Quote:
Originally Posted by Devil Dog
Jim thanks no it wasn't under water but have mixed reviews on the mls.I am scared to death of repairs and they the mercedes offered one year warrenty but I might extend for two.All the bad stories about parts breaking and engine trouble and transfer cases I can't afford repairs.Do you have experience with this model to put me at ease about my purchase and extending the warrenty.
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DD,
The transfer case problem was identified as resonant vibration due to the original front to rear load split ratio. The 2002 would have hd the corrected version installed as original equipment. Luckily, my 98 ML got the new transfer unit just before I bought it. Now, with 151K miles on it, it runs great, uses about a quart of oil every 3000 miles. My wife won't drive the Eldorado anymore, and if we go anywhere, we go in the ML!
You should have all the fluids changed as soon as you get the vehicle, unless documentation shows a change to be current. Coolant should not go beyond 3 years (Zerex G-05 is factory approved), ATF is now a changeable fluid at 40K,(was lifetime). My front differential seems to leak until it reaches equilibrium about an inch down from the fill plug. I use Mobil 1 in the engine, trans ATF, and Mobil 1 gear lube for the diffs. Get the brake fluid changed too. ABS work is very expensive. A litre of factory recommended brake fluid is about $10 bucks and not a good place to squeeze the nickle.
You should be able to get a good bumper to bumper warranty for about $1500, for two years, getting you out to 100,000 miles and/or 7years from new.
Firemans Fund Insurance has a subsidiary that sells a good policy, Check the back pages of any "Autoweek" for vehicle specific warranties by other vendors.
Regards,
Jim in Phoenix