I can't believe it. I'm getting another Mercedes..... - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JimmyL · #31 02-16-2013, 10:07 PM

They seem to be very typical Mercedes Joe. Engine and tranny will last quite a while but the car will slowly fall out from under you a system at a time!!!
It does feel very safe and I am pleased to have her in it thanks to Tyler.
I'm sticking with the Acura though.....

TylerH860 · #32 02-16-2013, 11:01 PM

I see alot of them at auction and look at every one as I sell them regularly. Generally when they are at the auction they are at their worst.

Good:

You don't have to worry about the drivetrain. The suspension is very tough and I have yet to drive one that felt worn out other than stiff shocks. The AC is manual and reliable. I have not encountered one with a worn out transfer case or diff either. Never saw one with a bad window, and the interior holds up very well under abuse.

Bad:

Lots of failing power steering pumps. Lot's of noisy bearings on the belt driven engine accessories. Plenty of wobbly harmonic balancers and bent belt tensioners. The vacuum brake booster brakes and you hear a hissing around the pedal. Common to see check engine codes usually from oxygen sensors or the EGR system.

None of those issues are really ML specific. The chassis itself has some weird gaps from the factory but seems well put together. Being built in Alabama they do not suffer from the same rust issues as the European built cars of the same era. I don't know what they did different.

whunter · #33 02-16-2013, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

I know, I know. I have/had sworn off German autos of any kind. I was cured by the lifted skirt and perfumed inner thigh of reliable Japanese engineering.
But it looks like another Mercedes will grace the parking area out front again.

Not gonna jinx things before I officially have it, but will follow up soon.
This is not for me of course, but for my youngest daughter who turns 16 Tuesday.

And I will add, when I have issues with it (and we know being a Mercedes I WILL have issues with it), this will not be the correct forum to post in......

What am I doing??????

Glad to see you back.

Your flexx boot video is still popular.

V vill get you back in a diesel eventually..

**************************

You may get a chuckle from two of my recent fleet additions.

My daily driver
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/330520-sold-1980-mercedes-w123-240d-%96-china-blue.html#post3095493

My daughters car
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/321775-welcome-fleet-1976-w115-114-300d-dark-green.html

Feel free to call me.

.

vstech · #34 02-17-2013, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

What did the 96 ML cost you in parts and labor time AND what were the miles, and miles on it that you owned it? I was disappointed to read of their (MLs) falling short in the reliability department, as the years passed.

I had the 96 in 2002 and it had about 18K on it, no issues for the 2 years I drove it. My mother's car, dad sold it because he wanted a GM cruise control... he went into a string of Suburbans... total waste of 3 good vehicles... long story...
but the 430 gave us good service the entire time we had it. them v8's are amazing!

Codifex Maximus · #35 02-21-2013, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

Daughters car. (The longtime MB hater)

2001 ML-430 (NOT an ML-430T!!)

Drives really nice. Feels more like a truck than a car. 151K miles. Has a few issues to work through, but the good dwarfs the not-so-good.
I got this ML from a forum member.
Lots to learn about this evil-gasser, including check engine light stuff.

Also need to find a Navi CD that covers the southern central region.
Wish me luck. I still come to Diesel Discussion first, then migrate from here.
And thanks for the "Welcome Backs", but I never left.....

Poor girl.