Ml Mileage Survey ...
 

I am wondering if you guys ( & gals ) will do a little survey concerning highest mileage out there on ML's.

And list at what mileage if at all, you did a MAJOR repair.

Lets define MAJOR repair as: 1 > transmission rebuild, 2 > rear end rebuild,
3 > differential rebuild, & 4 > engine < head job or rebuilds only >.

I have been wondering about this so those with high mileage please pitch in.

* ( lets use 100,000 miles as the minimum for 'high mileage' ... though I really do not feel 100K is high mileage on a MBZ... but that is my opinion ...

ME: '98, ml320, 135,000 miles ( none of 1 thru 4 )

Thanks

111,000 - no 1-4 problems.

Jim W.

1999 ML430 with 121,000 miles
No 1-4 problems

My best friend has a 00 ML430 that we take everywhere on trips , it has 215,000. No 1-4 problems , the only thing is it has gone through 2 or 3 alternators. The only thing that is broken is the typical raised center console ( Vinyl ). Very reliable vehicle.

Survey Average So Far ...
 

Based On The Above 4, We Have A Average Lf 145,500 Miles
Per Vehicle With Zero ( 0 ) Issues 1 - 4 As Listed.

Please Keep Posting, This Could Be Very Interesting.

100 Replies Should Give Us A Very Interesting Result ..

Thanks

138,000 On my highest mileage MBZ no problems w/1-4 on any of them at all though.
Only had the radiator neck break off,on one of the 79's one time.

Put me down for Item #1 - 147,000 on the ML now. Wrecked the trans at 145,000 miles. Not sure what the part is called, but the shaft with the little gears on it - toast. And the gear that those ride on as well. And little needle bearings in the pan. Black oil. UGLY.

I don't care what anybody says, I will now change the trans fluid every 25,000 miles. Even though the owner's manual says good forever. I suggest you do the same, and put a Benz pan magnet in the pan too.

But I still happy with my ML. I've had to replace the EGR about 15,000 miles ago. That's about it. Oh, I bought some new rear shocks that I will change in the spring - they have the squeeks.

189500 so far, no 1-4 problem, though transfer case have been replaced

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

Mileage Survey Up-date ...
 

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 ..

'99 ml320, 107,000 miles - none 1 thru 4.

Fellow outlander.
 

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