Should i buy this ML?

[Tontastic]

I've been looking for an ML ... there is a 270 cdi close to my home at a garage for 9k (2001/X) with 77k miles on it. It is fairly tidy but outside but there is rust forming on the tailgate handle same as another one i looked at, and underneath seems to have a reasonable coating of surface rust on a lot of it. I am sure the 320 that i looked at before didn't have as much, but not sure if that is just my memory.

Couple of questions though ... should the windows "auto" close when you click up the controls? The front appear to go down all of the way when you click it down by themself, but you need to hold the button to make it go up.

.. How often should these things get serviced ...

1st @ 15K (Showing 3200 underdue) March 2002 Dealer
2nd @ 30K (Showing 700 overdue) October 2003 Dealer
3rd @ 45K (no record otherwise) March 2005 Joe Bloggs

So by my reckoning its gone 22k without a service over the last 2.5 years and its been away from Mercedes for more time than it has been with it.

I only ask about the service record because of my past experience with Mercedes with regards warranty repair of rust, but i've not been able to find any references to repairs on MLs for rust on tailgates etc.

I've got the VIN (WDC1631132X738582) but not sure if i phoned up mercedes if they would give me any extra info.

 

[JEZ.S320L]

I've been looking for an ML ... there is a 270 cdi close to my home at a garage for 9k (2001/X) with 77k miles on it. It is fairly tidy but outside but there is rust forming on the tailgate handle same as another one i looked at, and underneath seems to have a reasonable coating of surface rust on a lot of it. I am sure the 320 that i looked at before didn't have as much, but not sure if that is just my memory.

Couple of questions though ... should the windows "auto" close when you click up the controls? The front appear to go down all of the way when you click it down by themself, but you need to hold the button to make it go up.

.. How often should these things get serviced ...

1st @ 15K (Showing 3200 underdue) March 2002 Dealer
2nd @ 30K (Showing 700 overdue) October 2003 Dealer
3rd @ 45K (no record otherwise) March 2005 Joe Bloggs

So by my reckoning its gone 22k without a service over the last 2.5 years and its been away from Mercedes for more time than it has been with it.

I only ask about the service record because of my past experience with Mercedes with regards warranty repair of rust, but i've not been able to find any references to repairs on MLs for rust on tailgates etc.

I've got the VIN (WDC1631132X738582) but not sure if i phoned up mercedes if they would give me any extra info.

That seems VERY cheap - almost too good to be true!!

I have a 2001 (Y) with absolutely NO rust anywhere. Fully serviced by MB and Indies. I paid a good few £££'s more than is being asked for your 2001.

My widows act in the same way as yours - that is perfectly OK.

As for the long service interval - what does 'Assist' tell you?

There is a link that TELEVISION has, that you enter your VIN into - and it comes back with all sorts of info - very useful.

 

[Tontastic]

Thanks for that ...

http://www.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/index.html?lng=eng

Just found it ... gave me the following ... it does appear a bit scruffy/dirty inside which is putting me off. Its been smoked in although you can't really smell it, and it is in I guess average condition.

Does Mercedes entertain warranty repairs on these the same as the E-Class?


VIN WDC1631132X738582
Model ML 270 CDI
Chassis 1631132X738582
Engine 612963 30 069115
Transmission 722661 02 578805
Order 0 0 537 77392
Delivery date 12.12.00
Dealer Great Britain (537)
Interior leather grey / orion gray (268)
Paint
366 azurite blue metallic (с 01.01.1994)
Options
U40 cargo net behind front seats (с 26.09.1996)
seat cover in single-colored imitation leather (mb-tex)
U48 Unknown code
U61 luxury package (с 05.06.1997)
241 left front seat electrically adjustable with memory feature. only applicable to w 210 when installed in conjunction with code 275. (с 01.03.1983)
242 right front seat electrically adjustable with memory feature. only applicable to series w 210 when installed in conjunction with code 275. (с 01.03.1983)
280 steering wheel (400 mm dia.) and gearshift lever in leather trim; on W202 390 mm dia. (с 01.05.1984)
414 electric tilting/sliding roof in glass version (с 01.10.1988)
423 5 speed automatic transmission / nag (с 01.03.1994)
461 instrument with mileage reading and english lettering (с 01.04.1990)
502 Unknown code
550 trailer coupling (с 01.03.1965)
551 anti-theft/anti-break-in warning system with anti-towing system (с 01.04.1998)
613 lamp unit, asymmetrical, l.h. traffic (с 01.02.1963)
723 trunk covering (с 01.06.1996)
731 wood trim, burred walnut root (с 01.08.1980)
753 radio MB Audio 10 cc with traffic news decoder and RDS (с 31.10.1996)
801 Change of year of model, last figure shows new model year
833
873 seat heater for left and right front seats (с 01.02.1984)
984 elimination of ownership certificate but with coc papers (с 01.06.1993)

