disco should be pretty reliable (older ones dodgy admittedly) and I'd expect would run rings round the ML in the serious off road stuff.
Very impressed with latest LR products. They do seem to have got their act together but they are a bit pricey.

 

[MotardMan]

Have LR sorted out the issues on the D3 with the air suspension?

I still think that for bush toughness and field repair, you have to go a long way to beat coils on a live axle, or leafs. I'd be a bit worried about repairing a D3 in the out back with a dead suspension ECU....

 

[Dringo]

Get a G-Wagen. Can't beat it for off-road and these days come with a bit of luxury too.
Comparable to a Defender I guess (looks at least).

The ones these days are permanent 4x4. I prefer the pre-1990 W460 ones which are selectable 4x4 and have front and read diff locks too (as do the later 4x4s).

The build quality is great and the Diesel fuel economy is almost as good as my A180 CDi !!! But that another story.

 

[Cole@MBS]

Remeber doing a off-road day in the 163 a few years ago on a traning course, for all those who hate the Ml, off road, there superb!! on road there not all that, but nout stops them in the ****!!