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As explained in my prior posts, I paid $40,120 plus tax, title and license for a 2001 ML320, Brilliant Silver, M1, M2, M7 (third row seating), Sunroof and Boss/CD changer. Granted that I have not decided whether to get the GPS system (because I don't think, at $1,550, the GPS is worth that much), the ML320, at $40,120, is merely $620 more than the MDX with GPS. (As I am typing, I just remembered 2 more reasons why I did not like the MDX - the ride made me dizzy and there was way too much wind noise.) Again, at $40,120, the ML320 is, at most, $1000 to 1,500 more than a RX300 (depending on what you order with the RX300). A fully loaded Sequoia Ltd. 4X4 is at lease $43,000 or more. Now lets step back and look at this pricing structure and tell me which one would you buy? Still not convinced? Take a look at what the ML320 has to offer: great safety features with lots of MB traditions, great snow/rain vehicle, and according to my wife, it is just about the right size. When you factor in the free maintenance (which is more than a simple oil change) that could cost $400-$1000 (believe me, I know, I also have a 1998 E320 that is without the free maintenance) for 4 years/50K miles for any vehicle, the value of the ML320 is even more compelling.
Lastly, you are correct about there being another reason besides the money factor that caused me to buy the ML: I grin from ear to ear whenever I drive my vehicles that have a chromed three-pointed star either on the hood or on the front grill.
Peace.
Did not know you get all that in a service thanks.
Surprised to here you got mobil 1.Is that standard mobil 1? on all MLs?
I had them change my oil at around 3k miles and the must have reset the FSS since I figure the As service is now push up to almost 14k miles? I will call as we get closer with mileage and discuss, would appreciate someone's advise on this.
I think you also get the air filter cleaner for the A/C...double check your service write up
Jamie
This hybrid has been built by Bertrandt, a pretty innovative German development and engineering firm in the automotive industry, and is called the Bertrand Competency Car. At their homepage http://www.bertrandt.com/english/homepage/index_home_d.php3?id=62039, click on "Press", wait an eternity for it to load, then click "Picture Archive", where you will find more pix regarding this pick-up, oops, SportHauler.
Tarik
Thanks,
Jamie
But SA said, they give that one time for free and whenever the customer wants. He acutally said he would rotate tires every 5000 miles ?
hmm.. so he said, since it's free, might as well get it done now. So the ML's still in the shop. Rear brakes need replacing. Almost down to sensor.
Mobil 1 is standard on the oil changes now.
Yeah, my dealer reset FSS by accident too when i did unscheduled 5k oil change. In anycase, changing oil at that point should only increase FSS some 500 miles. When I did that oilchange, I took note how much FSS was on there read it was about another 5000 miles. That's why I consulted SA at 10000 miles. and he said now is about right to do Service A. so that's what i'm doing now.
Scott, I'm thinking you should get Service A done before 12000miles of one year. that is what SA said. Those are common numbers they go by.
Rear brake pads cost $210. is that normal ? I actually dropped by 30 mins ago to check on it. not that I don't trust my SA .hehe..but I wanted to see hehe..
Front brakes are good so far cuz they were replaced under warranty some time ago for squealing.
well, that's that. oh Jamie, a clue: I'm a Trojan.
A year or two ago , i've actually seen some of my other fellow Trojans come to school in Lab Diablos. YES, college students should get junkier cars..hehe..yeah i know..i'm spoile..NO..'fortunate' is a better word...
drive safely!
dt77
http://fullspeed.to/ml</a
Interesting thing, the most expensive car I saw a student driving around was a 740iL, and SL500s.
I attended a Irish Caholic School (guess) , in a small town called South Bend. But when these people had to go to the store in the winter, guess who had the jeep and who they asked for ride:)
Robert
So now that I'm convinced that the ML's operator's manual has a typo, and that I should indeed have snow chains on all 4 wheels I'm unable to locate any for sale now that it's so late in the season. (I've called or been to 8 Pep Boys today )
So I need your advice. I'm heading up to Mammoth Lakes for some skiing in a few weeks, my ML has the OEM General Grabber STs.
Will the ML likely perform fine without chains?
Now I do have 1 pair of chains. If it gets dicey, or if the highway patrol forces me, would you put the chains on the front or the rear?
Would you then turn ESP off?
I was thinking front, and ESP off, but would appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks,
Michelle
I've only driven in heavy snow once and there are prob more poeple on here that will tell you how the ML fairs in snow. I thought it did very well. Just keep speeds slow hehe...
hmm to keep ESP on or off ? that's a toughy ...
dt77
Wally
1.) I live in a northern suburb of Detroit and was wondering if anyone out there has dealt with any dealers in this area that they can recommend.
