M-CLASS RELIABILITY

hi my name is Justin and I am in need of some advice. I am currently in the process of purchasing a used 98-99 ML 320. I would just like to know how reliable they would be and how is the maintainance. i.e. is it a pain to maintain? etc. thanks in advance.

Justin

I have had a 1999 ML320 since new and it has had relatively few problems. Here they are:

- fuel tank leak - took dealer(s) 3 tries to replace seal under warranty
- painted wheel paint flaking off - MB repaired
- front bumper paint cracking/chipping off - MB wouldn't fix
- combination power window switch in console: replaced twice, once under warranty - this is a recurrent problem
- dash bulbs go out - I believe Sylvania had the contract and provided inferior bulbs
- glove compartment light broke - needed replacement of receptacle
- cup holder broke - this is a weak point - be careful with these
- rear hatch mechanism broke - needed full mechanism replaced at 105,000 miles
- started using more oil (1 qt per 1,500 miles) got better with repair of recirculation pump on emission control apparatus
- driver power seat control not working - common problem with switches
- alternator belt tensioner apparatus making noise at 108,000 miles - $250 to replace
- trip computer lights out - needs new module
- transmission shifting poorly - fixed with transmission service (twice since new) use only MB fluid on this one
- pieces of plastic in interior break, especially on seats - we have third row seats

Brakes and rotors last about 40,000 miles (front) and 80,000 miles (rear) - not too difficult to do yourself
Tires last 60,000 miles
Factory changed fuel filter and connections at end of 1999 - needs retrofit
Door seals need upgrade (added by dealer under warranty if requested) to keep it from sounding like an air leak
Originally MB didn't require synthetic oil (I always use it) so some ML's may have worn engine parts - addressed by MB if oil consumption less than about 800 miles per quart

Wife gets 23 mpg with this thing. Loves it. We will trade up to a new long wheelbase diesel ML when available

Looks like you got lots of small problems,

I have second hand 2001 ML320, I put 6000 miles in 4 months,

so here's what I got.

1- air dedector fault, caused check engine light on (fixed %100)
2- driver side window button broke. (fixed %100)
3- driver side under seat plastic broke (fixed %80)
4- trunk lock broke. (fixed %100)
5- noise on the driver side door (fixed %100)

there is also little noises come from the back but I can find where is it come from, service also don't want to find it or something.

thanks.

I have to say the same. Bought mine with 90,000 miles ,, now with 101,000 I have had about 7 prbblems.
-replaced window switch
- replaced squeeky shock
- replace BOTH horns
- cleaned out EGR tube
- there's more but i forget..

Back in the day I was like you. I wanted to by a Mercedes. I thought they were great cars and so despite seeing a lot of negative comments on the reliability of the ml320 I went ahead a bought one. I got a 2001. Well I wish I never bought the thing. When it runs its GREAT, but when it has problems you pay big. I figured what are the odds that I get a lemon. Well I got one and I am paying big. I have had the car for less than a year and its already had $3000 in work on it. IN LESS THAN A YEAR!!! That doesn’t include oil changes and general maint. That’s ridiculous. If I didn’t spend so much money on this car I would trade it in. My advise to you…don’t buy this SUV….I mean I love it when its running but it’s just not worth it. I got the warranty on it but it doesn’t pay for as much as you think.

Had a '99 ML320 until a few months ago. Put on about 80,000 miles. I agree with previous post. Window switches replaced twice under warranty (a common problem). Cupholder springs also prone to breaking. Repair yourself, easy enough to do. '98 & '99 ML interior plastic trim pieces are prone to break. Later years they were improved. ML brake pads and rotors are a weak point,also. I regularly replaced pads every 20,000 miles and rotors every 40,000 miles. The 2000 and newer ML's are much improved with fit and finish. Also, they have improved and additional sound deadening and door gaskets.

now that's one happy ML owner i first know.
i believe it also depends on the end user who understands the systems and knows how to do the small things and accept the fact that no parts are made to last forever.

My wife's 99 model (picked in Sept 98) is having about 50,000 miles on it.
I just replaced brake pads on it (well over $200 for pads alone). Sounds, like we are the lucky one, because on the side of disconnected cup holders and some loose interior panels we didn't have any problems.
I abuse the car towing 5000+ (don't ask) trailers, what the car (truck?) do with great distinction.

If you live in the United States, than you can't get a true German Mercedes. Chrysler is the one that manufactures Mercedes cars in US. Chrysler can't really build their own cars and forget about building German High End cars even though they use 75% german parts.

i thought they only make M-Class in US.

99 ML assembled in US retailed for $35 grands.
The same drive-train assembled in Germany in station wagon retailed here for $50 grands.
Have you ever heard "You've got what you've paid for"?
or was it "You've got paid according to your job quality"?

This is the first generation of Mercedes SUV. Check out a sencond generation coming out this spring. All new redesign everything (new 4 valve per cylinder; 7 speed auto trans; air suspension with adjustable height. Improve on road and off road comfort. Mercedes had acknowledged the some problem on the current ML. they had spent 400 million dollars to upgrade the factory plan in the U.S..
This second generation ML will dominate the market.

with two reverse gears too.

a flaw considered a mystery.

