Thinking about a 2008 Mercedes ML320 CDI Diesel. Thoughts?

[speedracing944]

I think the time is approaching to replace our aging minivan and truck. Both have high mileage and we would like to consolidate both vehicles into 1.

Vehicles replacing:
2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette minivan
Mileage = 248,000 miles
Seats 7
Averages 22 MPG
Uses include my wife's primary vehicle and used on long family trips

1993 Ford F-150 4X4 extended cab
Mileage = 189,000 miles
Seats 6
Averages 13 MPG
Uses include hauling our 20' sailboat, running to Home Depot and getting us out of the snow at our dead end country road farm

What we desire in a replacement vehicle:

Good fuel economy greater than 22 MPG
Haul 5 people and 1 Collie
Able to haul current 20' sailboat but able to haul 24'-26' sailboat in the near future ~6000 lbs
Good reliability
Excellent snow ability, limited offroad ability. No hard core rock crawling required.
Safe



I have a couple ideas on vehicles which include:
2007- 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee turbo diesel. (hard to find though but same drivetrain as the Mercedes) $20,000
2007 - 2008 Mercedes ML320 CDI. $27,000
Volkswagen V10 TDI. about the same price as the Mercedes but worse fuel economy.


What are your thoughts on the Mercedes ML320 CDI. Any weaknesses or trouble spots with these cars?


Speedy

[speedracing944]

Here is the specific vehicle I am looking at.

2008 Mercedes-Benz M-Class 3.0L CDI | Madison, WI

Speedy

[speedracing944]

Here is an example of the Jeep

Jeep : Grand Cherokee Limited Jeep : Grand Cherokee Limited | eBay

Speedy

[UconnTim97]

If you're not set on a diesel, I recommend a GMC Denali or Chevy equivelent. We are very pleased with our Denali. It meets all of your requirements except of falling a little short of the fuel economy, but comparing current diesel to gas prices that kind of becomes a wash. Just food for thought.

[Dan J]

Don't even consider the v 10 Toureg. It's easily the most expensive vehicle to service in the recorded history of the automobile.

[herman maire]

I am surprised you can buy a 08 Ml for $27K, thats a lot of truck for the money. I am also looking at buying a Ml diesel, I would prefer the BMW X diesel but they are quite a bit more expensive.

The Ml Diesel is pretty bullet proof if taken care of.

If you look at the Mercedes gasoline models, the Ml 350 from 06-07 had engine balance shaft problems so I would stay away from those, a potential expensive repair . The MY08 ML 350 mercedes should have the updated balance shaft so anything after that would be ok .

[Laneco]

Originally Posted by Dan J

Don't even consider the v 10 Toureg. It's easily the most expensive vehicle to service in the recorded history of the automobile.

That sentiment is echoed by one of the better foreign car service businesses here in town. I had asked about one they had in the shop. He was absolutely NOT a fan.

An older half ton or 3/4 ton Chevy/GMC as a crew cab pickup or as a Suburban/denali whatever fullsized spot ute. Go with the 5.3 LS engine. Plenty of power for the boat towing, comfortable to drive, serviceable anywhere.

angela

[nota]

why does a 6 need a balance shaft at all ????

the 3.5 d had major problems
but the newer 3.0 is claimed to be better

why M B drop the old 5 I do not get
those motors live forever

[speeder]

Originally Posted by nota

why does a 6 need a balance shaft at all ????

the 3.5 d had major problems
but the newer 3.0 is claimed to be better

why M B drop the old 5 I do not get
those motors live forever

Is that a serious question? I own 3 different 5-cylinder Mercedes diesels right now, (OM617 engine), so I'm definitely not a hater, but it's an absolutely prehistoric, agricultural motor compared to anything newer. Even compared to the mid-'80s OM 603 6-cyl. MB diesels. And the newer ones are light-years ahead of those. The OM617 is not even a cross-flow head design, the intake and exhaust manifolds are on the same side. It is indirect injection and not efficient/powerful/smooth at all compared to newer diesels.

