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Comments
Thanks, Mark
I have an 03 ML 350 with 6500 miles on; The gas guage has been acting up; At approximately a 100 miles after fill up, it drops down to near half tank; If I tried refilling the tank, It wouldn't take more than 7 gals. What's worse, I start seeing the red indicator light after 210 miles approximately...
The dealer keeps insisting that they do not see any error codes - So, replacement of any part is out of the question :O(
Anyone experience this before? I am thinking of calling 1800 Mercedes about this. But, I would appreciate any input before I do so. I do have the JD Power Survey with me and I haven't mailed it yet -I am definitely gonna mention this to MBUSA if I get any evasive replies... Don't know what else I could do?!?
Signed,
An otherwise satisfied (for now, at least!) owner of an ML!
I just recently bought my 2003 ml 350 (with 1900 miles)for $41K even, with every option possible except parktronics, inspiration, and convenience package, and I had the same problem with the gas gauge like you described. About 6-7 gallons of gas aren't reading on gauge. The SUV is reading only 15-16 gallons. I took the SUV back for diagnotic. They replaced a few components related to the feul tank??? I pumped gas again when it was low. Nope, the problem was still there. I could only pump about 15 gallons max. Plan to take it back to dealership next week.
I'll update progress of problem on board.
Did I overpay for the my wife's ML 350???? Thanks
Lawrence
http://waw.wardsauto.com/ar/auto_wards_ten_best/
As far as money goes, I think the MDX will obviously be cheaper--ML is cheaper than a Toyota Land Cruiser--but, there are many choices that are cheaper yet so there's always less expensive options. Plus, you can spend even more, e.g, an E-class AWD station wagon, and I've heard some good things about Lexus and a neighbor has a new Escalade that gets treated very will in the press (I like his XMI radio) and costs more so have fun researching.
I will definitely post what transpires...
As to overpaying - Here's my take - I don't bother checking prices AFTER I buy - It is only gonna make me feel sad. No matter how good my deal was, there will always be a better deal, somewhere....
Feel bad still? Just look at the wonderful interior of your ML and feel proud for the quality and execution!!! Without exaggeration, It can put some high end leather sofas to shame. What color is your ML? Mine's white with Java, Sun Roof, Leather, Bose, No seat memory; Other than the stiff ride, I enjoy everything this truck has to offer!!!
Good Luck and Enjoy your ML!!!!
I will bring the ml 350 in for service this Friday. Hope it gets fix. I'll update on Saturday or after it gets repaired.
My ml 350 is brillant silver with charcoal leather. It comes with sport chrome package, heated seats, 3rd row seat, sunroof, CD changer, wood steering wheel, xenon lights, bose audio sytem, chrome front grill, tint, and navigation system. I love the SUV and the options. It looks every sporty and stylish. I love driving it on weekends and on long trips. My wife drives it on weekdays. Although it drives like a truck, I think the performance and steering is excellent for the size and weight of SUV. I drive a Mercedes Benz S500--exceptional sedan by the way, and I think the ml 350 is very good for a truck.
The ML class only looks good if you upgrade from the basic model--my opinion.
I love this vehicle, and I have not had any reliability concerns in the first 12000 miles.
I think the inspiration edition and the ml 500 look more aggressive in styling than the base 350. Just my opinion though. My other car is a lexus gs300, which I also love, but for very different reasons.
I understand some of the reliability issues with the eatlier versions of the ML 320, but according to consumer reports, THe 2003 ML350 is average reliability. IMHO the ml350 has improved their reliability (not to lexus standards), which is typical as the model gets further into it's 7-8 year cycle for major re-design.
I have always bought end of model-run vehicles for this reason. Again, just my opinion. Anybody have any thoughts on this?
At the beginning, I was reluctant to buy the 2003 ml 350 for my wife because of reliability issues. Actually,I wanted the new 2003 GX 470. But after purchasing it and driving it for several months, I really enjoyed the SUV.
Although it has some problems, the dealership that I bought it from is very good when it comes to service.
Some food for thought on reliability. The survey that consumer reports does for reliability has usually hated all the mercedes products, especially the suvs. However, this is alargely unscientific survey that has a 10% response rate, which clearly will over-estimate the very unhappy consumers who are probably more likely to respond. Also, it is worth noting that the difference between a CR reliable vehicle and an unreliable one can be only a few % points in a relatively un-scientific survey. However it's always made me a bit nervous to own a mercedes because you don't see these poorer results in most of the luxury Japanesse vehicles.
JD Power also has had some concerns with Mercedes as well.
Bottom line is that it's almost impossible to get completely accurate reliability ratings from any source. As well, it probably depends on the year of the vehicle and how you drive and maintain it.
