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Comments
I doubt the extended warranty would apply to your car, although it might be ammunition to use to get MB to cover it under goodwill. I don't think the car being a used car is any problem; the issue would be that the warranty is probably specific to the USA since it came from MBUSA. Also, the warranty covers cars which were serviced with conventional (rather than synthetic) oil. Your car was probably built and serviced after MB started using and recommending synthetic oil exclusively.
The warranty was part of MBUSA's settlement with US owners after a class action lawsuit was filed. Basically, it extends the engine warranty to 150K and 10 years for problems related to sludging and other oil problems attributable to the use of conventional (rather than synthetic) motor oils as MB originally specified and as was commonly used in MB's "free scheduled maintenance" program. In March 2001 MB changed their recommendations to always require synthetic oil.
Good luck with your car,
- Mark
I have a 99 ML 320 with the same symptoms (high altitude loss of power). The engine runs fine at low rpms but revs extremely roughly with almost no power. Most times you are forced to pull over quickly as the power loss comes on suddenly (not fun it you are on a 2 lane mountain highway with little shoulder). Some times you can limp along on the reduced power; other times you have to shut the car down for some time and the problem usually goes away. I believed the issue could be related to the fuel pump, which has been known to overheat and have issues on the early MLs (I have not replaced the pump). But the problem doesn't occur on every trip to elevation, but probably more than half.
I figured that this is just a difficult intermittent idiosyncrasy that would never be successfully diagnosed as I live in the SF Bay Area (where the problem has never occurred). But I travel often to Lake Tahoe and LA and both destinations have passes from 4000-7000 ft elevation.
I recently learned about the fuel filter update from my independent repair shop and believed that the update might also take care of the high altitude problem. Nope: the stall problem occurred again when I recently drove up to about 8000 ft. in order to climb Mt Whitney. But then, returning home through Lk Tahoe, it didn't stall at 7000 ft.
So, my guess is that this nagging problem lives on, at least for me. Let me know if your car's trouble at elevation has been permanently solved.
--John B
Now you've got me worred again! ;-)
I'm cautiously optimistic that the problem is gone. I've taken a couple trips since the repair in situations where the problem would often occur and had no issues. But as you are noting, that's no guarantee - I've had instance where the problem would happen early in a trip, I'd limp along for an hour or so, and then be fine for a thousand miles afterwards. Extremely frustrating. But since the repair (about one year and 15K miles ago), not a hiccup.
There may be some interaction between a marginal fuel pump (which as you note has been very problematic, especially on the early models) and the filter as well. Perhaps a new fuel filter on mine has masked a fuel pump problem that is still there. On one of my repair trips, I pushed MB hard just to get a new/updated fuel pump, but for some reason then pushed back hard, did a bunch of diagnostic work, and decided to replace the crankshaft position sensor. At this time, they said they'd replace the pump if the problem re-occurred, but when it did a year later, I got a new service advisor that said all they'd do is the fuel filter update. Needless to say, I'm never buying another MB product.
When I started to have the problem, it seemed temperature related in that high/hot was the likely scenario, but just before the new fuel filter, I had it happen on a winter ski trip, so this sorta blew the overheating theory out of the water.
And on one trip, the problem was especially severe and we tried leaving the gas cap off. This seemed to solve the problem on this trip. This made me think the perhaps it was related to fuel tank venting.
If the problem ever comes back, I'll sell the car. I've given this issue all the time and trouble I care to. Life's too short.
- Mark
M.
pricing numbers; when my garage called MB they were quoted $115 for the blower, but when I went there to pick it up ">they charged $75 plus tax.
Rick
Mark
Can someone confirm this for me?
I seem to be getting somewhere with this - slowly but surely. After dismantling the engine (it took them 3 weeks to get round to this) it appears that the number 3 piston was siezed due to no oil in the barrel. There seems to have been enough oil in the rest of them but not in this one. Very strange.......... Anyway, they say they hope to have the repair completed by Wednesday of this week (only 5 1/2 weeks so far as opposed to the 3 day initial estimate). I'll let you know if it works out, but I'm not betting on it!
Rick.
500e, sounds like you have it - on the 320, it's the gizmo below and slightly right of the oil filter. You have to pop the plastic beauty shroud slightly up to get the cap off.
- Mark
Few days later, the car lost power after breaking at a stop and 3 weeks later when I was driving downhill. My parktronic isn't working since that work on the harmonic balancer.
So I am left with two questions:
1- Are these mere coincidence or the work wasn't done properly?
2- Given that this is the second time we've experience bad work with this dealership, is there any place we could check on their reputation?
Best, Steve
I've heard equally bad things about Smart in Seattle. I don't have a good solution for repairs that require the dealer. For routine stuff, I either do it myself or use the local gas station that has a guy who knows the ML's pertty well.
