Not News. M Series Worst in Reliability.
 

I heard this on the radio this morning so I googled it. Even for 2007 Mercedes M Class was Worst in Reliability for Mid size SUV. Consumers Report.

cut and paste ---

Midsized SUV
Best: Toyota Highlander Hybrid (slighly better than the regular Highlander)
Worst: Mercedes-Benz M-Class
I still enjoy driving my Mercedes. Its my 1st Mercedes and probably my last.

I love my ML, too bad they couldn't have picked better suppliers for parts. They need to send their management to Toyota for quality control classes. The new GL isn't helping matters much either, lots of oil burning issues, tire problems and transmission troubles. Really sad for a $65,000 + truck. Mercedes fooled me once but not a second time. This was and still is my first Mercedes and also my last Mercedes. A Toyota Highlander will replace it when the time comes. My 2 cents. ;)

Aren't the ML's assembled in the US? Are they the only ones. Is there a connection between that and their poor quality rating? I had heard this, too.

The ML, GL & R I believe are assembled in Alabama. Thats not the problem though. A lot of Toyotas, Hondas etc are assebled in the US also. Its a management problem, not where its assembled problem.

Amen!

I do not always trust those reports. Sure the MLs (old and new generation) have had their problems, no dispute there. But, you have to remember that these reports are based on consumer surveys and service visits. Who do you think is pickier about every single thing in their truck working perfectly: the person who drops $60k on an M-B, or the one who spends $25k on a Chevy Trailblazer? Yes, it is an extreme example, but not that far off. Also, think about the technology in an M-B as opposed to some other SUVs--when you push the envelope in that fashion, sometimes things go wrong.

Let's face it, 99% of the people who buy an M-B truck are not the types of people who visit this forum, work on their trucks themselves, and really put them through their paces. They are professionals and spouses of wealthy professionals who expect to be catered to in all respects, and want their status symbol suburban vehicle looking and working perfectly so they can show it off to the neighbors. Stuck-ups like that are why reports like this exist. As a guy who grew up with ford and chvey trucks, I will take my M-B over them anyday. My opinion.

Maybe reliability isn't the greatest on an ML. But, I walked away with no damage on me when I totaled my ML this past weekend. I can just imagine me laying in a hospital, still, from that accident if I was in a Toyota.

I am picking up a 2000 ML320 early next week. 70,000 miles, black w/black interior. All service records. I would not even consider a Toyota, new or used.

It was interesting speaking with the insurance guy. He said he bought his wife a X5 beamer because of his experiences with all the makes of cars. He stated the only good car is a German car. They get banged up, but people walk away. He specifically mentioned Toyotas and how people don't usually walk away, and are usually stretchered away, alive or dead.

I'll take a belt tensioner at 125,000, an EGR at 130,000, a trans at 146,000, and squeeky rear shocks, and walk away from a total.

driving record.
 

Dear Crash
If I were you I would drive a Mercedes too.

Meaning what????

Did anyone notice that Mercedes and all the luxury brands were in the basement? This tends to lend credence to the pickiness. Even the vaunted Lexus got bit this time around. It will be interesting to see what kind of issues they have with their 8 speed in the new LS. Is Mercedes quality what it used to be? No. But in todays era with the number of gadgets in a luxury car it is amazing there aren't more failures. The days of the simple Mercedes are gone. For the foreseeable future I am buying Benz even if I have to buy used. Hopefully I can hold out until I can afford a decent used ML or GL CDI

Oh and the GL got SUV of the year? Mercedes Benz Tuscaloosa must be doing something right. Roll Tide! lol Consumer reports is a useful tool but you must remember what filter they use. Maybe they need a normalized metric like defects per gadget. That would be more valid then defects per vehicle. Also a complexity figure and dealer/manufacturer response needs to be figured in. If you care what consumer reports says you don't want a Benz anyway. Benz is more after the Car and Driver set

Hey DieselJim,

You nailed it!!!

I agree 100%...

Rene

I cant argue with your commentary.
I for one dont fit into the Mercedes mold I guess. I only read road and track in the dentist office. JD Powers and Consumers Reports gets my attention. I dont care about percieved status. I see Honda Pilots on the road and believe they are smarter richer owners than I. I bought the ML320 because my friend was traiding it in and I could buy a 3 year old ML320 for $13,000. his trade allowance. ( On a Lexus SUV ). For a consumer, since the ML's depreciate like a rock (vs.Honda for example).. A used Mercedes ML can be a good value if one can do his own maintenance. Just one poor working slob's thinking.
me.

Years ago I decided to ignore consumer reports reliability ratings. Life has been good ever since. Here's why.

What CR collects and publishes is not reliability data of different auto manufacturers. Rather, it is people's opinions of the reliability of their cars. These are two different things. I used to subscribe to CR, and as such, received their survey used to collect the data. The survey corresponded closely to the little red & black circles they publish. What the survey asked was for you to identify the make, model, & year of your vehicle(s), and to identify any areas in which you experienced major problems.

There was no guidance on what constituted major vs. minor, or any other kind of problem. There was no guidance on what constituted a problem (e.g. a mechanical breakdown vs. the radio only has 6 FM preset buttons). Further, no documentation was required with the survey. CR was not examining the repairs actually required on various vehicles. So the data they collect is actually opinions.

The group they survey consists of their own subscribers. For the last 25 years they have been telling that group that Hondoytas are the most reliable vehicles. What would you expect that group to echo back when surveyed?

