My 2000 ML 430 has a throttle cable.

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=213951&chapter=EPI346&appSectionid=6&groupid=10025&subgroupid=61879&make=67&model=Ml430&year=2000&catalogid=1

THROTTLE CABLE, ML320, ML430 00-03 $22.50 $16.88

By golly, my '98 ML320 has one too! I stand corrected. Seems like the actuation of the throttle is electronic, but there is a cable to engage the transmission kickdown switch. Is this right?

"Why use one part when two will do?"

__________________
Lenny

There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games. --Ernest Hemingway

'10 GL550/'04 BMW 545/'99 BMW 323/'98 ML320/'87 VW GTI (race)

The electronic throttle potentiometer is operated by a cable.
The actual engine throttle body is drive by wire.
MB has been using this kind of set-up since ASR and Electric Throttles came out in the early 90's.
DR.D

__________________
Dr.Diesel -
Shop Foreman
Master Guild Mercedes-Benz Technician.

Think the dealer is expensive? Do you know how much it costs to train a dealer tech? Or buy the required MB special tools to have on hand?

You sound like one of the luckier ML owners.
I had the cracked reservor problem, it leaked fluid on the computer; it eventually broke through the metal and damaged the computer. I had a $1200 computer repair. this is was only one of many problems I've had.