Mercedes Benz M Class ML 270 CDi

In my 30+ years of car ownership my 270cdi is right up there with the best I've ever owned. even at 15 years old. The massively torquey 2.7Litre 5cylinder diesel lump has been totally reliable, and when pushed launches the 2.2tons of proper body on frame 4x4 down the road with effortless ease and it sounds great too! ours has many of the extras available at the time including heated leather memory seats and the Family pack 7 seat option.

its now covered 130k (35 of those by me) and I;m planning on keeping it as long as it remains economical to repair/run, so far apart from servicing it has only required brakes and tyres which is to be expected on such a large truck, and don't be fooled by the sumptuous luxury and smooth ride and handling this is a truck,

suspension, steering and mechanicals generally are commercial size and quality, ours is 2003 and I'm told the quality of the later facelift models (especially interiors) like mine was a huge improvement on the earlier versions, there are certainly no quality issues with our example.

The technician who did the last MOT commented on how good the overall condition was, it passed with no advisorys, maybe we've just been lucky, whatever, I can only speak as I find, and what was intended as a stopgap vehicle for us has become a valued part of the family....

Oh and yes it is brilliant of road and in snow as well.

I have an 03 ml 2.7 been good up to now but the fuel pump is leaking diesel badly and dare not drive it until the problem is fixed..does any one know are they easy to change.

I've a 2005 Mercedes ML 270 CDI since two years ago, it counts now 140 000 Km proved by Mercedes and in my oppion is a fun and fantastic car. Underrated, maybe the first generation was worst than this one, but about problems, just a lackage in the axis of the swirl flaps, those inside the intake manifold, that were eliminated. It's a fact that it's an SUV with some extraordinary capabilities in traction, I never used it in mud or in trail driving because my car looks like a luxurious car and looks like that. It's easy to drive, fast enough to do long journeys in an acceptable speed and with commoditie, apart of that, I've a Nissan Terrano for those nice and crazy things.

I have owned an ML270 CDI since 2008 and it is a fantastic vehicle. It has been reliable, has good leg room and has loads of space. It has a proper low range gearing and performs very well in conditions of poor traction. I have taken it off road several times in very muddy conditions and it has amazing traction on steep hills too. The ride can be a bit hard and it jolts on speed bumps but overall a very competent car. I think this series has suffered unreasonable criticism when it actually launched the SUV trend. I think th estyling is great and will keep mine for some time to come.

Not great. No rear leg room. Not great on power. ECP packs up and all the computer systems keep failing. The value for money is awful with no heated seats in the rear. We got rid of this and bought a range rover vogue instead which is a much better car and a greater value for money. Further think the styling isn't that good and its not a very attractive car as a whole and lacks the expected boot size for the size of the car you'd have the same room in a normal hatch back and in doing so save yourself a lot of money. The 'AMG' model that we had just meant you paid for a little bit of wood in the cockpit however under the bonnet it was still the same old engine as the standard model, a straight 5 CDI diesel which packs up an awful lot e.g. if the fuel filter is even a little clogged then the whole car will stop and shut down in the middle of the road, or on a junction which is not the greatest in regard to the safety of those in the vehicle. Even in the AMG model the interior has a strong whiff of cheap plastic and the wood veneer is no where near convincing. The whole car is controlled by computers which means if it does break down on you then don't reach for the spanners, reach for the laptop and the degree in computing as barely anything is controlled mechanically and is all done with ECU units.

Had this car for nearly 10 years after first owner had it for 3. While getting on a bit now in the years and with 180,000km it does need some work done. It has had a few little problems over the years most being common faults that tend to be expensive. The most expensive being rebuilt gearbox which also went through a couple of speed sensors that broke and would send it into limp home mode. It has only ever left us stranded once due to broken coolant pipe and to be expected a few flat batteries. The performance is ok for a 2 ton SUV and the fuel economy is great for what it is (around 11-12 in town and in the 7's and even close 6L/100km on motorways).

Yes they are expensive for parts. Why? Its MB. But its a Star!!! Yes have to replace injectors but you have to do it with every car the are 100£ each. The fuel pump don't need to replace it it need just seal kit that worth 30£. Inlet moneyfoold yes need to be replaced every 100 000 miles, I get my one done 220£ work if you are a bit technician type than you can do all yourself or pay to mechanic. I get all suspensions all ball joints and all brakes with disks and pads replaced for 450£. The turbo hose that was 25£. And now what I have a excellent car. That is now out of trouble for min 5 years. With every used older car you need to calculate with issues ant problems but if you sort them then HAPPY DAYS. That is the most safe car on the road. And I Think that is the most important thing now. The car never let me down. There was a time to change it but after 3 mnonth looking for a different car , :-) all other was just not suitable for me. If you drive a MB Its nearly impossible to change it to a other one. MPG most important for lots people 22-28 MPG as standard but straight you have it give it remapped. Its not about more power that you will like but you will cruise at 60miles with 1950rpm . and the MPG goes to 35-40 MPG, Tested it for 2.5 years.

I have had more trouble with this car than any other I have ever had. All I do is spend money on it, it is a disaster wouldnt touch another one if youpaid me, fuel injectors, inlet manifold, airflow meter you name it I have had to fix it, spent more money on it than it is worth. A complete disaster

Best car I've ever had. Had it for eight years and has 108 k and still going well. Thought of changing to Lexus 4x4 but decided against after reading Lexus reviews over the top Japanese technology costly to service..Will be hanging on to my trusry 2000 ML 270 . Just won't use Mercedes agency's for my services ..

Year 2000 model. Bought this car 3 years ago to ferry grand daughters pony around, now can't afford to sell it. Since I bought it I have had to replace Inlet manifold, 2 x fuel injectors, fuel pump, air flow meter, 2 x ABS wheel sensors, and now the dash lights up like a xmas tree when I drive.BAS/ESP, ABS,ETS,and EPC lights. Apparently, this is due to a faulty ABS control unit, but there are 2 of these on the car and the guy who did the diagnostics ( which cost 130 quid ) is not sure which it is. I contacted MB and the cost of said units £600 and £1000 depending which it is, but they would have to diagnose first. ( fair comment )The cost of the diagnosis, parts and labour is, (you guessed it), more than the car is worth. Also the heater plug light is now staying on while running and the central locking / alarm has just decided not to work from the key fob.

One of the questions required to be answered on this review is, would you recommend to a friend. I wouldn't even recommend it to someone I didn't like.The car has only done 95000 miles. The cost of diagnostics alone is nudging £1000.

I have had more trouble with this car than any other in 48 years of driving.