ML 500 for Michel in N.S.W

[motec 6.9]

Hi Michel here are all the ML500 for sale in N.S.W from lowest to highest. http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars...])))&State{=}[New+South+Wales])&sortby=~Price

 

[WGB]

Having owned an ML320 Diesel and an ML 500 I can say that around town there is nothing much in it except fuel consumption and more chance of maintenance issues with the diesel.

But get the ML 500 passing a road train on the open road and there is no competition as the ML 500 runs away and hides from a 320 at speed.

If you drive the ML 320 below 110 Km /hr it is easier on juice than the 500 but once the speeds get up they are level pegging by a 130 km/hr cruise speed. The diesel will be blowing black smoke and wheezing a bit while the 500 just finds it's pace.

ML 500 also has bigger brakes which last a bit longer and all 500's have airmatic which will probably get expensive to fix when the mileage gets up .

The 164 doesn't have the brake wear issues of the 163.

Bill

 

[Michel]

Having owns an ML320 Diesel and an ML 500 I can say that around town there is nothing much in it except fuel consumption and more chance of maintenance issues with the diesel.

But get the ML 500 passing a road train on the open road and there is no competition as the ML 500 runs away and hides from a 320 at speed.

If you drive the ML 320 below 110 Km /hr it is easier on juice than the 500 but once the speeds get up they are level pegging by a 130 km/hr cruise speed. The diesel will be blowing black smoke and wheezing a bit while the 500 just finds it's pace.

ML 500 also has bigger brakes which last a bit longer and all 500's have airmatic which will probably get expensive to fix when the mileage gets up .

The 164 doesn't have the brake wear issues of the 163.

Bill

I was hoping you would chip in.

For the amount of use the ML would get with me, I would not contemplate a diesel as the distances I would travel would not be great.
I was originally looking at an ML430, but have been dissuaded by a prominent MB service and spare person from considering it and was recommended a 500 (especially in view of my desire for a V8 power plant).
I am in the early stages of research and will be ready to purchase just after the new financial year (unless a great example turns up before that).

 

[motec 6.9]

Hi Michel I would say Bill knows ML having owned both W163 & W164 2 off. And is waiting for a W165 . A work college owns a W164 ML63 has done 82000km in it since purchase in 2010 . He has stated it has been a lot better than his previous ML55. He is apparently going to get new ML63 in new year. And having heard it go down the road wow does it go for a truck.

 

[motec 6.9]

And this is cheapest W164 ML500 in N.S.W http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/dealer/details.aspx?R=AGC-AD-14532613&Cr=6

 

[motec 6.9]

This is cheapest ML63 huge difference in price http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/dealer/details.aspx?R=AGC-AD-15985037&Cr=0

 

[motec 6.9]

Hi Michel have you though about the larger GL500 this one is not much more than cheapest ML500 http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/dealer/details.aspx?R=AGC-AD-15188541&Cr=0

 

[Michel]

Hi Michel have you though about the larger GL500 this one is not much more than cheapest ML500 http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/dealer/details.aspx?R=AGC-AD-15188541&Cr=0

The GL is a much larger vehicle and is absolutely no use for me.

 

[BenzBoy]

Ah but it would be to me with my brood of hounds. I hear though that the air suspension can be an expensive nightmare when it needs work done.
Regards,
Brian

 

[Michel]

Ah but it would be to me with my brood of hounds. I hear though that the air suspension can be an expensive nightmare when it needs work done.
Regards,
Brian

If it's anything like the W220 (S Class) they you would prob need an additional mortgage

 

[motec 6.9]

There are cheaper options ask Ant . There's a few companies doing rebuilt exchanges on the struts I believe Craig S knows about them as well . Will post them if you are interested once I get near my computer.

 

[WGB]

It depends whether you get a W163 or W164 500.
The 3 valve 5 litre motor is bulletproof so long as it is serviced and so is the 5.5 litre in the W164.

Having driven behind both motors for a very long time I can say that in normal driving there is not much to notice that is different unless you really give the 5.5 it's head then the extra HP is noticeable.

