Not happy with the ML

[Andy Wr]

Just a bit of a moan really

Moan No1.
The rust on my car, a five year old car should not be rusting, I took it to my local dealers last Thursday who I have no faith in but they are only 3 miles away, they assessed the rust, we exchanged words, had a difference of opinion, he photographed the rust and said "I will ring you this afternoon" he never rang and to make matters worse it was the same bloke who looked at my C class a couple of years ago and lost the photos and did not return my phone calls, I lost count how many times I rang, I hate that dealership.

Moan No2.
Fuel economy, whats going on? 380 miles on a full tank at todays fuel prices! I dont drive fast, drive mainly out to the countryside but I seem to be forever filling the thing up, I have even started to use my works van more now.

Is there a way to improve economy or is there possibly a component at fault? It is due for a service in 1100 miles but dont want to take it to the main dealer as I have a good independant locally but I need to see if a rust decision is made quickly.

I have today even looked at a brand new Suzuki Grand Vitar swb 4x4, the garage offered me £11,000 for mine, I do need a 4x4 but am considering something a little smaller and more fuel friendly.

Sorry about the moan, just had to get it off my chest.

 

[speedybiker]

I dont see how he could have given you an answer so quick.

I have a 2000 CLK and took it to dealers 2 weeks ago, they took pictures and said they would have to send them to Germany and get back to me.
They called me last Friday to say it had been booked for December 5th to get the rust sorted, 2 new wings and rear wheel arches to be sorted along with some minor repairs on both doors.
And also giving me a coutesy car.

Regards,

Alex.

 

[robbo]

I took my C320 to a local dealer to have a look at the rust developing on the rear wheel arches and the bonnet. The bodywork estimator inspected the car, looked at my service history and registration document and then made an appointment straight away saying it will all be covered under warranty. No need for further approval or anything. All sorted out within 30 minutes.

Just goes to show how variable dealers can be.

 

[A210AMG]

Hello,


Ive read a few posts where people have got the rust sorted so don't lose faith...I agree it should not rust after 5 yrs but thats another issue..

As for fuel, a Big heavy 7 seater 4wd automatic that can tow a horse box or large twin axel caravan with ease is never going to give good fuel.

I have a friend with a Volvo XC90 derv that's bad, the new disco is bad, guess the landrover is also so good fuel in a 4wd this size what ever it is will not be good.

I think one of the best for fuel is the Jeep compass but then its so friggin ugly Id rather fill the merc up more

Seriously though for 'good' fuel you have to look at the X trail, freelander, Honda HRV type 4wd's these get 35 - 40 mpg (the honda being very good).

I didn't buy mine for the mpg as the millage I do its not an issue, currently showing 120 miles on just over half a tank its a great bus though, and I can get 25 mpg and close on 20 towing our van which it does with ease

cheers and hope you get it sorted..

What's your budget if you were to swap I will have a think there's a new small VW out that will be good as they have good engines.

 

[Andy Wr]

I was looking at the VW on the tinternet, a baby Tourag (sp), looks nice, I even considered selling the ML and buying a Suzuki Jimny for £2000, I just need something for my shooting as my wife has a car and I have a van as well, will probably try another MB dealer if this one does not perform up to scratch.

 

[MarkF]

Andy,

Sorry to read about your problems, I had some rust on mine on the wheels arches, the wife took it the the North wales dealership and they were a waste of time so I have sorted it myself, just need to finish it off when the weather gets better, protected for now.
I take it the dealership you are referring to is Drayton, this surprises me as dad has used them for over 20 years with nothing but 100% service from them in all that time.

I use Merx to look after my ML, they have just serviced mine and its needs to go back to them in the new year for anti roll bar bushes.

Hope you get it sorted to, as for MPG not sure on mine as I don't keep a check, I don't use it that much as I have a company car where the fuel is provided so its daft not to use it, I will try to work out what mine is doing. I did do a trip to Peterborough in the summer and did 440 miles on 3/4 of the tank.

Mark

 

[Andy Wr]

Hi Mark, yes it is Drayton, never been 100% happy with the service there, right down to going in to the parts dept, everyone seems to have an attitude, I have already spoken to Merx about a service, regarding repairing your arches, why were they not done under the 30 year body warranty?

 

[mlsports]

Lpg?

Have you considered an LPG conversion? That will certainly save you money on the fuel, plus from what i understand there is no difference in performance.

Might be worth considering?

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Just a bit of a moan really

Moan No1.
The rust on my car, a five year old car should not be rusting, I took it to my local dealers last Thursday who I have no faith in but they are only 3 miles away, they assessed the rust, we exchanged words, had a difference of opinion, he photographed the rust and said "I will ring you this afternoon" he never rang and to make matters worse it was the same bloke who looked at my C class a couple of years ago and lost the photos and did not return my phone calls, I lost count how many times I rang, I hate that dealership.

Moan No2.
Fuel economy, whats going on? 380 miles on a full tank at todays fuel prices! I dont drive fast, drive mainly out to the countryside but I seem to be forever filling the thing up, I have even started to use my works van more now.

Is there a way to improve economy or is there possibly a component at fault? It is due for a service in 1100 miles but dont want to take it to the main dealer as I have a good independant locally but I need to see if a rust decision is made quickly.

I have today even looked at a brand new Suzuki Grand Vitar swb 4x4, the garage offered me £11,000 for mine, I do need a 4x4 but am considering something a little smaller and more fuel friendly.

Sorry about the moan, just had to get it off my chest.

