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!

__________________
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)

If you change oil and filter every 25000 miles, you can even get most Chrysler products to work faithfully. I turned in my Dodge van to the junker because the frame was falling apart at 298,000. Tranny still good.

__________________
Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

150,000+ no 1-4, water pump @149,000 expansion valve and ps pump @130,000

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

01 ML430 205,000 motor mounts,oxygen sensors,oil filter housing seal

2000 ML320, 234,345 miles. 1-4 OK. Nothing like my 96 S500, but its a truck. Still very nice. Replaced master cylinder last summer. Got multiple misfires and a miss last week that I am working through.

135,000 miles; no 1-4. I do the trans. fluid, front & rear diffs & transfer case every 70k miles. Oil every 5k miles full synthetic.

Upgraded Fuel Pump & Line Assembly: 60,000 miles

Front / Rear / Transfer / Transmission Fluid: 70,000 miles


Accessory Belt Tensioner Assembly 3/13/13 @ 125,000 mi

Fan Clutch 3/13/13 @ 125,000 mi

Air blender motor @ 125,000 mi

Dash lights @ 115,000 miles

Rear hatch door handle @ 120,000 miles

Oil filter housing seal @ 125,000 mi

All 4 Ball Joints @ 130,000 mi (August 2014)

Upper rear control arm passenger side @ 130,000 mi (Aug 2014)

171,850 2001 ml 320

No 1-4

__________________
John
2001 ML 320
1988 560 SL
2009 Toyota Tundra TRD
1992 400 E (sold '07) (bought back, '13)
2008 ML 350