I have seen a lot of negative comments on this vehicle. From poor workmanship to oil useage, to poor gas mileage, cheap interior. WHAT IS THE DEAL, IS THIS A GOOD VEHICLE OR NOT?

Some say they love it, some say they hate it. It is a Mercedes, it has to be a solid vehicle with a lot of luxury, Right.

The newer the better. They were pretty well straightened out by '02. In 2000, they started the Maintenance Commitment Plan, and although for most people the work wasn't really done often enough, at least MB "Committed" to having Mobil1 synthetic oil used, which help the engine longevity quite a bit.
If you are looking at a specific truck, and it's at a dealer, you may want to inquire about the "Starmark Warranty".

Gilly

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Let me put it to you in no uncertain terms. My 2000 ownership has put me off to the brand entirely. Don't get me wrong. I love my 85 380SE and intend to hold on to it for as long as it is feasibly possible.

To MB's credit, we have been well taken care of, however, the list of problems we have experienced makes me cringe at ownership sans warranty. We typically own a vehicle for 5-7 years. This is the first vehicle I have ever owned that I have purchased an extended warranty for.

I understand that parts wear out and am willing and able to afford those experiences, but we have not reached that point at all. In purchasing the extended warranty, I felt like I was paying for MB's mistakes. Within 4 years, the only work that we have done that I felt was not related to a design flaw or poor quality has been normal brake wear.

Here's my list.

My wife has racked up over 120k kms on her 99 ML320 and has only been stranded once....on the highway when the MAS failed! Otherwise the vehicle has been mechanically reliable.

We bought the ML to use as a "truck" and don't hesitate taking it up logging roads or mountain passes in any kind of weather. Makes the cheap interior easier to take

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Dean Albrecht
"Lead, follow, or better yet, get out of the way!"E500 owners motto

Someone else's list

Sir-I am glad I bought my 1999 ML320.
Did it have design flaws ? Some weaknesses yes.

Over all---

Great Utility
LIFE TIME Transmission,
Handsome interior
Handsome exterior
Excellent turning radius
Fun to Drive
Excellent Powerful Brakes
Plenty of Get
I dont get stuck in snow
Thick metal. Time will tell, when it is 12 years old if it does not rust thru like my 10 year old Acura's.. Then I will give it 2 thumbs up.

In addition MSN's Auto page rates the 1999 ML320 as "minimal problems" in ALL catagories.

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Steve Danville
what i did myself.
CPS
rear shocks
MAS x 3.
SparkPlugs (twice)
Fuel pump & Filter
Window switch
replaced both failed horns with Honda horns.
Cleaned ERG Tube
Oil changes
Oil consumption Fix
Brake Pads
A/C Recharge
Anti-Freeze change X 2.
Front Shocks. Monroe. $90
Mercedes Warrenty Work:
Harmonic balancer,power steering clamp. Cat converters.Drive Shaft Bearing.s
Replaced Outer Lower Tie Rods and front lower ball joints at 156,000 miles

I have a 2000 ML320 with 79,000 miles on it. In the first 79,000 miles I have had only two thing break, a window switch and the power steering hose, both fixed under warranty.

My wife was driving this car and got rear-ended. The other car was totaled (Ford Taursus), she merely exchanged info and continued on her trip. the rear bumper cover had to be replaced, but not much else had any damage.

The service costs have been high, brake job at 40,000 miles and new spark plugs at 60,000 miles.

One thing I like about the ML320 versus the ML350 is the better gas mileage the 320 gets. Out here in the flat lands of Indiana and Ohio I can average about 22 mpg on the highway. We got the redesigned interior in 2000 and had all the power options as well. It has been a great winter car and very comfortable on long drives. I have driven the ML 28,000 miles in the last 11 months as my wife now drives an 2003 SLK.

Are you aware of the harmonic balancer problem? If not you might want to read this entire thread http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=63512 If you have the bad one, make sure you keep an eye on it. If it cuts loose while you're on the road, your in for big trouble and big $$$$.

Thanks for all the replies. I am still unsure of buying one of these, but it sounds as if things have gotten a little better through the years. If I do buy one it will be an'02 or later.

My wife has also ONLY been stranded once...and still makes a big deal of this! If you look at the latest Consumer Reports very few European cars are all that reliable. VW Passat (none of the others), BMW 3-series (none of the others), and most of the Volvos are good. None of the Mercedes are described as reliable cars. Most of the Japanese are, but they don't drive like a European car.

On the other hand, looking at the way they're made, an ML should be a very durable car if you do the maintenance and repairs along the way. My goal is 300,000 miles minimum on our '98 ML320. Time will tell...

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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)