2.) I have been in the showroom many times and dealt mainly with one salesguy there who has facilitated my test drives. Is it better for me to go in and sit down with this guy in order to start the process or should I call and ask for the 'fleet sales manager' or 'internet manager' in order to email or fax them an offer? I want the 320 with Bose (worth it?), heated seats, M1, M2, sunroof and xenon...msrp $42,835 and invoice $39,883...what would be a fair offer?
3.) I have a '94 Ford Explorer that according to edmunds would be worth $4,946 for a trade in $5,825 (private) and $7,426 (Dealer retail)....what should I expect to fetch from dealer or should I try my luck elsewhere.
4.) Is it worth it to wait for the MY 2002 and the minor face and interior adjustments that will accompany? Plus, when will the information for the 2002's be available? And once they are available, how much room will there be to negotiate on the 2001's?
Any and all help with the above questions would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance....
Go to autobytel and see what they come up with a price and dealer. As to 2002 v 2001, no one seems to know what minor updates that they will have in 2002. If you wait a little longer the 2001 will be discounted as the 2002 arrive. I got 5K off list on a new leftover 00ML430. Since the only thing I was going to lose was teleaid and the low gear reduction, I figured it was a good deal.
About the trip.. a little disapointed in the ride of our 00 ML430. Wheelbase could use a little more length as ride was a bit choppy. No problems though... ran straight through for 6 hours each way at 80 plus MPH. Only other complaint is gas tank size and milage - burned a lot of premium fuel - couldn't squeeze more than 290 miles out of a tank. My A8 will give me 650 at those same speeds (4.2 quattro) as well as a better ride, but my wife loves her ML.
Thanks for the help. Randy
I would like to know how much above invoice others have paid. It would be helpful.
By the way, Mercedes offered me less than 1/2 what Edmonds said was book value for my 1993 SAAB. Mark
Spoke to my dealer today, and they agreed to allow me to bring car in before the FSS since it was reset at around 3500 miles.
Yes, they agreed they all use Moil 1, most likely due to the AMGs getting it and numerous calls and time wasted explaining why MB waits so long. The perception in my opinion is stronger than the technical data/truth. I think it's true in this case, and less grief for the SA etc.
Dust filter should be changed as well, since on my 99 ML they changed it on the service A, but then the dealer gave a service credit as incentive to get maintenance done. However manual indicates it's in service B.
As far as tires, on my ML 99 I was having it done before every 5000 by tire place, However I will wait for around 9100+. In my experience more damage can be done to one's car a tire place, and am fanatical about that kind of stuff. I'd rather buy new tires earlier and upgrade then go thru the wait and torture of some of these places.
I'll take it slow and easy.
Michelle
Also, I think they actually got more expensive. I paid like 43 bucks for them. now they are almost 60.I don't think I would buy them if I had a ML that wasn't black...The Weathertechs look pretty good as advertised in many car mags...
dt77
http://fullspeed.to/ml
I gave them $1000 check as deposit, and pay the rest with cash when the car is ready. Sales man brought a form and asked my name social security # etc,and started to fill in, from my view I can clearly see it said Credit application form. So, I questioned him why he is doing that (since I'm paying cash)He said they run out of DMV paper and just using this form for basic info. But, then he wanted me to sign it.
I said "NO" but he insisted it was just for DMV.
well, you know how they make you feel .... at that point..... I'm anxious to get the car and he making me feel pressured..... So ,I did sign it but told him to make sure he give me the copy of it. After all the paper work and hand shake ,I come home double check the papers.... that the only copy I didn't get.
Went back to dealer and asked to see my folder andsince I did see that paper in the file ,I insisted for explanation to the finance manager. He was rude and ridiculed me and said he have no idea what the sales guy told me or why.
I personally think it was for the credit check.And since I have excellent credit , I have nothing to hide. But I'm so insulted by it. Why didn't they just tell me ? beside ,Isn't this ileagal?Well, any way I want to say this on the survey but one of the salesman actually told me that future service for my car is depends on how good of survey I give then. Which I take it as a threat...( this is the only MB dealer in this area.......I'm sorry about long post, but does anyone have suggestion ? Do I need to give good survey? in order to recieve good futur service for my car?
If you are really steamed, talk to MBUSA (or is it 1800FORMERCEDES), and explained to them what happened. Including the side comment about furture service. I call them on a regular basis (i.e. road maps, Collection stuff), and these people are very responsive. You know what your rights and DEMAND them. For Pete sake you didn't buy a Yugo!
TIA
Jim
The service and delivery was great, not to mention they were the lowest price as well.
As soon as the first snow hits the roads my e-mail box fills up with questions like: "I plan on buying a pair of chains for an upcoming ski trip - is it better to mount them front or rear?"
Short answer: "Don't be foolish - get two pairs!"
