johng,

Sorry to hear of your woes. Back in 1989 I owned a brand new Ford Mustang for 2 weeks before the clutch started singing like bird. Ford claimed they couldn't hear the noise... It was in their shop for 5 days and it was returned to me you guessed it, still singing like a bird. I traded it the next day for a 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix which I owned for 12 years and 107,000 miles before I sold it to a high school kid for $750. I swore I would never buy another Ford in my life. On the other hand my father-in-law had a Ford truck he used to pull a boat. The truck ran for 22 years and had 280,000 miles before it just rusted away. Go figure.

The issue is not really Benz quality, but that the ML's are made in Alabama and are more like Chrysler quality, and do not resemble anything like what is made in Stuttgard.

I have a 2000 ML 430 and I agree with you 100%. Next time I will go either real German made, or I'll head over the other ocean for a Japanese car.

Don't get too excited over your Ford Explorer. Done that, been there, and my engine did not even last 90K. Ford unfortunately is still low in quality. Nice ride while new, but wait until you have 20K and thing star ratteling and breaking down.

Go Japanese.... Toyota, Honda, Nissan or their upgraded versions Lexus, Acura and Infinity if you can afford them.

Good Luck.

Mercedes can build a good truck here. Its about design and quality control.

Honda makes Acura & Honda Cars & motorcycles in Ohio USA
Toyota BuildsCars and Trucks in Kentucky
Mazda in Michigan

etc

__________________
Steve Danville
what i did myself.
CPS
rear shocks
MAS x 3.
SparkPlugs (twice)
Fuel pump & Filter
Window switch
replaced both failed horns with Honda horns.
Cleaned ERG Tube
Oil changes
Oil consumption Fix
Brake Pads
A/C Recharge
Anti-Freeze change X 2.
Front Shocks. Monroe. $90
Mercedes Warrenty Work:
Harmonic balancer,power steering clamp. Cat converters.Drive Shaft Bearing.s
Replaced Outer Lower Tie Rods and front lower ball joints at 156,000 miles

I don’t think being made in the USA is the reason for the ML’s woes. The problems appear to be largely of failures of design and execution. In short is a problem of overly thrifty management decisions.

Also while I agree that MB is definitely degenerating into Chrysler-like quality, my ML has been many times more reliable and resistant to wear than my former Jeep. The two vehicles were built less than 3 years apart yet there are many and vast difference of the quality of the components employed.

__________________
...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

I've had with my '00 ML430 which have been many and varied, I've resolved to run it as long as possible. Basically for two reasons:
1. I've had most if not all of the known problems fixed - so it's running well.
2. It's trade in value is approaching zilch

Overall, great truck when it's running well - but badly let down by the quality of the components used (apart from engine & tranny).

Would I buy another one ? Sorry but no.
Would I be upset to see it eventually sold ? Again sorry but no.

i have an '99 ml320 which will come off starmark in sep '05, trying to decide if it's worth keeping it. mb of austin has been good about doing warranty work, several little items, one big one (transfer case - 3500$). i was curious as to what problems i might face going forward (specifically, how did johng_22 run up 8000$ in repairs over 30k miles?), help me make up my mind about keeping it. (i should mention i've been really quite happy with it, had it for 2.5 years, 30k miles, drives beautifully, and i would prefer to keep it )

cheers,
adnan

Yesterday I found a coworker had a 1999 ML320.
I asked him how he liked it, he loves it. The window switch and shcocks were replaced under warrenty. Other than that it has been an excellent vehical. He plans on keeping to drive in just the winter and buy a new sedan.
He remarked he expects it to "run forever".
It was really refreshing to hear. This forum is generally used by people that need to figure out what is wrong with the Mercedes and can make a person almost paraniod.
I also have a 1999 and it is no Honda in terms of relibility...but it drives and handles outstandingly.

__________________
Steve Danville
what i did myself.
CPS
rear shocks
MAS x 3.
SparkPlugs (twice)
Fuel pump & Filter
Window switch
replaced both failed horns with Honda horns.
Cleaned ERG Tube
Oil changes
Oil consumption Fix
Brake Pads
A/C Recharge
Anti-Freeze change X 2.
Front Shocks. Monroe. $90
Mercedes Warrenty Work:
Harmonic balancer,power steering clamp. Cat converters.Drive Shaft Bearing.s
Replaced Outer Lower Tie Rods and front lower ball joints at 156,000 miles

Very true - The folks on here are either interested in getting a MB or fixing one, more on the 2nd. I have 2 ML's, very very happy. The folks that love them i guess dont have their own website!!!!!

Adnan, since you asked here you go......

Cannot recall the price for every one of the repairs but here's a list of things that were replaced or failed which I wouldn't classify as maintenance items:

-Harmonic balancer failure saga (nearly $4K alone)
-replaced harmonic balancer
-replaced timing cover
-replaced upper oil pan
-belt, oil, gaskets, seals, etc. to finish up the job
-Water pump
-Alternator
-Fuel pump
-2 sets of window switches
-Brake caliper failed
-MAF
-2 catalytic converters blown (1 under warranty)
-Oxygen sensors
-Junky plastic parts in the interior that broke
-Power window motor
-Front end bushings
-3 service visits on my dime diagnosing tranny problems-Unresolved
5 towing bills
What else??? I'm sure I'm not remembering it all...

I may have been off a little on my initial $8K estimate in repairs but not by much....This thing was nearly entirely dealer serviced including most scheduled maintenance - except when the Balancer failure occurred.

That's very unfair. The W163 is is a problematic vehicle whether you like to believe it or not - how in the world can you explain the angle of the fuel filler neck??????. The problems you read her are not uncommon and have been posted on all ML sites by different people. even MB knows about these common problems. Some have had better luck than others, but the fact still remains that the 163 is problematic. And MB has addressed most of these problems - the W164. My MY02 320 was a lovely truck with a few problems which were taken care of promptly by the dealer. I always had a loaner car so it was no problem. Coming from a problem Nissan Pathfinder, I was, however, surprised at how many times I had to take the ML in for warranty repairs - little things but disappointing. Despite all that, it's still the best value for your money - I traded the MY02 320 for a MY05 500, not a problem at all. It feels and rides differently - read, better. The subtle changes between MY02 amd MY05 are outstanding and much appreciated.

I didn't know there were any! We had one and it was quite reliable. Went 215,000 miles before we traded it on the ML...

__________________
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)

I meant to say problem free. It had over 120K and never bucked, not once. Too bad it didn't have 3rd row!!!

??? I've been putting fuel in mine for just shy of 5 years. No problems. What are you trying to describe???

Also, you'll note that MB shop has a conspicuous lack of vehicles, ML and otherwise, over the last 4 years. If the majority of folks who post do so due to problems, what does this suggest?

__________________
...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

Not to speak for someone else, but the nozzle goes in at an odd angle. I've had trouble removing fuel nozzles a few times.

__________________
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)

Ditto