ML270 cdi - what do you think?

[PRM1]

Hi everyone.

Just found this excellent site.

I have found a nice 02 silver ML270 cdi auto with only 30k miles, leather, heated seats xenons etc for just under £16,000. (not from main dealer)

A couple of questions-

What do you think about these cars as I many have told me they are built in the US and not very good.

What about the price ?

Could you tell me the service costs for these.

Any tips on this model would be really appreciated.

I am going to see the car this week and would like to be armed with a little more background info.

Many thanks.

 

[Andy Wr]

I purchased mine 6 weeks ago, I was a little unsure as I had researched the ML as well as a lot of other 4 x4's, overall I am very pleased with mine, it is quick, powerful and very capable off road, I drive it hard and get just ubder 400 miles on a tankful.

Regarding problems, expect frequent changing of brake discs and pads but they are not as expensive as some say and the front discs and pads are straightforward to change, cats are prone to fail apparently and can cost £2k+ but if you search for parts they are available much cheaper. Do as I do and search all the ML270 posts on this site and you can see the common parts which fail for yourself and they are not as scary as people make out.

I paid £16,500 for mine which is an 02 with lux pack, low mileage and 6 month warranty, I have seen the same model and spec for up to £19,500!

There are quite a few owners of Ml's on this forum so I am sure you will get all questions answered.

Because of the new taxation on big 4 x 4's etc, now might be the time to screw the dealers down for a good deal.

Overall..................I love mine.

 

[PRM1]

Many thanks for the reply.

What does the lux pack contain?

 

[IAN MAC]

Cats do fail, total cost including fitting by MB about 800 quid.

 

[Hibbo]

What sort of off-roading will you be doing?
If it is mainly boggy/marshy type driving then maybe an older disco or even defender would be better.
If it is to be more for firm and rocky terrain then go for it.
Depending on the size of agricultural equipment you will towing, the torque from the CDI will be excellent.

 

[PRM1]

How often does it need a service and what are the costs?

Also what are included in the family and lux packs?

 

[Andy Wr]

How often does it need a service and what are the costs?

Also what are included in the family and lux packs?

Servicing is dependant on how it has been used as the in built computer works it out, costs I dont know yet but obviously independants are a better choice.

Family pack - extra 2 seats in the boot area and opening quarter windows which I think are electric.

Lux pack - not 100% sure as many cars come with it but lux contains leather interior (some fabric or half leather ones about) folding electric heated mirrors, electrically adjusted, heated memory seats. There is probably more but I could not find the information.

If you can get command (mb sat nav + ) that is a bonus.

There are quite a few versions of alloy wheels as well so look for a car that you like the look of, also if you intend to tow, removable towbars are very expensive but do crop up on ebay regularly.

Wish I could tell you more and they are very capable off road, mine was pushed to its limits a couple of weeks ago.

 

[maldon]

I like them - am on second one now.

The family pack one will have a better residual - my first was family and lux but only lasted a few weeks - I could not find the spec I wanted with family (I only came across a couple anyway and needed a repelacement car quickly.)

Would steer clear unless has the full lux pack, leather etc etc.

I've just had a B service which was about GBP 550.00 if you take a way the consumables then it os not really that much. just on 29000 miles, still on first set of disks/pads, but I tend to do 70 mile dual carriageway stuff most of the time.

Fuel cons - I reckon I get 28/gall +/- maybe 3-4 mpg depending on how much town driving/how quickly have been travelling on the dual carriageways. Whether you have a hard or soft right foot does not seem to make a huge amount of difference.

I think they are very good for the money.

 

[PRM1]

Excellent. Thanks for the replies.

I have atest drive later today .

What things should l look out for ?

 

[maldon]

FSH

I forgot to mention - Partronic is very desireable - as the lack of scuffed front and rear bumpers will testify.

If the the car does not have parktronic, well it just puts you in a better position to beat the price down.

 

[Andy Wr]

Mine has tiptronic as well, dont know if they all have it now.

 

[Andy Wr]

Excellent. Thanks for the replies.

I have atest drive later today .

What things should l look out for ?

