Looking at purchasing a 1998 ml320 with 241,000 miles on it. What should I be looking for when I go to look at it? What should I be asking the owner? I'm used to dealing with diesels. Thanks for the help!

Mike

From what I have read over the years the early model ML's, including the 1998 model year had many problems. I wouldn't even consider buying a 1998 ML320, especially one with 241,000 miles. If you're still interested I would want to see complete service records so you can see what maintenance has been performed since the vehicle was new. Without a complete service history I would not want that particular vehicle, even if the owner was giving it away.

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Fred Hoelzle

x2

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http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...-RESIZED-1.jpg
1991 300E - 212K and rising fast...

x3

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90 300TE 4-M
Turbo 103, T3/T04E 50 trim
T04B cover .60 AR
Stage 3 turbine .63 AR
A2W I/C, 40 LB/HR
MS2E, 60-2 Direct Coil Control
3" Exh, AEM W/B O2
Underdrive Alt. and P/S Pulleys,
Vented Rear Discs, .034 Booster.
3.07 diffs 1st Gear Start

90 300CE 104.980
Milled & ported head, 10.3:1 compression
197° intake cam w/20° advancer
Tuned CIS ECU
4° ignition advance
PCS TCM2000, built 722.6
600W networked suction fan
Sportline sway bars
V8 rear subframe, Quaife ATB 3.06 diff

Ask how much he'll pay you to take it off his hands.

My indie warned me off any ML320 older than the 2003 model year. He said that any ML320 older than that was a reliability issue.

He also advised against buying one with more than about 150,000 miles on it as he didn't think the power+ drive train was up to 300 or 400K miles without major $$$$$$.

Ditto, stick with at least a 2001 model.

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MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

The 1998, 1999 and 2000 years were troublesome. You have to remember that this was an entirely new vehicle introduced in 1998 and, as most totally new designs, it took several years to fix the issues. I think the fuel pump alone went through 15 different revisions.

I sold my 2000 with 87,000 miles on it and was one of the lucky ones who didn't have a lot of trouble with it. Mine was almost perfect and the Mercedes dealer would not resell it on their lot...they wholesaled it.

As MBDOC said, look at 2001 or newer.

Wow, then I've been really lucky; we bought our 1998 ML320 with 85,000 and now it has 170,000. It's been one of the most trouble-free cars we've ever owned. A couple of issues, but not horrible.

Come to think of it, I did the abs cold solder joint fix myself (saved $1400), replaced some window switches, replaced the rear struts, EGR valve a month ago, just replaced all the ball joints last week. OK, it's had some issues, but nothing like the C230 I just donated to charity!

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2008 ML350
2007 Honda Element
2007 Honda Accord
2009 Honda Civic