Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
MB M-Class Owners: Meet the Members
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
If you have some time, we would really appreciate Town Hall members writing a review of their current auto, or a favorite make/model. It takes approximately a week for your review to appear on that make/model.
If you have any questions, please let me know!
Thanks!
KarenS
Host
Owners Clubs
Eric
Based on all the problems encountered with 98 production, what would you do... At this point, I assume I can't get any extended warranty.
Any suggestions/opinions/comments are very welcome!
TIA
Black w/gray interior
Chrome Wheels
Bose Sound
3rd seat
Tow Package
DVD
Running Boards
21000 miles
$34500
Sport Package
Thanks in advance,Kevin.
Good Luck
I have always liked the heavy feeling of the car, but that is really heavy. I'm all for it.
So far the car drives great. Except for some shuddering at low rpm, eg when on and stationary at a light etc.
QUESTION : Is everyone out there waiting for 10K miles for their first fuel change ? It just seems wrong to go for so long w/o an oil change, especially the first one.
I remember reading that in a new car, there can be a lot of metal shavings that accumulate in the oil and that the oil should be changed sooner, than later.
Thanks for the info. I see where they go, but on my vehicle there does not seem to any brackets for the H3 bulbs to be placed and clipped in. All I see is a hole to the inside of the head lamp. Do I need the mirror to see the bulb brackets? I have installed H3's before and there has always been a metal hold down bracket.
Feedback appreciated,
Reeva
Virginia
The ML uses Mobil 1 synthetic oil, the best stuff around, also platinum plugs. Don't worry, if u really r concerned, call the svc dept at your dealer. As long as you followed the "break in" instructions, u r fine. Keep checking the oil. I've got 7700 mi on my 02 ML 320, due for svc in Feb (a year after I bought the car).
wep2
Just wanted to share with you that tomorrow, 11/23/02, I am going to pick up my new ML320 2003 model. Any advice would be deeply appreciate from those experienced owners. I am really psyched. I only hope that the 2003 model has shed itself of the problems from a year or 2 prior. Any comments
thanks
janoo
I just purchased an '03 ML320 (M1 & M5). I have put on approx 200 Miles on it so far and am really enjoying the car. I've previously owned JGC and GMC Envoy. Have a couple of questions, but they're about options, I'll post them on that forum. These forums have been great, thanks for all the info & advice.
My 98 ML320 got rear ended and pushed into car in front. After several weeks of rangling with other driver's insurance adjuster, and threat of legal action, they paid me the amount to which I was entitled under law - difference between retail book and price I received from a salvage dealer. So, getting rear ended was best way to sell my car at retail - but had to waste time I should not have had to and threaten suing, to get insurance adjuster to follow law.
Interesting trade offers - $6500 repair estimate. $23,000 NADA retail.
my local MB dealer offered me $8,500 after it was fixed. GMC offered me $11,000. Lexus offered me $13,000. I ended up selling to salvage yard for $10,000 'as is', and getting $13,000 plus use tax from insurance company for $24,000 total.
mvhanson
I have also purchased an extended warranty, outside of Mercedes. A 10 year/1000,000 mile warranty w/ $0 deductible for $1,994.00 from 1Sourceautowarranty.com has anyone had or heard of any, good/bad experiences with this company?
So far my ML has been trouble free from any problems, The only out of pocket expense has been replacing the front brake pads @ 12826 miles, for $630.28 by the dealer, Ouch!
I would like to Thank Everyone! for their participation, KarenS for Facilitating & Edmunds.com for creating & maintaining this very valuable resource.
Please feel free to send me your opinions about my earlier comments & questions.
regards,
whup
been offered 1500 under invoice for an ML350 in in NJ. Does anybody know of any better deals?
Also, does anybody have details on current Mercedes Lease Deals. Terms for one I am offered
are 58% residual value with 6.5% interested rate 39 months. Residual seems ok but 6.5% seems high.
