145,000 plus on our '98. Tows a 5,000 lb. trailer to the racetrack several times every summer. Otherwise used to haul 5 - 7 people around town or across the country. Problems to date:

Dead battery @ 64K
Turn signal switch wouldn't cancel (even if forced), replaced @ 72K
The famous harmonic balancer failure @77K
Pinion shaft seals in both differentials leaked, replaced @ 107K
Driveshaft center bearing failed on highway, replaced @ 110K. At this point my wife branded this car a lemon....
Replaced transmission fluid 122K, shifting is back to normal again. Say what you want I don't buy the lifetime trans fluid story!
Cleaned egr tube 128K (set CEL)
Replaced MAF 129K (set CEL)
Replaced RH exh manifold 132K
Welded cracked catalytic converter 141K

All work performed by owner. Only problems now are squeaky rear shocks, squeaky hatchback latch, and the exterior d-pillar trim fell off in Chicago. Will address all when the weather gets warmer and the motivation runs higher. Not a trouble free vehicle, but I can't imagine what else would take its place.

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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)

lenny, are the seals a diy job, and if so do you know where i would find instructions? thanks.

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87 300e (white/black; amg body kit)
88 300ce (red/cream; amg body kit)
93 300ce cabrio (white/blue/blue top)
93 300ce cabrio (black/grey/black top)
98 ml 320 (totaled @ 137,000 miles)
99 clk320 (black/grey/black top)

The seals were DIY for me. I have attached some instructions that may help. It's been awhile, but I do remember it's a bear to keep from gouging up the inside of the diff carrier casting pulling on the seals; it's quite soft.

Attached Files

pinion shaft seal.pdf (28.5 KB, 477 views)

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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 only had to do the pinion seal for the rear diff. I used a sears craftsman seal puller 9-47645 and had no problem.

Thanks to you all for the responses. We opted for no extended warranty (up to 100,000 miles or five years) for our 2000 ML320 that we bought in the summer of 2000. Now with about 92,500 and just returning from a 4400 mile trip, half of it pulling a U-Haul trailer, we are again impressed with the comfort and driveability it has. We hardly knew the trailer was behind us; it only showed effect when stopping, and of course in gas mileage.

We felt confident enough with the last FSS check at about 50,000 miles that we would take the chance of no extended warranty. We felt the problems we had were taken care of and all the updates were done. We now have a few more miles until the next service is due and we will need to do some work.

Last summer we attended an M-Class introduction driving event for the 2006's and had a complimentary inspection of ours that has given us a basis for what to expect beyond the normal FSS service. I hope MBUSA will use more promotions like that one for their customers. What a way to encourage brand loyalty.

Jim W.

I have about 66K on my 99 ML320 and it is running very well. Had to replace the window switches, front and rear brakes, MAF sensor and that is about it. Mercedes did the hub/balancer recall and one of the cats without charge.
Overall, I am very happy with it and love to drive it as my "daily driver".

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Ben Harrison Carter
1999 Mercedes ML320 87K
1992 Mercedes 300CE 89K
1995 Corvette 29K -- Sold Dec 09
1989 Mercedes 420SEL 99K -- (Sold 4/08)
1968 Mercedes 230S (106K) (Sold 9/06))
1976 Mercedes 450SEL 130K (Just sold - 06)
1961 Mercedes 220Sb (sold years ago)

1999 ML430, 132,413 miles and no trannie problems. Engine and trans run excellent.