The lifetime fuel consumption was 14.5 litres/100km in my ML 500 and about 12.2 L/100 km in my recently sold E500 - weight would probably make more difference to the figure than the engine.

On a trip the ML 500 would drop to about 11 L/100km with the occasional dip to 10 l/100km while motor way cruising whereas the E500 would do 10 L/100km and dip to 9 L/100km - I once saw 8.8 l/100km on a 2 hour motorway cruise at 110km/hr.

I cannot remember a single repair required on my ML 500 and the only repair I had on my E500 was the mousewheel for the comand breaking it's shaft a few months ago - but even that is a $1,000 + experience.

The Diesel had a problem with the cold start Glow plug relay which was never fixed under warranty - although two sets of glow plugs were replaced at M-B's expense. It was finally fixed at my expense for $1700 which is the cost of a new relay and replacement of 6 Glow plugs. I also had the electric fan fail after warranty had expired and that was a $2400 experience.

Other than that you are looking at the total repairs as opposed to maintenance costs of three cars totalling nearly 300,000 km.

The 163 ML270 CDEI was quite reliable but needed new rear brake pads every 18,000 km which was crazy considering it only needed it's oil changed every 28,000 km. I kept a set of genuine pads at home and changed them myself every time the light came on.

Cheers

Bill

 

[abl567]

Ebay can be your friend

http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_...H0.Xairmatic&_nkw=airmatic&_sacat=0&_from=R40

 

[motec 6.9]

Hi here is the price for new from Europe http://www.partsformercedes-benz.co...4_594&osCsid=49e38afa3a86ce547d9584004a295283 . Australian supplier http://www.cheaperoz.com/z/result.jsp?ga=au4&q=mercedes+airmatic+suspension . And this is the company I was thinking of does rebuilds. https://www.arnottindustries.com/part_MERCEDES-BENZ_yid18.html.

 

[Helmet]

Ebay can be your friend

http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_...H0.Xairmatic&_nkw=airmatic&_sacat=0&_from=R40

Hi here is the price for new from Europe http://www.partsformercedes-benz.co...4_594&osCsid=49e38afa3a86ce547d9584004a295283 . Australian supplier http://www.cheaperoz.com/z/result.jsp?ga=au4&q=mercedes+airmatic+suspension . And this is the company I was thinking of does rebuilds. https://www.arnottindustries.com/part_MERCEDES-BENZ_yid18.html.

Still a lot more expensive than springs that never wear out :roll eyes:
Give me an ML350 W164 with standard suspension any day, Oh and the ride is better as well.

 

[WGB]

Actually those prices don't seem too bad.
Not that greatly different to a set of Bilsteins on a sprung chassis.

I have mentioned the cost at the agent and they talk about $5,000 per corner but I think the rear subframe has to be dropped to remove the rear air springs.

I do agree that a well set up sprung chassis gives a smoother ride than air but there are advantages in changeable ride height and stability under varying loads that a sprung suspension can't deliver.

Bill

 

[motec 6.9]

Hi Michel if you cast your eye a little further afield there are a few more choices. W164 http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/dealer/details.aspx?R=AGC-AD-15920810&Cr=2 W164 http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=SSE-AD-2717619&Cr=0 W163 Bill might be able to look at this for you seeing as he knows the model. http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=SSE-AD-2569121&Cr=0

 

[motec 6.9]

Now if you really want to go out of left field how about a R500 it may suit Brian. http://www.carpoint.com.au/all-cars/dealer/details.aspx?R=AGC-AD-15908644&Cr=0

 

[Michel]

Thank you Motec.
I'm very aware of these cars.
I scan eBay, Carsales and gumtree.
I'm hoping members of this esteemed forum might know of something going down privately!

 

[motec 6.9]

Hi Michel unfortunately I am currently in Bogan central so I don't have contact with anyone owning a ML so unless I see it on carpoint or another sales site sorry cant help. But I did find cheaper struts.