i have a 2001 ML 320 WITH 167000 MILES ON IT WITH NO PROBLEMS SO FAR.........1 THRU 4............

1998 ML320 with 175K+ on the odo. We're the second owners since 2000 and 60K. No really major problems, and no 1-4, though both differentials leaked at the driveshafts until I replaced the seals. I've run Mobil 1 15W50 in Texas, and 0W40 in Michigan, at 10K intervals until this fall, when my VW lost a timing chain. 5K intervals from now on.

An ATF change at 122K restored smooth shifting.

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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)

Somebody has an experience with 4 Cyl, German built 1999 ML230?

How rare is this animal here?

updating my previuos post - 1998 ml320 with 203,800 miles, none of 1-4 have been done

Also have a '98 ML320. Mine has 190,166 miles since new. I am the original owner. None of the work 1-4 has been done or needed.
From original post:
Lets define MAJOR repair as: 1 > transmission rebuild, 2 > rear end rebuild,
3 > differential rebuild, & 4 > engine < head job or rebuilds only >.
Ken

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2014 E250 Bluetec 4-Matic
2014 GL350 Bluetec 4-Matic
1996 Chevy Tahoe 4 x 4
2009 ML350 (sold)
2005 SLK350 (sold)
1999 E300 Turbodiesel (sold)
1998 ML320 (sold)
1991 300D 2.5 Turbodiesel (sold)

'02 ML55 AMG, 113K miles, no 1-4 issues. Replaced brake pads at 80k, plugs and wires at 105K. Brakes feel like they're due again. Nagging fuel sender problem. Averages 16 mpg and will outrun any SUV (and most cars) on the road. I'm very pleased. I'd do it again.

98 ML320 purchased new in May 1998. Now at 249k miles. Original owner. Early problems with fuel gauge were sorted out. New transmission at 216k miles. Steering rack seal went out two years ago and complete steering rack was replaced. Front ball joints replaced. Rear spring over shocks replaced + usual wear items. Power steering pump, water pump and alternator replaced along the way. Driveshaft center support bearing was replaced. Chafed wire caused issues with ABS light. Fixed the wire and avoided $2800 bill from the dealer. Also cleaned plugged EGR tube and avoided an $800 invoice from dealer.

A/C condenser and receiver/drier will be replaced before summer.

I have had the vehicle listed for sale for a year but interested parties do not call back after they hear the number of miles on the vehicle....so I just keep driving it and changing the oil with Mobil 1 every 5k miles like always. Some people say this is a waste of money but I consider it cheap peace of mind.

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2014 E250 Bluetec 4-Matic
2014 GL350 Bluetec 4-Matic
1996 Chevy Tahoe 4 x 4
2009 ML350 (sold)
2005 SLK350 (sold)
1999 E300 Turbodiesel (sold)
1998 ML320 (sold)
1991 300D 2.5 Turbodiesel (sold)

260,000 miles now...

__________________
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)

2003 ml350 80k miles. Valve covergasket. Crankshaft position sensor. Just bought it a month ago with these two problems.
And the noise i cant figure out where it comes from: it is when i accelerate and there is a small squeek, rattling, like it is from the belt or somewhere in the front end. Then go away when in speed. There it is Again when step on the gas..

2003 ML500 130k miles
MPG 14-16 (winter), up to 21 (summer, hwy)

Currently in the shop for a crankcase position sensor and water pump. Also needs Power steering pump and reservoir to be replaced soon. Windows have been acting up lately.

I've had it for 70k miles now and have had zero trouble until the last couple of months - just brakes, fluids, filters, and the like.

We bought a 99 ML430 last fall from the original owner with 86,000 miles. Beautiful truck, and well cared for. I thought we got a great deal on it when we paid $7500, I later found out, maybe not. Zero Problems when we bought it, upon the weather turning colder, the rear springs started to squeak like crazy, then we realized it also needed front brakes and the tranny had never been serviced.
I got a different job this spring that forced me to commute over an hour each way, we tried to sell the ML for a month with nary a phone call on it. Finally ended up trading it for a little rice burner at a dealership. When I went there for the 30 day routine checkup on my new car, it was still sitting on their lot. It's been 4 months now and it just recently vanished from their lot.
Not sure if they finally sold it or it went to auction. Too bad it was in excellent condition, we would have kept it if it wasn't for my job change.

There are a couple ML320's in my area now for less than $4000, with 120k or thereabouts. I'm thinking they should be able to be bought in the $3200-3500 range. A Jeep Grand Cherokee holds it's value better, people just afraid of high repair bills on a Mercedes I guess.


2013 VW Jetta TDi
1998 Dodge Ram/Cummins
1987 300SDL (broke down)
1987 300D-T (wife's daily driver)
1993 Mustang 5.0 Convertible (our only gas powered vehicle, just for fun & now sold)

1999 ML430. Second owner, purchased in '03 with 87K miles on it. At present-279,808 on the odometer. No 1-4.

The only recurrent problems I've had is the window switches breaking and the driveshaft support. I've replaced the switches 3x's since '03 with the last two happening this past February and before that in October 2010.

I've replaced the driveshaft support twice. First time I paid an Indie shop $500 to do it because I didn't know any better. Back in '09 I did it myself.

I've serviced all parts with fluids myself. Mobil 1 Fully Synthetic in the engine. MB fluids in the trans, differentials and transfer case.

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1999 ML430
2003 Chevy Suburban Z71
1993 Honda Prelude V-Tech

we have a 02 ML500 with around 187k on the clock, havent had issues yet with 1-4. Items I have replaced are:

brake pads
oil seals on the oil cooler and housing
CPS sensor
motor mounts
rack and pinion
passenger side CV joint [as the boot somehow got a tear in it....i think the shop who put the rack in tore it but i cant prove that even though it was gushing the day i got it back].

The truck does down shift hard every so often when coming to stops, will need to have fluids changed and such. I bought it from the dealer used, and it came with no service history records, just small stuff i could find on carfax, nothing beneficial My wife drive the truck a decent amount, its been a fairly good vehicle, plenty of power.

290,000 miles now. Just bought a 2010 GL550, so the ML is not likely to stay in the family long. It's had a great run though!

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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)

My '06 ML has 145k and just diagnosed with balance shaft failure. $6300