There is an interesting site from some of the Chrysler people who discuss the full limitations of CR reliability studies, but what else is there that's a better estimate?
Just making conversation.
Fred
My ML has only 2000+ miles, so I might not be the best person to give you brake advice. But so far, it has been fantastic. I live in sunny and dry Orange County, California, so I have not tested the SUV's braking ability.
I'll be taking my wife and daughter to Yosemite National Park in a couple of weeks for several days. I plan to test the SUV in snow and off-road. It's going to be fun and dirty.
Lawrence
[img]http://www.ml500.com/modules/coppermine/albums/userpics/1002- 6/Yosemite.JPG[/img]
1) The braking is phenomenal
2) The not so good thing is is that I see a lot of brake dust on the front wheels everytime I wash them. Never seen so much, ever, on my Camry though...
Like Diesel pointed out, after all the bad rap, It's like you keep looking for something to go wrong with the truck...
I must say though that my gas guage issue is unresolved and i had to get my CD changer eplaced 2 days after taking delivery of the truck - I never tested it before delivery - My fault really - I was conscientious enough to see if there was a spare in the wheel well, but ignored the CD changer...
Other than these, I have been very happy so far - I am also happiER with my Camry - It is a MY2000 and pushing 92K miles....
Cheers!!
--njexpress!
Here's what I found:
I drove 260 HWY miles on a full tank of gas before my next fill up. There was some idling at rest stops, for about 20 minutes in all.
I hit half tank at 120 miles and the low gas indicator came on at 252 miles. I filled up again at 260 and it took roughly 17 gals, netting me just above 15 MPG. I was driving in the 77-83 MPH range except for occasional spurts to 90+ during passing. Made sure I stayed below the 3000 RPM peak torque band always, unless I wanted to pass. There were 4 adults and one infant plus light luggage in all.
The gas mileage doesn't upset me very much since I DO have a heavy foot. The low gas light came on roughly with 6 gallons to empty... Not sure if this is correct though.
The thing that really is useful is that, I don't have to psyche unless the trip meter hits 250.
Bottom Line: Guage display is still not right but, I know what to expect, at least...
Good Luck!
MB should be a lot better jd powers also thinks so.
brakes--go to sears, and for 15$ they check the specs, did this with my lexus because lexus told me i needed brakes all around and to replace all pads. sears said (and they quantitated it against lexus specs) --i had 30k miles left and put it in writing(sears saved me $420). you still need to confirm all dealer recommended services.....as Ronald Reagan said "trust but confirm" next time try sears for a second opinion. I liked my lexus but i feel the service depts can "push" you into more frequent services, same at my local MB dealer. how many dealers don't???
My wife really likes the ML (when it is working) and it is her daily driver. My question is this:
How much does the 04 ML-500 share with her 02 ML-320 in terms of mechanicals that could have been the cause of the problems?
Thanks!
Jeff
McAllen, Texas
the MB web site which, after clicking on a few
buttons, had instructions to program the ML
buttons. The instructions worked fine.
My brake system was changed around 5K because there was some squeak noise.
Dealer said the problem was with the special circuit of brake system.
Then at 20K now, dealer changed pad/rotor for $690 because they were worn out.
That was a surprise to me because I didn't drive the truck that much and 90% are highway mileage.
The gas gauge was changed around 15K and it seems to have problem again.
The last time I only filled 16G when the needle pointed under the amber light.
Normally, it needs at least 20 to 21 G at that position.
I enjoyed the truck for only 1 year, after that, many problems showed up.
I just gave the dealer a big list of problems on Monday. My truck is only in for the first Plan B service.
Sigh, I wish I had chose Lexus LX470.
Can anyone confirm this?
Thanks!
replacement of the fuel filter at 60,000 miles
and the fuel lines which are now "new and improved". The cost quoted was $485.00. And,
they couldn't just replace the filter because
they don't supply the old style - the new style
requires fuel line replacement.
I asked the advisor to double check the price or see if this was something M-B should pay for and
nothing changed.
Has anyone heard of this?
Does anyone know if or when the ML will come out with a diesel motor? I am thinking of looking at the Lexus 330 and the BMW X3 and not getting another ML, even though I have been happy with it. If Mercedes is going to put it out with a Diesel, I will wait
This gas price upward spiral is getting expensive!
p.s. I was told yesterday by a Mercedes dealer, that Mercedes will not pay for routine service on 05 Mercedes, after the 1st service. They will continue to pay for all warranty work but not routine service. those of us with 04 and older ML's under warranty will continue to receive the free services.
