Hi,
I am seriously looking at buying a M class as I need 7 seats.
I have heard that the build quality is not very good. I have about 15k to spend which seems to be the W or X reg bracket.

1. Pls can some one advise what is the best engine?
2. What are the main problems or weak points?
3. Are there any good websites on the M class?
4. When did the facelift occur after the initial version in 98.

Pls help
tx
Amolak

First, you won't find many early models with the third row of seats. And, you don't want a pre-2000 model due to the problems (although some may argue that all those problems would be fixed by now). Best engine? both are good, do you want fuel economy or horsepower? Problems? read this forum, too many to mention. Websites? you're here. Facelifts? several changes along the way. But, your focus on needing seven seats is a major concern. Sounds like you need a mini-van. Don't lecture me on this... some mini-vans are really nice and the quality is far superior to the M-Class (Toyota & Honda are great).

We have a '98 ML320 with the third row of seats. They're great for kids or short trips. You do not want to put adults back there on a longer trip. When the third seats are in use you have to move the second row forward a couple inches, so legroom in the middle row suffers also. There's not much room for cargo behind the third row. In return for this inconvenience you get a vehicle that handles much better than all those oversized trucks (Suburbans, etc.) and gets better mileage (my ML gets the same mileage towing a 5,000 lb. trailer, as an unladen Durango or Suburban). I had to buy the seats through the parts department and I installed them myself. All the hardware is there, in the earlier models. I'm not sure they're available at the dealer any more.

The MLs in general are not paragons of reliability, though in this class of vehicle I'm not sure which is. Ours has not been as bad as some others report. Definitely have the harmonic balancer looked at before buying.

Acura MDX or the new Explorers (~2000-on?) also have 7 seats, though I don't know if the Acura can be bought in your price range. For that matter you may consider a Land Rover, which will be less expensive than an ML but it can't possibly be any more reliable. Lousy gas mileage too. My neighbor has a Rover; they love it but it gets 12-14 mpg.

__________________
Lenny

There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games. --Ernest Hemingway

'10 GL550/'04 BMW 545/'99 BMW 323/'98 ML320/'87 VW GTI (race)

My wife and I love our ML. We wouldn't trade it for any other SUV. HOWEVER, I would not buy it if I had to carry more than 4 adults.

__________________
Paul 1987 300 SDL; 2000 ML; '69 MGB; '68 VW Fastback

Your two main criteria -- (1) 7 seats, (2) $15k -- seem to eliminate the ML as an option.

While it is true that the ML was available with 7 seats, they really are not very functional. Access to the back is very cumbersome (although improved in 2002) and leg room is almost non-existant. Also, for $15k, you will be limited to early model years that were most problematic. And, if you are limited by a budget you probably won't like the average $1,000 per year maintanence costs (normal maintanence + typical repairs over 5 years of ownership).

If you still love the ML despite these drawbacks, then try and get as new as you can afford. They improved each year. Reliability was consistently low until about 2003.


1. Pls can some one advise what is the best engine?
ML 500

2. What are the main problems or weak points?
Search. There are about 30 common problems that are found on the 98-01 MLs.

3. Are there any good websites on the M class?
Here, BenzWorld, www.whnet.com/4x4

4. When did the facelift occur after the initial version in 98.
Improvements each year. 2002 was the major update.

Perhaps not what you want to hear but for 15K I would consider the choice of buying a minivan. My ML is great for quick trips and moving 4 people in a pinch but moving a family is not a great fit for the ML regardless of seating. You can pick up a late edition minivan from Carmax with a factory warranty still active for around 15K and your passangers will thank you. I have a 2000 Pontiac Montana that has had only a fan switch failure to date. My ML has gone through $2500+ worth of warranty work to date. The ML is a nice ride but only in certain applications and for owners who can absorb some heavy repair bills.

I have a '98 ML320 and have been told that it is impossible to install these seats because the seats don't fit for that year - even though the mounting brackets exist in the car. Can seats from later year ML's be used?

I don't know for sure, but I do know that my 98 2nd row seats work differently than my 2000 2nd row seats. This does not mean that the 3rd row seats changed between years.

Basic instructions came with the seats. You cut a little plastic trim out of the rearmost pillars to install the seat belts (templates are included), and all the other access holes pop off. Mounting points for all the hardware are already on the chassis. Seat belts are included with the seats.
You were told wrong!
I have no idea. When I ordered the seats from the dealer I told him I have a '98.

__________________
Lenny

There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games. --Ernest Hemingway

'10 GL550/'04 BMW 545/'99 BMW 323/'98 ML320/'87 VW GTI (race)