Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
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
You should try Edmunds Used PowerShopper here.
tidester
Host
SUVs
Thanks in advance.
You will have better luck at:
www.mbworld.org and www.mbnz.org or www.ebay.com
I recently took it to the Premier MB body shop here in Tampa, and was remarking on the "collection" of dents and pings. The Owner there told me he has a steady stream of ML's coming into the shop merely to have these removed.
He said the side metal is definitely not "mercedes quality" and feels as though the interiors are also made out of pretty "chintzy" material. I was given a quote of $1011 just to remove a ping from the left passenger door, a scratch from the tailgate, and a small dent on the right front passenger door.
We do not have small kids, and my wife rarely shops in malls or parks in congested areas. The Body shop owner stated each one of the dents are from pressure against the metal (like if someone leaned heavily) and are not from hwy debris, or door pings from parking too closely. The scrape on the tailgate happened when the wife closed the garage door and wasn't entirely in the garage.
Bob
Thanks,
Bob
Thank you in advance for your inputs.
The ride IS firm but not harsh. The tires are low profile, so it is possible to ding the AMG wheels if you aren't careful. I only took it out once in deep snow, it didn't get stuck. If I were to use it regularly in challenging snow, I would get extra wheels and mount snow tires on them, and swap every 6 months.
The car is quite enjoyable to drive around.
As far as value for the $$$??? How fast can you afford to go?
Mark
M.
tidester
Host
SUVs
A couple of things... the comments made by the body shop were superflous...The metal is as thick as needed for accident crumple zones and the vehicle has heavier metal than lets say most Japanese vehicles... the real issue is the door angle as opposed to other doors which your vehicle gets parked next to... any sloppy door opener hitting your ML will cause a "ding" or "dent" if there is a sufficient impact... it does not take much for a door to have quite a bit of impact mass... if you ever opened a door normally against another surface and placed a finger in this same impact zone you would either break or damage your finger...metal dings/dents with the same impact.
The real issue is the ML door does not have a large impact strip to absorb the hit... in addition the existing impact strip is painted the same color as your vehicle so it can chip as well.
*IF* the paint is not actually chipped in the areas of the dings or dents you can have these removed WITHOUT paintwork....there are several paintless dent repair businesses in most metropolitan areas. These companies specialize in removing door dings and there is no issue with trying to match paint Plus it takes a very short time to do the work.. couple of hours...
The scratch you have would need to be painted obviously and it would probably run $500 to repaint the rear hatch the correct way (removing the emblems and such).
We own a 1999 and have yet to get one ding and always park the car carefully but not necessarily in the furthest parking spot... usually look for nicer vehicles in nice shape and you have a better chance people will respect your vehicle ...I find the "Mom"(either male or female) mobiles are the worst to park next to for several reasons... they usually have young kids that require the doors being left open for a bit perhaps resting on the car parked next to them... the kids themselves when old enough don't always respect or understand the "don't hit the car next door" topic and basically throw the door open to hit whatever is in its path.
There are many "Generalizations" made that are just not accurate... the 1998/1999 had many more issues with the interior for example but the interior was upgraded in 2000 and is equal to or better than most of the competition... it all depends on what you are looking for.
Getting back to the door ding issue... the fact that soo... many people are actually touching your vehicle with their doors is not a good sign... we all get dings now and then but usually this is from the rare idiot that cares less and has no thought of what they are doing... these are the people that just "exist" in this world and have not a clue of anything that is around them. The rest of the damage happens by mistake, also rare. OR you live in an area where the parking spaces are soo narrow that the average person can't exit their vehicle without touching the other persons car.
Swirls: I have been using here in western NY (Rochester and Buffalo) the Delta Sonic car wash since 1980 with many costly vehicles and have never had trouble. This machinery may be proprietary to this company but it does not touch the vehicle, create swirls, remove wax and it cleans the entire vehicle including undercarriage, brake dust, tires and all surfaces get a protectant. I say this having many times in winter months with a solid cake of salt and sand driven the ML through the wash with astounding results.
I am somewhat religious about Meguiares car care products and finish treatments. Carnauba waxing 3 times a year by hand for 3 vehicles for me anyway is enjoyable. But the dark finish swirls you find are oftentimes not in the "paint" but in the wax or other protectant coating. The product to use prior to re-waxing is Meguiares Show Car Glaze N0. 7. It is totally non abrasive but will provide a terrific soothe base upon which the application of one of their top coats will give the best protection and as swirl free as possible.
I personally prefer their #3 Carnauba as it will not leave any white stain on black plastic or rubber.
Under some lighting conditions you can spot imperfections in any color finish. But, you can minimize them.
Hope this helps.
that for a $36+K vehicle an in-dash CD player
should be standard.
Bob
Bill
M.
I talked to all the dealers in Dallas and Houston area. There was only one dealer charging the ad fee. Of course, I didn't buy my ML from them.
Can anyone add some insight into my concern
Thanks!!