So I ignore CR and buy what I want. I might have a different view if they collected repair data and failure reports (e.g. wheel bearing failed, right front window doesn't go up & down any longer), collated the data and generated reports from there. But IMHO what they are conducting is an opinion survey, and I'm not interested in what the average consumer thinks of their car.

- JimY

I remember when the New ML in 1998 got SUV of the year also. What a joke. ;)

ML a great car 99ML320
 

My ML, which is my daily driver, has been a great car -- performance wise and otherwise. Only maintenance --- MAF and window switches; MB paid for the balancer and cat replacements.

It runs well and everything works! The safety factor is an additional advantage; hope I never get hit though.

Ben Carter

not too Blue
 

That's as good as it gets Blue Eagle. Unless they stay parked.
You didn't say how many miles.
Better buy a CPS and keep a tool in your glove compartment.
Its embarrassing having a stalled Mercedes pushed out of an intersection.

No one mentioned the 4-wheel drive capability (I guess because few ML owners ever get them off the pavement). I need/want a good 4-wheel drive. My Disco is having some issues (won't run) and I just bought a 2002 ML because my research shows Land Rover, Toyota LandCruiser, and MLs as being the most off-road and deep snow capable SUVs. I almost bought another Rover because I don't think you can beat them as a 4WD, but you want to talk reliability or quality issues! Toyota is good (my brother works in Georgetown), but they aren't inspiring. That left me with another MB. Did good in about 8-9" of snow. I'll see how it performs when I take it off road in Eastern Kentucky in a few weeks.

ML maintenance
 

That's as good as it gets Blue Eagle. Unless they stay parked.
You didn't say how many miles.
Better buy a CPS and keep a tool in your glove compartment.
Its embarrassing having a stalled Mercedes pushed out of an intersection.
__________________
Steve Danville

Steve: I assume a CPS is a code reader?? I have one and have used it a couple of times to diagnose the MAF and one other area. My ML has 72K on it and I have never had the kind of problems you have ... perhaps living up North and driving in all the salt affected your horns, fuel pump etc. I always use premium gas and Amsoil, platinum plugs and other good basic maintenance items, but really it has been a tremendous car in terms of overall performance and durability .... I can't imagine it being stalled in the middle of an intersection ?? Ben Carter

nope not a code reader.
 

NO
i too bought a code reader because of my Mercedes,
There is a bunch written here about the Crank shaft Poistion sensor. CPS.
At about 70,000 miles most of us 1st experience the ML stalling at an intersection and it will start back up. soon it will take minutes to restart.

Its a breeze to replace an about $75. I had to buy a torx socket to replace it.

sometimes, I just don't get these survey.
 

Sure the ML is not perfect. I have 40,000 miles on and here are the thinks I need to have done under warrentee. Rear wipers, Headed Mirrors both lose connections, alignment (which I had to pay for $100). But after it was fix no problem. But then again when I purchase my 92 honda new back then. I had a power window problem which I had to take back to the dealer 4 times before they fixed it (guess what no loaner).

That being said how is the ML is the worst when I know the honda MDX, Pilot had major transmision problem. Where is that reflected in these reports???

Lot of bashing because of CPS. My BMW 740i (which I drove to 210K and still sort of miss) left me stranded waiting on tow at around 150K due to a crank sensor. It too gave me some early warning, which I ignored. Stuff happens.

Quality not quantity (of features)
 

I agree but what problems that MLs are known for is due to pushing the technology envelope?
1. The weak transmission?
2. The constantly failing window switches?
3. Rubbermaid interior that is always squeeking? ('98-'99)
4. Noisy sunroofs

Don't get me wrong I love driving my ML but the problems they have are on the attention to detail and build quality. The new features and inovations in the ML they actually spent some time on and got right. The revolutionary traction control has never given problems. The independent suspension is solid. The multitude of airbags work as far as I know. Most of the problems MLs have are not cutting edge just ways MB can save money at the cost of their reputation. I don't think the owners of $20K Jeeps would put up with these issues either, I know I am one of them too. I know they feel the need to keep up with all the novelties in cars today but they have forgoten what has given them their reputation for quality with the ML. People will forget about not getting the car with the heated ventilated massaging seats but they surely will not forget the car they couldn't get their damn window back up after a toll booth in the January sleet.
Why pay a premium for this when you can spend less and get more of the basic features that are dependable. That is what made MB great years ago. Quality not quantity! The cars were basic but buletproof. Sounds like the description of a Toyota today. Not enough status for ya? Have all the gismos and forget about the dependability of the basics necessities. Yep, that's MB of today! Sounds like Cadilac and Lincon in the '80s. Suspension leaks oil and sags, eats alternators for lunch, but hey I got this nifty automatic headlight dimmer and heated mirrors I never realized I needed. Get it together MB! You have lost what is iconic and lasting. Reputation will only sell cars to posers and wanabes and not for long before it catches up and they feel the shaft (or is that transmission).

Just my ranting opinion!
LS

fast BACK UP -
 

Hey LS , looks like when your Mercedes breaks you have a Honda Blackbird to get you there in a hurry. I have the ST1100 Honda at work today. The ML is used when I have to drive a cage. Wanna race ?

forget it...
 

the difference between my friends 2006 LS430 and my ML are huge....i'ts my 3rd mercedes in a row, and probably my last.....my old e class was the best. and the 24d before that. it's all about technology-- no wonder the japanese are beating the germans. when was the last time you bought a german tv set????