Traction is needed for acceleration and negative acceleration (braking). If the ground does not provide enough traction, chains are recommended to increase traction - however, if you use chains only on one axle you are essentially re-converting your 4WD into a 2WD vehicle.
Also: For maximum braking and shortest stopping distances chains are mandatory on all four wheels. With chains on only one axle the stopping distance would be twice as long. Imagine the Range Rover (top image) with chains on only one axle.
Why spend a premium to own a Mercedes-Benz ML320 or ML430 to have the safety of a sophisticated 4WD system and then save $200 for a second pair of chains and throw the advantage of 4WD out of the window?
Mercedes-Benz strongly recommends the use of two pair of chains - and it would be unwise not to follow their advice.
If only one axle would be fitted with chains the other pair of tires would frequently try to slip - 4ETS would step in and prevent the chainless tires from slipping and speeding up - so far so good - after many 4ETS interventions in a short period of time the computer would shut down 4ETS (a built in safety to keep the brakes from overheating) - without 4ETS the torque would only go to the tires without traction (the ones without chains) - they will be spinning & since spinning tires will not move your ML - you'll be stuck!
So, make your life easy - get 4 chains.
I'm sure our Euro friends will love the 400CDI though. I'd want one, too...though maybe on an MLG for my next decade car ;-)
http://www.edmunds.com/chat/freewaychat.html
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards
Thanks,
Shelbyta1
I acutally took the one side of the brake pads back hehe..pretty cool ...
One side consisted of 2 pads. I will post pic soon...Each of them also had this metal type plate on them ...after wiping of all that brake dust, i saw a MB star and a b ------ word...
saw a logo before that and coudn't make out the rest.. br____ ? looks up brembo's site and boom. logos match. hehe. didn't know my ml used brembos ..
dt77
Horror stories, I have read in other topics like the Expedition, Jeeps, Navigators, Suburbans, engines replaced, transmissions replaced, brake problems, steering problems, uncurable vibrations in fairly new and low milleage vehicles.
In fairness to the ML I have to say is a truck that handles like a car, since it has a heavy ladder frame, it definitely has that Mercedes feel with that precisse steering, very capable, and if you plan to tow, it has a deep reduction gear that is very convenient in difficult situations.
Jamie
As far as my research goes the following have them:
1. Mercedes CL
2. Porchse 991 Turbo
3. VW Passat Sport [optional]
Anyone know any good resources that would be helpful ? Appreciate it.Thanx.
dt77
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards
I'm the prospective owner of a MC-lass car in Germany. Can anyone tell me whether there is an option to get TV reception via the Command system?
Thanks, Matthias
Bob
I am one of the few that took the tour at the alabama plant, being from an egineering background I quickly understood, the engine and drive train comes from germany, the rest, all of it, has been sub out to U.S manufactures, for instance the body panels are stamped by a company in Ohio if I remember correctly, in their own dies and then shipped to the plant to be assembled, the dash and all the instrumentation is made by Delphi, and then as a complete unit is shiped to the plant and so it goes for every component, but at the assembly line is where things get to me a little fussy, is so highly automated and modular that there is hardly any human intervention, is fast and efficient but I saw very little checking afterwards in other words complete trust in that the component was installed properly, for instance I saw how the complete door panel and window assembly went into the door in seconds, it seemed to me that some checking had to be done to make sure all, is fit and snug and is not the customer the one that hears the the litle squick or rattle on the window, to my eyes, it was to much trust on automation.
Good luck,
Tarik
We all know that the ML's are not spilling their guts on the road in masses, I had vehicles that rattled, things feel off, the dash rotted, windows did not work, the radio burnt out, but the thing cranked every day and never quit on me, I certainly could not call it unreliable, I could call it anything but that.
I have read other forums, and read things like, at 5000 miles my tranny went out, the dealer installed a new one and now is giving me problems again, someone else will intercede with me too, and another, I had the same problem, etc, How about calling that unreliable, surpringly the magazines are silent in that area, lumping the ML in the bottom of the pile is definitely wrong, I know there are some definite dogs out there that are more deserving, the ML is a technical beauty way ahead of the pack.
It does have it. There are two sensors on the axles and motors on the lens capsules. We've been trying to figure out how to retrofit the autolevel system on the m-class list for a while (you can retrofit the Xenon capsules to the ML320 and ML430).
Mark, regarding the auotleveling, if your ML55 came with xenons from the factory (i'm sure it did), you should have autoleveling on it. It's required by law here in the states.
dt77
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards
headlights from 2000 ML55,or from european ML55 and lost the leveling. It looks to me that the 2000 ML55 lights are completly different from the 2001 ML55 lights there is not even the inner space for the integral fog light ,it is a different assembly and I see no motors in it,and I definately have never seen it level itself. So does anyone have proof that 2001 ML55's have leveling ? Thank you