Mercedes-Benz M-Class I

Photo: OSX / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

The Mercedes-Benz M-Class I (1997–2005): dimensions, weights, reliability and the official figures of its 23 versions in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.

Model codes: W163

Dimensions, weights and capacity

Specification	Europe	North America	Wikipedia
Dimensions
Length	4,590–4,640 mm RDW	–	4,587–4,638 mm
Width	1,830–1,900 mm RDW	–	1,834–1,895 mm
Height	1,740–1,810 mm RDW	–	1,760–1,821 mm
Wheelbase	2,820 mm RDW	–	2,819 mm
Front track	1,535–1,565 mm ASTRA	–	–
Rear track	1,535–1,565 mm ASTRA	–	–
Weights and towing
Kerb weight	1,910–2,200 kg RDW	–	2,093 kg
Mass in running order	2,010–2,300 kg RDW	–	–
Gross vehicle weight	2,650–2,870 kg RDW	–	–
Towing, braked trailer	2,650–3,500 kg RDW	–	–
Towing, unbraked trailer	750 kg RDW	–	–
Seats and space
Seats	5–7 RDW	–	–
Doors	4 RDW	–	–
Luggage space (EPA)	–	934–1,161 L EPA	–
Passenger space (EPA)	–	2,973 L EPA	–
Performance
Top speed	183–240 km/h RDW	–	–
Torque	220–560 Nm ASTRA	–	–

Tyre sizes (most common first): 255/60R17, 275/55R17, 225/75R16, 255/65R16

Ranges cover the generation’s versions and body styles; European and North American versions can differ. Sources: RDW type approvals (Netherlands), Wikipedia, ASTRA type approvals (Switzerland), US EPA fuel economy data, Traficom type approvals (Finland). Wikipedia figures are used under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Reliability and owner reports

UK MOT: first-time pass rate by age

Age at test	Pass rate	UK average	Tests
13 years and older	65.6% (64.9–66.3)	69.2%	17,729

What the MOT finds

Area	This model	UK average, same ages
Brakes	50.6%	36.4%
Suspension	47.4%	41.6%
Lights and electrics	42.7%	28.8%
Noise, emissions and leaks	36.9%	17.1%
Tyres	28.4%	31.2%
Steering	21.3%	7.7%

First MOT test of each car per year in 2022–2024, from the DVSA’s anonymised test results; only ages with at least 500 tests are shown. The figure in brackets is the 95% confidence interval; green or red means clearly above or below the UK average. The second table shows how often an item was noted (defect or advisory) in each area, against the UK average for cars of the same ages. DVSA anonymised MOT tests (Open Government Licence)

Owner complaints to NHTSA (US)

1,035 complaints for model years 1998–2005. 73 crashes · 51 fires · 85 injuries

Steering 184
Brakes 147
Engine 117
Electrical system 91
Stability control 82
Speed control 67

Complaints are reported by owners and not checked by NHTSA; they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular models have more. NHTSA owner complaints

All 23 versions of the Mercedes-Benz M-Class I

Show all 23 versions

United Kingdom 12 versions

New cars on sale in the UK, from the Vehicle Certification Agency. NEDC figures until 2018 and WLTP figures after; years are the editions a version appeared in.

Years and version	Engine	Fuel	Gearbox	Consumption (combined)	CO₂
2002–2004ML 270 CDI	2.7 L	Diesel	6-speed manual	9.4 L/100 km NEDC	248 g/km
2001–2004ML 270 CDI	2.7 L	Diesel	5-speed automatic	9.5 L/100 km NEDC	250 g/km
2002–2004ML 320	3.2 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	13.5 L/100 km NEDC	324 g/km
2003–2004ML 350	3.7 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	12.7 L/100 km NEDC	305 g/km
2002–2004ML 400 CDI	4.0 L	Diesel	5-speed automatic	10.9 L/100 km NEDC	288 g/km
2002–2004ML 500	5.0 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	14.6 L/100 km NEDC	350 g/km
2002–2004ML 55 AMG	5.4 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	14.8 L/100 km NEDC	354 g/km
2000–2001ML 270 CDI Estate · ML 270 CDI	2.7 L	Diesel	6-speed manual	9.4 L/100 km NEDC	248 g/km
2000–2001ML 320 Estate · ML 320	3.2 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	13.8 L/100 km NEDC	330 g/km
2000–2001ML 430 Estate · ML 430	4.3 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	13.9 L/100 km NEDC	334 g/km
2000–2001ML 55 AMG Estate · ML 55 AMG	5.4 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	14.4 L/100 km NEDC	345 g/km
2000ML 270 CDI Estate	2.7 L	Diesel	5-speed automatic	9.5 L/100 km NEDC	254 g/km

United States 6 versions

Model years sold in the USA, from the EPA and the Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov). MPG on the EPA test; litres per 100 km = 235.215 ÷ MPG.

Years and version	Engine	Fuel	Gearbox	Drive	Consumption (combined)	CO₂
2003–2005EMS 2MODE CLKUP	3.7 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	Four- or all-wheel drive	15 MPG (15.7 L/100 km) EPA	368 g/km
2002–2005EMS 2MODE CLKUP	5.0 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	Four- or all-wheel drive	14 MPG (16.8 L/100 km) EPA	394 g/km
1999–2003EMS 2MODE CLKUP	3.2 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	Four- or all-wheel drive	15–17 MPG (13.8–15.7 L/100 km) EPA	325–368 g/km
2000–2003EMS 2MODE CLKUP	5.5 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	Four- or all-wheel drive	14 MPG (16.8 L/100 km) EPA	394 g/km
1999–2001EMS 2MODE CLKUP	4.3 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	Four- or all-wheel drive	15–16 MPG (14.7–15.7 L/100 km) EPA	345–368 g/km
1998EMS CLKUP	3.2 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	Four- or all-wheel drive	17 MPG (13.8 L/100 km) EPA	325 g/km

Canada 5 versions

Model years sold in Canada, from Natural Resources Canada fuel consumption ratings (5-cycle test).

Years and version	Engine	Fuel	Gearbox	Consumption (combined)	CO₂
2004–2005Sport utility vehicle	3.7 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	15.8 L/100 km 5-cycle	363 g/km
2002–2005Sport utility vehicle	5.0 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	16.6–17.0 L/100 km 5-cycle	382–391 g/km
1998–2003Sport utility vehicle	3.2 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	14.0–15.4 L/100 km 5-cycle	322–354 g/km
2001–2002Sport utility vehicle	5.5 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	17.1 L/100 km 5-cycle	393 g/km
1999–2001Sport utility vehicle	4.3 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	14.8–15.7 L/100 km 5-cycle	340–361 g/km

Similar models from other brands

Official figures are measured on standard test procedures and differ between markets. Your consumption depends on how, where and in what conditions you drive.