StuckAgainSteve
Well-Known Member
Mercedes are rust buckets !
1995 to 2006ish Mercs are awful - apparently they turned a corner 2008ish onwards.
Mercedes are rust buckets !
That's when they sorted the steering1995 to 2006ish Mercs are awful - apparently they turned a corner 2008ish onwards.
Totally objective, I find them uncomfortable, over complicated und full of suspension and electronic problems, not to mention water leaks.Always nice to have an objective and informative view.....
Had my 04 diesel for 6 months ish and love it, we fight for the keys in the morning, some silly niggly fault so price in a diagnostic kit ive had P38s and the L322 is definitly more bang for bucks
I've had a string of Landrovers and also a number of so called reliable cars from manufacturers that can't be mentioned here. I've used them all for daily driving about 12k miles per year..and boat towing and launching off slipways, beaches, mud etc. Given the ease of working on them, cost of running, comfort, performance etc etc, I'd say that my L322 TD6 (2003) has been and is still the best 4x4 I've ever had. Its had new sus bags and turbo (just before i bought it) and gearbox etc...but in truth the big Toymotas i've had were no more reliable - but a lot more expensive to fix! .... Well...ok...toymota gearboxes don't seem to "wear out" but heads, big ends, suspension, electrics, corrosion etc...all expensive issues...
A well looked after and regulary used L322 was the route i took and I'm glad i made the choice. I was tempted with a low mile'er but went instead for full history and plenty of miles - i.e its been used and early generation parts have failed and been replaced. Had it for over 3 years and very happy...just had to put a new gbox in...seems ok £1400 later..... £300 less than a head for a toymota v8....and I had to replace two heads....yikes!!
As much as I love buying British I can't bring myself to buy a L322, maybe I'll have a day of madness - but why buy a car which I know I'll have to replace the gearbox, that it might rust and I'll have a myriad of problems? I feels dirty for saying it but I'm seriously considering a latish Mercedes ML320 cdi - much better engine - more reliable (given Mercedes lately that's saying something!) a transmission that's up to the job and they are far better value. :behindsofa:
dont buy a ML. I do work at a merc dealership and honestly they are just as bad. Suspension probs, waterl leaks, gearbox etc etc
Thanks for the info - I wouldn't touch an older ML they're worse than Range Rovers! I thought quality had improved - obviously not!
an mint '02 p38 against an '02 L322 is probably 11/2 -2k cheaper. At least they were when i got mine.
Perhaps the L322 is so cheap as it already has a bad reputationI'm surprised they only differ that much - I'd expect an L322 to cost much more.
You may be surprised that some people actually like the p38 - it's by far my favourite Range Rover to look at - followed by the three door classic. My brother said exactly the same thing unprompted!
Absolutely!
I get plenty of interest / comments on mine. Couldn't see that happening in an L322.