And the newer ones will last just as long with the same level of maintenance. It's a huge myth and fallacy that the OM617 just goes forever w/o proper maintenance. I've seen many grenade with less than 150k on them, (sometimes less than 100k), from lack of lubrication or a bad injector. Yes, they are a lump of low-output iron and they will last forever with proper maintenance. But no one would stand for their performance in today's cars or trucks. The modern diesels are fantastic.

[speeder]

And yes, the V-10 TDI Toureg was a powerful beast but not economical in the least. Worst diesel mileage in history, probably.

[motion]

Can a ML really pull 6K lbs? I'd be amazed.

[speedracing944]

Originally Posted by motion

Can a ML really pull 6K lbs? I'd be amazed.

7200 lbs actually.

Speedy

[oldE]

Originally Posted by speeder

Is that a serious question?The modern diesels are fantastic.

Speeder,

You could have at least answered his question.

Unlike your I-5 engines, the 320 is a 90 degree V6. As such it does not have the inherent balance of the previous in-line six diesel. To make it smooth enough, they add the balance shaft.

Best
Les

[Dottore]

I have a 2008 ML 320 CDI and have posted about it before. I don't tow with it, but it is my daily driver/all around touring car, and I am a huge fan. I bought it new, and it has been trouble free. The mileage is great. It is very comfortable. It manages to be quite compact on the outside, yet large on the inside. The fit and finish is beautiful. The diesel engine is a joy and pulls like a freight train.

It does have one flaw. If you leave it stand for a couple of months, the batteries die, and they are difficult and expensive to replace. There is one main battery, and a seperate battery for the transmission. Both are very difficult to access under the front passenger seat. The last time I had both replaced by Mercedes cost me $850.-!

I know, I know. I love the car, but the battery issue has become a real problem for me because I live on two continents and frequently have to leave the car sit for several months. One word of advice: buy one without the run- flat tires.

[ama]

Good call; the 2008 is the last year without the run flats and a full size spare because of the lack of a "piss-tank" where the spare would normally be. I have a 2008 ML320CDI with 65k miles on it. I had some early transmission programming issues that the dealer took care of without question. I had a power steering rack start leaking at just over 50k miles and the dealer replaced that as well. Everything else has been smooth sailing...........except for the cost of normal dealer services. I normally only pull a 2,500 lb motorcycle trailer/bike combination, but have actually pulled a 29' car hauler with Ford GT a couple of times without drama. I have a friend who bought his new at the same time I did; he routinely pulls an enclosed car trailer with Porsche Speedster, again without drama. The "trailer stabilization program" will automatically steady any loss of traction immediately!
ama

[speedracing944]

I did a 15 minute test drive today during lunch. Everything operated well with the exception of a few quirks.

The brake pedal felt mushy like a well used GM vehicle. I was expecting a nice stiff german pedal.

The transmission felt like it was in braking mode or something below 20 mph but the hill decent button was not pushed. It seemed like there was excessive engine braking. I am not sure if this is normal.

On the highway if I was cruising at a steady 60 mph it would take about 5-10 seconds for the transmission to shift from 2000 rpm to 1800 rpm. I am unsure if this is the 6-7 upshift or torque converter lockup. Not sure if this is normal or not.

For Dottore and ama are these observations normal?

Speedy

[ama]

Not sure about the mushy brake pedal.......mine doesn't seem to be mushy, but this has been my primary car for almost five years, so I don't have much to compare it with except my wifes F150 and my Ford GT. Regarding the "braking" feeling below 20 mph, I think that is standard fare; I'd check to be sure the transmission reprogramming that was an unadvertised dealer recall was done. That made a world of difference on mine. I also think that the lazy six-to-seven shift is standard. If you keep your foot in it, that will happen closer to 70 mph; backing off will make it happen around 60, but it will happen slowly.
ama

[Dottore]

The mushy brake pedal is normal and takes some getting used to. I complained about it as well. The car is prgrammed to use engine braking every time you press the brake. This seems strange at first, but you get used to it quickly. The mushyness has some thing to do with this feature.

IMO 5 to 10 seconds for any shift is far too long. As ama said, check that the transmission is properly programmed. You should barely notice the shifts in this car - the tranny is so smooth.