Buying 00' ML320....What to look for?

[MarkC]

Besides the normal items on cars/trucks, are there any specific inherent probs I should look out for when inspecting a 2000 ML320 to buy?

I've driven a few Mls in the past, but fell in love with the way this one drove with 60K miles on it. It's a non-MB dealer so the only warranty is the 1 month 1K miles.

Any and all comments highly appreciated, Thanks!

MarkC

[azinn]

There are a few things to look out for listed here http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=88443.

[MarkC]

Thanks

After reading all of that

I guess there are only two types of owners who would own an ML out of warranty;
a) A mechanic.
b) Someone who has lots of money to pay someone to work on it. (eventhough repair cost would equal what a new one would cost).

I guess that's why there are plenty of used MLs without factory warranty at low prices.

MarkC

[slowdriver2]

Mark,

In my opinion the best route to take in buying a used ML is to get one under factory warranty (at least 6 months left on the clock) and then research this site for all the issues and then take the list to a MB dealer and get them all fixed under the factory warranty. I bought a used 2000 ML320 from Carmax with 8 months left on the factory warranty and fixed all the issues as I described above. I now have a great vehicle that I love to drive that I bought for a reasonable price. With ML's having a 4 year, 50K mile factory warranty you would need to be looking for a 2001 or later to do the same.

[MarkC]

Originally Posted by slowdriver2

Mark,

In my opinion the best route to take in buying a used ML is to get one under factory warranty (at least 6 months left on the clock) and then research this site for all the issues and then take the list to a MB dealer and get them all fixed under the factory warranty. I bought a used 2000 ML320 from Carmax with 8 months left on the factory warranty and fixed all the issues as I described above. I now have a great vehicle that I love to drive that I bought for a reasonable price. With ML's having a 4 year, 50K mile factory warranty you would need to be looking for a 2001 or later to do the same.

Excellent points. My reply was mostly to comment upon the multitude of issues listed in detail. The nice aspect of this is that all these issues in various rates of occurrence have been discovered and corrected by forum members, making them (issues) not as difficult to deal with for someone who is mechanically inclined.

I've pretty much given up on the one I was looking at, as I've discovered some paint work on the rear quarter panel. It is priced well at $17,000 and drove great, but that paint won't last but a few years I'm afraid as it was already starting to chip off. However I have not given up on the ML, just need to find a clean one with a bit of factory warranty left.

MarkC