Overview of the Mercedes Ml
The US-built ML debuted locally in 1998 - a year after it became the first SUV from one of the established luxury car brands. The original ML sat on a 4WD-style body-on-frame platform before switching to a car-like unibody for generations two and three. ML ranges have consistently included a high-performance AMG version. When the third-generation ML was updated in 2015, it was rebadged GLE as part of a new Mercedes naming structure for its SUV range.
MERCEDES-BENZ ML GENERATIONS
1998-2006 2006-2012 2012 onwards (called GLE from 2015)
RUNNING COSTS
Fuel Consumption
2.1L 4-cylinder turbo diesel: 6.4 litres per 100km
3.0L V6 turbo diesel: 7.3 litres per 100km
3.5L V6: 8.9 litres per 100km
3.0L V6 turbo: 9.4 litres per 100km
4.7L V8 turbo (AMG): 11.5 to 12.3 litres per 100km
5.5L V8 (AMG): 11.8 litres per 100km
= Highly economical.
= Good economy.
= Average fuel use.
= Heavy consumption.
Servicing
Every 25,000km or 12 months, whichever is sooner. Each service (based on GLE) currently costs from $616. Mercedes-Benz ML parts and accessoriescan be found on Gumtree.
SIMILAR MODELS TO MERCEDES-BENZ ML
Audi Q7
BMW X5
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Lexus RX
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR: MERCEDES-BENZ ML (2012 TO 2015)
Diesel engine in the BlueTec version of the ML may suffer from a stretched timing chain as the vehicle covers higher mileages.
So, check any high-miler carefully as the timing chain is at the back of the engine, making replacement fiddly, time consuming and, therefore, costly.
The timing-chain tensioner on diesel models could also create an oil leak where it entered the engine. An O-ring was blamed for this. Diesel MLs with a 2014 build-date were the affected cars.
This model was also caught up in the Takata airbag recall, so check with a Mercedes dealer to confirm a particular car's status.
Despite the prestige Euro badge, these vehicles were actually built in the US and quality wasn't always uniform. So check that all the electrical gear works properly.
