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  #1  
Old 09-25-2000, 10:23 AM
Sasfied
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Thinking of buying a ML320 but with all the talk of reliability problems have not pursued. What is the group's experience with this model. Is it as bad as Consumers Reports would lead you to believe? What problems have you had?

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  #2  
Old 09-25-2000, 10:55 AM
tracy_leb
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I bought a y2k ML320 in April and have only good things to say. I've put about 4.5K miles on it so far, and it has had only a couple of minor problems. The y2k version is significantly improved over earlier model years. For a wealth of information on the ML320 check out edmunds.com in the town hall section for the ML-320 conference. There is probably about a 1000 posts or more that would cover just about anything you'd care to know.


...tracy
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  #3  
Old 09-25-2000, 11:48 AM
makakio
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Four thousand miles and you've had problems?!!!!
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  #4  
Old 09-25-2000, 12:03 PM
tracy_leb
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Yep,

A blown MCS and a rattle in the dash. While I didn't predict the specifics, I was all but certain that there would be a few minor problems, as previously stated. IMO extremely few new vehicles are problem free….

Cheers

...tracy
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  #5  
Old 09-25-2000, 03:00 PM
elau's Avatar
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Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: MD.
Posts: 1,725
I have the earlier year model ML320, 1998 to be exact, and have experienced no problem whatsoever since I have the vehicle. It runs fine and all I do is change oil every 3,000 miles instead of the 12,000 FSS that MB recommends. No rattle on the dash, or the tail gate that some earlier models had. Its a great vehicle, you will enjoy it!!

95 R129
98 ML320
98 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic
97 Yamaha Virago 535 Special
99 Maxum 2800 Sundancer

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  #6  
Old 09-25-2000, 07:05 PM
Ockman's Avatar
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Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Valrico FL
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I own a 98 ML320 with 32K miles and it has been in the dealer so many times I've lost count. Transmission leak, failed driver's seat adjustment, defective odometer LED, vibration problems (not solved by replacing all 4 tires which they said were out of round, and alarm problems. The worse thing is the vehicle occasionally locks up and will not move. After letting it sit for a few minutes, it works fine and the dealer has been unable to detect the problem much less solve it. As one who buys cars and keeps them for 10 years or more, I am painfully aware that I will be forced to sell my ML 320 when the warranty runs out in 18K more miles...I simply will not be able to afford the repairs! I was a MB advocate before I purchased this vehicle. I own a 83 300D with 160K miles and a 99 E300 with 23K miles. The ML has been a tremendous disappointment and has seriously shaken my faith in MB. I would not recommend the ML series to anyone!
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  #7  
Old 09-25-2000, 08:14 PM
rlefleur
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Although you inquired about the ML320, I would pass on to you my experience with a 1999 ML430. 2 years and 24K miles have been relatively painless with the only problem ahving been a fuel sensor float replaced twice. There have been no other mechanical problems, no rattles. It starts and runs very well, and get about 17mpg in mixed driving. From my friends at MB, 1998 was a bad year with the known rattles and mechanical problems. But to MB credit, they recognized and fixed pretty well the problems reported by the dealers. Aside from being a gas guzzler, I have been very happy with the "truck". It would be a great vehicle with a turbodiesel engine.
quote:
Originally posted by Sasfied:
Thinking of buying a ML320 but with all the talk of reliability problems have not pursued. What is the group's experience with this model. Is it as bad as Consumers Reports would lead you to believe? What problems have you had?


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  #8  
Old 09-26-2000, 08:16 AM
Mark Jeselnik
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I have a '98 ML320 (27000 miles) and have had no problems.
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  #9  
Old 09-26-2000, 12:31 PM
elau's Avatar
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Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: MD.
Posts: 1,725
It seems like half the people who have the ML had some problems and the other half don't. My advise is to take the vehicle that you selected at the dealer out for a long drive, carefully inspect the car bumper to bumper and buy extended warrenty if you plan to keep it long. My take is someone always get a lemon for anything you pay money for. I have heard some pretty bad stories on BMW quality as well. May be thats why people nick named Bimmer as Break My Wallet?

95 R129
98 ML320
98 Kawasaki 1500 Vulcan Classic
97 Yamaha Virago 535 Special
98 Maxum 2800 Sundancer


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  #10  
Old 09-26-2000, 01:09 PM
tracy_leb
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To echo Elau, if you plan on buying new and keeping it, most definitely get an extended warranty in addition to the 4 year/50K mile std. warranty or get a ML with a Starmark warranty. From previous experience, I wouldn't own a MB without a factory warranty.
Also, re test drives, my dealer (where I bought my previous MB) let me evaluate a low mileage '98 320E 4-matic wagon for about a week and then a brand new ML-320 (it had 18 miles on the odo when I got it) for another week. The point being that the dealer should give you plenty of time to decide….. As one last point on the value of the extended warranty, the service technician I work with told me that the MCS unit they replaced is a $5,000.00 item. On my ML that item & most everything else will be warranted for 100K miles.

…tracy
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  #11  
Old 09-26-2000, 04:46 PM
Sasfied
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Thanks for the input--I generally steer clear of extended warranties but in this case I believe it may be warranted (sorry for the pun).

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Jerry O
1987 260E 175k miles
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  #12  
Old 09-26-2000, 05:01 PM
Q Q is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 839
With only 5600 miles on the wife's 2000, I can't really comment on reliability. We have not had any issues with it at all. They are great fun to drive, the engine is plenty peppy for everything but racing, it handles great for a truck, and is it just me, or is 12,000 miles a hell of a long time to go without changing oil?????
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  #13  
Old 09-26-2000, 10:55 PM
elau's Avatar
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Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: MD.
Posts: 1,725
Q,
As for MB FSS on 12,000 miles oil change, I think it is all personal preference. I do every 3,000 miles out of habit, and since it is only $35 from my dealer I think it is a cheap insurance on engine wear. There are plenty of discussions in this forum concern MB's recommendation. Do a search on the subject if you need more info.

95 R129
98 ML320
98 Kawasaki 1500 Vulcan Classic
97 Yamaha Virago 535 Special
98 Maxum 2800 Sundancer

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  #14  
Old 09-27-2000, 01:05 PM
akry's Avatar
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Join Date: May 1999
Location: Burnaby, BC, Canada
Posts: 960
I would skip the first year ML if you are consider buying used, and definitely go for ML if you are buying one new. MY2000 MLs are dramatically improved compare to first year ML, which are haunted with electronic problem(mostly), and some fit/finish(rattles) and minor mechanical problem(as mention above, oil leaking)

Andy Kuo

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  #15  
Old 09-27-2000, 10:04 PM
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Join Date: May 2000
Posts: 226
The MLs Are Great and Versital Cars, But I can Agree with alot of you the quality isn't up to Mercedes. My year 2000 ML55 had an Oil Leak at 2036 Miles! The dealler handled the situation very poorly as well. But overall They are good cars

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