Hey yall. I had an RX7 put up for sale and this guy wants to trade me with 98 ML320 with 91k miles. He says it has no problems and he had it for last 5 years. What i need is a daily driver. A car that i can just start and go. and not have problem for years. How's the reliabilty of these cars? How about the maintenance? is it expensive to maintain? I can do most of the simple things myself (plugs, sensors, fluids, etc.) Do you think it's the car for me? oh and btw, If you are interested in an RX7 here you go. http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=206402004&dealer_id=58193407&car_year=1993&mod_bookmark_id=null&search_type=both&num_records=25&make=MAZDA&distance=10&model=RX7&address=48202&certified=&advanced=&max_price=14000&bkms=1155054951722&min_price=1&end_year=1993&start_year=1993&lang=en&cardist=0
Thanks a bunch.

I like your FD, hold out for someone to buy it and shop around. I havent heard rave reviews of the early ML's.

Ill trade ya for an 82 300D and an 85 4Runner.


-OB

__________________
"Ninja monkeys are meeting as we speak, plotting my demise."

1982 300D "Melba" 332k
1985 4Runner "billygoat" 204k

Hold out, the 98 ML's are the worst ones made. They're incredibly safe, that's about it.

Are they safe because it's difficult to get hurt in a vehicle that is standing still? Is that what you're saying?

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

The 98's are only the worst of the W163 series simply because it was the first introduction of the model, and therefore had the most bugs to work out. Suffice to say, about 98% of the issues were worked out under warranty, and those that weren't eventually came up before the 100K mark.

Compared to the later years, the interior was a bit cheap (more Honda than MB). Parts CAN be expensive, but in line with parts for other MB models.

I've had my 99 since new, and I can recall about six or seven issues that had to be corrected during the warranty period, but none were dramatic. Otherwise, it's been flawless.

On the other hand, prices are going below $9K for the 98 models, so I would hold out for a later improved model...

__________________
2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

If you're handy with a wrench, otherwise it will nickle and dime you death.

__________________
Steve32

I have a 98 ml320 since new, now with 135k miles. Once the initial bugs were fixed, usually within 60k miles by mb under warranty, vehicle has been reliable and repair free. And its very comfortable for long trips, and unusually fuel-efficient (appx 23.5 at reasonable highway speeds). Hope this helps.

__________________
87 300e (white/black; amg body kit)
88 300ce (red/cream; amg body kit)
93 300ce cabrio (white/blue/blue top)
93 300ce cabrio (black/grey/black top)
98 ml 320 (totaled @ 137,000 miles)
99 clk320 (black/grey/black top)

A guy who knows his way around these trucks and can buy one cheap will be able to make it good. Resale will still suck because of the reputation. If you can't work on it much yourself and aren't willing to put up with any incomvenience initially you probably want something else. Unless you really do like it.
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)

For a drive it and forget it, probably a Subaru Outback, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis is a MUCH better choice than a '98 ML. '98 was the first year for those, in the new Alabama factory, and some examples were fine, JustinWrock has a great one, but others were horrible, too many not so good ones to make them a safe bet. They had the MB safety, but not the reliability. Go for a later year ML, if you really want one, or maybe get something else more to your liking.

__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)