1998 ML320, no major problems, only a couple sensors and routine maintenance. 161k and still goiing and looking good!!!

'98 Ml320; 138,000. Runs Like New, Basic Services Only.
Using 15w40 Delo, Shell Rotella, Or Mobil Delvac Motor
Oil. << Not Synthetic >> Zero, Note Zero, Oil Consumption Between Change Intervals Of 3 - 5000 Miles. Did Change Atf
At 130,000 Using Mbz Synthetic Fluid.

Traded my 99 for an 07 ML350 in May. Had 98K miles.

Least troublesome vehicle of the fleet, but decided I wanted something new.

Most issues attended to during the warranty period or recall services. MAF and fuel pump were the only repair issues incurred by me. Brakes wear unusually fast (20K miles), but easy to replace, and replaced the OEM tires at 55K.

Interior held up marvelously despite the many weekends of soccer-cleated kids that climbed aboard.

__________________
2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

That's a nice looking '07; I really like the black.

__________________
Lenny

There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games. --Ernest Hemingway

'10 GL550/'04 BMW 545/'99 BMW 323/'98 ML320/'87 VW GTI (race)

I had a '99 ML320. Bought it with 49k on it. Had to replace the window switches in the first week. The sunroof deflector failed also, never repaired. Pulled up to five tonnes with it, I know I shouldn't have, but no repurcussions. Sold it with 99k on it and had to replace the window switches again. No other problems. More kids forced purchase of Chrysler Grand Voyager, which is a great family mover. Switched to old G-wagens for towing and off-road fun.

__________________
'66 W100 600 SWB
'05 W463 G55K AMG
'91 W126 500SEL
'93 W463 300GDL
'84 W460 280GES
'83 W460 300GDL
'66 W111 220SEb Coupe
'58 W121 190
'58 W180 220S
Have previously owned '99 SL600, '99 ML320, '79 450SLC, '79 450SEL 6.9 x 2, '68 600, '91 190E 1.8, '90 190E 2.0, '85 190, '90 500SL, '92 500SEL, '97 E300Turbodiesel, '91 300D, '72 280S, '82 300D, '81 300SD, '85 230E, '56 220a and I'm sure I'm forgetting some.

I'm an avid W123 owner but I found a great deal I hope somebody can use for wheels http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&viewitem=&item=160153784907
Alright...

__________________
1985 300D / 175k

WISH LIST
29' HackerCraft - Gentleman's Racer...
http://www.hackerboat.com/html/29__gentleman_s_5.html

Bought my 99' ML320 used in 03'. Had 47K on it at the time, and currently has 278,885 miles. Tranny died at about 220,000 and I had to decide whether to throw money at it to get it fixed, which I did to the tune of $3500 for a used one. That is the only major repair I've had with it. Have replaced the poly belt twice, the battery twice, tires four times and the brakes once, and I change the oil every 6K miles. One of the sunroof clips broke, which was replaced easily enough, and the latch on my glovebox broke. Everything else looks and operates as expected.

I routinely drive to four different satellite offices I have, with the farthest one being about 400 miles. So far I've never been stranded or broke down on the side of the road. Still have confidence that when I leave home I will get to my desination and back without issue. My mechanic keeps telling me that my car must have been built on a Wednesday morning! This is by far the most reliable car I've ever had.

Doug,

I was wondering if you ever serviced the tranny, ( oil change etc ), or did
to you go with the no service advice.

Also are you running synthetic oil, or conventional and what grade.

Thanks for the input.

TRW

I know you didn't ask me, but I'll share my experience anyway.

99 ML 320 with close to 220K miles on it right now. I am the original owner. Only major repair was the tranny failed at 184K miles. I had followed the manufacturer's instructions and had done no maintenance to it. Repair cost was $2500 at an indy place. Have put about 35K miles on it since then and it's been doing great (knocking wood).

I have also followed Mercedes' recommendations on engine oil and change interval. Mine came from the factory with dino oil. Switched to synthetic at 34K miles. I use the countdown on the odometer to tell me when to give me a heads up on when to change the oil. I usually do it around 10K miles, but have gone as far as 19K miles once by accident (wife was driving it by that time and I neglected to check). I use Mobil One 5W 30 synthetic oil.

I've had my share of the common early ML problems: window switches, machine gun locks, fuel gauge (currently screwed up), crankshaft dampener pulley, rear cargo door latch.

But the truck still looks pretty good and rides Ok and I'm a satisifed cutomer. It's built like a tank and it feels safe.

__________________


Behind every great man is a great woman. Behind every great woman is a great behind.

Our 98 had 160K or so when we sold it. Only had problems the last 5,000 miles or so. Had a clogged catalytic converter and a fuel leak. Outside of normal maintenance, very little had to be done with that vehicle.

Mine just rolled over to 200,000 miles and it's been pretty flaweless since warranty expired. I did have the usual repairs done under warranty (power steering hose connection replaced, gas pump replaced due to too fine a screen design, transmission replaced due to shifting problem).

Other issues that I fixed:
brake switch (BAS/ETS lighs); $15 (DYI);
gas pump assembly (gauge would read OK except when full); $80 (DYI);
bad weld on right side exhaust, replaced CAT pipe; $1,000 (Stealer);
crank position sensor (can't remember, but cheap DYI);
Driver's side window switch broke (common issue) ($65 - DYI);
light on computer went out but I haven't bothered to do the LED fix yet;
rear passenger-side door lock mechanism does not work (not fixed yet);
On my 3rd battery at $80 a pop.

My AC is starting to blow warm air. It just happened yesterday, so I haven't had a chance to troubleshoot. Hopefully a re-charge fixes it.

It's been a great car, but any car at 200,000k starts to scare me. But it still feels like a perfectly solid car (read: if I had a teenage kid it would be a great hand-me-down car). By now, I really don't think it's worth much, so the idea of selling it really doesn't outweigh the idea of seeing how far it will go.

Reading through this thread I noticed a couple folks towing with their ML. Have the repairs been due to towing? Also, anyone towing an Airstream?

I never had the tranny serviced. Change the oil every 6K and have never put anything in it other than Mobil One Synthetic 10/30.

I did have to have the alternator replaced this week, but that was most likely the result of driving through the flooded streets here last week after Tropical Storm Fay came through. I think water somehow seeped inside, becuase it started making a high pitched whine right afterwards. Took it to my indy mechanic and he knew the issue within two minutes. Today, its back on the road and running like a charm.

I also recieved my 250,000 km grille badge today