Hey Guys,

I am over from the diesel forum and have been reading here for a while. I am looking for a 2002-2004 ML for the wife and kids. A few questions:

1) I have read about with the issues on older models - sludge, trans, cat, fuel pump etc. What should I look out for on the '02 or newer ones?

2) Is there a concensus yet on whether or not to change the trans fluid?

3) I do most of my own work - how are these to do services on (ya know fluid changes, brakes etc...)

4) Should I spend the extra for the 350 over the 320?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

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1996 (W210) E300D 86K - Traded in for a Lexus
1992 (W124) 300D 2.5 Turbo 202K - Sold
1983 (W123) 300D, 146K - Sold
1970 280S, 263K - Sold - Beginning of addiction

The newer the better, I don't thing you can feel the difference between the 320 and 350, not much anyways.
I don't think the newer ones are affected by anything the older ones are. I like the newer climate control (electronic vs manual with auto temp regulation).
You'll never get people to agree on the tranny fluid, I still contend somewhere between "never" and a few hundred thousand, IF you have the vehicle that long. If the tranny is going to break, it'll do so with or without the change, the fluid doesn't matter.

Gilly

__________________
Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold)

I'm in the same boat. Here's a thread I started with some great info:
ML problems; years to avoid?

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Current Crop:
2002 ML500
1997 SL600
1969 Corvette (for sale, perfect shape)
1984 RX7 GSLSE

Wanted:
a diesel MB!
Looking for a new SL.

Thanks, guys.

How about normal services? Is there anything prohibitively difficult about servicing brakes, belts, filters, oil, diffs or other fluids?

__________________
1996 (W210) E300D 86K - Traded in for a Lexus
1992 (W124) 300D 2.5 Turbo 202K - Sold
1983 (W123) 300D, 146K - Sold
1970 280S, 263K - Sold - Beginning of addiction

On this one, no. Th eolder ones are a pain to change the fuel filter if it still is original, but you're looking at newer, so it's a little tough to replace the fuel filter, end up removing the left rear wheel. Everything else is pretty non-scary.

Gilly

__________________
Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold)