Used 2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class Diesel Consumer Reviews
Diesel Mercedes ML320
Following 10 years of ownership I can definitely say it is a tale of two cars. Power and comfort are superb... cost to maintain not so great. Expensive to maintain through MB dealership. The 642 engine could be outstanding but it is choked down with anti-pollution equipment. But despite this it averages 28 mpg and 33 hwy.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
This is not a Toyota Tacoma SR5 or a Camry Hybrid.
I own a 2016 Camry Hybrid, a 2012 4x2 Tacoma, a 2012 Benz GL Bluetec, and selling after 5 years a 2009 Benz ML bluetecs, and a 2000 CLK. Have owned benz's for 50 years. The new ones are not like the old ones, lots of bells and whistles that add to comfort, luxury, and repair costs. But then my friends with Jeeps have a lot of garage time so ... Both Toyotas are reliable, boring, handle poorly, not much power, and get way worse fuel economy on a trip, even the hybrid. The Toyotas run reliably, the Benz's? If you pay attention for leaks and unusual noises. Costs: One thing for sure, go to a dealer and pay 2x what a good private shop charges for the Benz, only 1.5x for the Toyota. Drive 900 miles to Death Valley or to LA? No problem in the ML and heaven in the GL. 80 miles to Sacramento in either Toyota and I am done. And the Camry is an XLE Hybrid! What is the actual safest car in a broad range of (non-idiot rollover) accidents, and headons? Ask your State Farm Agent, check the NHTS "accident analysis" reporting. What the reports tell you is a current model ML (too few GL's) is the safest car to be in based on actual accident injuries: I saw an ML hit a Lexus: both totalled, ML occupants were fine, not the Lexus'. But the Lexus LOOKED total'ed, ML had a corner badly scrunched. A few years ago an internationally know modern dancer was hit head on on the Golden Gate Bridge. She was driving an ML and survived. The other driver did not. Have you checked the specs to see how heavy a Tesla or eMustang is? Or a eLighting Ford? With my ML/GL I get safety, good mileage, great power, and super handling. Real parts costs and service. AC out on both the Tacoma and the ML and the GL. $1500 for the GL (garage, OEM parts), $3800 for the ML (Dealer) and $4300 for the Tacoma (dealer). Air shocks: good after market shocks are CHEAPER then after market "conventional" shocks for either the Camry or my ML. Yes to those darned oil cooler seals on
- ML550 4dr SUVMSRP: $7,90041 mi away
- ML350 4MATIC 4dr SUVMSRP: $8,044154 mi away
- ML350 4MATIC 4dr SUVMSRP: $7,999158 mi away