Anybody out there with ML230 experience?

[azurite300E]

Hi, I am practically be given almost for free a 2-owner early W163 1999 ML230 (Euro build in Austria, I think it is - not Alabama) that needs some TLC, kind of a free time fun resto project. It has a 4-cylinder gas engine and manual transmission.

But I am not able to find the ML230 model listed at the usual online Mercedes parts dealers in the US I used to deal with, so I am wondering if I might need to look for early same year (1999) ML320 parts instead but wonder to what extent would these parts be compatible? Or would be a MB dealer the only workable option for ML230 parts?

Also looked on ebay, but not much there either, which used to be a decent source of some MB parts, specially for older cars.

I am guessing body wise the ML320 parts would sound like a possible solution, but not really sure. How about with other common parts like brake pads, drive train parts, front end, engine mounts, etc.

And in regards to any future needs for parts for that 4 cylinder engine, would anyone know where I can look for those as well? For example can one still get a water pump, engine gaskets, fuel filter, ignition cables, distributor, and other stuff that will definitively be needed at some point?

Are there any shop/service manuals on CD or PDF out there that include the ML230 model? Or any useful ML related books worth buying?

So far MLs are to me still uncharted territory.

Thanks in advance for any leads. I need to decide if I take it or leave it pretty soon.

[t walgamuth]

I have had a couple of euro cars including the 92 300td euro I currently have. Most of the parts interchange with one model or another. The actual part number can be used to find things, sometimes at the dealer or at large vendors such as Peachparts. It seldom is much pain and the pleasure of having something nobody else has is part of the attraction.

[azurite300E]

Thanks for the response, sounds encouraging. I would have assumed that most part numbers (except for engine and transmission parts) of a US spec ML320 might be compatible or at least would be very close to the ML230 Euro cars.

One of the first things that will need replaced is the whole dashboard (minus instruments but including the glove box), which in this ML230 is a mess due to age and sun exposure, so it would be important to know if the ML320 same year (1999) dashboard might be fully compatible. I also might consider replacing the center console as well.

Anyone has any suggestions on where I could get a used dashboard in decent shape? The closer to Florida the better as it will need to be sent to my freight forwarder.