ML320 across the Simpson?

Hi Arthurking83,
I believe that the first hurdle you will need to overcome is the fact that it is an expensive vechicle to bush-bash with!
But second to that, probably the most important item are your tyres, and knowing what pressures to run. That could mean the difference in ripping tyres to bits and not.
Also, sensible trip precautions like carrying enough water and food, and keeping people informed of your where-abouts and your plans is probably just as important.
Good luck

What's the range on one of those things?

Will do it no problems , Simpson aint hard , just long between fuel and help if something breaks lol .

From what I have read manly 4WD test revues (Remembering there view is if it isn’t a Toyota it’s shi*) sometimes they are right.

3.6 and 5.0 Litre engines are good but to thirsty, but apparently the turbo diesel is good.

It has a ladder frame but all independent suspension = bugger all wheel travel also has too much plastic bit’s down low just waiting to be ripped off not to mention the Space saver tyre (Leave that at the dealership as you drive out)

“If the traction control comes on, it is time to do a U-ey. You have gone to far off road.” 4WD monthly.

As Cwebb said it is a expensive car to be going bush bashing in.

I think a small test run would be a good idea just to see how capable it is and then your mate can decide whether or not he will take it.

Brother only got the vehicle the other day.
We were talking about "a trip"

I'm sure tyres on the ML are going to be the biggest issue!
....................considering it has a space saver spare!!

Until recently I would never dare venture out without a good set of 8ply tyres.
Speed is never a concern with me, only integrity of availble equipment.
Although I'm having lots of good experiences with 6ply now!

275/60/17 Z rated tyres are not what I would consider a tyre of robust nature!

But the reason for the post is hidden in the last statement!
ie. I am only assuming that these Z rated tyres would be useless in the outback.
I'm really interested in any observations or experience (of any kind!) in this vehicles abilities (or lack thereof)

reason I ask.....
A few years back, when we were on our Dalhousie (and on to Darwin) trip, a bloke and his family were travelling out that way in a Magna sedan!
Standard tyres! Over rocks the size of oranges, strewn all over the road.
He made it to Mt Dare in one piece, albeit in rather slow time, even by my standards!

But .... back to the topic!
On that same trip, driving along the Oodnadatta track etc, etc....
I noticed a large amount of tyres "ripped to shreds" littered the sides of most majorly trafficked tracks. Oodnadatta, Tanami, etc....
99.9% of these carcasses were of the Mud Terrain variety!
My conclusion (I've never owned a set of M/T's), M/T's are the worst type of tyre for use in gibber terain.
I assume that the tread is too open for that kind of stone pounding, and rips the carcass to shreds.
I also assume, as there were very few A/T's or H/T's that they are better suited to this terrain??
I can only assume these things as I don't have any other experiences.
But I do realise there are other variations of possible explanations (again only assumptions)
For example, another explanation of what I "experienced" could be....
Drivers of vehicles fitted with M/T's will generally drive faster and be less aware of the possible damage being done.
and, those that fitted the A/T's, are more mindful of the conditions :)

This is a great repositry of information.... I just hope that people with real experience, rather than the experts with lots of assumptions, will share more.

cheers.

Can't comment on their ability as I don't know, but I do know a bloke over here has one and took it on the beach. The rigid rear mud flaps lasted about 10 metres.

We've done the Simpson and just about every other track no trouble in our ML270 diesel, lately on Cooper ATR's, full sized spare and extra 85 ltr fuel tank. So far 155,000km absolutely trouble free. Our "plastic bits" remain intact.
Expensive? It cost less new than my bro's turbo Cruiser, and believe me it will clamber places that stop the Cruiser. It's the most economical 4wd we've ever owned, and grossly underrated when compared to the other Euro tractors!

Sorry my price list showed 73,000-104,000 for the M-Class 4WD (4WD monthly price list)

The main problem with IFS and IRS is that it is very limited as to what you can do to it especially if they are torsion bar’s as just about any lift resalts in less downward wheel travel, and without going into heavy modification I.E Diff lowering plates ECT about the most you can easily do is 2-inch

“and believe me it will clamber places that stop the Cruiser”

Traveller Don’t talk rubbish, that is like me saying my Explorer will clamber over thing’s that stop a land cruiser, and as much as I would like to believe that it is just not true Perhaps with a 3.5-inch lift and a set of 32-inch tyres I could give the cruiser a run for it’s money but beat it don’t think so. The cruiser has Full rigid axels a shi* load more ground clearance and bigger tyres +a LSD and I would say better A and D angles than a M270 and that tell’s me you are just spinning shi*.

If however I am thinking of a different Merc 4WD than you have feel free to post a Photo of you ML beating a Land cruiser off road and I will send you a Carton of Crown.

Hi Arthur
Not sure of the ML320, but just back from Birdsville were a Ford Territory had just arrived after crossing w-e, apparently did the trip well, just needed a snatch over Big Red. The bash plates took a pounding, but that was mainly from trying to go too quick over the bits between the sand dunes
Regards Ray

Unfortunately your brother has gone and bought the worst thing with a Merc Badge on it. Untold electrical problems and bad , i mean very bad build quality guarantee this is one Merc to forget very quickly.

Built in Georgia at the Jeep factory Merc are in the process of a class action against the ML in the uSA , such is the faults people are experiencing.

Check this site for more amazing stories on this POS !

http://www.mercedes-benz-usa.com/ml_class.php

We did a medium level club trip a couple of years ago with a ML Merc in the convoy. It did OK except on the rough stuff - too little ground clearance and he had to be guided for several km - a real pain in the backside.

If he was't guided, he would have lost the front end and probably the sump/gearbox - whatever is the lowest.

The rest of the convoy was Cruisers, Nissans and Mitsi's, most near standard or standard. The Merc was the only one to have trouble.

However in defence of the Merc, our Freelander has put many a larger 4WD to shame BUT it is very limited in ground clearance and hates sand. It is now retired from offroad duties as the wallet could not keep up with the repairs caused by off roading (and we now have our Troopy for offroad).

Stevesub

Last year I met up with a bloke and his two passengers in a ML320 doing an East West crossing AND towing an off road trailer!! They were on the WAA line which is worse than the French Line in places. The Merc got stuck a couple of times on the centre ridge but his mate snatched him with his 79 series. Can't see why you couldnt do it in a Merc...after all it has been done in Mokes and Austin A7's and you name it!!!

Thanks for all the replies folks!
Good to hear from the owners (even the Territory!)
This gives some indication that an ML could get some way off road at least.
I tend to keep away from really extreme tracks (I hate the really slow stuff!)
I'm more of an adventure/sight seeing person, rather that a "see what she'll do" kind.

I'd guess with limited ground clearance there was always going to be limits.

I read about the 'fantastic' build quality, I warned the 'bro, but he was adamant that she wanted a Merc!! (She who must be obeyed ;)
I read about and was always doubtful of the Americans ability to build cars.
But Mercedes would not have tolerated such practices for too long, and I assume that later models would be better though.

But the point that Travveler made, and my point about assumptions, if you haven't experienced it first hand then you don't know!!

I've seen some amazing feats from normal sedans, etc getting to places you would dream of taking them. A HQ ute with LSD can go very far indeed :)
I remember as a kid on shooting trips with my dad and his mate in a '67(ish) Valiant!

I may have to report back with a second opinion, on the ML's abilities though!

cheers.

A few years back there were photos and stories floating around the internet about the number of Mercs coming out of the simpson with the aid of a Tow truck.

Allegedly the fancy electrics weren't liking the desert trerrain, and no one could fix them in the bush.

I don't know how common or truthful these things are, but if it were me, I'd phone up the repairers in Birdsville and Oodnadatta and ask them - they are the ones who'd know.

Cheers
Phil

Ring the owner of the pink roadhouse at Oonadatta he was driving one 2yrs ago cant say if petrol or diesel. The only vehicle being towed out of the simpson on that trip was a disco, $10.00 electrical part $4,000 tow damage.

We met one in Dalhousie coming out from an East to West Crossing. He said he had had no troubles. I was surprised then but not after our crossing.

The vehicle should be fine - need good tyres, right pressure (sub 20psi), right technique and plenty of fuel.

Gaz