W164 buying advice

pace

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Hi all, I'm beginning to face the fact that I am going to have to replace my trusty old ML 270 at some point in the not to distant future, as the various small niggles are beginning to add up and the tin worm is starting to show itself in more areas.

I have been looking at the W164 as a replacement but I don't know which is the best model to go for, or indeed which to avoid. I understand that there is an issue with the balance shaft some of the earlier V6 models, is there a list on here of serial numbers or production dates to avoid? Does it only affect one engine type?
Which is the best model to go for in terms of performance, reliability and economy?

My 270 has not been cheap to run, but has always started in the morning and is extremely versatile for work and family use.
I tend to keep cars until I have run them out, but don't scrimp on maintenance. I have had the current ML for 10 years!
I do about 10K a year and was hoping to spend around £10K (or less if possible!)

Any advice from owners or mechanics would be much appreciated.
 

LostKiwi

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When you talk about balance shaft issues I assume you mean the petrol V6?

Are you after petrol or diesel?
 
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pace

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I was told it was an issue on the diesel engine, I guess I could have heard wrong, or have been miss informed.
 
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pace

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Something to do with premature wear on a gear or cog, that was manufactured with a sub standard material?
 

LostKiwi

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M272 is petrol

Simple rule.
Any engine starting M is petrol.
Any engine starting OM is diesel.
The V6 diesel is the OM642 - a 3 litre common rail diesel.
 

LostKiwi

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To expand on the diesel engines
Whether 280, 300, 320 or 350 CDI they are all the same basic 3 litre V6 engine with different mappings, injectors, turbo and exhaust.
Common issues are:
1. Oil cooler oil leak. The oil cooler sits in the engine V and the original seals can leak after a number of heat cycles. The seal was updated to a Viton seal (purple coloured) in 2010 which reduces the frequency of issues but can still happen. Cost to replace is under£10 for the seal but it's a lot of labour to replace. Budget £800-900 from an indy.
2. Air intake seal can leak and drop oil onto the swirl flap motor and turbo actuator. Get it changed when doing air filters.
3. PCV valves can play up at around 100k miles.
4. EGR same.
5. Turbo actuator is a relatively common fault.
6. Swirl flap motors ditto (but easily and cheaply bypassed).
7. 350cdi comes in two forms; EU4 with 224hp and EU5 with 265hp. EU5 has a DPF which can start giving issues around 100k miles. Third party approved ones can be sourced for around £600.

That all said the OM642 is generally pretty reliable and refined if not overly economical. The EU5 265hp version is most economical. This came out in late 2010/early 2011. There are also EU6 versions with ad blue - avoid unless you need to go into clean air zones.
 

Mark A

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If you are going petrol, then V8 but the diesels are very capable.

the 420 V8 diesel is no more than 1/2mpg worse on fuel than the 320 V6 but with loads more oomph.
 

mioba

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M272 is petrol

Simple rule.
Any engine starting M is petrol.
Any engine starting OM is diesel.
The V6 diesel is the OM642 - a 3 litre common rail diesel.

M is Motor
OM is Öl Motor as in oil motor as in diesel,

Dats zee Germanz
 

LostKiwi

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M is Motor
OM is Öl Motor as in oil motor as in diesel,

Dats zee Germanz
I always think of it as OM = Otto Motor as in Otto Cycle after Otto Diesel the inventor of them :)
 
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pace

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Thanks for the advice guys, as you can tell, I'm no expert on the engine codes!
So, just to clarify, the balance shaft gear issue only affects the petrol engines?
I think I'm going to go for another diesel, I'm guessing whatever I get is going to be quite an improvement on the 270 engine wise?
 

LostKiwi

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Thanks for the advice guys, as you can tell, I'm no expert on the engine codes!
So, just to clarify, the balance shaft gear issue only affects the petrol engines?
I think I'm going to go for another diesel, I'm guessing whatever I get is going to be quite an improvement on the 270 engine wise?
Yes balance shaft only affects some petrol engines.

Best mix of performance and economy is the EU5 350CDi (265hp).
 

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