Mercedes-Benz M-class (ML320, ML350, ML500 and ML55) 2005 and earlier

tryva1 · March 2001

The most recent Consumer Reports rates the reliabiliy of the ML much worse than average, (even the 2000) and it is not a "recommended" buy. When you look at the specific areas of rating for reliability, the ML gets a full red circle or half red circle (much better than average, and better than average) for all but two areas, and in these two areas, electrical and hardware, the ML is rated average. How CR then rates the ML much worse than average is beyond me....

wmquan · March 2001

You have to go back several pages in that issue, where CR explains how the various individual categories are weighted, and what constitutes "average." And of course they weigh past years (where there were plenty of half-black/full-black dots) in an attempt to predict trends that may not be fully revealed by more recent data.

It does seem strange, and not very intuitive, but to be fair, CR applies it pretty uniformly to all vehicles.

Nevertheless, the trend is definitely improving, even with their data.

dleungnyc · March 2001

Saw this post earlier, why would the diesel engine will develop problems couple years down the road? Thanks in advance.

kenyee · March 2001

dleungnyc:
The new high efficiency/cleaner engines you can get in Europe need better processed diesel fuel. The fuel we have is crappy. Our great politicians (Feinstein in CA e.g.) are trying to mandate 5mpg better economy for SUVs which will force SUVs to be lighter/weake/smaller. The simple solution would be to mandate better diesel sooner so we can bring the Euro engines over, but that's too easy a solution for them to approve ;-)

At any rate, the US is supposed to get better diesel fuel by 2009/2010. Most US car makers don't have a decent diesel engine.

mikestaley · March 2001

A quick note!

This forum is very important...

The reason, the owners will always tell the truth! When I was researching for my Ml this area allowed me to walk in to the show room and know the vehicle better than the sales person in two our of three dealers.

The third dealer is the one I purchased my Y2K ML 320.

Stabled in Central Florida, our Ml has over 20K miles and has worked with out fault.

My chief complaint is that MB should not have tried to get in to the cell phone business and should have made a unit that many cell phones could have adapted to for the hands free system to work.

If your looking to by a ML - review this board often and ask questions.

Mike

lqa1273 · March 2001

I am researching my next car purchase and was very shocked to find that the ML320 does not have Child safety locks to keep kids from opening to door while the car is in motion.

Anyone know why they left this feature out?
A salesman I spoke with said NO MB has child locks? Is this true? He also said that the door handles need more pressure to open then a child can apply(This seem like a complete lie to me).

Can someone that has children shed some light on this. This COULD literally leave the ML off my shopping list.

dleungnyc · March 2001

I was wondering about that, because I have seen couple late model diesel power E class around NYC lately. And if the M class comes in a diesel model, that would be my first choice over the gas powered one.

gpvs · March 2001

I think some folks have retrofitted their ML's with the child door locks. I believe it was discussed here before, maybe some folks have a better idea whether it's part of the newer models or maybe MB will install them for free. I have a 00 ml and it does not have the child door locks. I don't believe the door handles require more pressure to open.

kenyee · March 2001

dleungnyc:
Old diesels work fine (e.g., the old MB diesels like the 300D and the VW TDI engines). However, the new common rail (CDI in MB speak) will develop leaky cylinders in a few years from our fuel. FWIW, I would also have gotten the 270CDI; from what Euro owners have said, the copious torque moves the ML like it was a toy ;-)

lqa1273:
The locks are retrofittable for roughly $150 in parts and $150 in labor. What's puzzling is that they are standard equipment in Australia...just not in the US. MB also has a fire extinguisher option in Euro countries, but not here.

dleungnyc · March 2001

Heh, if the 270CDI pulls so well, can't imagine what a 400CDI with twin turbo will be like. Hmm, maybe I should move to Europe.

kenyee · March 2001

If I do a vacation in Europe in the next few years, I'd definitely go find a place to test drive one ;-)

thor8 · March 2001

I have read here numerous times that the ML diesel is an unlikely happening, but I still wonder why my salesman brougth up the subject, he seemed to be sure about the diesel coming this fall.

Mercedes trivia, as you know mercedes is of all manufacturers the most advanced in fuel cell technology, they were the first ones in developing the internal combustion engine, Jurgen Schremmp said, he wants Mercedes to be first in launching the second revolution, by releasing the first fuel cell vehicles. I just read in P.M. magazine that at this moment mercedes is installing a hot cell in their alabama plant, at 42% is twice as efficient as a gas turbine, coupled with a heat recovery sytem the efficiency goes to 65%. A 259 KW goes online this year, full scale production is targeted for 2005.

pjconner · March 2001

I also have children and was concerned about the ML not offering the child locks. A salesman said that it is a safety feature. It would be difficult to get out of the car in an accident if the locks were activated. I sort of buy that argument.

