merc ml320

You would want to have a good reason for buying something that has has no real mechanical/dealer support and spares available if you intend on taking it anywhere.

Most of the Euro "four wheel drives" are set up to drive on well made but snow covered roads. The generally have poor wheel travel and tyres in profiles that are totally unsuited to Australian outback conditions (avoid anything that has a less than 70% profile as they are prone to punctures an staking the sidewalls).

Might be OK if you can find some snow, and/or intend spending your life on the blacktop.

There have been some reliability issues on them that have been apparent on overseas forums. Do a bit of research....

Tread carefully.................

The ML320 was the entry level and made in the US.
I know someone over there who has one and he is quite scathing of the quality.
There is also a 420 and 500 model.I think the 500 i made in Austria and supposed to be better quality.

I think the extra large 3 pointed star is there to reinforce the merc feeling because the rest of the vehicle doesnt live up to it.
W

My parents used to have one, it had some small problems which you just shouldn't have on a car like that, I got much better value out of the LC80 I had at the time. the 80 had a few less features granted but not many less. be wary.......
NickR

It depends on what you are going to use the car for.

We owned a ML270, which is the diesel version and they are a great tow vehicle.

The reason it is so cheep, is that it has done its best milage, and the early Ml's did have quality issues.

The engine is strong, but if they have strictly followed the MB oil change intervals, may be showing signs of sludging up, as even around the city, the duty cycle monitorwould indicate 18,000 kms, even longer in the country. Also the engine should be run on synthetic oil, that is fully synthetic, most dealers do not follow that recogmendation and use a synthetic enhanced oil.

The car does not have a water filter, which means that water can get into the injection system.

Also the transmission is sealed for life, but no one will tell you what the life is. Even if you could change the oil, MB make their own blend of oil at about $26 per litre. Even the dipstick is sealed so unless you buy the factory dipstick and new seal, you cannot check its level.

Fuel economy in the 320 is poor.

If you want a good ML then buy the 270 diesel, good towing ability, high torque and reasonable power. 2002 onwards are the best ones, one with about 70,000 will cost you about $50,000.

Regards

Col

Hsut.
If the car has service records I would no hesitation in buying it. I would pay a bit more and get the diesel if you intend to do a lot of long trips. There is plenty of service and back up,You can get a full workshop manual from Ebay. If the service is done by a merc dealer it may not be cheap but the car will give very little trouble. The suspension is limited in travel but the electronic diff locking system will take you a lot of places. my only disappointment with the ML series is that they do not have a full size spare wheel. Eric.