i just got an ml320 2000, about a month ago and it has not given any problems so far. but now i am hearing all these horrible stories about ml320 giving lots of problems.
my question is how i should maintain and what services at what mileage i should do to prevent these problems ? now i have 23k on it. thanks a lot

I suspect you will get more qualified answers on the maintenance questions from others but as far as a general guide to a used 2000 ML320 I can offer the below.

Has the 4yr warranty expired yet? I bought a 2000 ML320 about 3 months ago under warranty till September. After reading through this forum I found several things to check, found them bad, and had them fixed under warranty. They were:

1. Harmonic balancer (cracked) - replaced
2. Aux fan wiring harness (blown fuse) - harness upgraded
3. Notchy feeling gas pedal (sticky cable) - replaced

I'm taking it in next week for sun roof work (sticking slide) and another AC check (limited cooling above 85 degrees).

The point is if it's still under warranty get what ever you see wrong fixed now. I have found MB dealers very receptive to warranty repairs as long as you point the problems out to them. Once my warranty runs out I will be fixing things on my own or paying the $105/hr MB repair rate.

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Slowdriver

2000 ML320 (37K Mi)
1985 BMW 735i (155K Mi)
1989 Caravan (102K Mi) cargo hauler
2000 Montana (40K Mi) family hauler

these are very good points , thanks for mentioning them. a lot of people have talked about the harmonic balancer and how it goes bad so fast. anyone has a pic of the harmonic balancer and where is it located? thanks

Lower front of engine. It is the largest pully that the belt runs on. There are two pieces to it joined with a rubber ring. The rubber on a bad one will appear cracked or parts will be missing. Some have mentioned seeing and feeling the vibration of one that is almost about to come apart. Mine (2000) has been inspected twice by techs and twice by me and seems fine. Something to keep an eye on though.

Here is a link to a thread with an image of a harmonic balancer:

2001 W210 (E320 Wagon) - 120k service items?

Gilly

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