The solution is to activate the autolock feature. This feature locks the doors automatically when you drive above 3 or so mph. If the kids pull on the door handles, they will not open unless the lock is pulled up. Or you can centrally unlock the doors with the button or key remote. This solution works for us on both the ML and our X5.

Hope this helps.

planoml · March 2001

I read that BMW is bringing more fuel efficient engines over soon. That may be why MB is developing/relaunching the technology.

It was my understanding that one could import a diesel powered vehical. If the fuel grade isn't a problem, perhaps we could get our hands on the Euro diesels.

howvood · March 2001

I saw a Mercedes sports luggage container offered on e-bay. Here is the item #:

569353666

roger23 · March 2001

I had the child proof rear door locks installed by my MB dealer on my 2000 ML430. They work just the way I had hoped! By the way, from the safety aspect, it is a trade off, ( although most other domestic and foreign vehicles sold in N.A. have them), as the door can be opened from the outside in case of an accident. In the rare case of being submerged in water, I doubt my 5 year old could open the door against the outside water pressure in any event. Even if you engage the auto lock feature, this does not help unless you have the child proof locks, because, as you come to a stop, the moment the driver opens their door, all doors automatically unlock. In a nutshell, child proof door locks are available, so do not let their perceived unavailability dissuade your purchase.

dt77 · March 2001

is the article you have from SAE ?

dt77

moneyslave · March 2001

I'm looking for simple, elegant, high quality chrome/stainless exterior accessory bars for the 320/430. I've done a google search and all I see is junk. The dealer has really nice stuff. Is that my only option? Who has the best accessories - inside and out? I can't get this forum's search function to show me anything either. Please help!

ji1 · March 2001

The family's expanding any day now and we need to get a third seat and a new BabySmart seat. Does anyone have any suggestions for suppliers outside of the dealer itself?

Thanks!

ML Mom

blackjava · March 2001

I have a 2000 ML320 and haven't been on the board for awhile. Is there a Mercedes Benz retrofit kit for HID headlights at a reasonable price???

drew_ · March 2001

The lowest price that I've seen so far is just a hair under US$1195. Note that these are the ML55 HID Xenon headlamps, so they're completely legal.

drew_ · March 2001

Try http://www.clairparts.com for the MB Babysmart seats. They're a MB dealer located in Boston, MA.

kenyee · March 2001

blackjava:
There are two retrofits. A "hack" retrofit where you put xenon HID bulbs in the current lenses (not recommended) for $500/pr. Also a retrofit where you swap the capsules w/ the ML55's for around $1275 (you can get them from www.clairparts.com...give them a call)

ji1:
You can get the MB baby seat from clairparts at a discount as well.

moneyslave:
I'd get the MB ones. The Maniks (www.manik.com) are also ok but had early fit problems.

doctorjoe2000 · March 2001

I am just speaking from an E-Class knowledge of Mercedes cars, but I know that when the doors are locked at 9 MPH, the back doors cannot be opened nor can the locks be pulled up by any occupants unless one of the front passengers opens their doors or pushes the central locking button on the dash. The door handles in the front seat are more difficult to pull open when locked than when the car is unlocked. I just test drove an ML 320 today and I noticed pretty much the same thing. I believe that the locking mechanisms in the all models are the same. Hope this helps if not sorry. I am currently looking into buying an ML320, but I don;don't know whether to buy new or used. The price for the new and used vehicles is only 3000.00 I am going to look into insurance and resale value and such but I am still worried about spending that much money on a vehicle, especially my first vehicle. I am a college freshman of tall stature and I need the space available in the ML. I am also thinking of purchasing a New Passat. Totally different vehicles but they have the same amount of head and leg room pretty much. Any input that could sway me in any direction would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

bob259 · March 2001

A recent article in Autoweek magazine stated MB was introducing a ML Diesel in the US this fall I believe in their 2002 lineup along with a minor face lift and interior changes.

sshowitt · March 2001

I think the Passat is one of the better values out there. Are you thinking of the fourmotion one? The ML is a totally different vehicle, SUV vs. sedan. I am on my second ML and really love the vehicles. I like sitting high on the road and feel very safe in this vehicle. Both the M/B and the VW have high safty ratings. I guess it depends on how you want to use the vehicle. If you go with an ML, new vs used, for the 3K difference, unless they were similiarly equiped and of the same vintage, I would go new. Go out and test drive both, check out the options, go to something like autobytel and check out the pricing of both vehicles with the options that you would like.

