98 ml320
 

I've had a 98 ml320, now with 135k on it. I have had all the problems that are mentioned here in the ml forum. However, most were replaced under 100k warranty. I just replaced the EGR valve by myself with the help of this forum. Was very easy to do. The previous mechanic did not do this a year ago and charge me 1300.00 to fix everything else except for the EGR valve in which he cleaned the tube only. Well, it was caked solid with carbon.

All I can say, if you have the inclination to fix thing, it can be done. By the way, the ML is now driving like the day I first bought it. I think with all cars, one should be knowledgeable in some basic maintenance. Otherwise, you can get taken for a ride because one drives a Mercedes and can afford to fix it at any cost. Just my two cents.

John

Now i get it. I learned on the 2nd time to insert nozzle until friction stopped it. I thought and still think that a design feature so the nozzle won't fall out while filling. Has anyone pulled parts of the fuel tank out as a result of the design?

One of the welcome silent changes from MY02 is the fuel filler nozzle approach angle. The angle on my MY02 was aweful. On my 05, it's normal, thank goodness. Anyone knows when they made this very welcome change - sometime between MY02 and MY05.

Not happy with your ML
 

Please, do not think that your ML is a true German Benz. ML's are made in Alabama USA, certianly not to the same standards as German MB's.

If it was German made, you would be paying $10K to $20K more.

In regards to your new Ford. I am sure your ride smells new, but wait until you have 70K to 100K miles on it, and the engine will be gone. Been there, done that.

For my next SUV, I am looking over to Asia. Japanese quality is much better than US made cars, and they seem to have an edge over the Europeans when it comes to reliability and depreciation.

My ML is going to be sold before too long, too many repairs.

I would like to suggest to DB, to make the ML a Chrysler, not a Daimler, since the workmanship is US, not German. :indian_ch

Not to German specifications ?
 

Do you think that applies to Honda and Toyota ETC ?

My Honda was made in Ohio. My Buddies Toyota was made in Kentucky.
So these are Sub-Honda and Toyota cars compared to the Accords made in Japan ?

What is it Mercedes throws out when they are build outside of Germany ? Dis regard for quality control ?

German, Japanese or US made cars
 

The Japanese must have a better handle on ensuring that the quality equals that of Japan.

Not sure with Benz. They may be relying on their US counterpart Chrysler for quality, and that may be where the shortfall lies.

I am from Germany, and have owned 3 Mercedes Benz's in Europe, and my family has always owned Benz's. All our cars have been consistently solid in both performance and reliability.

When I test drove the 430 ML, it seemed fine. Once off the lot, I was appalled to find out how bad the integrity and electronics were, when every 90 days something else would go wrong. The engine and transmission are from Germany and seem fine, but everything else is just of low quality.

I wonder why Mercedes did not put the traditional Mercedes sticker on the inside windscreen of the MLs' when all other Benz's have it?!!!?

The first pre 2000 ML were really bad, the post 2000 had some fixes, but still not great, let's hope the new 2006 ML's are finally a true Benz quality product.
:rolleyes:

I don't believe it has much to do with where the vehicle is built. Mercedes is lowering their costs to compete with Lexus and the rest, while trying to stay at the forefront of technology. The result is increasing complexity (a Mercedes tradition) at lower cost--quality has to suffer! The ML is more trouble prone because it's designed to be built to a lower cost than the rest of the Mercedes line. It was also a completely new design.

A couple of the more memorable failures on our ML were the harmonic balancer and the driveshaft center bearing. The bearing was US made but the balancer was European. Recommendations to run dino oil in the engine for 10,000 miles (since retracted), and run transmission oil for life, don't help the longevity of our vehicles.

Bayer, I wonder if the new Mercedes sedans measure up to the quality of the ones you'd owned in Europe?

New versus old Mercedes Quality
 

Lenny:

Not sure. The last European Benz I owned was in 1996, and it was a used one made in 1986.

But you certainly have a point with the price of the ML's. If they were really built in the old Benz tradition, they would costs $10K to $20K more. :eek: