With regular maintenance, how many miles can you expect from these trucks?

A couple of dealers (salesmen) have told me they are "good for at least 300,000 miles", but that seems questionable with the troubles posted on this and other sites.

I usually run cars to pretty high mileage before giving up on them and I realize high mileage vehicles need repairs along the way. I currently have a '69 Lotus with 143,000 miles (approaching a record for Lotus), an '88 Chevy van with 215,000 miles, etc. I'm familiar with the usual stuff needed to keep older cars going.

I'm wondering about the expected life of major components. Is it reasonable to buy a '98 or '99 ML320 with 80 to 90,000 miles on it and expect to go another 50 to 75,000 without major engine and drivetrain trouble?

In my opinion its not that expensive to maintain a ML, its just like any other car.. you gotta remember.. you don't have to change the timing chain, transmission fluid, .. oil changes last 3 times longer than that of your regular car.. sparkplugs are changed three as long as regular cars.. My ML had lots of problems.. but none costed more than $700US.. the most expensive part was the air mass sensor.. but I can get it half cost off mercedes.. $200US only.. If you're spending $2,000US on maintenace.. you must have a lemon brother! trade it in! Oh yeah.. I do spend $2,000US but those are for accessories.. not maintenace hehe =)

Steven
www.saveonautoparts.com

I think an used ML is a great value(dirt cheap c/w a used lexus) if you only need to run around town and have a good independent mechanic. But if you need reliabilty and travel long distance everyday like I do then it is a bad choice given it's record. Imagine stranded in the middle of nowhere when your harmonic balancer fell off. It's not how much you need to spent on it, it is how much time can you spare to work on it.

My ML is serviced by the dealer from day one and I also have my truck inspected by my friend who is a master tech but I still have problems again and again that pop up out of the blue. That's why I am in the process of switching back to a japanese made Toyota(actually call a Lexus in north america).