Well, its been nearly 5 years since the ML was introduced in 97 as a 98 model - there must be many high mileage MLs out there. What has been your experience with problems past the 50K mile mark? Anyone with over 100K? Does ML have the long term durability and build quality of those 70s and 80s mercedes, or is it just another Chrysler vehicle rebadged as mercedes?

My friend's ML's 3 year lease is up, and he wants to decide whether to keep it or ditch it.

thanks.

"is it just another Chrysler vehicle rebadged as mercedes?"

Daimler-Benz and Chrysler did not merge until September 1998.

The ML started shipping in 1997 as a 1998 model. Don't know how long the thing was in development prior to that though.

You can generally guess where the truck is going after having it for a few years. Some things to consider:

Is the ride quality degenerating?
Is the engine using oil?
Is wind noise still at a minimal?
How hard has it been driven?
Has it had regular maintenance?

Basically, the things I look for are trends, downward trends such as decreasing gas mileage, increasing oil usage, plastic breaking off, and things becoming lose. If this is one of those which started life with dino oil and switched to synthetic, I'd monitor oil usage a lot more carefully. If it's even close to using a quart of oil every 5k miles I'd get rid of it.

Kuan

It’s too early to tell but on mine, between about 9K to it’s current 19.5K all it’s needed is a dealer service and 2 oil changes.

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...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

My balloon is due in November, and I'm creeping around 36.5K right now.

I've been on the synth oil change plan for as long as I've owned it, and I haven't seen any parts falling off, etc. etc. The sound deadening panels were the one exception, and I've had the dealership reglue the ones in every door and the headliner. Other issues that cropped up did so very early in life and were promptly fixed.

Doesn't burn a drop of oil either...

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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