Thanx
My wife and I are considering a 2002 ML 320 (#12,000 miles)
We have read numerous reports regarding problem and issues with the M class. We have spoken with our service advisor and he claim's that the problems have been worked out in 2002 model. anyone have any advice for us regarding the reliability and safety of the ML. Thanks Mark
from a MB dealer at $25,600. The car was in good,
but not excellent condition. This is my 3rd MB,
having owned a 1965 230SL (bought in 1970) and
a 1984 380SEC (bought in 1986). Here are my experiences:
230SL bought for $4,500, repainted for $1,400 in
1970, drove for 4 years and sold for $6,700. Never
needed a repair.
380SEC bought for $26,000, drove for 6 years and
sold for $14,000. A few minor repairs (failed
window switch) but fairly high planned maintenance
at about $1,500 per major appointment.
And now the ML320. Our other car for the last 8 years is a 1990 Lexus LS400. Bought with 54,000
miles and now has 191,000 miles. Have replaced
the AC twice, steering rack and steering pump and
that's about it... has original exhaust, suspension and all the rest, paint is like new, leather has minor cracking, dash is perfect. The
Lexus is about $1,000 for major planned service.
Why an ML320? I use this for work and get to write off its expenses. I used the accellerated
depreciation allowed for trucks over 6,000 lbs
loaded weight (GLVW) and this paid us back about $7,000 in lower taxes last year. The Lexus RX300 didn't meet the weight (but only by a couple hundred pounds - not the 1,000 lbs someone mentioned here)for the accellerated depreciation.
I believe the RX300 weighs about the same as the ML320 but has less design load.
Next, the ML has decent handling for an SUV, lots of safety features, is comfortable, has useful space behind the rear seat, and gets decent mileage... I always see 19 - 20 in mostly suburban
driving.
The fit and finish of an ML320 is not equal to MB sedans and at $40,000 (new)for a 4 wheel drive SUV I didn't exect equality. The ML500 and ML 55 are closer to MB standards but you naturally pay for the goodies.
I know that some ML owners have had a horrible time with major issues and dealer experiences, but overall the major components are rated highest in the latest issue of a car rating magazine (I think it was Consumer Reports), giving the car solid red circles - the
highest reliability rating - on engine and drive
train. There were average-to-low ratings on electrical, for example. My dealer experience
here has been "A-" for the ML and "A-" for the
Lexus (both dealerships owned by the same family).
One way to gauge the reliability is to compare the
cost of aftermarket, exclusion-style, warrantees.
I found that a good ML warrantee (which we didn't
buy) that would cover up to 100,000 miles and with
discounts to be about $2,100 with zero deductable.
The same coverage on a Toyota Camry is $1,100. The MB coverage is more money, but you would expect it would be so, yes? I think that if the
ML were absolutely awful, then the insurance companies would either refuse insurance or charge much more for coverage if many problems existed.
In short, these are very safe, fun, and good cars if your expectations are set right from the beginning.
Sold my CR-V last tuesday(9/30/03) morning and took delivery of the new car in the evening. It's white with JAVA, M1, heated seats, Bose and Moonroof. My wife is the primary driver and we have 600 miles so far. The CD changer was not playing and I had to take her in and they replaced the magazine. Other than that, It's been wonderful!! Got it for 40K even, including tax, title and registration.
I was researching and drooling over the Murano and the Lexus for a long time but in the end, I guess the MB's brand name made me settle for this! The ride is joustier than a Lexus but, heck, It's a mercedes, and a real (looks real at least!) SUV at that!! I am enjoying every moment of it; The touch shift is amazing! The pedal feel is really rough but once you get used to it, It is an amazing set of wheels!!!
This is my first brand name car and may be I am imagining things but - It really seems to have an impact on people; Like, neighbors whov'e been there for as long as u've known - who promptly ignored you whenever you tried to say Hi! to them suddenly wanna look you in the eye and exchange pleasentaries etc...
