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Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
Please keep us informed!
The good thing is that you helped me decide not to get the ML. Maybe an E320 4-matic wagon but no way am I buying the ML. Speaking of which, Drew's comment on the E-class' fuel pump gives me pause yet again. Blaming fuel pump failure on fuel quality or lack there of, makes me wonder if MB uses engineers to design their vehicle, or big bubba from bubba's garage down in Bama.
For those of you still looking for the ML experience, the 2002 can be ordered for $1000 over invoice, from just about any MB dealer in NE Ohio i. e. Cleveland. Email me, and I'll forward you my dealer contact.
Does anyone know if the M-B extended warranty offered by M-B dealers covers the FSS service beyond 50k? later, ldf
If you talk to anyone who has a BMW or Audi, you'll see that they're not immune from it too.
The MBUSA free maintenance is only for 4 years or 50K miles, whichever one comes first. Since it's not a warranty issue, the extended warranty does not cover this.
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
I have noticed the same noise on my new ML320, but have heard this same noise on many high performance vehicles. I have been told that it is the fuel pump and is nothing to worry about.
tlwwso
Yes it is a fuel pump. If I was you take it to the dealer and they will replace it under warranty. I been there twice... fuel filter and fuel pump.
jbujac,
Your servicing dealer is going to process your claim I hope you have all the receipt, because thats where they go by...they reinbursed me every penny i've spend, Food and lodging.
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
thanks
The ML's and E-class I have driven upshift late when cold. It is designed this way so the engine and catalytic converter warm up quicker and become more efficient as soon as possible. It does feel like the car will never upshift.
My 2000 ML gets over it pretty quick. A 1999 E-class warmed up pretty quick, too. A 1996 E-class seemed to take a few miles. I assume other MB's do that too, but didn't notice it on the SLK (probably because I never let up off of the gas anyway).
Sometimes when I'm having fun I keep it floored and yes it will shift at 6000.
What happens when you lift off the throttle before 6000? does it shift then?
R
So long as they don't lean against it, the side airbag provides additional protection that they otherwise wouldn't get. Namely, if your child is in an outboard position and the seat comes between them and the airbag, it's better than not having the airbag at all.
One thing that might help the wriggly child is the Britax Super Elite, which is a BIG version of a normal forward-facing seat. It holds children up to around 80 lbs in a five-point harness, whereas usually you have to go to a booster. That should help, though not totally prevent, the child from leaning.
However, if a child is already used to the booster, he/she might not tolerate being put back into a five-point harness, so it's probably better to use the Super Elite as the seat after the convertible one.
Unfortunately Britax is having manufacturing problems and the seats are in extremely short supply, so much so that the web site just says to wait until the fall.
1. Both rear D-pillars have cracks in them
2. The covering on my arm rest is loose
3. Every time I open the sunroof and then close it, I notice some silicon-like material on the sunroof glass. The sunroof works fine.
4. The seats they put in the base M-class are made out of the cheapest material on earth. My drivers seat developed a tear in it after six months. I threw a cover on it. All the other seats are fine.
As for my hit and run. Somebody damaged my front bumper in a parking lot. It looked like my ML had been hit in a NASCAR race because one side of the bumper cover was sticking out about two feet. I learned what looks like a front bumper is only a cover, so the damage was really only cosmetic. The cover cost about $400. Not bad for an MB.
I need to get it inspected by the end of September and hopefully MB will fix all the problems. I am worried about about the seat. Then again, I did fight Chrysler on my lemon Grand Cherokee (4 sets of brakes in 1 year)and they ended up giving me a new Grand Cherokee without too much hassle.
I usually get a new SUV or truck every year. I just went out and drove a few new SUVs to see what I would buy this year. I decided to keep the ML. It's too fun to give up. I let everybody know how my warranty repairs go.
Very good news for a vehicle with so many upgrades/improvements.
Thanks again for the tip Drew.
I noticed the same problem, but once I set the time and the date the problem went away. Kinda like setting a wrist watch with the day.
tlwwso
The rest are known problems. They should know how to fix them.
Bring a camera!
Visit the major manufacturers first as those will be the most crowded. It should take a few days to cover but I have to squeeze them in two days.
