320ml maintenance schedule
 

I have a '98 320 ML, now with about 111K miles. What kind of things need to be serviced as far as the engine and transmission are concerned? I want to keep the SUV as long as I can.

John

On the transmission there is no recommended service on it, and I agree. IMHO it's best to leave it alone.

On the engine-related maintenance, at 100,000 miles or 4 years it's due for spark plugs, and remember this is a dual-plug engine.

At 60,000 miles or 4 years it's due for air filter and fuel filter. If the fuel filter is original there is an updated fuel filter which requires quite a bit of extra labor to install the first time.

Gilly

other questions
 

Are there any timing chain/belt or chain ramps issues? I had a 450sl that suffered valve damage due to a broken ramp causing the chain to jump its timing.

John

Nope, no interval on the chain either. Maybe some of the current line techs can chime in their opinion, but I haven't heard of the M112/113 having any timing chain issues.

Gilly

Gilly,

When you say air filter change I assume you are referring to the engine air filter not cabin air filter. Is this correct?

Yes, at 60K, engine air filter and fuel filter.

The cabin filter you can do pretty much whenever you want, I'd do it probably every other "official" service, about every 20,000 miles or so, or once every year or two. If you are more sensitive to allergies, or drive in alot of dusty areas, maybe more like every year, or if it doesn't matter all that much to you, every couple. I wouldn't just "ignore" it for a long time, it'll plug up eventually and put more strain on the blower motor.

Gilly

Cabin filter
 

How do you change the "cabin filter on a 98 ml 320 ? Is the part expensive ?

It's easy. Remove the panel under the dash on the passengers side. There are no screws, just 3 clips, just pull the panel downwards.
Then you'll see a rectangular access panel with a clip on the front. Pull outwards on the clip and the access panel will come off. There is a small tab on the bottom of the filter, you cnpull downwards on the tab to remove the filter. It all goes back together the way it came apart.

Gilly

PS I think the filter is under $20

My 2000 ML430 has two screws and one clip to remove before removing the panel. ;)

;) ;) ;)

Gilly

:D :D :D

I recommend to change the Serpentine Belt too
 

I'm changing this part too, now I'm at 110,000 kms now...