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PS. After 1yr and 12K mi ther have only been a few minor problems but nothing serious. It still drives great and is as tight as day one!
BTW, I also live in Northern NJ. I bought my ML320 from MB of Morristown. ;-)
Rochester, NY; Holtz MB.
- does the price sound right?
- is 99 a good year? I know that the ML had a lot of problems in its first years, and I was wondering if there is anything I need to look for, or should I even stay away from it?
Thanks for the answers.
cj
I went to the local auto parts store and bought generic replacement arms. They work fine. Didn't bother with the back one.
They are Anco's. I don't think they are lasting as long as the MB ones did, but at less than half the price, who cares.
Info on a gently off-road experience in the Pine Barrens of Central/Southern NJ. Come on out for a day of adventure, fun, and comradre with fellow SUV/Off-road/Rally/Car Nuts! Info at http://isuzu-suvs.com/events
-mike
Lisa Marie Lehrbaum at Courtesy Motors in Chico CA. Her tel# is 800-655-3535. She is a gem to deal with, no hassles, just the right answers and great pricing. I would recommend the 4yr/50K Mercedes Premium Extended warranty. It is transferable, which is a big plus when it comes time to sell your vehicle and it can be refunded on a pro-rata basis if unused prior to it elapsing. Just mention that you obtained her name on the net. Good luck.
Wally
So my question is for those of you who have purchased a used ML series (99-01), Are you finding that the repairs cost are extremely high for this truck or are they reasonable compared to let's say a MDX or 4runner.
I recently tried to get Dunlop SP5000's from Discount Tire. I had them ordered and installed. They appeared to be ok at first until I discovered they put on two tires of the wrong size 255/70/17 at opposite corners of the car. In addition these tires were not the assymetrical pattern I was told they ordered but instead the symmetrical ones. Can you tell me if you got the symmetrical pattern?
Beyond the warranty period, you might want to look into a third-party extended warranty. Unfortunately I don't believe that you can buy an MB extended warranty after the first year, but I may be wrong here. The third-party extended warranties on the ML's aren't cheap, probably reflecting the generally higher costs of MB technician labor and higher cost of parts.
Each year of the M-class brings higher quality so the more recent vintage you can buy, the more reliable (statistically) it should be.
Please note that you can buy a 2002 ML320 at about $500 above invoice in most parts of the country (though the spread between invoice and MSRP is not as severe as it is with the MDX you're looking at, or an RX300). Plus late in the 2002 model year MB will likely introduce incentives, which in past years have added anywhere between $1,500 to $2,500 in discounts, at least from what I remember. That might make a new ML320 more financially palatable.
Toyota Secoya,(spelling?) was way too big for my liking.
I have a 2000 with 36,000Kms, (23,000 miles aprox)no real major problems:
-center arm rest replaced, leather had puckered, their idea, not mine
-replaced muffler, cracked weld, mufflers are suppose to last quiet a few years
-cd changer sticking, replaced magazine, ok
That's it. My wife's 2000 Honda Accord has had it's share of problems, more than the Merc.
There is no such thing as a perfect car, some think that because it's a Merc. there should be no problem. So far I am happy with the ride, my family fit's comfortabley, wife is 6'1", oldest is 6'4" and youngest is still growing. Great gas mileage for a SUV, good safety rating, and good passing power. Just not too crazy about the ESP, you can turn it off, but it still activates when you aproach extreme limits. That's ok, but sometimes you want total control.
Good luck.....brian
Thus we bouth her the ML320, and the car has performed great. Sure, there were 2 annoyances: the sunroof's edge came off somewhat, and excessive wind noise on the door. Both were taken care of under warranty, quickly and painlessly. If my wife were to chose a new car again, it'd be the ML320 all over again. She loves it.
I think people have such ultra-stringent reliability expectations on MBs these days that the cars can't do anything else except disappoint, even though it really isn't half as bad based on what I observe from people with MBs around me. Sure, the days were Mercedes built cars to a standard, and not to a certain cost, are a thing of the past. No one can afford to do that anymore and be competitive.
But based on our experience with a much maligned '99 model year ML320, we would not hesitate to recommend the car. Seems rock solid to me these days afte the 2 initial service calls for noise and cosmetics.
Considering I don't have much warranty left, I want to take it in to the dealer and have any "necessary" things replaced. I've looked at some of the older messages, but can someone summarize what things I should have looked at?
Thanks, Greg
The tires are asymmetrical, but they are NOT uni-directional (there is no inside or outside and they can roll in either direction). The Tirerack's web site shows two tread patterns, one asymmetric and one symmetric, my tires, and all new ML's (except ML55 which uses sp9000's) look like the symmetric pattern, but are actually asymmetric. The 275/55/17 is only made in an asymmetric pattern. I called Dunlop and spoke with a Tech and she confirmed that in fact I had the correct tire, but that the tread pattern did not look like the asymmetric/uni-directional tire.
You should have Discount tire send you two of the proper size tires or swap them all out for the Grandtreks as you said. I personally like the sp5000's more than the Grandtreks as they have a better on-center feel, seem quieter and have better wet road traction than the old Grandtreks did IMO.
Good luck.
Randy
is the engine made in AL or parts..can someone please expand and give me some more info..should this be a non-issue for me in my suv decision?
kind regards,
eric
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Town Hall Owners Clubs Mercedes-Benz Owners Clubs Mercedes Benz M-Class Owners MB M-Class Owners: Dealers & Service Experiences
MB M-Class Owners: Dealers & Service Experiences
35 messages, Last post on Mar 12, 2002 at 08:55 AM
Created by KarenS
Msg#
[beginning of discussion][scroll up 20 messages] (33 previous messages)
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#34 of 35 Buying a new 2002 ML320 by miketyner Sep 04, 2001 (12:15 am)
I saw some posts about buying a 2002 ML and thought I'd share my personal success story. I went down to my local dealer and was quoted MSRP for an order - they seemed more interested in trying to sell me a 2001 model left in stock. I made the mistake of giving the salesman my phone number and I finally told him to quit calling or I'd never buy there again. I have bought two MB's previously - a 1998 ML320 and a 1999 C230. Both vehicles involved the usual grind of back and forth to "the manager" and focusing on the payment instead of the sale price. I saw a post a few weeks ago about the internet manager at Mercedes Benz of Bakersfield so I called him. I gave him the vehicle I want: 2002 ML320 Black Opal/Charcoal/M1/M2/M5/Bose and he just gave me a flat quote of $1000 over invoice. No haggle or anything - the guy just went to bottom line. I called my local dealer back and they assured me that there must be a mistake and I was probably buying a 2001 model. So of course I called Bakersfield back and he sent me a written quote by email on the 2002 model. Needless to say I'm pretty jazzed waiting for my new 320 due in October. If you are near California you should hook up with this guy - very easy and nice to work with. Doesn't even sound like a car salesmen. My dad is working with him right now to order a G500 for delivery later this year. If anybody is interested - here's the guy I am working with:
Ron Hoff
ronhoff@sangera.com
800-848-3494
The more we support dealer sales like this will eventually change the way the whole business works. Tell him I sent you...
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#35 of 35 Recent issues with Service - Mercedes-Benz of Miami by sport320 Mar 12, 2002 (08:55 am)
I brought my ML 320 in for a number of small issues. Occasionally when starting the car the fuel gauge would not register any reading, the drivers window would intermittently not operate, and I smelled something burning when driving from time to time (all hard to find things I guessed). The dealer replaced the window switch and the fuel sender (more about this later), and found a small leak in the transmission fluid which they believed was causing the burning smell.
It has 25,000 miles and I was surprised when I was told I needed new front brake pads and rotors as they were 95% worn, I was told the back brakes were at 40% and could wait longer. I am used to brakes later closer to 40,000 miles but this is my first SUV so maybe they don't last as long. I had them replaced and picked up the truck. The next day I smelled gas while driving and when I pulled over to a gas station (the gauge was visibly dropping) gas was pouring out and across the undercarriage.
I called 800-for-merc and they were very helpful and arranged for a tow truck to take me back to the dealer. The dealer told me that a fuel line had ruptured and blamed it on damage caused by the bad fuel sender that they had replaced the previous visit. Personally, I wonder if a fuel was just not properly re attached. I was also surprised that they didn't fill the tank up for me. It had approximately one gallon of gas in it when I got it back.
I have also read posts about people having problems with the MCS, I have to reset mine approximately every 6-8 weeks, by pulling the fuse out of the back of the unit. I have had the system rewired and the command unit replaced, and it still occurs.
Anyone have comments? Are other people going through brakes as quickly?
so far all has been pretty good, window challenges, just a switch.
I am preparing for my front brakes to be changed for the 1st time
I only was able to get 37K from the Factory Dunlops.
Check out the Continental SUV tire. The same 520 AA rating as the Michlen, $50 cheaper for tire @ Discount Tires. I also had the cross cuts placed on each tire, and I am very Happy with the ride.
Central FL
Mikestaley, are you autocrossing those Dunlops? I got an easy 42k and I drive some pretty windy roads. Beware the Discount Tires website, I have lived on it the past couple of days and have discovered it has many errors. One of course is the mismatched picture of the Dunlops, the other is the temp and 520AA rating on all tires for the ML. It isn't correct. That rating actually applies to the Michelin Cross Terrains. Someone has erroneously cut and pasted the same info into all the tires. I can guarantee you the Grandtreks are not rated as such yet the site says so. I have heard very bad things about the Generals on this website from numerous people.
I think my next attempt is to try the Mich Cross Terrains. Discount can get those readily and are giving me a good price on those. Anyone have experience with Cross Terrains?
The greatest problem with the ML "was" the fuel pump, it had an extremely fine prefilter and it would clog up by the varnishes and coatings suspended in the gasoline from the fuel storage tanks.
Other problems were a few small electric issues like switches for the windows and a rattle here and there, mostly upholstery rubbing.
Rattles and shakes, is a gross exageration.
Asides this issues, is a very fine SUV and a capable off roader, with two wins at Dakar in the unmodified class, meaning as is from the show room can testify to the fact, see how many other SUV's have that record in that class, you will have a hard time finding one. Even more remarkable is that the vehicle is only four years old, other SUV's have been made for decades and don't have the wins that the ML has at Dakar and other events.
Also it has a real deep reduction low range and a very precise steering and handling manners, the SUV is very solid built on a heavy frame, all major mechanical components are trouble free and long lasting, is worth to try, you have nothing to lose by testing one, all MB salesmen I have encountered are the nonpressure type, dont want it no problem, have a good day.
I have a 99 430ML and I will do it all over again.
As I am pricing the 320ML, the pricing is as diverse as the USA.
Has anyone gotten or have beaten $38,600 +tax for M1, M5, Bose and Heated Seats?
I think that this is probably the best I can do but I want to be certain. Thanks
I do not need the following NAV disks and will be happy to sell($ 75 each) if anybody is interested.
MAP Data cd 1,2,3,4 & 7.
These are brand new 2001.1 version (current). You may e-mail. It is in my profile..
The best bet in any purchase is that 1 on 1 customer - agent you are buying from.
Mike
Any one seriously considering should drive a used
Toyota Land Cruiser 98> or LX470. Depending on the miles they will be $$ at or below a new ML. ML's have a very questionable tract record to be kind and if you buy one after driving a used TLC or LX470 well_______you won't! Sorry about the "worth-less content". Just wanted to add my "2-cents"
The RX is a Camry - period. My old Avalon was far superior.
Has anyone had any experience in shipping their car overseas? Any help would be appreciated. If anyone you know is looking to buy a 1999 ML please let me know. I can be reached at tony_cora@rediffmail.com. If I do decide to sell it. I could use some help.
Two things I would think about: (1) it will cost a bundle to ship the car both ways. Whether you are reimbursed for it - someone will still have to pay it!.
(2) You might get used to having the steering wheel on the "wrong side" but I'd thing that going native will be a big advantage in adapting to driving on the left.
tidester
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Don't forget edmunds.co.uk either :-)
Steve
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Thanks for the feedback. I feel better about buying the car.
I have M1, M2, M5, heated seat, xenons, BOSE and metallic paint. I paid $41,800 + $290 DMV + tax. I also got a great deal when I traded in my '99 Honda Ody.
Hope this helps.
&^%$#@ time I get gas I have to make sure the attendant does not smash the cap onto the paint with the nozzle (no self serve in New Jersey).
Also, some model numbers and internet sources for the best pricing is appreciated.
TIA.