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Mercedes-Benz M-Class (2005 - 2011)
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Strikingly stylish, elegant and boasting a refined drive, the ML has plenty going for it. Especially when it's also fitted with an off-road package.
This optional kit includes front and rear differential locks, low-range gearing and air suspension that's optimised for off-road conditions to greatly bolster the M-Class's skill on rough terrain.
Mercedes M-Class (2005) review
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19Comments
18/12/2011 01:13
18/12/2011 02:29
Quite strange that the Mitsubishi Shogun is not shown here as it trounces all but the Land Cruiser which is similarly specified. Mitsubishi has one other weapon in its armoury, its super select transmission which gives automatic and manual modes, and a transmission system which many vehicles cannot compete with, and rear and central locking diffs as well as low range. Both the Shogun and Land Cruiser have one unique option most of the vehicles shown haven't, inbuilt reliability, try using Range Rover and reliability in the same sentence and any true off road enthusiast will laugh at you.
18/12/2011 18:44
i don't understand why the range rover always makes the MSN best 4x4 list, there wasn't a single Nissan in the lot and after the land cruiser if anything goes off-road without a hitch, its the Nissan. the landcruisers and the nissan's can be seen on any hardcore off-road course. i have seen and been in them from the heights of the Himalayas to the unforgiving deserts in the middle east. and theres a reason tht the UN uses them. coz they have off road reliability.
18/12/2011 19:50
18/12/2011 15:14
18/12/2011 16:38
we Brits dont know a lot about 4x4 we are used to Landover, that's,s it, we don't look very much to Japanese cars,which are the most reliable cars (whatever the price range) in the world . I live in Dubai, you see a lot of Range Rover for the posers, when you go to the Desert, there is where you see 4x4 put through their paces and which is king Toyota Land cruiser follow by nissan patrol and Chevy/GM not a Range/Landover in sight and when you do it stuck in the sand..
18/12/2011 17:55
18/12/2011 13:14
Ahem, some cars on here can't even fit winter tyres. We don't all need high ground clearance either. I have to disagree with Andrew below, I have had 4 Land Rovers in 25 years, all great, the best is the Disco 3, go anywhere and is classless too.
Volvo V70 makes a great everyday family car too. Sabaru Legacy was great.
As for land rover reliability. (not really related to the MSN article) In Bosnia we had Defenders, most of NATO had G-Wagens, Mercs were great cars, but spent more time in the workshops by far. The US special forces used Defenders in Iraq and Afghanistan too, they have deep pockets and bought only after testing for ages. Land Cruisers will go forever but won't match off road capability. The big armoured SUVs are chosen not for their off road ability but for performance when loaded with armour and room to fit it! Hence the huge Land Cruisers.
30 years of off-road driving has taught me one thing, the reliable 4X4 is the one that's maintained properly, 20,000 mile service intervals and off road use don't mix...
18/12/2011 11:56
All the writers below me are bang on, as a shooter i see many well off people arrive in defenders at shoots, i had a new freelander, and head gasket and sun roof went up it, likewise a new range rover did the same which is why landrover are bottom of the league for reliability especially when you need it in bad weather.
I have a Mitsubishi short wheel base shogun that has never let me down, N reg with 80,000 miles, you try finding any shogun at a good price with less than 100,000 miles.
Also what about Subaru? i have had a Legacy and a Forrester which i have taken all over europe in the worst weather!
Me thinks these lists are compiled by spotty faced kids behind computers who are the first to get into trouble when snow comes and then get in the brown stuff!
I've driven over 500,000 miles in 21 countries so have done a bit
18/12/2011 21:00
18/12/2011 01:55
04/03/2012 12:20
If its an all rounder just for the U.K., as a very worthy option to a used Volvo XCV70, there's alwys the V.W/V.G range of 4x4's, eg Audi A6 (which has variable heighth adjustment), the Passat 4 Motion or a more recent quality bargain, the Superb Estate 4X4 from Skoda. The latter will give a mpg of 42 on the combined cycle with less road tax, too!
29/12/2012 22:11
18/12/2011 20:29
18/12/2011 15:42
18/12/2011 16:31
18/12/2011 09:19
18/12/2011 23:38
stick with me trusted 1999 vauxhall frontera sport she may be getting on a bit now 120000 miles and still going strong but there is no rust and still a great car in the snow and off road pulled many a discovery out with it got bad rep in its day but lets see if the stuff above lasts as long
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