ML55 AMG - Honest Opinions Wanted!

[mlsports]

Hi Guys

I currently own an E55 AMG, and next year I'm considering swapping for a 4x4 as I live in the country and on top of quite a bumpy track etc.

The obvious choice (for me) seems to the the ML55 AMG, which has pretty much the same engine that I have in my E55 (5.5 V8).

What do people who own the ML55, or have experience with them HONESTLY think about the car? What the the plus and minus points?

Fuel ecomony keeps popping up for these cars when I search on the internet. I realise that this is a slightly heavier car than my E55 (estate), but is the fuel ecomony really much worse than the E55?

Also, do these rust like the w210 E55? (hope not!)

Any advice, opinions etc very much welcomed and appreciated!

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Hi Guys

I currently own an E55 AMG, and next year I'm considering swapping for a 4x4 as I live in the country and on top of quite a bumpy track etc.

The obvious choice (for me) seems to the the ML55 AMG, which has pretty much the same engine that I have in my E55 (5.5 V8).

What do people who own the ML55, or have experience with them HONESTLY think about the car? What the the plus and minus points?

Fuel ecomony keeps popping up for these cars when I search on the internet. I realise that this is a slightly heavier car than my E55 (estate), but is the fuel ecomony really much worse than the E55?

Also, do these rust like the w210 E55? (hope not!)

Any advice, opinions etc very much welcomed and appreciated!

First of all - welcome.!

Not really got an opinion of the ML55 - but it's an AMG, and whatever goes with that (petrol/servicing/parts etc) is usually not cheap. An ML is not the most aerodynamic vehicle on the road, so expect to have a hefty fuel bill.

 

[mlsports]

Hi Jez

Hi Jez

I noticed you have a ML. How have you found yours, and have you had to do much to it (parts wise). What year is yours?

I know yours is not the ML55 AMG, but still good to get some general feedback on the ML!

Thank you!

 

[hawk20]

Whichever forum you look at, rust has not been an issue with the ML except in rare cases.

I had the ML270cdi for 15,000 miles and liked it very much. Obviously the ML55 would have better acceleration. The 0-62 time was 6.8 seconds. Fuel economy was not great at 13.7 mpg round town 24.8 extra urban and a combined fogure of 19.1 mpg. The new version ML63 is about 10% worse all round, but hey what's another 2 mpg on such a beast.

The really tasty choice nowadays is the one Lewis Hamilton uses for his everyday road car. The 420cdi diesel. LH has the GL version which is fine if you need 7 seats and have a barn to park it in. If not the ML offers a tad better performance and economy and is more sensibly sized for the UK market IMO. Amazingly the 420cdi does the 0-62 sprint in the same time as the ML55AMG i.e. 6.8secs. What a barnstormer.

I drove one for a week recently and it is quiet, smooth, refined, and oh so punchy. The ride on the current model is one or two light years ahead of the ride on the older model. Fabulous; and the air suspension version that bit better again. If bucks allow it the 420 ML would give you all the performance of the ML55 and it does 19.6mpg round town; 31mpg extra urban and has a combined figure of 25.4 mpg. I averaged 24mpg in a week of mixed motoring with quite a lot of testing-the-performance-for-fun going on. Go drive one; I think you will be pleasantly surprised even if like me you think of yourself as a lifelong petrol engine fan. The new diesels are just amazing.

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Hi Jez

I noticed you have a ML. How have you found yours, and have you had to do much to it (parts wise). What year is yours?

I know yours is not the ML55 AMG, but still good to get some general feedback on the ML!

Thank you!

I purchased mine from a Dealer in June. Nothing major wrong (full MBSH), apart from a couple of minor issues, which were fixed straight away. It is one of the best vehicles I have owned. My 1st MB, and I'm impressed.

 

[Speedmaster]

Hi there

As some will know I was looking at a Mercedes ML500 or ML55 recently and had been impressed with what good value they were. In the end though I did not like the dashboard/cabin as much as other cars. This led to be buying a Range Rover Vogue V8 Autobiography on Saturday
Certainly the ML55 I drove was v quick and high spec but I still found the interior a let down :-(

 

[A210AMG]

Hello,


I own a ML350 and my father inlaw a ML270cdi, I have driven a ML500 that was a colleagues and he moaned about fuel economy (12 round town). Coming from the E55 you probably want something with some vroom. Not in the sme league maybe but I swapped a manual 330ci Convertible for my ML350 and don't miss the performance, being auto it seems to go very well and suprised a few cars.