- Mark
You are just going to love this. Phoned MB today to ask them when my car will be ready to collect.....guess what...... not today!! (as promised). Apparently the engine has been removed from the car and sent away to a specialist (obviously MB are not specialists at their own cars). The "Specialist" has got the part on order (I presume from MB) and cannot START the work until he has the part,. There is no way on gods earth that I will ever buy another MB and when this Jaloppy is back its going straight into the nearest showroom. Bah Humbug!!">
Rick.
If there's some sort of warranty, then maybe you can ask for your money back less a per mile usage fee so you can buy something else.
Steve, Host
- Mark
On the "left column" there is a "Helpful Links" section. Only in this ML forum, there seems to be an odd "Consumer Rating" bar in this section - it is fairly wide, so it shoves the center main column over so far that it ends up underneath the right "Inside Line" column, obsuring the the text of the forum. BTW, this erroenous "Consumer Rating" bar has a hyperlink which links to some information about the BMW M5. Latest version of IE.
Please forward as appopriate. Again, I'm active in perhaps ten forums and this ML one is the only one I've noted the problem in.
tidester, host
of that intrusive advertisement)
Rickknight1, when you say "garage",
I don't think it has the same meaning
as it does here in the US. A garage
here is a local repair shop that, if
they sold any vehicles, would be used
and generally with no warranty.
Hopefully you will have a positive
outcome with your ML.
Mark156
Sorry, yes when I said garage, I meant the dealer
that I bought the heap from. Although they are not
an MB dealer, they are opposite - luckily. They
provided me with a 12 month warranty. I discussed
this as well last night with my wife and we are of
the opinion that a refund is in order. I'll let
you know what occurs. (Really annoying that ad,
isn't it). Rick.
Steve, Host
Steve, the problem appeared gone initially, but when I went into compose mode, it returned. Thanks for your help. Edmunds rocks.
- Mark
I'll report it and cross my toes this time.
Steve, Host
Of course, I worry about the cost to maintain this car, but then again Mercedes generally last long right?
My question related to maintenance. She has 68,000 miles on the car, and her "double wrench" lit up, which she says means its time for maintenance. She doesnt have the book that came with the car? What might I expect the car needing for this maintenance? Oil and what else? Should I bring to a MB Dealer or private mechanic? (there are a few in my area).
What did everyone else pay for this service?
thanks so much in advance.
The Edmunds Maintenance Guide will tell you what needs to be done for an A service or a B service. And it'll tell what we think the service should cost.
Steve, Host
No straight answer if they ever will be available for NY registration.
2 trips to FL from NY recently in premium fueled cars.
Of course the gas price drops by 35 cents once out of NY and more as you travel south.
But guess what?
Diesel was 75 cents to one dollar higher than premium gas in the south.
I have read just yesterday of the refinery problems related solely to diesel and the Louisiana huricanes but my M-B S430 4-Matic got 28.7 mpg fully loaded with people and cats and stuff and my BMW 330xi got 29.6 mpg also loaded. And these are round trip numbers.
The diesel and its premium acquisition cost is making less and lees sense for me. I may not wait for 07.
I think we all often forget that German cars are very efficient when it comes to highway travel, which is what they're really made for in the first place.
Now just think what a S420 CDI would get on the highway! That is once diesel fuel comes back down in price. If I mean.
M
I was just on a trip in my 2002 ML500 and the read-out was telling me 21 mpg but I was actually getting 18 or so. I never really checked it after all these years but the computer seems to be very optimistic. Calculate the mileage manually to get the real figure.
Mark
- Mark
I am thinking about purchasing a 2000 or 2001 ML. I have been hearing alot of bad things about the car (electrical problems, transmission, etc.) Could anybody tell me if they recommend the vehicle, or should I consider something else.
Thanks for your Help!!
~Kelly
2002 was the year that the ML was "refreshened" with a new front bumper and headlights, turning signals on the mirrors, refreshened tail-light covers and rear bumper update.
The air conditioner dash controls are better as is the location of the power window switches on the console. In 2002, Mercedes added rear air conditioner vents for the second row.
My 2002 ML500 has never left me stranded and I'm approaching 50,000 miles. It has been a really good vehicle. I'm getting ready to trade as I usually change out my "traveling" vehicle every 3-4 years. I would consider a new 2006 ML but they don't offer a third seat like I have in my 2002. And, I don't want an R-class, to "van-ish".
I have not had any problems with my transmission or any electrical problems. I have other very minor issues like the rear cupholder breaking, light behind the speedometer went out, wrinkle in the console cover, a tailgate latch, washer fluid container leak (twice) and the black piece under the front bumper came loose twice.... EVERYTHING was fixed under warranty and have had no issues in a long time.
