ML270 tell me more

[leewwfc]

Hi all, new here, very new!
Thinking of buying a ML270 cdi 51/52 plate, main purpose being towing my caravan, also tow a car trailer to off road events with my Suzuki. I was hoping to get some info on reliabilty, etc & how good a tow car it is. Guess this is as good a place as any to start asking.
I've got an old Pajero 2.8 diesel auto at the moment, which in all fairness has been great, never let me down & pulls quite well for an old thing, heavy on fuel though. I've looked at a couple of Mercs and love them but as I say, I'd like to know a little more about them.
BTW, any negative comments about my trusty Paj, I'm not listening

Many thanks
Lee

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Hi all, new here, very new!
Thinking of buying a ML270 cdi 51/52 plate, main purpose being towing my caravan, also tow a car trailer to off road events with my Suzuki. I was hoping to get some info on reliabilty, etc & how good a tow car it is. Guess this is as good a place as any to start asking.
I've got an old Pajero 2.8 diesel auto at the moment, which in all fairness has been great, never let me down & pulls quite well for an old thing, heavy on fuel though. I've looked at a couple of Mercs and love them but as I say, I'd like to know a little more about them.
BTW, any negative comments about my trusty Paj, I'm not listening

Many thanks
Lee

Welcome to the Forum.

As you can tell from what I have owned previously, my ML is the 1st MB I've owned. I am absolutely delighted with it - brilliant. No complaints whatsoever.

 

[hawk20]

I had an ML270cdi from new, in 2004, for 15,000 miles and loved it. No problems and supremely comfortable on a long run. About 28/30 on a run was easy to get. Parktronic very desirable for parking.

 

[Cosworth]

Hi and welcome,

If you are buying a ML for towing. (Not a good idea)

I know of a story where a chap bought one and had endless problems with it because it was used for towing prior to him buying it.

Propshaft went and then the gearbox went. Loads of money down the drain.

 

[hawk20]

Hi and welcome,

If you are buying a ML for towing. (Not a good idea)

I know of a story where a chap bought one and had endless problems with it because it was used for towing prior to him buying it.

Propshaft went and then the gearbox went. Loads of money down the drain.

Don't see how you can say that. One case is no proof at all. (How many miles had it done before the box went; and had it been regularly and properly serviced -need a lot more info before drawing conclusions). Loads of ML's round here are used for towing horse boxes, boats and, of course, caravans. None of the ones I've met have had any problems. And I've never seen a thread on any of the Merc forums suggesting any towing problems. Might be worth a search though.

 

[Cosworth]

The Ml had only done 65K, he thought it was clocked after having the problems. But later found it had been used for towing.

Another case I know a chap used his ML to tow a car on the trailer and traveling on the motorway the gear switched into neutral all of a sudden and only did this while towing, but not otherwise.

Chose is yours

 

[hawk20]

One swallow doesn't make a summer.

 

[Cosworth]

Anyone else had any issues with towing, I'm only telling my experience?

 

[MarkF]

I purchased my ML270CDi 13 months ago now with the main use being towing a horse trailer and a twin axle 25 foot caravan later.
To date I have not had any problems with the car towing or not and living in Wales we have some big hills to tow up, it hard to tell that the box is behind the car at times its that good.
The car is looked after by a very good indi in North Staffs, and I can say hand on heart that its miles better than the 3 Land Rover products I had before.
Will it be replaced, well if the funds alow the only car to replace it will be a ML320CDi.

Go get one you will not regret it, just make sure its a good one.

 

[leewwfc]

Thanks for your replies guys,
I guess, as with any motor, there's always a tale of woe for some poor owner & it's always a gamble buying any second hand car 5 or 6 years old. As I said, my Pajero has been faultless for reliability since I've had it.........gone and done it now........but I know quiite a few peolple who have had problems. A lot of it is down to how well the thing's maintained.
I've had a quick look at chipping the ecu, the figures quoted would give a noticeable increase in power, what are your thoughts on this, or doesn't it need it. The caravan I tow weighs around 1500kgs & the car trailer the same, suppose this wouldn't be a problem anyway.
I only know to one friend who has an ML, think it's a 51 plate, he reckons that it doesn't tow as well as the swb Shogun 2.8 that he had previously, but looking at the figures for bhp & torque, the Shoggy doesn't come any where near. Does he know what he's talking about????
Think I should buy one anyway just because I like the look of them & it has the all impotant Merc badge! I've had just about every other make of car in the past 20 odd years but never a Merc for some reason.

 

[oigle]

I use my 2003 ML for towing a 1600kg caravan as well as a 2nd car for normal use. Only problems I have found are - sticking throttle cable, poor suspension and very unresponsive motor off the mark or for cut and thrust motoring (quite dangerous actually).
Designed a new throttle cable - fixed the problem. Replaced the shockers - Bilstein are available for them and much better than the KYB fitted in the USA, and chipped the motor for far better response and more torque.
Vehicle averages around 30mpg normal driving and 22.5mpg when towing at 60mph. Chipping doesn't appear to have affected the economy adversely.
5 speed tiptronic is great for towing. Brakes wear out quickly compared to your Pajero. Discs and pads both!! I got 43000km out of my first set of rear pads. Fronts still there at 69000km. Have had Japanese vehicles - Nissan Patrol and Toyota Landcruiser - do over 200000 without needing brake replacement.
Turning circle is great. Vehicle size is good. Steering a bit wooden and doesn't self centre as well as most. Clearance is not good with a load on as rear crossmember drops - not like a solid axle vehicle. Not a lot of suspension travel, front or rear. Bottoms out the suspension fairly easily on largish bumps.
Hope that helps. Generally I'm now happy with the vehicle after fixing the above faults.