gpvs · March 2001

Does anyone know if MB is going to offer a DVD based navigation system in the near future? If so, will it work with the current mcs as an upgrade?

bob259 · March 2001

I dropped my ML off at the dealer this AM, so they could finish fixing the coolant leak I have and at the same time they said they'd perform the A service, because I'm there and it's close to the FSS calling for it (1,800 miles). I live about 40 miles from the dealer so they said they'd do it now as long as I was in for the other service and the car was a year old. My ML is one year old this week and I have 8,750 miles on it to date. Drew does it seem that long does it.... For those of you who don't know me I normally swap vehicles quite regularly and for me not to be looking after a year it says a lot for the ML.

Also, when I asked about the oil they use I was told it's Mobil 1 0w-40. Seeing MB is using this now US wide I wonder if Mobil will start offering it to the stores like WalMart or Auto zone. I really don't want to switch oil weights for my mid changes, nor do I want to pay the MB dealer prices for 0w40 through them.

PS, the loaner was a Oldsmobile, used car.

kenyee · March 2001

bob259:
The article mentioned MB was going to add the 400CDI, but did *not* say it would be offered in the US AFAIK. I'd guess our lucky Euro friends would get it.

doctorjoe2000:
I agree w/ Steve. The Passat is great bang for buck. One of my friends considered it over the A4 a year ago. He ended up w/ the A4 for the better interior and the free maintenance. If you add 4Motion, the A4 is not much more.
If you get an ML, I'd also suggest a new one w/ free 4/50K maintenance. If you want a massive discount, wait for the the 2001 blowout when the 2002 models arrive (there are quite a few changes in the 2002).

thor8 · March 2001

Now we are talking about a good combination, two months after we bougth the ML430 we purchased a 1,8 turbo 5spd, each a pleasure to drive in their own rigth.

zorglub · March 2001

My wife and I are looking at potential SUVs. We think we are going to make the purchase in the next 6 months (depending on the economy...). Anyway, the ML is definitely on the top list. My questions have to do with the 3rd row seat. First of all, how big is it? I want it for my 2 year old, and potentially for the next one, when the grand parents ride with us. Also, is it true that the 2nd row seat has to move forward when you install the 3rd one? Lastly, can you retrofit a ML with a 3rd seat after buying it?

Thanks for your answers.

drew_ · March 2001

Unfortunately, it appears that Photopoint (when using easy upload) swallowed up all of the pages that you sent to me except for the first page. If you're still willing, and at your convenience, perhaps you could resend them to me?

Interesting that your dealership is using Mobil 1 0W40. As you know, both Mobil 1 0W40 and 15W50 are the only two MB approved Mobil 1 synthetics. All of the MB dealerships in my area only carry Mobil 1 15W50 (at exhortibant prices, I might add). I doubt that Mobil will be offering 0W40 in their stores anytime soon since it is quite specialised. They only started offering 15W50 just recently afterall! Mobil 1 does specifically state that 15W50 is only to be used for certain high performance engines. I guess ours qualify! ;-)

Hope you can make the MB chat tonight at 6-7pm Pacific!

Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards

bob259 · March 2001

Drew, I'll find the article rescan and send it you, I may still have it on my PC at the house. On the oils I would assume the 0w40 here because of some of our extremely cold nights. The interesting point was they said I could continue to use the 5w30 or 10w30 for my mid change as it was still in the MB manual.

pjconner · March 2001

My '98 ML320 was in the shop (again) to have the rear seatbelt replaced. While it was there they replaced the Drive Shaft. What is that? Is it a big deal to replace? Apparently it was making noise.

Thanks,

Patrick

dleungnyc · March 2001

The driveshaft is a long piece of metal that delivers power from the engine to the rear drive wheels. Did they tell you why they are replacing it? If they say it's making noise, could be the joint is defective.

drew_ · March 2001

As dleung wrote, did they tell you why they were replacing the driveshaft? Since you have a '98 ML320, I wonder if it's a preventative measure since the '98s did have some vibration (caused by the 50/50 split) when making tight, full-lock turns.

drew_ · March 2001

As others have mentioned, child proof locks are available for retrofitting if you wish. When the rear doors are locked, pulling on the door handles will not open the doors. One will have to physically pull up the lock pin (which requires a fair bit of force) to unlock the door, and then pull the door handle to open the door.

drew_ · March 2001

The last year for the diesel powered E-class was MY1999. MB no longer brings them to the US or Canada since our high sulphur fuel ruins the high tech emission control devices. MB's official response is that until legislation is brought into effect to drastically reduce the sulphur levels, there will be no new diesel powered MB vehicles for North America. Too bad really...

drew_ · March 2001

There are (will be) no diesel BMWs, AFAIK, because of the same reasons that there are no new diesel MB vehicles.