Thanks,
Don
2000 ML320
Was it easy to install?
thanks,
don smith
2000 ML320
They charged me $89 for diagnostic and told me that it was the Oxygen Sensor that needs replacing and gave me an estimate of about $384.
Has anyone had to replace this Oxygen Sensor and if so, what is the price you paid for the replacement? Also when is it due for the Spark Plugs to be replaced?
Thanks.
Any help is appreciated
Diana
Before the current '05 ML, we had a '99 ML320- bought it new. My mom drove the car to work everyday and did not have the extended warranty. Upon turning it in this past July it had 65,000 miles on it.
Here are some problems we had:
-Interior would always fog up- usually at night or in the morning- we just lived with that issue.
-Radio always had fuzzy reception- just because they have micro antennas-that was nothing major
-Gas gauge never showed full- new sending unit fixed that.
-Windhsield washer reservoir leaked- dealer installed new one- we didnt even report the problem- they just did it while the car was in for maintenance.
-Battery shorted out- car would not start-had to be towed- THIS IS NOT A ML PROBLEM- it was a defective MB battery.
-Sunroof wind deflector popped out of place while closing.
-Cupholders popped out a couple of times- those are easy to fix.
-cd player skipped- dealer installed new player.
-heater/ac blower motor made rattling noise- dealer fixed no problem
-rear hatch door hydraulic lift cylinders- the driver side leaked so they went ahead and replaced both.
All in all, these are just minor things that happen with all new cars. The car never went in for a or b services- and the oil was always changed with regular oil- every 3000 miles. (no engine problems-ever)
Over a period of 65000 miles, nothing major ever happened with the car. The paint held up perfectly, no major interior problems, no shock/suspension/brake problems, no engine/ tranny problems, and no dealer problems.
Dealers have always been more than willing to help, and we have always been provided with a mercedes loaner car. When the warranty ended, we simply asked the dealer to go over the car to make sure it will be okay out of warranty- without any hesitation they re-charged the AC, balanced the tires, checked front end alignment, found a bad electric engine fan wiring harness- fixed that, found a bad ac drier- fixed that.
The only reason we traded in the '99 was because of the special edition package offered on the '05. My parents also wanted a new mercedes with a warranty because they knew what maintenance costs were out of warranty.
Before having the '99, my parents had a '92 300TE wagon- it was a lot more expensive than the ML, and it had its share of problems. At 70,000 miles the AC quit and the engine needed a few things.
Since I am the one that takes care of the cars, I pay a lot of attention to how they are built. I thought the '99 was nice, but in comparison to the '05, it was okay.
Here are some improvements I have found:
More power-3.7 L
Better materials- better interiors, gauges, trim packages, etc.
The interior does not have any more cheap hard plastic surfaces- everything is soft (wrapped in vinyl?)
The new ML's have weatherstripping where the old ones never had it- each door has more at the top and bottom.
The hood does not use a cheap prop-rod, instead it uses hydraulic shocks.
Wood is better quality inside
HVAC controls are much fancier.
Tire and rim sizes are bigger.
More features/ammenities.
I can go on and on...the differences between 5 years are amazing- it shows that mercedes has tried to improve something that was okay in the first place.
Also-since we have always had MB rental cars (mostly c-class) I would have to say that those are very nice as well.
The only complaint so far is the dealer they bought the '05 from- one of the chrome rims is peeling and it has taken 6 weeks for a new one-
Any other questions- feel free to E-mail me.
Sorry for the long message- I just wanted to share our experiences with our ML's....
3 dealers said it was to keep the sticker price of the '05's lower-I guess the maintenance cost more than expected...
Therefore, ML owners, keep your finger crossed whenever you are on the road. Sooner or later something will fall apart and if your warranty ran out...
Is there a standard of making a faulty part on the recall list? What about the people suffered before the recall letter is issued? MB issued the recall of ML steering hose clamp in mid 2003 or before, I was stranded because of this in Oct. 2003 and received the recall letter in Nov. 2003 !!! On the up side, I got one good-hearted dealer got me a rental car to at least drove my never-in-a-MB-and-cannot-believe-such-poor-quality parents home. I don't know how ML got rated as the safest car as in their commercial? Losing power steering on road is not safe at all. I don't want to get stranded again because of the pulley or the fuel filter and on, which is well-known already.
Can we report this to BBB or somewhere else? Even though I don't think they'll do a thing...
Fixed under warranty to date:
Harmonic balancer
Aux fan wiring harness & 40amp fuse upgrade
power steering clamp and hose
pass rear door weather strip
Windshield washer/wipper stalk broke off
accelerator pedal cable
Fuel filter/line upgrade
ETS light fix
sunroof fix
Fuse box clips replaced