All this "special" attention apart, It has been a fun filled week, driving the ML. Body lean seems virtually non existant, at least when in the drivers seat; Of course I can't try any funny stuff while my pregnant wife is on the passenger seat - Nor can i drive the vehicle from the rear seats ;o) So far, based on a couple of sudden maneuvres I performed, it is one buttoned up truck!!!!
Shall keep you posted on the developments. Very nice to be a part of this forum!!
Cheers!
--njexpress.
I guess I am all set for a new set of brake pads soon ;0) I am also "looking forward" to the weird noise at the back. My next seat neighbor at work drives a '02 ML and he keeps "enquiring" of it everyday. Hope it turns out okay!
Have a great day.
Cheers!
--njexpress!!
I am averaging 16.5MPG with 80% HWY and a somewhat heavy foot. No tirescreeching "getaway" starts but I do hit the upper 80s on the free way.
The pick up is okay, except for the HEAVVVVY pedal feel. Besides, with an MB, I suddenly seem to have lost the urge to dust those Miatas and Monte Carlos so, I didn't subject the vehicle to any true test ;o)
Will keep the forum posted on how things go.
Cheers!
--njexpress
I just traded in my 2003 E320 for a 2003 ML500. Could not resist that 5 litre V8, and more importantly, I have a cottage I shall need to get to in winder and here in Ontario that means 4WD. I think my ML will be the ideal compromise between rpoad car (the E was sweet!) and truck (I'd love a Land Rover :-)
See my car here:
http://www.willems.ca/pers_ft32.htm
This is a dealer demo model - 14k km on the clock against 24k on my "old" E320. So I got a car with 10k less mileage.
Observations so far:
- Braking is soft and not very good compared to the E - but it will do and at least it is less brusque.
- Very powerful.
- Cockpit oldfashioned Mercedes type but that's OK.
- Third row seats (I have that option) is of limited use as the mid seats need to move forward so far that passengers in the 2nd rown are squashed, and 3rd row passengers are still squashed anyway. And you need an engineering degree to figure out how to fold all those seats.
- Low range is useful. I was even able to tackle a steep mud hill at the cottage.
- Cruise control should have an indicator lamp
- Controls are fine
- Auto wiper works better than inthe new E in spite of older design
- Not many rattles at all, which is a pleasant surprise
- Broken ashtray, read cupholders, rear vent, and right seat base cover. And that's the stuff the dealer did NOT catch :-)
Overall very good. More impressions later.
I am in Oakville, Ontario by the way.
Mike
I just traded in my 2003 E320 for a 2003 ML500. Could not resist that 5 litre V8, and more importantly, I have a cottage I shall need to get to in winder and here in Ontario that means 4WD. I think my ML will be the ideal compromise between rpoad car (the E was sweet!) and truck (I'd love a Land Rover :-)
See my car here:
http://www.willems.ca/pers_ft32.htm
This is a dealer demo model - 14k km on the clock against 24k on my "old" E320. So I got a car with 10k less mileage.
Observations so far:
- Braking is soft and not very good compared to the E - but it will do and at least it is less brusque.
- Very powerful.
- Cockpit oldfashioned Mercedes type but that's OK.
- Third row seats (I have that option) is of limited use as the mid seats need to move forward so far that passengers in the 2nd rown are squashed, and 3rd row passengers are still squashed anyway. And you need an engineering degree to figure out how to fold all those seats.
- Low range is useful. I was even able to tackle a steep mud hill at the cottage.
- Cruise control should have an indicator lamp
- Controls are fine
- Auto wiper works better than inthe new E in spite of older design
- Not many rattles at all, which is a pleasant surprise
- Broken ashtray, read cupholders, rear vent, and right seat base cover. And that's the stuff the dealer did NOT catch :-)
Overall very good. More impressions later.
I am in Oakville, Ontario by the way.
Mike
2004 ML350 white/black
Sunroof package
Trim Package
Comfort Package ( these packages used be called M1, M2, and M5)
Entertainment Package (bose + cd )
Lighting Package (xenon light)
Rear Seat Package (3rd row seat)
Heated Frontseats
It was $2500 below invoice.