Mark
Is the upgraded stereo THAT much better than the stock stereo? Is the MB-NAV now user friendly enough to be useful?
First thing I'd do is confirm how much brake pad you have left. Don't take the dealer's word for this.
If you get under the car with a flashlight, it's very easy to see how much pad is left, by shining a light into the caliper from the plane of the wheel. (Turning the wheels full lock may help on the fronts.) As long as you can see a groove still remaining in the pad, then you're within spec. The dealers are generally very aggressive in pitching a brake job when the pads may be only 60% worn or so. Also, if there is no brake warning light (the pads have sensors that illuminate a warning light when they get near replacement time), that's usually a good indication that they're still okay.
Typically, the front wear is heavier than the rear, although not always. My guess is that with 18K and unless you're really hard on brakes, you'll find that you have about 40% of your fronts left and well over half of your rears. Which means you probably can go onto about 30K or 35K on the fronts, and 50K on the rears.
If you do need pads, dealers are also extremely aggressive about recommending new rotors. Because the rotors have very little extra "meat", they don't want to machine rotors anymore, so they just recommend new rotors as a matter of course. In reality, your rotors are probably within spec and unless visibly grooved, you can probably fit new pads and not do a thing to rotors. Many of us are getting 100K miles out of rotors this way without any squealing problems.
Now the dealer may not be willing to do brakes without replacing rotors. They'll say that it won't be safe, or won't meet spec, or will always squeal. If they insist on rotor replacement, then I'd push for having it done under warranty as getting 18K out of a rotor can be considered a defect in materials. Some folks have even managed to get early pad replacement done under warranty, but this is a harder push.
If you can't get MB to cover anything, I'd recommend you find a good independent garage that knows Mercedes to give your business to and only go to the dealer for warranty work. Finding someone who will work with you to find lower cost solutions is key to owning a MB at something approaching reasonable cost. My experience is that MB dealers consider $1300 spent every 18K miles on brakes is just "routine maintenance costs". They even gave me a dirty look when I suggested this was too high, like I was being a cheapskate or something. Which is one reason, I just traded my ML yesterday. Absolutely loved the truck, but it just was too expensive to keep it running.
I picked up a 2006 Land Rover LR3 HSE, Java Black Pearlescent with Alpaca beige leather, Cold package, Heavy duty package... added a wood dash and thick black rubber mats on all three rows.
I liked my 2002 ML500 (48,700 miles) but it was just about out of warranty and I was ready for something else.
The Land Rover has a 4 yr. 50K warranty that incudes all maintenance... My ML had that but Mercedes doesn't offer that anymore. Also, my local Mercedes dealer doesn't offer loaner cars. I made sure that the Land Rover did and my salesman said "sure".
I hope my luck with the Land Rover is good, I just didn't want a Mercedes this time, especially, for the lack of included service and no loaner cars.
Mark
- Mark
Thank you very much for your response. It gives me some good insights. Unfortunately, I did succumb to the "we won't release your car to you because it is not safe" argument from the dealer, and paid the nearly-$1,500.00 cost.
Good luck with your new purchase.
Regards,
John
Then at about 26,000 miles, while I had the ML in for service, they wanted to replace the front brakes, I said no. I figured that is what the "brake pad" replacement light is for.
Well, what do you know, I waited until 46,000 miles to replace the front brakes (and rear). The light never came on. The service tech couldn't believe I never had the pads replaced. He asked me if I had them replaced by another shop and I said no. I told him that I was waiting for the light to come on. He didn't like that.
Since the dealer, in my opinion, tried to make me spend money WAY to early, I decided when the time came, they would NOT get my business. I had a private shop do it, replacing all pads, rotors and brake fluid at the cost of $1,100.
Next time, just wait until the light comes on. Always question the service guy, they are not their for your interest. Sure, they can be nice and all, but hold on to your wallet! :surprise:
Mark
They are very subtle with their tactics to get you to perform excessive service - they'll have the service techs write things in the work order in all caps like "CAR IS NOT CURRENTLY SAFE TO DRIVE", which to a new owner is pretty intimindating. And who wants to have a service record for the vehicle which shows you ignored such advice?
In their weak defense, they will argue that the car is serviced so infrequently that if the pads are more than half worn, there is some risk that they may be under spec before the next service visit. This reflects an attitude of "Cost is unimportant to our customers and the inconvenience of having to schedule an extra service visit between routine visits is." Which is probably true for some, but not me.
- Mark
This tactic has an odor of bill padding to it.
I wonder what their response would be if you said, ok. let's tow it to Midas and get a second opinion?
Steve, Host
Steve, Host