I bought my 98MY ML320 in the summer of 99. It's been a pretty reliable car overall, but I've run into the typical trouble spots for early MLs:

- Replaced the window switches twice (nothing like getting caught in the rain with your window stuck down!)
- Replaced the fuel pump ($400)
- Replaced the fuel lines ($150)
- Replaced the crank angle sensor ($140)
- Replaced the mass airflow sensor ($534)
- Replaced the pads and rotors
- About to replace the serpentine belt, crank pully, and crank seal (about $400 for all)
- Replaced the tires

It sounds like a lot of stuff, but over the 7 year life of the car, it averages to about $300 a year in maintenance. I don't think that too unreasonable for this kind of vehicle.

The car has been an excellent performer (great in the snow) and has stood the test of time well. I just rented a Nissan Murano for a week, and while it was very nice, I didn't think it was that much better than my ML320.

I wonder kevdog
how the car lasted 7 years without changing the oil and adding gasoline?

Oh crap, I wondered what that horrible noise was coming from under the hood!

I purchased a 2001 ML270 diesel(in Australia), it has done 110,000 kms and when I checked around found that the rotors and pads from Mercedes tend to wear out very fast. Got the wholesaler I purchased the car from the change the disks to Brembo's and the Pads to Bendex ultimates and she now stopps much better than before and the brake pedal feel is improved as well. Bonus is that the discs and pads will last at least twice as long and it only cost $750 including fitting where as the Geniune items would have cost over $1,500(Aust $).

Also had the two globes behind the speedo/tacho meter changed $70(and a very common problem). I also had the transmission flushed and new fluid put in as well as a new transmission oil filter(done @ a Mercedes dealer for $550aud)and they said the fluid was "slightly milkey" which is another way of saying BURNT and should have been replaced. My advise is change the transmission fluid and the filter every 100,000 kms as for the cost of the procedure it is very cheap insurance against transmission failure.

The glove box lid hinge was also broken and replacement is around $400 I am just putting up with it for the moment till I have time to take it apart. Other than that so far the vehicle runs like a dream and am getting around 8.5L/100kms ...not sure MPG but I am constantly getting around 750kms out of an 83litre tank and there is about 12 to 15litres in the tank when I fill up.

So far the experiance has been very good ("Touch wood")

Cheers
Russ

My family purchased a brand new 320 in '98 and we got rid of it 3 months later after almost $6,000 dollars in work. I think it is pretty well know now that the early ML models (98-99) were pretty bad in quality but the newer models are said to be ironed out and our '01 seems to mirror that idea! (yes, we gave it another try)

I totally agree with Sleepwalker when he says "i believe it also depends on the end user who understands the systems and knows how to do the small things and accept the fact that no parts are made to last forever"

My '98 ML320 has been Awesome! I've had none of the above mentioned problems and mine is running fantastic (knock on wood). The only problem I have had is with the pinch nuts on the rear sway bar ... which were covered under a recall.

One fact that most people are overlooking is the fact that many dealerships take people for a ride. Fixing things that don't really need fixing, spending hours diagnosing a problem that THEY don't even understand and charging you for the pleasure... etc.... Making you the consumer feeling like you've just been raped.. or you have a lemon or a piece of junk vehicle.

Take the time to learn as much as you reasonably can about these vehicles and you will reap the benefits.

The key to these vehicles is finding one that has been well maintained. ANY car will fall apart if it's not looked after properly.

Cheers

I talked to an owner of european car repair shop. He told me the M class Mercedes Benz is the worst quality MB car he has ever worked on. He suggested me do not buy it because I was considering to buy one. By the way, the M class is built in Mexico.

Since my previous post, I have logged 12,000 trouble free kilometers and it usually gets driven to work and back which is 40kms each way.

I have also towed my Plate Aluminium fishing boat(1400kg) a total of 1,200 kms round trip and again no problems, sitting on 90kmh fuel consumption was 13L/100kms and when on 105kmh increased to 16L/100kms which is damn good.

Drivers side under seat trim there is a mounting point that is broken, just need to remove the trim piece and reglue the plastic and screw it back in. Same deal with the glove box one of the pivot pins have broken, using a rivet as a shaft will fix this as well.

So far "touch wood" I have had none of the major problems described in all of these online forums, but I suspect that my one was assembled in Austria as it has the nokia car handsfree unit fitted and a few have mentioned that they are done only in the Austrian plant, not sure on this but so far I am loving it. The suspension is a little hard but hey its not meant to be a limo its a 4WD. One guy in Australia has taken it across our Simpson desert and finished a 6,000km expedition with one leaking shock absorber and thats it !!.


FWIW there are some lemons out there and the only way to be sure is to get it throughly checked out before buying second hand.


Regards
Russ



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99 ML430 (4 YR REPAIR RECORD)
1.  Replaced fuel pump and upgraded line assembly $1000
2.  Replaced window switch $100
3.  Replaced both rear tie rods $1000

Not bad for 4 years