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Not sure about warranty repairs - depends on what it is you are claiming for, I suspect.

Perhaps others who have more experience of MB could answer this?

What does 'Assist' say about the servicing?

 

[A210AMG]

Hello,

When I was looking for an ML, almost everyone recommended going for a facelifted model (51 plate on wards I think) indicators in mirrors and fogs in bumper.

I think the buid got a little better. I'm certainly enjoying mine.

What Millage do you do? As you may be best getting a ML320 that is newer and generally less millage than a ML270cdi ? just a thought. Some people say they only get 25 mpg from a 270, I can get than on a run out of my ML350.


Also worth checking if it has the family pack (extra rear seats and opening windows etc) apparently this is always an option thats in demand and will help for relsale. I have them and simply took them out for now until its time to sell (although I have needed them twice....handy)


If its been smoked in I would walk, you WILL smell it and its horible stuff to get rid of, it doesn't sound like your too happy with the car and there are pleanty around.

Walk and wait for a better one

 

[JEZ.S320L]

In your original post, you stated that the car was a 2001 on an 'X'.

On the info you got from the link - it was delivered on 12.12.00. was that to the Dealer, or the customer?

I wonder when the cut-off date was for the build to switch from the US of A - and if that had any bearing on the rust issues?

Anybody out there who could provide an answer?

 

[manzar]

rust issue

My past exprience with rust issue. My E280 (bought second-hand) had terrible appearing a couple of years after purchase. I did not have full MB service history. MB repaired it all over under warranty (had 6 years standard rust warranty on those cars). I had to get it authorised from Studgard though. But!! there were some short cuts in repair job. Wings and boot lid were replaced. Other parts ... well! rust reappeared in those.
Good luck.

I've been looking for an ML ... there is a 270 cdi close to my home at a garage for 9k (2001/X) with 77k miles on it. It is fairly tidy but outside but there is rust forming on the tailgate handle same as another one i looked at, and underneath seems to have a reasonable coating of surface rust on a lot of it. I am sure the 320 that i looked at before didn't have as much, but not sure if that is just my memory.

Couple of questions though ... should the windows "auto" close when you click up the controls? The front appear to go down all of the way when you click it down by themself, but you need to hold the button to make it go up.

.. How often should these things get serviced ...

1st @ 15K (Showing 3200 underdue) March 2002 Dealer
2nd @ 30K (Showing 700 overdue) October 2003 Dealer
3rd @ 45K (no record otherwise) March 2005 Joe Bloggs

So by my reckoning its gone 22k without a service over the last 2.5 years and its been away from Mercedes for more time than it has been with it.

I only ask about the service record because of my past experience with Mercedes with regards warranty repair of rust, but i've not been able to find any references to repairs on MLs for rust on tailgates etc.

I've got the VIN (WDC1631132X738582) but not sure if i phoned up mercedes if they would give me any extra info.

 

[100%Bitch]

Personally speaking, I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole. Simple as.

 

[Andy Wr]

I would hold out for a better one, mine is an 2002 and has rust in 3 areas.

 

[Tontastic]

Or for 10K a 1 owner late 2001 270 CDi with 75K miles and the owner believes it to be clean as a whistle. Only concern for me is that he has *never* had anything wrong with it. Surely every car needs some kind of repair!!! Full dealer then specialist history. I have to say for that 1000 quid (and unfortunately a little bit of distance!) it might just be worthwhile. Interestingly he guessed that the mpg is mid 30s which leaves me baffled. Some folk say 25 ... others say 35 ... i guess it must all be in the lead weights in the right foot.

I'll perhaps ask for the VIN and check it on that russian site ... i used the ebay feature to check the number of owners and registration date. For anyone that doesn't know, you can enter the reg of the plate into ebay when starting to sell a motor, and it completes the make, colour, number of owners etc.