I'm not being smug - but my ML returns 32mpg at a steady 80mph (c/c). A colleague of mine has an X5 - with GENTLE driving - he can push 16mpg Normally 12/14mpg :roll: When I had R/R's - I was happy if I got into double figures..!!

So, all things considered - I am delighted with my ML. Oh - and no rust either

 

[panason1c]

Is there a way to improve economy or is there possibly a component at fault? .

At one point i was only getting about 25mpg out of my 2002 model ML270CDI but after changing the thermostat (engine wasn't reaching its full working temp) and renewing the MAS i now get an average of 30mpg.....i never get worse than 27mpg even here in the mountains of Spain.

The only signs of rust are a couple of pits around the tailgate handle.

 

[aquiss]

Hi Mark, yes it is Drayton, never been 100% happy with the service there, right down to going in to the parts dept, everyone seems to have an attitude, I have already spoken to Merx about a service, regarding repairing your arches, why were they not done under the 30 year body warranty?

Interesting, all my dealership problems have been with Drayton. All the ones in the West Midlands seem to the same group, which is really annoying. I also agree that the group seem to find charges from no where.

1 example is that on my old W203 a bearing was going on one of the front wheels. Drayton wanted £350 to sort it, and for the car to be in all day. I went to a indi, who did the work in 30 mins, used branded part and charged me £60 for the whole job.

I am now finding myself driving out the local area to get away from Drayton to get a reasonable quote for the work.

 

[MarkF]

Hi Mark, yes it is Drayton, never been 100% happy with the service there, right down to going in to the parts dept, everyone seems to have an attitude, I have already spoken to Merx about a service, regarding repairing your arches, why were they not done under the 30 year body warranty?

Hi Andy,

Its a shame you are not getting good service from Drayton, dad has had nothing but 100% from them especialy Malcolm the workshop forman for over 20 years, with regards to the wheel arches, I did try our local dealer but they were a complete waste of space, I did think of taking it to see Malcolm or Ian Hunt at Drayton but its a pain to get it over to them when the problem was not that big and with a bit of time I could sort them out no problem, just need some good weather and time and when I have finished you will never know.
Go see Malcolm and tell him Ron Franklins son Mark sent you and I am sure he will help, he is very pasionate about the product.

I must admit that with the price of fuel now I do tend to use the company car more which is mad as I love driving the ML.
Its back at Merx in the new year for them to do tha anti roll bar bushes.

Hope you get it sorted soon.

Mark

 

[Mercrob]

Hi Andy - Sorry to hear your having a few issues.

You were one of the members that I had contact with before I bought my ML, and you couldn't rate it highly enough.

I have to say I'm really impressed with mine, it's ideal for a large family, which I have.

I hope you get the rust issue sorted, unfortunately I don't think the fuel price issue is going to go way for a while !!

Rob

 

[pascal]

Hi Andy
My ML270 does over 30mpg on long trips, and 20/25 on short trips in traffic. I think this is good for such a big heavy 4x4.

The SL320 would find it hard to get up 30mpg, and whilst tipping around I would get less than 20 'cause of the way I drive it.

Suzuki Jimmy? OMG! Ok..... Well it's your money Andy. I was a passenger in one some time back and I felt really uneasy.

Pascal

 

[Andy Wr]

Generally i am please with my ML just rust! why should it rust and MB dealers, I could punch the patronising bunch of gits.

Thankfully the price of fuel is dropping in my area again, 99p litre so that eases the pain slightly, I have looked around at other 4 x 4's but nothing feels as solid or as classy as the ML.

When I have it serviced I am going to ask if the ecu mapping has been messed with as it had a K & N filter fitted to it when I bought it, if I could squeeze an extra 5mpg out of it I would be happy.

One thing which I am going to do is to fit a softer spring on the accelerator cable mechanism, I removed a spring previously as hi lighted on the forum which does take away the stiffness and notchiness of the pedal but makes it too soft for me, I think the stiff action of the cable/pedal may make you apply more pressure to the pedal to overcome the "stiff" spot thus a slight increase in revs and fuel use, every bit helps.

 

[MarkF]

Andy,

Its not just MB that rust, I must admit that in the 20 plus years we have had them in the family this is the very first to have that problem but my 10 month old Freelander had rust on the rear door, when I asked about this problem at LR at Chester I was told its common as the paint is to thin.
Out of the 15 Land Rovers we have on fleet, 8 have rust problems.

Interesteg about the spring as my pedal feels the same, any chance you can remeber the thread to do the mod please.

Regards

 

[A210AMG]

Mark,

Hello, has your got the AMG syle alloys? are you able to post a pic?

I'm looking at different wheels but cannot decide...

 

[Silver Arrow]

I have a Range Rover auto with the BMW diesel. It's a lot better on fuel than the V8 it replaced. It can't be said to accellerate briskly, more like gathering pace.
It's comfortable, will pull anything, go anywhere I want to go with Pirelli scorpions, has no rust and is nice and shiny.
It does however occasionally get upset electronically and have to be counselled by the electronic automotive psychiatrists to restore it to mental health.

 

[Aussie Nick]

I would suggest that if you are having the problems that you have indicated that you change course . Get rid of the Ml and buy a C or E class for the better fuel economy .If you want the 4 wd experience purchase an older diesel landcruiser Nissan Patrol or pajero. You can then beat the daylights out of the four wheel drive, really enjoy yourself and not have to worry about scratching the leather upholstery or anything else attached to the truck. You can then use your merc at your leasure wthout having to worry about the fuel consumption penalty or damaging it by driving over rough tracks.