I think it is in keeping with the spirit of this forum, if I add the disclaimer that although the above worked for me, I make no representations whatsoever that this is the complete, correct, factory-approved procedure and will not cause damage to your vehicle and / or bodily injury to yourself. Always take all necessary safetly precautions before performing any work on your car.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the great write up. Prying the plug wires off worked well using just a regular 17mm combo wrench, as you describe. My plugs were not that tight. I removed the driver's side coil pack for better freedom to wrench.

A WARNING, totally off the wall with regard to changing plugs. The surge line from the radiator to the expansion tank is very vulnerable to anyone climbing up on top of the engine to get a better pull on something. I broke the little nipple off the plastic header on the radiator and didn't even know it. It is unsupported and PLASTIC! luckily, i was able to tap some threads and then seal/support it with some JB Weld

Jim in PHoenix

I have changed the plugs on two 99 ML's in the last year or so; did not remove any parts of the fender, etc etc. I did have to use a pipe for leverage on the ratchet wrench to get several of the plugs out. They were very tight at 60K and 70K miles. I use Plats in all my Mercedes and they work beautifully ..... all of them run like deer!! Ben Carter

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Ben Harrison Carter
1999 Mercedes ML320 87K
1992 Mercedes 300CE 89K
1995 Corvette 29K -- Sold Dec 09
1989 Mercedes 420SEL 99K -- (Sold 4/08)
1968 Mercedes 230S (106K) (Sold 9/06))
1976 Mercedes 450SEL 130K (Just sold - 06)
1961 Mercedes 220Sb (sold years ago)