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/firstdrive/48116/article.html
tidester
Host
SUVs
Well I purchased an E320 this week and now I understand many of the complaints from folks that owned an E or S and bought an M assuming that they would get the same level of comfort/refinement for $20K less. The E is tighter, quieter, more upscale, etc. . .but it SHOULD be for the extra $.
Don't get me wrong - I would buy an ML in a heartbeat if I again needed an SUV. But, I understand previous MB owners disappointment if they were expecting an E/S in ML clothes/price.
Adam
Also, I saw today what appeared to be a rust spot on the front, the size of a pin head. Is this covered under the warranty?
Thanks.
My Sister and son have the same problem with their C Class remotes. In past vehicles I've owned you could open, and lock the vehicles from a great distance. My wife posted this message on several MB sites, and we were surprised to find how many people had also learned a battery change wouldn't help. Any suggestions?
Bob
M.
I'm Tom Pham from San Jose, Ca. Last Saturday, I
finally purchased a 2002 ML320 in desert silver/java
with M1, M5, Bose w/6 CD and heated seat and will add
a polish step bar, polish grill guard and rear spoiler
next week. I was thinking to buy an Accura Mdx but
decide to buy the ML instead.
My last suv was a 1988 Isuzu Rodeo.
But now it is a 2002 ML320. It's a beautiful one.
I already drove for more than 200 miles so I don't know how
its handleing in a long trip yet. But I noticed that I can hear wind noises come either from front side window or somewhere on the front when the speed was over 45miles or more. I was sure that all window closed tight too.
My other 1993 Nissan Maxima has no wind noises until it gets over 65 miles or more.
Did anyone notice any wind noises from your suv?.
Tires are going to need replacement in 5K miles or so, but that shouldn't completely fix my problem - the shocks and/or springs are my suspect areas. (Vague handling in corners could be fixed with better/newer tires, but the bouncing/rocking I get going over the smallest bumps seems to me to point to something different).I will try with the dealer service group next week to see what they are willing to do under warranty - not sure I will be as sucessful as biker5 - did not buy from the dealership.
Any new recommendations out there on replacement tires. Seems like Mercedes is going to car type tires on new models vs. truck/SUV tires in the past. I would like criper handling, so the Dunlop SP5000s are interesting, but not sure how smooth or quiet they will be vs. a Michelin Xterrain or the Continentals I heard they are puttin on 2002s. Not a lot to select from in the 275/55/17 size. Have heard the Pirelli's are noisy.
I was thinking about purchasing a used (1998) ML320. I checked Consumer Reports and they did not give it a good rating. In fact, they have it on their "worst used car list". I wasn't sure if they were stating that is was a bad car in general or if compared to other cars in it's class. I am also concerned about purchasing a used ML320 as opposed to buying - say a NEW Toyota Rav4 - that would have a warrenty. Does anyone know what exactly Consumer Reports problems with the car are? Any thoughts? Any advice?
I am thinking about tire chains for my '00ML320. Any suggestions? I live here in SoCal, but am planning some trips to Big Bear, Idlewilde, etc. Don't think I'll need them, but CHP requires them occasionally.
Where to buy, how much, etc....
I'm pretty sure you don't need a snow chain on our ML,because we have permanent 4WD but I know what you mean CHP requirement.Buy some el cheapo one and keep it in your trunk just incase. If you really want to use it you should use 4 chain not only 2 because remember you have an ESP... light will be keep flickering.
You can check 4Wheel Parts in Chula vista or El Cajon or OFF Road Warehouse at Kearny Mesa. You want to see some white stuff huh.
have anice day...and Happy Holidays to you.
Jim
I plan to buy a ML 320 with M1, M2 and M5 options. I live in San Jose. If you have
bought ML 230 recently, please let me know
the price you have paid.
Thanks,
Steven
Good luck.
I recently bought my 2002 ML320 with some options
for $45,600 after tax & license. See mssg #5633 for detail of all options.
Can anyone share your experience if your SUV have a same type of wind noise when speed is over 45 miles?. Thanks in advance for your input.
Bob
I would also post the same question on the other helpful ML forum at:
http://www.mbnz.org
Between these two forums you should maximize your information gathering potential.
Laline - 1998 ML320 - The 1998's did not even have ESP, BAS, and other major safety items... from 1999 on they have so if you can go for 1999 or newer... ESP and BAS can't be added... ESP is what tries to compensate for the vehicle loosing directional stability... very important safety feature in an SUV!!!!! BAS is Brake Assist that actually senses when you are starting a panic stop and applies full brake pressure much faster than your foot could.. hopefully preventing an accident..
DON'T PURCHASE THE 1998...GET A 1999 OR NEWER
I'd feel much better now. It might be just my imaginary since I expected air/wind noise are muted in the Benz.
do you need wiring harness for the single cd-unit ? does the ml320 comes pre-wired for the single-indash cd player ?
thanks.
the MCS comes prewired for a single player which can be installed in about 20 minutes very easily. It is plug and play
Thanks.
Jim