Mercedes ML 270 CDI

Although I don't own one of these I do use one at work week in week out (52 plate) but only when they're aren't any other cars available to use.

I've got to say it is one of the worst cars I have ever driven. Sure they don't look bad on the road and interior space isn't bad but apart from that I don't really have anything positive to say about it.

Starting with the interior . . . . .

The driving position is terrible in it and you can only alter the steering up and down not in and out. At six foot two I can't get the seat far enough back to able me to comfortably use the pedals either which is a shame. As for the drivers seat support, it's non-existent. Sure it's alright in a straight line but go round a corner and you'll either be pressed against a window or trying to kiss the passenger!

The steering itself has a strange 'detached' feeling to it as in you never quite know what's going on beneath the wheels and it also snatches and grabs on poor road surfaces although this will be down to the tyre size (never get that on the X5's though).

The stalk controls are big and chunky and feel it as well. It's not that it's unpleasant but they don't feel high-quality when using them. The cruise control stalk is also terrible and sticks out like a complete after-thought when behind the wheel.

The speedo etc is well laid out but compared to other cars there are too many warning lights dotted around it.

The air-con can't keep the car cool on very hot days but I do like the dials themselves which look good but feel cheap to touch and use.

Rear seat space is good as is boot space which is what a car like this is bought for. The boot is also at a good height for loading which is helpful.

The gear-box (auto) is nice for just plodding along and you can also select sequential shifting if you want to do it yourself (after a fashion!). In full auto it is a comfortable cruiser but in manual when you ask it to change it takes a few seconds before it decides to do anything which is annoying. It's as if the bear box is deciding what it's purpose in life is before it finally realises it's there to change gear!

And now for the engine . . . .

The diesel unit is noisy to say the least when accelerating. It sounds more like a tank! Although this settles to a murmur when cruising and isn't intrusive in the cabin. Fuel economy isn't too bad considering how big the car is and it compares to the equivalent Land Rovers and BMW's.

Ours (well works) has done just over 70,000 miles of which I would like to say was trouble free. We have to call the dealers out every six months for one electrical problem or another and they seem to spend hours sat in it with a laptop plugged in trying to decipher what's wrong. We also had to have a new gearbox fitted at 60,000 miles at a cost of, wait for it, £7000!!!!!!!! I was hoping they'd fitted a new engine as well but apparently not. That spent the first few thousand miles whining when pushed hard but it doesn't do it now so it was possible it was just bedding in.

The suspension and overall ride quality are what I can only desribe as 'American', as in it's good in a straight line but show it a corner and it runs for cover. It wobbles, leans, pitches and shakes going round corners (especially if the surface is uneven or worn). In a straight line it's very comfy and how often do you get to just drive without going round corners?

Unfortunately there aren't a lot of positives about this car for me but from reading other reviews people love theirs.

I know every car has its faults and there are always lemons but considering how expensive these cars are new and how good Mercedes are meant to be I can honestly say I would never buy one.

Overall all I can say about this car is its expensive to look after, doesn't handle, ride or drive well, isn't really that comfy and wobbles like a blamonge!

(And just for the people wondering what I'm comparing it too. At work I use BMW X5's, Land Rovers, Vauxhall Vectra VXR's, Mondeo St220's and Volvo V60R's)