I hope my ML doesn't break down like others..
Thanks,
I purchased my ml 350 (Dec. 2003) for $41K even with 1900 miles with every option that you mentioned plus sport/chrome wheels package, chrome front grille, navigation, and an addition 12 months/100,000 miles (starmark warranty) beyond the 48 months/50,000 miles manufacturer's warranty. Although it was sold pre-owned, it was a demo for the Mercedes dealership. The miles on the SUV were just test drives by customers.
The brilliant silver with charcoal leather SUV is in exceptional condition. I really enjoy driving it.
llcoollai
I was Blessed to get a 99' ML320 for a great deal actually $9990 with 118k everything is in excellent condtion. It rides great I was thinking about a 2003 ML350 inspiration edition and after driving both they were in similiar condition. So when God presents a oppurtunity like this I had to jump on it. I also looked at an RX 300 , Infinit Qx4 and an Acura MDX and the ML is better in just about every category to me.
I should have bought a civic.
2004 ML350 Brilliant Silver with Charcoal Leather Interior, Inspiration Edition pkg 2 (M1 & M2), Third row seats, Entertainment Package, dealer installed DVD Nav and trailer hitch.
Much better ride than the 2000 ML and we like the seats. Had it checked for wind noise at fwy speeds and dealer replaced some parts but the wind noise is still there. Great SUV with many improvements.
Bill
I love everything in my ML except the "WIND NOISE". This is sound is really annoying starting at a speed of 80KPM. A car of this class should not make such an annoying noise.
Regards
iQU
I just received my 2005 ML350 special edition. In fact I have seen a lot of bad comments from ML owners specially older models. However, I believe that it is a good car and I really love it. My car is equipped with a fix-phone, and tinted glass in addtion to other features like the Parctronic and CD changer, third row seating, power dome and front styling bar. It cost me $40M. How does this price seem?
I just got my ML 500. With Special Edition and Entertain and Sunroof.
I just wonder if the Park Assistant (after market) is really useful because my early one was a coupe. That vehicle doesn't come with the Parktronic and the dealer siad he could not install it, only after market.
Also, need a suggestion on how much shall I pay for an DVD system installed.
thanks all
How much did you pay for your car? Does it have a third-row seating?
Wherever you live, if you're interested or know someone who might be, send an e-mail to jfallon@edmunds.com.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Need help navigating? kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
Share your vehicle reviews
The instructions I worked from are:
HALOGEN Connector (Cable from ML)
¦ A H ¦ A..... pink ..... low beam
¦ B G ¦ B.... orange
¦ C F ¦ C .... blue
¦ D E ¦ D .... not used
E .... brown .. ground
F .... green .... city light
G .... white..... high beam
H .... grey ..... fog light (connected to separate Brabus Spots)
E-Code bi Xenon Headlight Connector
¦ A H ¦ A .... brown.........ground
¦ B G ¦ B .... not used
¦ C F ¦ C .... not used
¦ D E ¦ D ..... not used
E .... brown ....... ground
F .... White ....... high beam
G .... gray ......... city light
H ..... yelllow ..... low beam
This meant that I need to pull out ( with pliers) and swap the following pins in the connector cable plug from the ML:-
1. Pink
The pink[low beam] needs to connect to "H" on the headlight
2. Gray
The gray[fog light] not implemented (wire directly to your fog lights)
3. Swap white "G" & green "H"
The white "G"[High Beam] needs to connect to "F" on the headlight
The green "H"[city light] needs to connect to "G" city light
Because there is only 1 Ground connector on the ML Cable (Brown), I hade to short "A" and "E" in the headlight as follows: -
1. remove the plug on the Bi-XENON Headlight and connect on side of a new wire with (spade) the long spade on the inside of the plug, and the other side of the new wire with(solder) the ground terminal at the bottom of the Bi-Xenon reflector housing.