R
Also, how do you remove rear bumper skin? I need to do this to mount my trailor wiring hook-ups. Thanks in advance.
Also, I have Thule racks with H2GO carriers and mast holders. Increase in wind noise is undetectable!
cjg
http://www.iaa.de/home.cfm?language=en&mID=1
Dates: 13 to 23 September 2001 first 2 days are more expensive but less crowded (so I've heard, experts join in).
I read previously that the show is so big that getting rooms is either expensive or impossible at this late date. Also dimly remember suggestion to stay is outside of town and take the train direct to exposition center. What town? I'd like to know that too!
This dealer has replaced things or repaired things without any request from me over the years.
May well be that my often called needless appointments for oil and filter changes every 4-5000 mi., now with the Mobil One 0-40 weight has been worth while for both the dealer and me.
Now have 32,000 mi. without any major issues and have recommended the ML without hesitation to many who are considering an SUV.
Drew:
mentioned the on-going chats wrt fuel pumps and sending units. They said the first time I notice that the fuel gauge does not respond to a proper reading upon filling the tank that is their clue to replace the pump and sending unit. You are correct in stating last week that not all pumps are defective or are affected in the same manner by the pump gas available regionally in somewhat differing formulations.
gordon:
The lifter problem affected a subset of 1999 models. Known problem. Your dealer should have fixed it long ago...
A/C seems to be working OK. My wife will let me know today if the car cools down (it was in the garage at the dealership, so it worked fine when I picked it up, but seemed a little weak when I used the truck later in the day). I will be keeping an eye on this. I had the rep pull all the work orders on the car since day one, and no other a/c problems, LOTS of lifter complaints and work was done, and the service rep seemed to believe that the original owner got rid of the truck due to this, not because of a new 55 that had come in (gee, would my salesman lie to me?).
I'm definitely in the market for a new truck for her though, Black is just too hot (even though all my cars have been dark). I think we're going to go for silver next time. I'll be waiting to see what the '02's do to the value of my '00 and will probably trade out as soon as there's some availability on '02's.
BTW, this was the first long drive for the ML and it did not disappoint. The seats, IMO, were very comfortable. My back was not sore at all, although it was just a 2.5 hour trip.
One thing though, I found a little stone chip on my windshield yesterday. (bummer) I was waiting for my bug deflector to come in and decided to go without it, should've waited.
Mike
What's the build-date of your 99-ML320?
Kenyee says the lifter problems affected a small subset of 99 models. Does anyone know the build dates of those MLs?
Joe
Aren't those hooks normally there even w/o the 3rd row seats? They're the cargo attachment hooks in the cargo area...
js888:
Interesting...I just looked up my Notes on this and it was for 1998 models. The MB Net msg is 279 if you want to ask your service advisor to dump it for you...
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
My mother inlaw has a ML 430, the right front tire is wearing but the other tires are fine. The dealer is telling her that it's doing that because of the way she is driving, And because it is an all wheel drive car, And that one wheel pulls more than the other front wheel.
It sounds more like an alignment problem to me. They also replaced all four brakes at only twenty five thousand miles. They told her again it was the way she is driving. I've never had a car need all four brakes at once with such low mileage. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks Ft1
Just have to wait it out.
Mo Eckley
Is dealer the only one able to access the MB Net Msg.? Or can I access those msgs?
TIA
Joe
It's their private service forum that links service depts w/ MB...
Drew, rs64 and Ken: thanks for the speedy feedback. You guys are ALL OVER IT!!! : )
The brake pads in a Mercedes will wear sooner than in most vehicles, but there is a reason for it, they use softer pads, that is why you see so much black powder on the rims, the gains however are that you rotors will last longer and require less often resurfacing, in the long run those savings will more than offset the price of more frequent pad changes, plus those soft pads is what gives us those wonderfull brakes without grinding. And yes, driving habits and conditions affect the life of the brakes.
Just a reminder that the MB chat is on tonight (6-7pm Pacific/9-10 pm Eastern). Hope to see you there!
http://www.edmunds.com/townhall/chat/mercedeschat.html