late 90 early 2000 ML 320 any good
 

Hi, My son has an early 2000 BMW x3 and it has nothing but problems, transmission. transfer case. Is the early 2000's ML 320 any good. I have been an MB owner forever so I am trying to talk him into getting a well maintained used ML 320.
Thanks.

No.

The first gen ML's rightfully earned the nickname "Alabama Trash Can". Make of that what you will regarding their build quality.

Motor and trans are very reliable if maintained. Build quality is about on par with a W202, maybe a little lower quality materials. Take from what what you will. I was never a fan of the W163, but I bought a cheap, clean ML320 from a friend earlier this year when I needed a utility vehicle after I lost my pickup. It's been very good and has grown on me, but I still think it looks like an overgrown Ford Aspire.

Suggest a good, used GLK that has been properly maintained if you can find one.

My sister had a 2000 ML 500 and it was a nightmare.

My 98 ML320 with 361K is a tank. Original motor and trans. No leaks, no smoke, no oil consumption. Mobil One all the way. No rust. All original. If you can find one that’s been loved, I highly recommend it. Most were used up and discarded.

I've seen enough of the 163s go past 300k with just the occasional maintenance items like starters, water pumps alternators, etc. to feel confident enough to debunk the myth that they're a total trash can. I work on 164s and 166s on a daily basis. From what I see go in and out of my shop doors, my customers that have the 166s and 164s annually spend significantly more on theirs than the people keeping their 163s on the road. Hell, I have an old 99 ml320 with almost 250k that's part of our fleet of four that I beat on and don't really even take care of anymore that's a solid runner. Besides regular maintenance, it hasn't cost me a dime in repairs in the last 7 or 8 years. Also, IMO, that m112 is a beast. I've never had to remove a cylinder head or do any major engine repairs on a properly maintained one. Although mine still rides nice and feels tight, the downside is, you have to live with the rattles that come with a lot of the 163s.

You couldn't give me one... for a multitude of reasons.

Literally the only German made component in the 163.

Thanks for your replies, I knew a guy at work that had a 98 ml320 he couldn't kill. he changed struts and that was it. 200k miles. It appears from your posts that the idea would be to find a 98/99 ml 320 that has been maintained. Thanks.

They may not die, kind of like old Dodge minivans, but do you really want one? When I sent my ‘02 ML500 on its way 4 years ago, it was still in good shape but felt seriously long in the tooth. I never ended up towing with it, so nothing justified its gas guzzling nature anymore.

Thanks. Good point. They are getting long on the tooth. The problem is that money is tight and I am not sure of the newer vehicles. Toyotas are expensive and I have friends that had problems with them. What is the best affordable used car. I like Mercedes tuffness. My son crashed a 1998 230 kompressor on the freeway and someone hit him as he was trying to get out of the car. He had a scratch.

Pre facelift w211 gasser with m112 or m113 engine.

Thanks. I like the body style. What year did they facelifted it. Which engine is the one that has the.balance stuff go bad.

Facelift was 07. The bad balance shaft was on the 06 and early 07 E350 m272 V6and the E550 m273 V8. The V8 doesn't have the balance shaft but theres an identical failure prone sprocket. Ideally narrow it down to 04-05 m112 E320 or m113 E500. 03 was first year, more problem prone. E320s and all 4matic have the 5 spd 722.6. The RWD E500 had 722.9 7spd. Its more expensive to repair and maintain. If you can find a wagon its as spacious as an ML with much better handling. The SBC brakes have a 25 year unlimited mileage warranty and the fuel tank has a 15 year unlimited mileage warranty. Airmatic suspension is expensive to repair so try to avoid it.

Thanks tjts1 and the others that posted with regards to the ml320

Tjts1, what do you think of a 2005 E320 cdi?

It's not my cup of tea but a lot of people on this forum really like the cdi inline 6. In my opinion the additional purchase and maintainance cost of the om648 isn't justified by the fuel economy over the m112 v6 gasser unless you drive a lot of miles each year. But again, I'm biased. Talk to member ROLLGUY. He has an E320 CDI and an E320 gasser.

Thanks

Good, well maintained 05/06 CDIs are hard to find.

I see a few 2007 and 2008 blue tech but nothing on the 2004/5/6
Are the newer ones not as good as the 04/5/6's. Thanks.