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Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > ML, GL, G-Wagen, R-Class, Unimog, Sprinter

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  #1  
Old 01-21-2002, 05:33 PM
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My ML320 is a piece of S**T!

Boy, I never expected this thing to have to back to the dealer twice in one month for repairs!!

First time in: New transfer case and front driveshaft/carrier bearing (I originally wanted the rear driveshaft put in, they did the wrong one).

Second time in: New ball joints, new ignition tumbler, new trip computer, pull codes which triggered idiot lights, new rear driveshaft/carrier bearing. On our trip down south, the truck would not get up to speed and would hesitate badly, then we heard some mysterious knocking noise which seemed to disappear and finally we had 5 idiot lights come on all at once and the trip computer would go haywire. So it's back at the dealer now and hopefully they will still be gracious enough to take care of the rest of this stuff under warranty. Otherwise, I'll be having some words with them and with MBUSA.

On the bright side, it is a comfortable truck, and the heated seats are a blessing (haven't had them since our Seville STS), but I certainly did not expect all of these problems to arise on a 3 year old vehicle! I think we'd have been better off if we drove my 300TD wagon!

Well, I guess that's what one can expect from an American built Mercedes.

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  #2  
Old 01-21-2002, 06:25 PM
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When I was reading your post absent-mindedly, I was thinking "that sounds like every Jeep my brother ever had".

Then I realized. Oh. They're the same now.



Good luck on getting this in on warranty repair. Unfortunately in opinion to be on this board, I lean toward GM for trucks and SUVs.

Ken300D
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  #3  
Old 01-21-2002, 06:44 PM
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Ken,

Funny you said that. I used a '94 Jeep Cherokee as part trade-in for the M-class. And yes, the Cherokee was also a POS.
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  #4  
Old 01-21-2002, 07:22 PM
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And the M-class and the Cherokee are made by the same company.
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  #5  
Old 01-22-2002, 12:15 PM
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Hey now, Daimler Benz did all of this without Chrysler's help. The ML was conceived and rolled out way before the "merger."
Kuan
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  #6  
Old 01-23-2002, 01:05 PM
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I guess that's what happens when a company rolls out an all-new model that doesn't borrow any "proven" components from the other models...

...maybe if they integrated some field-tested G-Wagen parts in their introduction, there wouldn't be so many complaints about the ML.

I don't have too many complaints about mine, but maybe I got one built on a Wednesday when all of the assemblers got some "satisfaction" the night before...:p
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  #7  
Old 01-25-2002, 12:21 AM
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I also have a 1999 ML320 with a multitude of problems: It was drinking 1 quart per 3000 miles at 19K, I complained and complained and Greenwich Mereceds said it was normal...they finally did a ring job at 33K when it was drinking 1 quart per 500 miles! The driver's window was stuck open in winter and was replaced, the motor for the large accordian sunroof was replaced twice, the computer Trip-meter was repaired, the radio shuts off by itself every other week or so, and my wife says the engine shut off twice on the highway. Other than that it rides nice. It comes off lease in April and I may buy it if I can get a decent discount. The devil that I know is better than the devil that I don't know. Beside, it's got a new engine!
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  #8  
Old 01-28-2002, 07:42 PM
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I'm signing up again...

I just got off the phone with Mercedes. They are offering me a re-lease of my 1999 ML320 for $302 per month with includes the CT sales tax for 36 month 12K per year. Apparently the market price is below the residual value so they are incenting me to keep the SUV. Now I get to keep my ML320 with leather, power heated seats (love them in winter), Bose CD changer and Skyview Roof (do they make these anymore?). Should I extend the warranty beyond the 50K? The engine rings were done at 33K. I hope it last 'till 75K without any major problems...wish me luck!
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  #9  
Old 01-29-2002, 11:35 AM
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FWIW, even if the engine is sound, you still own a AWD vehicle with lots of moving parts underneath. Even replacement of a minor component these days will set you back nearly $1000, depending on how labor intensive the job is.

Vehicles these days are chock full of electronics, and cracking open a dashboard or swapping out a computer module also racks up the $$$.

So go ahead and get a warranty for another 50K.

I have a balloon payment due in November, so I will be in your shoes shortly...
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2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
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  #10  
Old 01-29-2002, 08:58 PM
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Ok, it's all done, here's what they did...

Well, after a few days at the dealership, I finally have the ML320 back and here is a list of what all was replaced (it may not be all-inclusive, as I left the RO out in the car):

-Transfer case
-Front and rear driveshafts and carrier bearings
-Fuel gauge
-Fuel sending unit
-Oil level sending unit
-Trip computer
-BAS/ESP module
-Sway bar bushings
-Ball joints
-Ignition tumbler

....I know I've left a couple things out, but for the most part I am now very satisfied with the truck and everything was taken care of under the dealership's "good grace" warranty.
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  #11  
Old 01-30-2002, 07:08 AM
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Can you imagine what that would cost if not covered by the warranty?

I think the transfer case replacement alone would put me in Enron status!

It does seem that they want you to be happy, because they certainly didn't try one part at a time to be cheap. On the other hand, dealerships actually MAKE money from warranty repairs, its Mercedes the manufacturer that pays. So there is some incentive at the dealership to do every justifiable warranty repair.

Let's hope this holds you for a long time.

Ken300D
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  #12  
Old 01-30-2002, 01:23 PM
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Way to go Aaron!

I’ve seen again and again that MB will often (usually—almost always) go well out of their way to make customers happy. Sure they make money from the manufacturer, as they should, but more importantly they do the right thing to help the customers, who ultimately pays for everything.

Their philosophy is why I have MB for my vehicles!
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  #13  
Old 01-30-2002, 06:09 PM
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We calculated that the above repairs, had they not been done under warranty, would have cost upwards of $5,500!! The only thing I had to pay for was two master keys which I had them order and they gave them to me at their cost (like $68 each). I give MB of Cincinnati two thumbs up for their service.
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  #14  
Old 01-30-2002, 07:07 PM
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Wow

Maybe I need to get that extended warranty to keep me happy between 50K 'till 75K?
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  #15  
Old 08-29-2002, 01:33 PM
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Here's the question: What failed that caused ALL those things to go bad?

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'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
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