As for more efficient engines, MB will apparently be switching to an all new line of direct injection gasoline engines for 2005.

Even if you could bring over one of the new diesel powered MB vehicles, the sulphur in the fuel will damage the emissions control components over time. Since MB doesn't officially bring in any of these parts, repairs could be a problem.

drew_ · March 2001

You can see the first page of the Porsche Litronics article that Bob sent to me here:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=137587&a=12026577&f=0

drew_ · March 2001

Thanks...perhaps it is still in your e-mail programes's "sent" folder?

Yes, that's what I thought too. MB dealers in colder parts of the country would use Mobil 1 0W40, whereas the rest would use 15W50. Of course, there are other non-Mobil brands of synthetics that MB approves as well. Strangely though, MB Canada has not adopted MBUSA's policy. We don't get free oil changes here, and my guess is that they fear a huge customer uproar if they start using the (pricey because of their high markup) synthetic stuff exclusively. The standard mineral oil that the dealers in my area use for oil changes is 5W40.

dt77 · March 2001

hi, it would be real nice if I could get a hold of that whole litronic article ? so if anyone one of you could email it to me..that would be great!

dt77
deeteeseventyseven@hotmail.com

drew_ · March 2001

I'll post it in Photopoint and let you know once I get it :-) Unfortunately, I thought Photopoint had it so, I stoopidly removed it off my server. Grrr....I'm sticking to e-mailing pictures to Photopoint instead of using the "easy upload" feature now. This is not the first time that it has happened.

Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards

maab · March 2001

I just heard on the radio that Euormotorcar (MD dealer) will be phasing in two hundred E320s and ML320s as loaners within next six months. Yoo hoo!

Another dealer in VA (HBL) is using Enterprise to give out loaners. The last time I went in for service, they gave me a Sunfire (that's one way of making sure you don't put too many miles on loaners).

Since HBL is closer to my house, I'll ask them if they can match MD dealer (for Es and Ms loaners) next time I need to go in for service.

gpvs · March 2001

HBL/Enterprise once gave me a stinky loaner, can't remember whether it was neon, but the stench left with you. At that time, they told me that's the only one left.

Maab, do you know if ASC is using Enterprise, too? Although, like you, HBL is so much closer to my house.

maab · March 2001

Actually, I've never dealt with them before (oops, I take it back). My dad bought an E from them a couple of years ago, but somehow that dealer never showed up on my Radar (if you know what I mean).

Upside to HBL is that their facility had a recent facelift so all the facilities (waiting room, showroom floor,etc.) are new.

Euromotorcar is still doing the expansion (read construction), so you don't get a good impression when you go to the dealer. But then again you can't judge a book by it's cover.

dt77 · March 2001

I was at a American Honda Motor in Torrance CA last nite. They did something with SAE and presented th MDX. Quite interesting SUV ... without full time 4wd. In case yer stuck, you can even press this button on the dash that would send all power to the rear wheels hehe..i thought that was funny. They don't really have a very active stability control like the ML has and the rear wheel are actually coupled and they cannot spin or accelerate independantly.

Great mileage, cuz when in cruise, little or no power is sent to the rear wheels. They even showed a vehicle test video out in the desert with a 98/99 ML320. all in humor, the ML was portrayed to suck. And of course at the end, the MDX was towing the ML out of a ditch hehe..

according to a another presentation, the MDX was bigger (interior) than the ML and the X5. also had the highest torque curve among it's competition .hmm..X5 would be the 3.0.

dt77

ddavis001 · March 2001

How is the reliability of you folks M-Class vehicles? Also, how do you think resale fares for this vehicle?

kenyee · March 2001

dt77:
They seem to have done pretty well in snow this year. And no rollover pics yet :-)

kenyee · March 2001

If any of you folks have switched tires on your MLs, would you mind stopping by http://www.keysolutions.com/M-Class and filling out a tire review? It will help your fellow ML owners. Places w/ reviews like TireRack don't let you get reviews of tires on your kind of car. Hopefully, this will fill this information void.

Mercedes-Benz M-class (ML320, ML350, ML500 and ML55) 2005 and earlier

Comments

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles