Sure won't miss my ML.....
 

Just sold my ML320 today. '99 ML320 with 80.5K miles. Dunno if I got a good deal or not but traded it in on a brand new Eddie Bauer Explorer. I gotta say I'm thoroughly impressed with the new ride. The entire MB experience has been a trip.....It was my first and most definately my last MB that I'll ever purchase. I bought this car with somewhere around 50K miles on it. Do the math and I've only driven it 30K miles and it has cost me around $8000 in repairs not including scheduled maintenance. What a JOKE.

Anyways I wish you all the best of luck and may you all have healthy harmonic balancers :D

I'm outta here. Thanks for all of the input and expertise that everyone so graciously provided me during my MB experience!

John

Hi!
My ML320E 150.000mil and no problems.
Use good oils - Amsoil 0W30
Many problems owners create by them self.
I wish joy your Ford.
You never be happy.
You come back to M.B

Regards

Ford!
 

I have had my share of problems with my ML however please note

F ix
O r
R epair
D aily

:D

Hope your tie rods don't seperate on ya :eek:

"Many problems owners create by them self."

Yeah, like the ignition coil pack that blew, the door lock actuator that stopped registering and the brake lamp switch. We abused the hell out of those items. ;)

Fix Or Repair Daily
 

You bought New right ?
Not a used Ford like the ML320.
Cause if you bought a Used Exployer with Firestones-It'll roll over.
In fact, it really wasnt the Firestones, but Ford had to blame someone and severed a 90 year old relationship.
Dont get rammed in the back they blow up, no wait, that was the Ford Pinto.
The Ford will rust out faster than the Mercedes,..but the replacement parts are cheaper than Mercedes thats for sure.

Ever driven a ford with 100,000 miles vs a Mercedes ?
ok
ive written enough..

OK, I had to see what kind of criticism I was going to get for the Ford comment. In answer to above, yes I went new; 2005 Eddie Bauer Edit. AND it even came with a set of Michelin Cross Terrain tires. I ran those tires on my ML too and loved them. I guess I really cannot speculate as to what my experience will be like with this vehicle as the only Fords I've ever owned have been Mustangs. I've got an 03 SVT Cobra too and never had a problem with it....actually never had any significant problems with any of the past 4 Mustangs either so I'm hoping for the same reliability here. I actually wanted a VW Toureg as my SUV but Consumer Reports rated its predicted reliability 139% below average so I steered clear of that model....heck the ML is only listed at 80% worse than average so I'd hate to see how the VW would work out.

I've been eyeing the CLK320 to replace my SVT Cobra so there's a possibility I may not be completely out of the MB business...we'll see if the dealer is willing to work with me since my service advisor is quite aware of the problems I had with the ML. Maybe they'll feel bad for me and offer me a deal I just cannot pass up.... :D

Don’t think badly.
Every one has own experience.
Don’t be worry about the dealer - your money is talking and every body
Is doing to get better deal.
In your case you have big chance to get something.
Just smile and go forward, joy what can bee best for you.
This all what we can have.
Some day we can talk only.
I have fight with MB about 300D Turbo too.
Now I know how talk with them.
First I talk with mechanic and after what is necessary to correct the problem.
After warranty I do some jobs by my self. Breaks, oil Change. Etc
I get Goodyear Fortera, very good and perfect on snow, quiet.


Best Regards

Not even gonna venture a guess what they gave you on trade??!!

Please do tell!

Bought it with 50,000 miles for 17K almost 2 years ago (from dealer) and got 12.5K trade-in with 80,000 miles this week.

I'd already negotiated a price on my new ride before I even mentioned that I 'may' ;) want to trade in a vehicle. After a couple more days of of the dealer calling me asking what they could do to get me to drive away in their Ford I brought the ML in and let them give me a quote for trade since I'd already firmed up my price on the Ford. On first quote dealer only wanted to offer 9K trade in on my ML and I laughed at them. Three more days and they came up with 12.5K and wouldn't budge any further.

cost of driving
 

$17,000-$12500=$4500 for 24 months.

If you had not had the maintenance, you would have drived a Mercedes SUV for under $200 a month. But thats the problem -that's a big IF.

Good luck with the Ford. I think the Exployer is the worlds largest selling SUV.

Ford "had" a better idea--76 years ago!

Sure,Ford have own plannings and strtegy.
This all is a big $$$
Mercedes Benz have own charm.
Like a good wife which one cant live with iut lovers.
We need to know how handle that all.
The other way - all we can joy when we like.
I love my ML320 and belive the other one cant be the same.
May more shiny more money - same problems like we have in the life.
Really my 190D handle much better from 260E.
I just kip them all.

Best Regards.

So you paid 8k in repairs plus 4500 in depreciation to drive the ml for two years. But you just lost 20 GRAND in depreciation the moment you drove the ford off the lot.

I am willing to accept the fact that depreciation applies to 'just about' any vehicle you can purchase new. At the rate I was going I'd have spent that much in the 5 or 6 years that I plan on driving the Ford in repairs of the ML had I chose to keep it. I've no doubt that I could have easily put another 80K+ miles on the ML but at what expense?? I feel comfortable knowing that the vehicle I bought has been the best selling (domestic) SUV for many many years and that I can count on moderate costs of repairs compared to that of Benz. Not knocking MB in any form or fashion; just stating that every man has to draw the line somewhere when repair bills start piling up. Had I done my homework I'd have known the reputation that the early model year ML's had and would have steered clear of them and bought a different model instead. I'm convinced that if I'd purchased ANY model of MB aside of the ML that my experience would have been more positive. Anyways I may give them another shot in the future on a car (not SUV) and see how it goes.

John 22 i feel ya
 

I did the same thing with my ML last year. I have several Mercedes, but the ML was haunted. I traded mine in on a 2004 F150. There is no way I will be repairing a truck that i am paying for. :cool:

I have a neighbor who uses a Ford Explorer for his job. He now has 198,000 miles on it and has put less than 2K in repairs into it since it was new. The old saying about Fix Or Repair Daily surely didn't seem to apply in his case. I look forward to that kind of reliability in mine.

John I can understand your pain and can't blame you for the switch. But, dang man, an Eddie Bauer!!! I'll take the F150 or even the regular Explorer, not the Eddie bauer edition. The Eddie Bauer is what I call an improper fraction automobile - wheel arches that have no relationship with the rim size. The tires are tucked way in there while the wheel arches are extended way out there!!! Ever looked at it from the rear? It's an ugly design. Why in the world would you choose that particular truck? Even the new baby explorer (don't know what it's called), or even the very large Excursion is a better looking truck. Have fun anyway, whatever you use the truck for.

SUBJECTIVE - Darkman
 

Come on Darkman.
The Exployer is the best selling SUV on the market.

One ML owner wrote the ML looks like a bubble mobile without dark window tinting. Guess it wasnt Dark enough Darkman.
Guess I am happy with a mercedes bubblemobile. Beauty is etc etc.

Oh, no doubt about that and I have no complaints about the sale issue nor about the general Explorer line. It's just that Eddie Bauer edition - the thing has proportions that just don't fit. My daughter still thinks my ML is a minivan - she wants the X5!!!

Darkman- I don't necessarily disagree about the proportion of the wheels and the gap in the wheel wells. The later models are much improved over older models though. In my opinion my ML was not the most attractive looking of vehicles either, but I liked it too. The ML's have improved in appearance over the years though. I have a '94 Toyota Supra Twin-Turbo that I drive every now and then on nice days and many people think it's one of the ugliest cars made...but I love it and it drives like a dream.

Style
 

1) The VW SUV
2) VOLVO
3) BMW
4) Mercedes ML
5) Lexus
6) Acura
6 1/2) Honda
7) Nizzan Murano
8) The rest of the SUV's that the name ends with a vowel
9) the domestic's.

I work at a used car dealer, and we're not the only ones who come across these, but after 30k miles or so you'll start approaching a trans rebuild. I like them except for the transmissions that constantly need rebuilt.
Thanks
David

You're right though about the current model. I saw one just yesterday and the proportions of the fender flares with respect to the wheen size has improved much. In my mind I pictured the earlier models and how disproportioned they lookes. Me, I want me an F150 HD. As for the Supra TT, the front is mean ugly on purpose, and that's one mean car I'll take anytime anywhere.

In anycase, enjoy the Explorer.

Hey Want 71 - What are you talking about ?
 

I have never heard of any car/truck/van SUV where the transmission approaches a rebuild at 30,000 miles. The worst I know of is the Chysler caravan / voyager mini vans of the 1990's-- they commonly went 70,000 miles. Are you talking about the Explorer ?

My ML320 has 105,000 on the origional transmission and Ive used it 4 wheeling on lake michigan beeches and as well as a a landscape schrub/tree puller in 4- wheel low. :confused:

Add on: Most will need redone by 50,000 Miles.
That bends my mind. Seems Like the consumers Mags would be all over this story. My best buddy works with Ford in Dearborn MI and happens to Drive a 2003 Explorer. I will forward him this Revelation. He and all his pals better bail out of ther Trucks.

It's an Explorer problem. We talked to the dealer who bought it from us and he said they send 2-3 Explorers a week for trans rebuilds. He bought if off us at the auction, the auction delivered it to him and it wouldn't get out of first, so under the contract we have to have to pay to have it fixed. Trust me, a trans rebuild on an Explorer seems to be about regular maintenance. Of course they don't all go out at 30k, but most will need redone before 50k.
Thanks
David

ML Transmission
 

I don't know about you but the ML has the 722.6 transmission, the same trans Jaguar put in the XJ6. I have owned both cars and both transmissions failed, one at 98,000 and one at 125,000. 722.6 is a miserable excuse for a transmission.

Ford transmission
 

I'm not even gonna try and start a debate about when a tranny will fail in a Ford but I've always felt that the tranny is the weakest part of ANY Ford, even the big diesel F350's. The only way I know of to attempt to make the best of it's life is to run Amsoil in every hole. I've just purchased the filter bypass unit for the engine oil. F-150's supposidly have been known to go 300K+ miles on original engine with this bypass unit. Going to replace engine oil, tranny fluid, front & rear differentials lube all with Amsoil products. Just waiting for the engine to break-in before I do the swap.

From the posts I have read before reading this one, the ML trans is very strong, dependable, long lasting, and never needs a fluid change. It seems like guys have a few sour grapes under your hoods. P.S. I have a 1989 Dodge Cavavan with 118K on it and the trans still shifts like a top, proof that not all vehicles within a model range fall prey to failure.

Sorry, but I love these little stupid word thingys!

Found
On
Road
Dead

Frequently
Overhauled
Rarely
Driven

F***er
Only
Rolls
Dwonhill

F***ing
Old
Rebuild
Dodge

Here's a good one: FORD backwards --> Driver Returns On Foot
Here's another good one: FORD backwards --> Driver Relies On Family

First
On
Recall
Day

Fast
Only
Rolling
Downhill

General
Maintenance

Greatest
Mistake
Created

Hang
On,
Not
Done
Accelerating

Here's
Y
U
Never
Drive
An
Import

Korea
Invades
America

My
Expensive
Race
Car
Emits
Dense
Exhaust
Smoke
-
But
Efficiency
Near
Zero

Merger
Engaged
Reverse
Chrysler
Entering
Decline
Evident
Soon

Poor
Old
Ninny (< way too racist to put original word!)
Thinks
It's
A
Cadillac

Always
Catching
Up
Rarely
Ahead

Very
Odd
Looking
Vehicular
Object

Big
Ugly
Indestructible
Car
Killer

Company
Has
Recommended
You
Start
Learning
Engine
Repair

Sure won't miss my ML....OR WILL I???
 

Guess my bad luck prevails. As I put in my post I replaced my ML with a 2004 Eddie Bauer Explorer. Was going to get a 2005 but the incintives offered by Ford for the left over '04's was just too good to pass up.
While I was driving my Explorer home the ABS light came on. Took it back to the shop the next day and they replaced the entire ABS unit on the car with only 46 miles on it. After about 1 more week passed I'd driven it enough on the interstate to figure out that it had a high speed wobble and road noise in the interior was really loud. Took it back 2 more times and finally they replaced all 4 wheels, all 4 tires, and re-aligned it. OK, another problem taken care of. It has an option on it that monitors the tire pressure of all of the tires. Just yesterday it appears to have stopped working. Now on my digital information center on the dash it says 'Tire pressure module fault', called the shop and they are going to replace the main tire pressure module that picks up the signal from a sensor located inside of each of the tires. If all of this isn't bad enough, while I was on the phone talking to the service department to schedule it to have the module replaced they tell me that there has been a recall issued on my transmission. Appears that they put bad fluid in 750,000 Ford vehicles during some specified period of production. Their fix is to put a quart of some sort of additive into the fluid....That ain't gonna fly with me. I'm putting AMSOIL in it if I can not get them to just replace it with NEW stock dyno fluid.

Overall it's been less than a pleasant experience so far with Ford but at least it's been under warranty. I'm not past my 30 day mark yet and here in Ohio consumers can return a car within 30 days for ANY reason on new vehicle purchases. Just may exercise that right. IF not they're gonna have to give me one hell of a deal on an extended 7 year / 100K bumper-to-bumper warranty.

johng,

Sorry to hear of your woes. Back in 1989 I owned a brand new Ford Mustang for 2 weeks before the clutch started singing like bird. Ford claimed they couldn't hear the noise... It was in their shop for 5 days and it was returned to me you guessed it, still singing like a bird. I traded it the next day for a 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix which I owned for 12 years and 107,000 miles before I sold it to a high school kid for $750. I swore I would never buy another Ford in my life. On the other hand my father-in-law had a Ford truck he used to pull a boat. The truck ran for 22 years and had 280,000 miles before it just rusted away. Go figure.

Your ML was made inthe USA, that's the real problem.
 

The issue is not really Benz quality, but that the ML's are made in Alabama and are more like Chrysler quality, and do not resemble anything like what is made in Stuttgard.

I have a 2000 ML 430 and I agree with you 100%. Next time I will go either real German made, or I'll head over the other ocean for a Japanese car.

Don't get too excited over your Ford Explorer. Done that, been there, and my engine did not even last 90K. Ford unfortunately is still low in quality. Nice ride while new, but wait until you have 20K and thing star ratteling and breaking down.

Go Japanese.... Toyota, Honda, Nissan or their upgraded versions Lexus, Acura and Infinity if you can afford them.

Good Luck.

Made in USA
 

Mercedes can build a good truck here. Its about design and quality control.

Honda makes Acura & Honda Cars & motorcycles in Ohio USA
Toyota BuildsCars and Trucks in Kentucky
Mazda in Michigan

etc

I don’t think being made in the USA is the reason for the ML’s woes. The problems appear to be largely of failures of design and execution. In short is a problem of overly thrifty management decisions.

Also while I agree that MB is definitely degenerating into Chrysler-like quality, my ML has been many times more reliable and resistant to wear than my former Jeep. The two vehicles were built less than 3 years apart yet there are many and vast difference of the quality of the components employed.

Despite the problems...
 

I've had with my '00 ML430 which have been many and varied, I've resolved to run it as long as possible. Basically for two reasons:
1. I've had most if not all of the known problems fixed - so it's running well.
2. It's trade in value is approaching zilch

Overall, great truck when it's running well - but badly let down by the quality of the components used (apart from engine & tranny).

Would I buy another one ? Sorry but no.
Would I be upset to see it eventually sold ? Again sorry but no.

1999 ml320 problems?
 

i have an '99 ml320 which will come off starmark in sep '05, trying to decide if it's worth keeping it. mb of austin has been good about doing warranty work, several little items, one big one (transfer case - 3500$). i was curious as to what problems i might face going forward (specifically, how did johng_22 run up 8000$ in repairs over 30k miles?), help me make up my mind about keeping it. (i should mention i've been really quite happy with it, had it for 2.5 years, 30k miles, drives beautifully, and i would prefer to keep it :confused: )

cheers,
adnan

The ML decisions.
 

Yesterday I found a coworker had a 1999 ML320.
I asked him how he liked it, he loves it. The window switch and shcocks were replaced under warrenty. Other than that it has been an excellent vehical. He plans on keeping to drive in just the winter and buy a new sedan.
He remarked he expects it to "run forever".
It was really refreshing to hear. This forum is generally used by people that need to figure out what is wrong with the Mercedes and can make a person almost paraniod.
I also have a 1999 and it is no Honda in terms of relibility...but it drives and handles outstandingly.

Very true - The folks on here are either interested in getting a MB or fixing one, more on the 2nd. I have 2 ML's, very very happy. The folks that love them i guess dont have their own website!!!!!

Adnan, since you asked here you go......

Cannot recall the price for every one of the repairs but here's a list of things that were replaced or failed which I wouldn't classify as maintenance items:

-Harmonic balancer failure saga (nearly $4K alone)
-replaced harmonic balancer
-replaced timing cover
-replaced upper oil pan
-belt, oil, gaskets, seals, etc. to finish up the job
-Water pump
-Alternator
-Fuel pump
-2 sets of window switches
-Brake caliper failed
-MAF
-2 catalytic converters blown (1 under warranty)
-Oxygen sensors
-Junky plastic parts in the interior that broke
-Power window motor
-Front end bushings
-3 service visits on my dime diagnosing tranny problems-Unresolved
5 towing bills
What else??? I'm sure I'm not remembering it all...

I may have been off a little on my initial $8K estimate in repairs but not by much....This thing was nearly entirely dealer serviced including most scheduled maintenance - except when the Balancer failure occurred.

That's very unfair. The W163 is is a problematic vehicle whether you like to believe it or not - how in the world can you explain the angle of the fuel filler neck??????. The problems you read her are not uncommon and have been posted on all ML sites by different people. even MB knows about these common problems. Some have had better luck than others, but the fact still remains that the 163 is problematic. And MB has addressed most of these problems - the W164. My MY02 320 was a lovely truck with a few problems which were taken care of promptly by the dealer. I always had a loaner car so it was no problem. Coming from a problem Nissan Pathfinder, I was, however, surprised at how many times I had to take the ML in for warranty repairs - little things but disappointing. Despite all that, it's still the best value for your money - I traded the MY02 320 for a MY05 500, not a problem at all. It feels and rides differently - read, better. The subtle changes between MY02 amd MY05 are outstanding and much appreciated.

I didn't know there were any! We had one and it was quite reliable. Went 215,000 miles before we traded it on the ML...

I meant to say problem free. It had over 120K and never bucked, not once. Too bad it didn't have 3rd row!!!

??? I've been putting fuel in mine for just shy of 5 years. No problems. What are you trying to describe???

Also, you'll note that MB shop has a conspicuous lack of vehicles, ML and otherwise, over the last 4 years. If the majority of folks who post do so due to problems, what does this suggest?

Not to speak for someone else, but the nozzle goes in at an odd angle. I've had trouble removing fuel nozzles a few times.

Ditto ;)

98 ml320
 

I've had a 98 ml320, now with 135k on it. I have had all the problems that are mentioned here in the ml forum. However, most were replaced under 100k warranty. I just replaced the EGR valve by myself with the help of this forum. Was very easy to do. The previous mechanic did not do this a year ago and charge me 1300.00 to fix everything else except for the EGR valve in which he cleaned the tube only. Well, it was caked solid with carbon.

All I can say, if you have the inclination to fix thing, it can be done. By the way, the ML is now driving like the day I first bought it. I think with all cars, one should be knowledgeable in some basic maintenance. Otherwise, you can get taken for a ride because one drives a Mercedes and can afford to fix it at any cost. Just my two cents.

John

Now i get it. I learned on the 2nd time to insert nozzle until friction stopped it. I thought and still think that a design feature so the nozzle won't fall out while filling. Has anyone pulled parts of the fuel tank out as a result of the design?

One of the welcome silent changes from MY02 is the fuel filler nozzle approach angle. The angle on my MY02 was aweful. On my 05, it's normal, thank goodness. Anyone knows when they made this very welcome change - sometime between MY02 and MY05.

Not happy with your ML
 

Please, do not think that your ML is a true German Benz. ML's are made in Alabama USA, certianly not to the same standards as German MB's.

If it was German made, you would be paying $10K to $20K more.

In regards to your new Ford. I am sure your ride smells new, but wait until you have 70K to 100K miles on it, and the engine will be gone. Been there, done that.

For my next SUV, I am looking over to Asia. Japanese quality is much better than US made cars, and they seem to have an edge over the Europeans when it comes to reliability and depreciation.

My ML is going to be sold before too long, too many repairs.

I would like to suggest to DB, to make the ML a Chrysler, not a Daimler, since the workmanship is US, not German. :indian_ch

Not to German specifications ?
 

Do you think that applies to Honda and Toyota ETC ?

My Honda was made in Ohio. My Buddies Toyota was made in Kentucky.
So these are Sub-Honda and Toyota cars compared to the Accords made in Japan ?

What is it Mercedes throws out when they are build outside of Germany ? Dis regard for quality control ?