Thank you for the reply. That almost makes me wonder even more things.

If it is the rings, are there certain years that are effected?
The reringing I assume are a new style ring ?
Is the early wear due to design flaws or the over optomistic maintenance schedule ? I read a lot about sludge - I think lots of readers would love to hear the whole story. Unless I missed a thread this is a revelation for many.

I had an exceptional problem. I bought my ML320 cheap because of the oil consumption. All I did was change the oil, gas octane, and cleaned the EGR tube and totally cured the oil consumption. I talked with the talk radio mechanic's and they said i did all the right things. the regular gas retards the timing and contaminates the oil with gasoline and then it thins & burns oil.

__________________
Steve Danville
what i did myself.
CPS
rear shocks
MAS x 3.
SparkPlugs (twice)
Fuel pump & Filter
Window switch
replaced both failed horns with Honda horns.
Cleaned ERG Tube
Oil changes
Oil consumption Fix
Brake Pads
A/C Recharge
Anti-Freeze change X 2.
Front Shocks. Monroe. $90
Mercedes Warrenty Work:
Harmonic balancer,power steering clamp. Cat converters.Drive Shaft Bearing.s
Replaced Outer Lower Tie Rods and front lower ball joints at 156,000 miles