My ML430 has 140,000 on the odometer. The transmission just internally destroyed itself last week. The shameful part is I replace the fluid/filter and electrical plug every 30,000 miles and use genuine MB fluid and parts. It gave me no signs of any problems until last week it started making terrible noises and stopped moving.
Other than that, the car is in perfect shape. I've replaced the water pump, fan clutch and fuel pump at 100k for maintenance (I do a lot of driving from NJ to New Orleans and one it took me over an hour to find Mobil 1, so a breakdown will be much worse).
Dave
Autobahn Automotive

AT 8 X POSTING POINT = 167,750 MILES ADVERAGE < 180k WITH MEMBER 'SPRINGERFEVER' INFO INCLUDED. >

3 X TRANSMISSION ISSUES AT ADVERAGE MILEAGE OF APPROX 180 k

** NOTE: MEMBER 'SPRINGERFEVER ' POSTED ON 8/4/06 HIS TRANS FINALLY GAVE OUT AT *** 259,531 ' MILES ... IF HE OFFICIALLY CHECKS IN, THIS WILL GREATLY PUSH THE ADVERAGE CONCERNING TRANS ISSUE UP ...
( TO APPROX 180k BEFORE ANY 1 - 4 ISSUES ON ADVERAGE .. )

ONLY 1 X TRANSFER CASE ISSUE REPORTED:

SO FAR: << BASED ON STRAIGHT ADVERAGES & WHATS BEEN POSTED >>

.112 % CHANCE OF TRANS ISSUE AROUND 180 K * < INCLUDES SPRINGERFEVER's POSTED MILEAGE BEFORE HIS ISSUE >

.087 % CHANCE OF TRANSFER CASE ISSUE AROUND 180 k

.0 % MAJOR ENGINE ISSUE

.0 % REAR END ISSUE

MORE POSTINGS CAN OF COURSE REDUCE ( OR INCREASE ) THAT %

** TOTAL DRIVEN MILES POSTED BASED ON 8 X POSTINGS ABOVE +
SPRINGERFEVER #'S = 1,601,531 K **

THIS IS NOT OFFICIALY SCIENTIFIC, BUT IT COULD GIVE US SOME GUIDANCE AS TO THE RELIABILITY Q'S RAISED; BY REFLECTING A ROUGH IDEA AS TO WHAT CAN HAPPEN, AT WHAT MILEAGE POINT, AND SOME ODDS ..

Hey man you drive like I do.Jersey to NewOrleans? I run 48 states, unfortunately in tractor trailer though, not in my MBZ's. Hope you are a member of an auto club. I'd say AAA is the best. They can handle almost any type of breakdown issues, and have some extremely reputable shops, in their database. They also do lock-outs, jump starts, flats, towing, and emergency gas. Among other things. I probably don't need to tell you all this though, because you're probably already a member. Happy trails.

working on only german cars gives me access to just about every other german only shop in the country via internet, which is good, but hopefully, I'll never have to have anyone else touch my car except myself and my staff.
I have been taking it easy and haven't driven more than 6 hours at a clip lately. I leave the heavy driving to my wife-who drove from NJ to New Orleans and back straight through in 34 hours...she's nuts...or determined.
Dave

98 ml with 109k...

just replaced the brake sensor and the egr valve...

and the cd player broke...$1600 to replace it...

2000 ML320 with 110,000 miles
No 1-4 problems

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Russell McMahon
Tulsa, OK
2001 CLK 320
1992 400se
1993 400e
2000 320ML

175,000 miles on the '98 ML. No engine or trans issues to this point. The bearing on the drive shaft support bracket failed. Without vehicle for one day.
Getting ready now to do rear shocks/springs and ball joints all around.
Ken

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2014 E250 Bluetec 4-Matic
2014 GL350 Bluetec 4-Matic
1996 Chevy Tahoe 4 x 4
2009 ML350 (sold)
2005 SLK350 (sold)
1999 E300 Turbodiesel (sold)
1998 ML320 (sold)
1991 300D 2.5 Turbodiesel (sold)

I worked on a 2001 ml320 last week with 130,000 on it and checked out the vmi. Engine rebuild for oil consumption, transmission replaced, transfer case replaced. Of course, working at the dealer I see the worst of problems.
Dustin

'99 ML430 101Kmi with no major issues 1-4.

Just changed the trans fluid (all MB parts and fluids) and now it shifts hard out of first when it is cold. How much does it cost to have the transmission replaced or rebuilt (just in case)?
I am on my second set of window switches. I don't mind the nagging cheap and easy fixes like that but am a little worried about the transmission as I have about 40K miles of towing a 5K# boat.

Loren

Changing the fluid should have improved things, even if only slightly. I would go back and double-check your fluid level. These transmissions are VERY sensitive to fluid level, and should be checked with the special MB dipstick that is calibrated to temperature.

Unfortunately, been there, done that recently. My cost was $2500 for an indy to do it. I understand it could have been up to $6500 to have the dealer do it.

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Behind every great man is a great woman. Behind every great woman is a great behind.

Boy, its been a while !!!

Just checking in. I gave my son the ML approx two years ago when he turned 16 and she is still running fine. I occasionally have to add a little of the G4 mix to the radiator (slow drip on the lower radiator hose) and I have noticed a few more drips of oil under the oilpan. Couple of bulbs have required replacing. He complains of a slight hesitation sometimes from a dead stop. My guess is either the coil packs or plug wires, both are still original. ML now has approx 290,000 miles and still running strong. He loves it !!

I'll try to do better to keep ya'll updated.

151k new bought in 2000.

Runs good so far, no problems yet. Just finished maintenence on the beast . . . seafoam, tranny fluid, 2x diffs, plugs, egr valve, and transfer case fluid. Did zero prevent. maint. till now . . . runs like new!!!

'99 ML320 purchased in '98. Castrol mineral oil and filter every 5,000 miles. Gutted the cats immediately and turned off idiot light with O2 simulator. Run the cheapest gas I can find as combustion chamber temps are down w/o the EPA exhaust potatoes and the computer doesn't sense knock and detune the engine for reduced gas mileage.
Replaced crankshaft position sensor, mass air sensor, and unclogged EGR pipe; nothing important. 227,000 miles. Am installing transmission fluid temp gauge as I need to do some towing.

'13 Ml350 BT, took delivery 2 weeks ago today. Filled the tank for the first time today. Trip computer was telling me 26.2 MPG since reset (deliver day), my calculation of miles driven by gallons purchased came to 24.3 mpg. That's a number that makes me happy!