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Or for 10K a 1 owner late 2001 270 CDi with 75K miles and the owner believes it to be clean as a whistle. Only concern for me is that he has *never* had anything wrong with it. Surely every car needs some kind of repair!!! Full dealer then specialist history. I have to say for that 1000 quid (and unfortunately a little bit of distance!) it might just be worthwhile. Interestingly he guessed that the mpg is mid 30s which leaves me baffled. Some folk say 25 ... others say 35 ... i guess it must all be in the lead weights in the right foot.

I'll perhaps ask for the VIN and check it on that russian site ... i used the ebay feature to check the number of owners and registration date. For anyone that doesn't know, you can enter the reg of the plate into ebay when starting to sell a motor, and it completes the make, colour, number of owners etc.

Sounds good. 30mpg is what I get on average - and I don't hang about!

Just a minor point - if it's a private purchase, get the spare keys (you should have 3 in total) and any 'bits & pieces' - such as cargo/dog nets that the owner may have taken out.

Enjoy!

 

[panason1c]

Couple of questions though ... should the windows "auto" close when you click up the controls? The front appear to go down all of the way when you click it down by themself, but you need to hold the button to make it go up.

.. How often should these things get serviced ...

Not sure if the pre-facelift ML has 'full' auto window function but if the battery has been disconnected for any reason then the auto-window function needs to be reset, otherwise, they behave exactly as you have described above. Here is the reset procedure........Lower the window keeping the button depressed all the way down and still keeping your finger on the button for approx 5 seconds after the window is fully down.......now send the window up keeping the button depressed all the way up and (again) for a further 5 seconds after the window has fully closed.
Carry out the same procedure for all the other windows......that's it!


The servicing interval on a 2002 ML270 is every 13k.


I get an average of 30mpg.........the worst i get is 27 and a best of 33.5

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Not sure if the pre-facelift ML has 'full' auto window function but if the battery has been disconnected for any reason then the auto-window function needs to be reset, otherwise, they behave exactly as you have described above. Here is the reset procedure........Lower the window keeping the button depressed all the way down and still keeping your finger on the button for approx 5 seconds after the window is fully down.......now send the window up keeping the button depressed all the way up and (again) for a further 5 seconds after the window has fully closed.
Carry out the same procedure for all the other windows......that's it!

The servicing interval on my 2002 ML is every 13k.

I get an average of 30mpg.........the worst i get is 27 and a best of 33.5

Pre-facelift only have the auto-down.

 

[Tontastic]

Pre-facelift only have the auto-down.

Wow ... what possesses manufacturers to phase in features in such a limited way ...

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Wow ... what possesses manufacturers to phase in features in such a limited way ...

Simple:

££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££'s


and


$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$'s

 

[Tontastic]

Going to take the plunge ...

Well I've agreed to buy the newer and more expensive one. The retired owner has agreed to take it off the market while i post a cheque to him as a deposit, and i should get down during the week or next weekend to pick it up.

The VIN number shows the following from that site ... which leaves me wondering what "Plant 61" means ... presumably that is the factory that built it?

The only odd thing left over is that last night he said it was serviced in April this year at 72.5K miles but the assyst shows it needs serviced in 300 miles which is under 79K miles. This morning it turns out that it was a repair that it was in for this year (some air or mass sensor) so i guess it wasn't serviced, or they didn't reset the system. He also says that he replaced the glow plugs last year so that is hopefully one less thing to worry about. Overall i'm relatively pleased that i appear to have found a single owner from new car which is relatively low miles has never been smoked in, never crashed, is clean of rust etc and at not too bad a price (should get it at just about 10K) for a face lift model. Up here in Glasgow you will only get a scruffy pre-facelift for that kind of money.

He is going to try to get it serviced this week before i come down, i guess the garage might not be able to fit it in but he said that he would try. It might not be packed with all of the options under the sun, but it should be good enough for me!

I guess if i get there and he is a liar and a cheat then it will just be an expensive day out for me... if he is honest as he sounds then i will be driving away with a little gem. Wish me luck!

New Car ...

