ML250

[Steve65]

Hi everyone

we have recently purchased a caravan due to COVID and having a few children didn’t want the unnecessary expense of having to isolate when back. Anyway my issue is this, currently have a Range Rover . Which has just cost another arm and three legs to fix. We are changing the car for either a ml250 or ml350, I would prefer the 350 but the one that must be obeyed says the 250ml. My question is as follows our caravan is 1900kgs mass weight. However we do put extra weight in the car and will have 2 adults 3 children. Will the 250ml sport be strong enough to pull the caravan without damaging the engine. The stats say it can tow up to 3000kgs but was hoping someone on here can advise if they have had any problems towing a heavy caravan with the 250. Any comments would be welcome

 

[JBell]

350 all day long, epic engine

@keefysher has one for his caravan so can give you a good opinion

 

[EmilysDad]

As above .... ML350 every time especially with a caravan that big

(you coud always buy a ML250 badge )

 

[EmilysDad]

....

@keefysher has one for his caravan so ....

So do I

 

[JBell]

So do I

I know

 

[keefysher]

So do I

350 all day long, epic engine

@keefysher has one for his caravan so can give you a good opinion

I know

As above .... ML350 every time especially with a caravan that big

(you coud always buy a ML250 badge )

One of you or both, know nothing... I have a GLE350

However I concur with my non learned friends 350 all the way.

I have a heavy single axle 'van, ED has a heavy twin axle. They are easily towed by the 350 devils fuelled V6. Get AirMatic suspension and a factory fitted tow bar.

 

[LostKiwi]

Curve ball... How about the R320 CDi?

A little more aerodynamic and cheap as chips to buy!

 

[JBell]

One of you or both, know nothing... I have a GLE350

Same thing different badge

 

[JBell]

Curve ball... How about the R320 CDi?

A little more aerodynamic and cheap as chips to buy!

They are seriously cheap ATM!!!!!

And the later ones were lower on Road Tax

 

[Steve65]

One of you or both, know nothing... I have a GLE350

However I concur with my non learned friends 350 all the way.

I have a heavy single axle 'van, ED has a heavy twin axle. They are easily towed by the 350 devils fuelled V6. Get AirMatic suspension and a factory fitted tow bar.

Thanks for the info guys. I am Mercedes all day long but got talked into a Range Rover by the boss. When they work they are ok but problem after problem. Heater wasn’t working properly told it was a £2500 fix blend motors turned out to be heater matrix £300 fix. 2 days later crank snapped . Apparently body has to come off amd takes 6/8 hrs to do, complete engine rebuild and I mean complete so another £7k spent which was a good price but car away for 8 weeks. 4 months later £800 on discs and a further £200 on fuel filter as had a leak. 2 months later ride height sensor went so another £300, then last week the egr pipe decided to pop and big hole in pipe, yes another £1800 to fix it. All runs fine again now but can’t wait to p/ex it. Heard the oil gasket on the ml is a common failure but at least the body doesn’t have to come off and it won’t cost me as much as the RR has if it does fail lol. If you know anyone who wants to buy a RR let me know

 

[Rotorhead500]

I suspect whilst towing you will see little difference in mpg between 250 and 350... you can use that to convince management! ;-)

 

[EmilysDad]

... any particular reason why SWMBO want the 4 pot over the 6? I doubt there's little over all difference in fuel consumption between the two.
EmilysMum lost that argument years ago .... she never wants to drive my car anyway so I choose the car I want.

 

[keefysher]

Same thing different badge

Mine is de-badged

 

[JBell]

Heard the oil gasket on the ml is a common failure

It is the Oil Cooler Gasket, 2 £4 parts and 6-8 hours labour plus a load of seals. When you view cars look under the rear of the engine, any oil coming out of the back of the undertrays is bad news

 

[JBell]

Mine is de-badged

Quite right to.

That is why we can't tell

 

[Steve65]

It is the Oil Cooler Gasket, 2 £4 parts and 6-8 hours labour plus a load of seals. When you view cars look under the rear of the engine, any oil coming out of the back of the undertrays is bad news

Awesome thank you, any other things to look for or is that the main major fault

 

[JBell]

Awesome thank you, any other things to look for or is that the main major fault

That is the big one

 

[Steve65]

One more question regarding the 250 and 350ml. I think the 350 is obviously the better model for towing a caravan as ours is 2 ton. However does either the 250 or the 350 need any cooling upgrades to the transmission or will they both be ok.

 

[keefysher]

One more question regarding the 250 and 350ml. I think the 350 is obviously the better model for towing a caravan as ours is 2 ton. However does either the 250 or the 350 need any cooling upgrades to the transmission or will they both be ok.

If its factory fit, no.

To give you context my previous W221 S350 had a OEM aftermarket tow bar fitted. The cooling fan was less than £100. The actual tow bar and electrics were gratis due to MB stuffing up. I paid £750 for fitting. A gearbox was £9k. No brainer really.

My GLE has a factory fitted tow bar:

 

[Blobcat]

One more question regarding the 250 and 350ml. I think the 350 is obviously the better model for towing a caravan as ours is 2 ton. However does either the 250 or the 350 need any cooling upgrades to the transmission or will they both be ok.

As per above, find one which already has a factory fitted one