Check underneath incase it has been used off road, mine was used off road by me and I managed to bend the rear engine support that supports the gearbox, as this is the lowest hanging part it should be a good indication if it is bent etc. My new support arrived this afternoon, shall fit it at the weekend.

 

[PRM1]

ok, took it for a test drive today and overall very nice.

It has 32k miles and just had a service at 29k. 5 seater version. Full black leather.

Leather seats were very comfortable . They were heated / electric and worked fine.

How do you know if there are xenons fitted? The guy thought they were xenons I thought they looked like normal headlights.

The bodywork was almost perfect just a light scuff on one bumper. Inside was in excellent condition.

As this is a 2002 model the radio said cd but there was only a tape. No sign of a cd box anywhere. Were these optional or do you think it is missing?

The engine seemed nice and smooth. after driving a gold gt tdi it didn't have the instant oomph but it was smooth and before I knew it was doing 60.

Steering seemed nice and light for such a big car and it also came with parktronic. No sign of any information centre like mile to gallon etc. (should there be one?)

The price is £15995 and there will be a 6 month warranty thrown in.

I am not sure but this car is approaching 5 next year and cannot make up my mind if this is good value or buy a newer car for the money like an A3.(I know they are totally different but the age is a bit of a niggle.) They guy also offered good part ex for mine as he said things were quiet due to Christmas coming up.

Saying that I stopped in a supermarket and two people commented on how nice it looked.

 

[Andy Wr]

Regarding th cd I am sure there is a remote multi changer if not they are dirt cheap on e bay for genuine MB ones.

I would say that it is a good price and they are a real good looking car, I was in doubt wether to buy mine or not as I had heard so many horror stories about them but I am really glad I did. Regarding the extra ooomph, I think we have something like 168 bhp as standard and a tuning chip or better option of a remap will give you more than a little oomph. Good luck.

 

[maldon]

Am biased - if you like it, go for it.

But, you have to tell yourself how much you are willing to part with and stick to it rigidly.

You are probably in a better position that you think... So, negotiate ruthlessly.

There probably is a CD player in the boot, behind a panel on the offside of the car. You will see two knobs - rotate to open the panel.

Mine has not got a trip computer - I don't know whether that is part of the comand pack or not - you can retro buy comand and one of the lads here supplys/fits them.

 

[PRM1]

Again, thanks for the replies really appreciated.

I have arranged for a local garage who do all my mots to give it a once over. They can stick it over the pit and have a good look underneath etc.

My garage mate couldn't rate them highly enough and said that he cannot understand all the bad reports.

Thanks for the cd tip, I will have a look tomorrow. Otherwise it will be an excuse to haggle a little more off then off to ebay.

I have the money ready so fingers crossed I will pick it up this week. Early Christmas present for my wife.

Getting excited now.

just had a quote for insurance and it is only £50 more than the old golf. The only thing they need is a tracker fitted.

Luckily there is a tracker already fitted so I will need to find out how to subscribe. What are the costs for the traking service?

 

[maldon]

Steady as she goes there PRM, the trader is going to see that pile of folding burning a hole

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

Luckily there is a tracker already fitted so I will need to find out how to subscribe. What are the costs for the traking service?

just phone 'em up and give them the details. There should be a tracker certificate in the documents. If not just google them for the number. It's £100 p/a or you can pay a one off £300 payment for lifetime cover (I think it may have gone up a little but these figures are more or less right).

I have one fitted to my C-Class and it does give you peace of mind. Having said that, if someone nicked mine I expect the police would just find them sitting on the side of the road 100 yards down the road with the bonnet up.

 

[Andy Wr]

Found an interesting write up on the ML270 including a mention of Lux pack.

http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/cars/mercedes-benz-ml-270-cdi/1029928/

 

[PRM1]

Just a quick posting to thank everyone for their help.

Picked the car up on Wednesday just back from 150 mile round trip and it was fantastic.

Effortless motorway crusier which could also handle steep A roads with ease.

Very happy and it was so comfortable it made my wife sleep on the way back

Very happy and to think I almost bought an A3 with basic spec for the same money.