I'm looking to replace my spark plugs. What are the MB recommended spark plugs for a 2000 ML320? Have about 50k on the truck and it's time to replace. I looked in Fastlane and there are some 4-5 different plugs available - very different Bosch +4, standard type etc... Which is the actual "factory plug", then I can decide if I want to kick it up a notch.

I'd like to find a list of what the factory recommends for replacement parts (aside from "please visit your local dealers parts dept.") Anyone have a listing of something like this?

I'm not the orig. owner and would like to keep original, but don't know if what's in there now is original ie. tires. What the original tire on the truck?

tks for any help...
m.

also - what's over-the-counter fluid equivalents, coolant, brake fluid, auto trans fluid. Don;t want to alwasy have to run to MB dealer for such basic items.

MB will typically use the Bosch or BERU plugs, there is not one single type they will all have. I recommend the Bosch, whatever Fastlane lists for the standard Bosch plug. They actually are good to 100,000 miles or 4 to 5 years, but you may find it runs better with the new plugs, I can't criticize you for wanting to replace them, remember there are 2 plugs per cylinder.

I recommend using the MB fluids that you mentioned. The brake fluid is DOT4+, which is hard to find. The transmission oil is filled-for-life, I wouldn't consider replacing it yet (if ever) but you'll find lots of info on the tranny fluid if you use the "search" function and enter "722.6". The coolant MB sells is pretty good stuff, I'd stick with that, but of any of the fluids you've mentioned, that's probably the only one where I'd MAYBE consider using something else, just make sure it's really good coolant though. If you DO decide to do the transmission oil change, research the heck out of that topic before starting the project, and you HAVE to get the MB tranny oil.
MB used a few different tires, probably were Dunlop GranTreks, may have been General Grabbers. The GranTreks are a little nicer, Michelin has a SUV tire out that is very nice also, can't remember the model name, "Trail" something.
I don't understand what you want a list of. Expect MB to send people to NAPA or Pepboys for their parts?

Gilly

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Tks Gilly - appreciate the quick reply. Just thought I'd field the question about a list of alternative's to factory fluids.

On a different question - I've read bits and pieces about the harmonic balancer and it has/had problems with the ML. Mine is 2k 320, do i need to check something? Tried to search for this but could not find a solid explanation of the problem - just alot of complaining about it.

Can you pls describe the prob for me and how I could identify it?

appreciate it.

These kinds of small issues are listed and explained in one of the user manuals. If you don't want to buy a set, you can download them from MBUSA.com for your vehicle - you'll have to register (free) in the Owner's Section. You can also have these small questions answered at MBUSA.com in the owners section.

Also, why worry about tires? OEM or not, just replace them if they're worn or drive until the become worn. Unless, of course, you want a particular ride.

Autobahner
You should be able to come up with alot of helpful threads on the balancer, I think there are even some pics. Let me know if you can't come up with some good info and I'll post some links for you here.

Gilly

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What's up Gilly? First off thanks for all your help on this board and elsewhere. I have a completely unrelated issue and I need your opinion. On my brand new MY05 500 Sport with 3rd Row, whenever I go over a bump or speed bump slowly, I hear a rattling sound that I can't make out quite yet. It sounds like what you'll hear from a child stroller as the wheels go over a concrete but bumpy surface. Like a loose metal strap rolling back and forth on a curved plastic surface!!! It seems to be coming from the front passenger side and I haven't been able to locate it despite all my efforts. I have taken everything out of the truck including the 3rd row seats and that doesn't do it. Neither of the front seats feels loose, the glove box seems fine, I have eliminated the front suspension becasue at normal speeds, bumps don't seem to generate this noise - maybe I just don't hear it!!! I looked at the battery strap and the wedge plastic piece under the metal strap seems loose, but I doubt that'll make that kind of noise. When I tap on the front bumper, the only item that seems to make that kind of noise is the small piece of plastic that's under the headlamp - the one between the headlamp and the bumper. The passenger's side piece seems more loose that the driver's side - but will this piece rattle like that over a speed bump at low speed? The fender flares feel solid and don't rattle when I tap on them, I checked the heat shields on the exhaust manifolds and they don't feel loose - I haven't looked under the car yet but I did take it in for inspection. My master tech says he'll have to take the whole front apart, piece by piece to decipher the problem!!! I say, no way, if I have to wait 'till mile 49995, I will do just that. Any ideas? What's under there that could've come loose to be rolling all over the place? It must not be a critical piece because I haven't noticed any bad things lately?

Couple things come to mind, absolutely the first is to check the heatshields that are bolted to the body under the truck around the catalytic converters. They're pretty thin and quite often on all later model MB's they can be bent by road debris and can contact the exhaust system making an annoying intermittent rattle/buzz noise like you describe. I have also seen the exhaust system bracket crack, the one that bolts to the rear of the transmission/tx case area, and made another hard to find rattling noise.

Gilly

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Could be a catlaytic comverter itself too. I think the tech would have checked it out. Best way is to just "thump" the converters with a rubber mallet and listen for an unusual buzzing quality to the report.
Gilly

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"catlaytic comverter", yeah I meant to say that.........

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crawl underneath there and do my own check. Incidentally, because of the winter crud, I have been running the truck through those no touch car washes that blast a high pressure jet of water to clean the undercarriage. Who knows what that could've done to the exhaust system?????

Gilly - thanks for the feedback. I'll run a few more searches and see what I can find. If no success I'd like to take you up on the offer.
tks

On the harmonic balancer, you can sum it up to say that the harmonic balancer is good for 40-50K of life before replacement. I bought one on eBay for $15 brand new (the same one fits the E320 also, the engine is the M112) and it cost me $75 to have it installed (which I had done yesterday). Even though the balancer didn't have chunks missing (I replaced it proactively as we have had the vehicle for 39K ourself and it just rolled over 100K total a couple weeks ago), it had many stress cracks upon close inspection and the rubber had "swollen" quite a bit. Buy one and keep it handy, and keep an eye on yours. I wouldn't let 50K go by without replacing it for good measure. If it goes out, it can easily damage about $1000 worth of engine oil covers, besides making you have a really bad day that day when it leaves you on the side of the road.

Arkie - MANY thanks for summing it up. Sounds like over time the rubber is deteriorating to the point of failure. Does anyone know if MB is aware of the harmonic balancer problem and HOW have they addressed the problem? Am calling MB today to price a new battery and will ask if this they can shed any light on the topic. Wonder if there's a service bulletin out there on the subject? I'm at 51k - time to take a closer look. tks again.