Its very comfy and over summer I did 2000miles round europe, it averaged 25mpg and that was 80+ on the toll roads with the occasional blast.

I looked at the X5's as I had the Bm when I was going to swap so wanted something different, to me the x5 dash was too similar to the 3 and everyone seemed to have x5's. Have to say the dash and dials are very similar to my dads 2003 E class. Nothing squeaks or rattles.

What sort of millage do you do? as the fuel may not be an issue? I isn't with mine as I only do 6000k a year. One thing maybe worth considering is the ML500 as that the v8 and search out an inspiration model (as mine is) it has some AMG parts, nicer leather seats, dark wood, chrome bits, etc etc.

Great car for the money I love driving mine. Few pics of it in france.

 

[hawk20]

Hi there

As some will know I was looking at a Mercedes ML500 or ML55 recently and had been impressed with what good value they were. In the end though I did not like the dashboard/cabin as much as other cars. This led to be buying a Range Rover Vogue V8 Autobiography on Saturday
Certainly the ML55 I drove was v quick and high spec but I still found the interior a let down :-(

Did someone seriously call a car an Autobiography?

 

[A210AMG]

Quote from LandRover site...

The Autobiography badge is a subtle signal that Range Rover owners have personalised their vehicles. The exclusive badge is supplied with each vehicle ordered with either an Autobiography paint finish or bespoke commission.


so its sort of like designio for the Merc,

 

[Speedmaster]

It is like designo and can be quite extreme. Mine just involves DVD players in headrests, colour coded mirrors/grills. Special sill plates and piping on the seats etc. All quite subtle

 

[mlsports]

Fuel

Hi there

Many thanks for the feedback!

The fuel ecomony is not the biggest issue for me as we do less than 10k miles a year for sure (probably nearer 8k). Does anyone here know how much more thirsty the ML55 is compared to the E55? I'm thinking it should be fairly similar due to the same engine, just a slightly heavier frame (my E55 is the estate by the way!)

I'm one of those weird people who only likes to have the best available version (within budget, naturally), so I'd only really go for the ML55, just as I went for the E55 (I upgraded from an E230 estate as I was not happy knowing that I did not have the best available version - I know, weirdo!)

Speedmaster - what was it about the interior that put you off?

A210AMG, you car looks great! What year is that - a 2004?

Have to agree that the ML55 AMG really does seem to be good value for money, with a 2002 being £11- £12k for a decent example. That's a lot of car for the money.

I considered the X5 (sorry!) but the only version within budget was the 280bhp 4.4 sport. But in the last year or two they've released the SAME CAR with 4.6 and 4.8 engines (now pushing 360bhp, like the ML55). As I mentioned above, that would annoy me ROYALLY. Knowing that I did not have the best available version would not sit well with me, plus I could not afford the newer 4.8, plus the value would drop when I come to sell because the 4.6 and 4.8 will become more affordable by then.

Also looked at Range Rover Vogue, but the value for money is nowhere near as good as on the ML55. Plus I have a very good local MB specialist, and that's good for keeping annual costs lower.

So, the ML seems the logical choice to me. Glad to hear that you guys have not had any problems with yours. Has nobody got anything REALLY negative to say about the ML?

Thanks guy!

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Hi there

Many thanks for the feedback!

................... Has nobody got anything REALLY negative to say about the ML?

Thanks guy!

Nope! Except that ANYTHING which upsets/annoys Red Ken and the eco-warriors, must be a GOOD thing ... :twisted:

 

[A210AMG]

Hello,


Although its the same engine as the E55 (or at least I think it is?) its proabably some what heavier, more brick like and 4wd so the fuel will be a fair bit lower I would think.

On a run I guess 20 would be possible, round town I dread to think, probably 11-14 ?

I agree with the having best available thoughts but having had bosses with some great cars they still moaned about filling their cars up. Buying it is the easy bit in a way as you don't see the money but when your getting 200 miles or so for £70 thats the on going cost that seems to hit.

Cheers and let us know what you get

 

[hawk20]

I thought the interior was excellent and A210AMG's really looks the business IMO. What a fine example. I think there is a case to be made that post face-lift the interior was radically improved and updated. Don't know when the facelift came. Early 2000's. Certainly by 2004 the interior was good as gold, i thought. Mine was 2004. So comfortable. The most comfortable car on a long run I have ever driven Even better than the S class over 400 miles or so and that is saying something. Whether it is the high driving position that helps I know not. But sitting down on the floor like so many cars is hardly natural, is it?

 

[mlsports]

Fuel

Hi again

With regards to fuel consumption, I guess that you have to accept that as part of owning a 4x4. If I decided to go for a PETROL X5 or Range Rover instead then I'm guessing the petrol situation would be no different (maybe worse!)

So I'm guessing if you want to go the 4x4 route higher fuel bills are part of the package. Although owning an E55 estate now hopefully I won't be kicked in the balls too hard.

Has anyone seen/heard of an LPG converted ML (where did they put the tank???) - and what do people here think of LPG in general?

I drove a Chrysler Voyager a while back (not my choice, don't ask). That was a small engine (2 litre) and diesel. The amount of fuel that thing got through was unbelievable, it made my E55 look froogle - and it was a diesel! I think because it was so underpowered (and so I probably ran it hard with pedal to the floor) that it used fuel at an insane rate. That had the power of a wet fart!

 

[mlsports]

Reply

I thought the interior was excellent and A210AMG's really looks the business IMO. What a fine example. I think there is a case to be made that post face-lift the interior was radically improved and updated. Don't know when the facelift came. Early 2000's. Certainly by 2004 the interior was good as gold, i thought. Mine was 2004. So comfortable. The most comfortable car on a long run I have ever driven Even better than the S class over 400 miles or so and that is saying something. Whether it is the high driving position that helps I know not. But sitting down on the floor like so many cars is hardly natural, is it?

Yes, I think the facelight happened mid 2002 actually (correct me if wrong!) I did not realise that it affected the interior as well as exterior, so that's really useful to know (I'm only considering a facelift model).

Yes, a higher driving position can be really comfortable. That crappy Chrysler Voyager was quite high and it was comfortable (but cheap and plasticy at the same time)!

 

[hawk20]

Hi again

With regards to fuel consumption, I guess that you have to accept that as part of owning a 4x4. If I decided to go for a PETROL X5 or Range Rover instead then I'm guessing the petrol situation would be no different (maybe worse!)

So I'm guessing if you want to go the 4x4 route higher fuel bills are part of the package. Although owning an E55 estate now hopefully I won't be kicked in the balls too hard.

Has anyone seen/heard of an LPG converted ML (where did they put the tank???) - and what do people here think of LPG in general?

I drove a Chrysler Voyager a while back (not my choice, don't ask). That was a small engine (2 litre) and diesel. The amount of fuel that thing got through was unbelievable, it made my E55 look froogle - and it was a diesel! I think because it was so underpowered (and so I probably ran it hard with pedal to the floor) that it used fuel at an insane rate. That had the power of a wet fart!

Oh no! What is the point of buying a gorgeous AMG version and then converting to LPG. Yuk, Yuk and double Yuk!

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Oh no! What is the point of buying a gorgeous AMG version and then converting to LPG. Yuk, Yuk and double Yuk!

No, No, NO - PLEASE don't even THINK of converting an AMG to LPG - what an absolute traversty that would be. :sad:

 

[mlsports]

Why?

Really? Why's that?

From what I understand (and I may be wrong), there is zero loss in performance and the fuel actually burns cleaner?

I wouldn't pay £2,500 to get it done, but I don't see the problem in doing it. There are a lot of Range Rover Vogue's and X5's which are converted.

What's the problem with it (just out of interest).

I saw an E55 AMG which was LPG converted on eBay last year, and thought it was a good idea?

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Really? Why's that?

From what I understand (and I may be wrong), there is zero loss in performance and the fuel actually burns cleaner?

I wouldn't pay £2,500 to get it done, but I don't see the problem in doing it. There are a lot of Range Rover Vogue's and X5's which are converted.

What's the problem with it (just out of interest).

I saw an E55 AMG which was LPG converted on eBay last year, and thought it was a good idea?

You just stated the main reason - £2.5K - for what return? If fuel comsumption is an issue, why not simply buy a more fuel-efficient version?

If the desire is to have all the toys, bells and whistles of a specialist vehicle, why bother converting it into something its not meant to be?

What next - an LPG conversion for a Veyron - simply because it uses fossil fuel at an alarming rate? :roll: