wifes 300e just got wiped out and thought about a ml series, what is the best years, thanks

Hello HiHo, the best year for an ML would be the '05 ML350. Last year of that body style which typically means all the kinks are worked out and it has all of the latest technological equipment available at that time. Also they produced a Special Edition model because they were doing away with the body style the following year. It gives you cosmetic features not found on any ML (hood, bumpers, grill, running boards, wheels) and some optional equipment became standard plus the wood is different.

If you are set on an ML320 (original engine) then I would do the '02/'03 model year.

You may want to consider the '01 ML430 (last year for that engine) which gave you bigger wheels and more standard equipment. The gas mileage difference was about 2 mpg according to the window sticker back then.

Hope this helps.

thanks for the info, there are lots of 1999-2001, will look for 02-03 or that 430 sounds good

We have owned 2 W163's and our current 2008 ML320CDI and I would not go back. This CDI is much better and it is the last year of the non-AdBlu diesels. Great torque and acceleration, excellent towing, 50% better fuel mileage and I could go on. I'm a little bit of a diesel fan but it is a very good way to go.

Jim W.

I know had a 300d turbo for 13 years before the 300e, will see how I do with the insurance, thanks for the info

Of no relevance compared to the current diesels, which are rocket ships and get better fuel economy at the same time. The difference is greater than the difference between apples and oranges.

__________________
Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

1991 because they did not make them back then.

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600SEL '91
300E 4Matic '88
240D '83
280SE '77
350SE '73
The most complex systems can fail in the simplest way.
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I would say 99, because it had more kinks work out. I love my 98 but I wish it had the stability control switch on the dash.

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1998 ML-320
1983 SEC 380
1992 300D ~Sold

AS noted, the later in the production run the better the product.

STAY away from 1998-00 ML's altogether.

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Best year for the ML320 is 2008 because it's a diesel and doesn't have runflat tires.

__________________
Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

The best year is a Lexus RX 300 or 330...