Why should I not consider a 2000 ML430?
 

Decent shape. 180K. Think I can buy it for 3K. Is this the one with the non-serviceable trans or is that the ML3xx?

Have at it.

Sounds cheap enough. It is nearly in the throw away price range.....drive until you have an expensive repair then move on....?

Other than ugly styling I don't think its that bad. My friend drives a 2001 ML430 - it's been surprisingly fairly trouble free for him. Downside is gas consumption - but like Tom said the price is damn near a steal. If anything, buy it and list it for sale right away and then keep driving it until it sells.

In what way is it "non-serviceable"? Or are you talking about the "lifetime seal"? My trans is a 722.6, IIRC. Every 60K, I have them drop the pan. I believe there is a screw hole in the TC so it should dump more fluid out.

Ugly. So-so (at best) fuel consumption. Shockingly little power, at least in the one I drove. Nicht so gut reputation for reliability. I'd hold out for a T123 diesel instead.

You'll blend right in at the mall. ;)

I recall reading that one of the MLs has a trans that has to have fluid pumped into it, no fill pipe. I guess I didn't mean non-serviceable, just non-owner serviceable.

The list of things that are "non-owner serviceable" grows every year. ;)

Check some of the ML forums/pages. If it's anything like my non-owner serviceable Honda Odyssey transmission, it can be remedied with a section of tubing slipped over the the tranny dipstick tube (tightened with a hose clamp) and a funnel on the other end with a coat hanger to hang it from the open hood. It fills slow, but it fills.

The drain plug on my trans leaves over 1/3 of the fluid still inside. I just repeat the drain-and-fill process twice with a short drive in between, some guys will do it 3 times, to get mostly new fluid. A few "wasted" quarts of fluid is still a helluva lot cheaper than a service visit. I've got 120K+ out of a hard-worked transmission that has a reputation for puking at 60-75K.

That's how all the 722.9 7 speed automatics are done. It's no big deal, the tool to fill them from the bottom costs ~$30. More of a pain without a lift though.

Back to the ML. It has the 722.6 5 speed automatic. It may or may not need servicing, depending upon your religion. Refer to WhiskeyDan's current thread on the topic. It is serviced like any other automatic, albeit with somewhat more expensive fluid.

I believe that you can do everything you want if you have the dipstick and SDS. Since I do it every 60000 I let someone with Sds do it

Thanks for clarifying that.

On my 722.6, you drop the pan, turn the TC so the bolt hole is facing down, drain that. Fill up to what you think is right, get the trans warmed up, check SDS and see if it is at the right temp, stick the special dipstick in. If the level is low, add. If it is right, put cap back on tube, put lock tab on it and drive.

I have the filter changed and fluid drained every 60K. I don't have SDS and don't want a trans spill over the garage floor so I farm it out. With the TC drained, most of the fluid is done.

I don't think it is necessary to change 100% of the fluid if you do most of it regularly.

You need a list not to buy one:confused::confused::confused:

If you want a magical list, make a list of why to buy one.:eek: I wouldn't let you give me one of those damned things.

The fuel filter and pump are a joke. The door and trunk latches are a joke. The climate control steppers are a joke. The whole AAM, EAM system is a joke. The BAS, ESP, ABS is a joke. The fuel line rubbing through the brake line is a joke. The brake light switch is a joke. The window switches are a joke. You can also expect broken rear springs, perpetually leaking washer res, constant SRS problems, broken door pockets along with a multitude of broken cheap interior parts.

Look at the build sticker.... "Manufactured Under Contract for Mercedes..." Kinda says it all right there.

duxthe1, pretty much listed everything I would tell you.

In my opinion,,,even if you get one of these things given to you for free,,,,,you are still getting screwed.

Back when they were new,,,,we used to have a nickname for the Mls.
Guys in the biz called them "job security".:D:D