Quote:
Originally Posted by zeke
2008 ML350 at a local MB dealer. They will certify it and list at ~$26k
We are also considering a Toyota 4runner.
The ML was traded in by the original owner (looks like it was a loaner car for its 1st 25k miles) for another ML.
But, my wife and I have heard plenty of horror stories about electrical and other reliability problems with MLs. In fact, the ML we originally went to see at the MB dealer was unavailable for a test drive b/c it wouldn't start due to an unidentified starter/battery/alternator issue. That was a certified PO vehicle as well.
I noticed that there was a bit of vibration in the steering wheel on the test drive, but other than that it felt really good on the road. However, after I got back to the dealership, I got a copy of the Carfax and found that the vehicle has had the turn signal replaced and the PS pump and rack and pinion replaced, at about 35k miles (it's at 80k now).
We can get it certified, but I am not sure whether this is a good idea - MB will fix it for a year, but after that, any issues are ours.
So what does the forum think about MLs in general, CPO from MB and how much risk you would take on a vehicle that has had driveline components replaced, and whether a 4runner might be a more reliable choice for the family?
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I think you're buying yourself a rather problematically pricey to fix vehicle, with or without the CPO. If you go CPO, I believe you're paying a lot for a vehicle with 80K miles on it, where in 13 months, all it's problems/$$$ going forward are your's.
With those kind of miles on that type of vehicle, the only way I'd be interested is if I could get it at or near dealer Black Book pricing, with NO CPO, after the steering wheel shimmy gets fixed, before I even made an offer on it.
I would run from this one, but that's just me.
Weren't you all Gung-Ho on a used $40K +/- GLK diesel?
Toyota reliability/resale cannot be compared to this one's. They're in different universes.