What does eveyone think of these MLs... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MercFan · #1 10-24-2010, 09:27 PM

Still looking for a winter driver and a vehicle to take me camping, fishing, up in the mountains - nothing hardcore off road just something that handles well in the winter and has good reputation for durability. Not sure how easy it is to work on these - if at all, but that would be a big plus.

http://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/1972119347.html

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/1961706090.html

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/2015858959.html

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/2020220497.html

What am I getting into with these... things to watch out for or consider would be well appreciated.
James

Hatterasguy · #2 10-24-2010, 09:42 PM

Junk, buy a G.

If you most on the ML get the newer body style, they sorted a lot of issues out.

kerry · #3 10-24-2010, 09:58 PM

Gave up on a Landcruiser?

Fulcrum525 · #4 10-24-2010, 10:07 PM

Agreed, avoid Gen 1 MLs (Quality and the interior are just awful)

When was the last time you test drove one?

MercFan · #5 10-24-2010, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fulcrum525

When was the last time you test drove one?

Never, actually...

Jim B. · #6 10-24-2010, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fulcrum525

Agreed, avoid Gen 1 MLs (Quality and the interior are just awful)

^^^^^ aka "Alabama Trash Can"

Hatterasguy · #7 10-24-2010, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MercFan

Never, actually...

Don't they are a MB model that is best forgotten about.

OTOH the newer ones are quite nice, I know someone with a CDI that gets a consistent 23.5 around town, pretty much what my SDL did.

MercFan · #8 10-24-2010, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

Gave up on a Landcruiser?

Not entirely... but I'm getting frustrated by a search in that category. I've seen my share of them the last 2 weeks here in town.

General impression is that they are very solid vehicle - love the solid feel that they have. I drove a '91, '92, 93, '94 and '96. I can surmise so far that the '93 and up with the 1KZ engine have the best drive characteristics for me. The '91/92 drive well around town but as soon as they see an uphill drive they start dogging and you have to flog them pretty good to keep up with traffic - that means constant downshifts and having the engine roar at near top of its range to maintain speed... didn't feel good driving the '91 or 92 though I know they have a solid reputation of being overbuilt and targeting 3rd world countries with bad fuel, etc. I test drove a really clean '92 this past weekend and thought about it but I decided against it - I don't think I can live with its sluggishness up hills - and that's where I do a lot of my driving.

So I've been focusing on finding a clean looking '93 or '94 or '95 - the frustrating part is that I've seen some really clean cars advertised by local dealers but they want TOO much money for them - I mean $7K and upwards of $8K sometimes for a clean looking car with 248K miles on it!

There are plenty of 'dogs' for $2300 - $6000 range. One truck I looked at in Arvada ($6K firm) was so packed with junk that the guy couldn't even open the tail gate lest he risked losing its entire contents to the pavement below - we didn't try.... I was literally shocked that one would even try to show a car in that condition. They don't wash them, they don't vacuum them (ever) - they don't give a s&^t but they want $6K for 'em... sure.

Wish I could buy this one for around $4K - that would be a nice find:
http://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/2018119265.html - but he wants $8K for it!

So it's been frustrating. I've been thinking about looking out of state, but I'm not sure I wanna make a track to pickup a vehicle and drive it across the country at 11mpg..

- which even makes me wonder at times if an LC even makes sense for me. I though that if I could get around 20 in an ML that may be a good way to go... so here we are.

I suppose I should take a look at this one here and see if I can get them down to like $6K - $6500.... maybe.
James

MercFan · #9 10-24-2010, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

OTOH the newer ones are quite nice, I know someone with a CDI that gets a consistent 23.5 around town.

I'd love to, but you can't get one for under $10K just yet... I don't think...

Edit: quick search reveals that there is no G-class Benz anywhere in the country for under $25K - way out of my range.

Skid Row Joe · #10 10-24-2010, 10:55 PM

MLs are cr_p. And known to be very expensive to keep on the road.

If they were known to be such great vehicles, I'd of bought one 10 years ago.

MercFan · #11 10-24-2010, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

MLs are cr@p.

If they were known to be such great vehicles, I'd of bought one 10 years ago.

Too bad - I kind of like the way they look...

Skid Row Joe · #12 10-25-2010, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MercFan

Too bad - I kind of like the way they look...

If you love spending $$$ on what it takes to keep one on the road.

You're gonna need lots of $$$ it.

TylerH860 · #13 10-25-2010, 12:26 AM

You have an occasion to come to Wichita?

Recent Dealer Auction Sales:

a 108k '92 Land Cruiser in nice shape sold for $4000.

A very nice 99 ML430 with 68,000 miles sold for $7000

If I were you, I wouldn't rule out a Tudra or 4-runner either.

Also, do yourself a favor and test drive 1 nice Jeep XJ with the 4.0 I6.

Fulcrum525 · #14 10-25-2010, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MercFan

Never, actually...

Might be a good place to start. The later ones are a bit better but you're still better off looking at the W164

(Review: it's old but still quite relevant)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C9DJAsGPYM

Frankly, i'd buy a GLK long before I looked into an ML.

kerry · #15 10-25-2010, 09:27 AM

Dealers definitely ask top $$ for FZJ Landcruisers in Denver. It took me a couple of months of looking to find what I wanted in Denver and I had to act quickly when it came up on Craigslist. I looked at a couple of very beaten versions and some high mileage but well kept. I looked at one relatively low mileage one in very good condition but without lockers. Guy wanted $12k. I still think that if you wait you should find one with less than 150k miles for around $6k.