Plant 61
Model ML 270 CDI
Engine 612963 30 069115
Transmission 722661 02 578805
Tyres
Primary GENERAL TIRE
Rear DUNLOP
Order 0 0 537 77392
Cab 00000
Delivery date 12.12.00
Dealer Great Britain (537)
Interior leather grey / orion gray (268)
Paint
366 azurite blue metallic (с 01.01.1994)
Options
U40 cargo net behind front seats (с 26.09.1996)
seat cover in single-colored imitation leather (mb-tex)
U48 Unknown code
U61 luxury package (с 05.06.1997)
241 left front seat electrically adjustable with memory feature. only applicable to w 210 when installed in conjunction with code 275. (с 01.03.1983)
242 right front seat electrically adjustable with memory feature. only applicable to series w 210 when installed in conjunction with code 275. (с 01.03.1983)
280 steering wheel (400 mm dia.) and gearshift lever in leather trim; on W202 390 mm dia. (с 01.05.1984)
414 electric tilting/sliding roof in glass version (с 01.10.1988)
423 5 speed automatic transmission / nag (с 01.03.1994)
461 instrument with mileage reading and english lettering (с 01.04.1990)
502 Unknown code
550 trailer coupling (с 01.03.1965)
551 anti-theft/anti-break-in warning system with anti-towing system (с 01.04.1998)
613 lamp unit, asymmetrical, l.h. traffic (с 01.02.1963)
723 trunk covering (с 01.06.1996)
731 wood trim, burred walnut root (с 01.08.1980)
753 radio MB Audio 10 cc with traffic news decoder and RDS (с 31.10.1996)
801 Change of year of model, last figure shows new model year
833
873 seat heater for left and right front seats (с 01.02.1984)
984 elimination of ownership certificate but with coc papers (с 01.06.1993)

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Well I've agreed to buy the newer and more expensive one. The retired owner has agreed to take it off the market while i post a cheque to him as a deposit, and i should get down during the week or next weekend to pick it up.

The VIN number shows the following from that site ... which leaves me wondering what "Plant 61" means ... presumably that is the factory that built it?

The only odd thing left over is that last night he said it was serviced in April this year at 72.5K miles but the assyst shows it needs serviced in 300 miles which is under 79K miles. This morning it turns out that it was a repair that it was in for this year (some air or mass sensor) so i guess it wasn't serviced, or they didn't reset the system. He also says that he replaced the glow plugs last year so that is hopefully one less thing to worry about. Overall i'm relatively pleased that i appear to have found a single owner from new car which is relatively low miles has never been smoked in, never crashed, is clean of rust etc and at not too bad a price (should get it at just about 10K) for a face lift model. Up here in Glasgow you will only get a scruffy pre-facelift for that kind of money.

He is going to try to get it serviced this week before i come down, i guess the garage might not be able to fit it in but he said that he would try. It might not be packed with all of the options under the sun, but it should be good enough for me!

I guess if i get there and he is a liar and a cheat then it will just be an expensive day out for me... if he is honest as he sounds then i will be driving away with a little gem. Wish me luck!

Good Luck.

I would recommend the MB Glasgow city centre dealership - NOT rip-off merchants. I had a few little odds n'sods done there - most of which I wasn't charged for.

 

[panason1c]

........"should get it at just about 10K for a face lift model. Up here in Glasgow you will only get a scruffy pre-facelift for that kind of money"..........



I might be missing something here as your thumbnail clearly shows a 'facelifted' ML but according to the delivery date of "12.12.00" in the specs you posted the ML you are buying is a pre-facelift model..............the 'facelifted' ML with all the acompanying mods, ie= indicators built into the door mirrors, bigger wheels, climate control, different bumpers, etc.. was introduced in September, 2001.

The price of circa £10k for a 2000 model is about the top end..........look on the 'Autotrader' site for ML's.........compare prices there.

 

[Tontastic]

Sorry for not being clear panason1c ... i ditched the first one for a second one ... which *is* a facelist model (Oct '01) single owner since new, full service history, never been smoked in, no accidents or major repairs, ...

 

[panason1c]

Sorry for not being clear panason1c ... i ditched the first one for a second one ... which *is* a facelist model (Oct '01) single owner since new, full service history, never been smoked in, no accidents or major repairs, ...

Ah........Cheers for that....

Might be a very good idea to enquire about having the transmission oil and filter renewed (if it's not already been done)............well worthwhile doing at your mileage.

Dont let the garage use any atf fluid other than MB's own brand.