Hello Mercedes friends, need to buy 2002 to 2004’ SUV ML 320. My S320 is on its last leg.
I need to do business trips to the Mtn’s 2 or 3 times year. I am looking for advice on gas mileage, if I don’t put my foot in it?
I am also concerned about reliability. I know the older models have had many problems, so what about the newer? Any better?
Also looking at Porsche Cayenne basic… Not “S”
My 1995 S320 was and is bullet proof, well I should say almost bullet proof .
Any advice is very appreciated 
Wingnut or sleepwalker

 

i have been driving porsche caynne sometimes for road test after my people have done with repair. the feeling is much different than that of driving an ML. on the interior, i have no doubt that it's better than X5. it drives like an amphibian.

however, i don't know how it behaves on mountainous terrain for i never get that far. so far i didn't get any major complaints on it.

ML is just like a dressed up wrangler to me. i don't really like the drivetrain design. but it's still a mercedes. i would go for an X3 or X5 instead.

 

Thank you Sleepwalker, X3 and X5 are smaller and more maneuverable. The handling is not a issue as much as reliability and gas mileage. I also drive 4X4 F250 Ford gas pig. The BMW are very expensive as well, even for a good used one. If a Mercedes guy is telling me to take a look, I guess I had better shop around.
Porsche and Mercedes seem about the same in pricing for used.

 

Sleepwalker, one more question is the drivetrain a trouble child after many miles lets say 80,000 or more?

 

When you say mtn do u mean offroad as in no trails or barely any or just snow covered roads and maybe gravel roads cause u might be better suited for a e-class 4-matic wagon or an Audi All-Road. You also might want to look into a RX300 or RX330

 

Definitely Cayenne or Touareg over W163 ML320.

 

HELLO, Thanks for the reply however not sure what model your refering too RX300 or 330?. I can tell you this much no Japanese cars in this family. Sorry but i'm not a fan of of knock off cars. Yes they are reliable, i guess its pride. No i am driving in the Sierra's mostly snow covered roads, for business. I am looking at Cayenne 2002/2003 Mercedes same year or BMW X5. ANy opinion would be greart...................

 

for now the ML transfer case has been modfied and not causing any trouble.

what i mean of design was that inside that box, it's not a gear that drives them but a chain! if you got a broken drive shft on the front, all the wheels cannot work no longer because it loses the grip. simply no limp-home substitue.

 

Get the X5.

 

Hi Guys, sleepwalker do you have any idea when? or if a gear has replaced the chain drive in the transfercase. What year so i can avoid. I am now looking at ML350 ML 500 and the X5 BMW 4.4 i think the X5 3.0 liter is to small. I really am a Mercedes guy but? Ranger Rover is another but very expensive$$$