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

drew_

I think MotorVision on Speedvision covered this tour. However, since Speedvision doesn't produce MotorVision, I doubt that they can help you very much at all.

It is subsidised by Porsche, I believe, but not sponsored by them. I think you probably also will need to have a car there.

drew_

Happy Chinese New Year to you too!

Ugh, I doubt that's really the new M-class. Looks like a jacked up station wagon after the way the graphic artist squished the ML55 (I do have the original picture of the ML55 from which this image was manipulated from), added the C-class's headlamps and mirrors, plus the CL-class's grill. Just in my humble opinion, of course.

drew_

The ML's outside air intake is the leaf guard at the base of the wipers. I wonder if some crud could've made its way down there as you drove through the construction site. Try using the recirculate mode and see if the smell is still coming in from the vents. You could also open the windows, turn the fan on level 2 or 3, and spray a fair amount of Lysol (or Clorox) disinfectant spray into the cabin air intake. That may get rid of the smell.

Good luck!

bigbaddad

Well, I hesitate to say it, but it appears the dealer was right. Another trip to the quarter wash and I have gotten most of the mud off the exhaust bits. There was still some mud near a heat shield, as someone here thought. Would have been better (for me) if the dealer cleaned off the exhaust while they had it on the rack. Moral of the story: Mud is bad.

drew_

If the stainless steel side steps are closer to the body than the current chrome ones, I think it wouldn't be too helpful for getting in or out (just like the M4 side runners are not much use). The current side steps are good for both once you get used to it. The running boards have an even lower step-in height than the chrome side steps, but the close proximity to the rocker panels also makes them pretty much useless for getting out of the truck.

drew_

I've had the chrome sidesteps since the beginning (for about 14 months now) and have no rust spots whatsoever. No rust spots on the brushguard either, except for some surface rust on two (out of 4) washers on the back side of the skidplate. This will be taken care of on Tuesday during the Service A. Perhaps that unit (chrome sidestep) that was mentioned earlier was jut a fluke?

drew_

I do plenty of hill climbing nearly daily with my ML320 and I don't feel that it's underpowered, even with 5 adults on board. The ML430 does feel stronger and is more willing (less throttle needed) to gain speed while climbing uphill, but at lower speeds, both feel quite similar actually.

Around town, the ML320 and ML430 feel quite similar. At faster highway speeds, the ML430 has longer "legs" to stretch when you plant your foot down. You should test drive both vehicles and see which one suits your needs better.

Something you may want to consider as well is ride comfort. The ML430's 17" wheels and lower profile tires does result in slightly sportier handling around the twisty bits, but the ride is slightly bumpier, especially on rougher roads when compared to the ML320's 16" wheels and higher tire sidewalls (which provide more cushioning).

As for reliability, I've had only a few minor issues (mostly trim pieces/a couple of creaks) with my early build - October 1999 - MY2K ML.

Hope this helps!
Drew
Host
Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards

armoredveh

Thanks to you yahoos ;-) and those on the ML List, I was convinced to get an 01 ML430. It is LOADED with the Sport package, is Desert Silver, and I pick it up from EuroMotorcars in Bethesda, MD tomorrow. I'm not going to tell you the price since most of you will cry.

Regards, Bill Shaw

cooltrucks

Yes, your input was very helpful.

I'm now planning on test driving both the ML320 and ML430 next week to compare.

-C

rexconde1

http://www.about-australia.com/autotour/tour1.htm

http://www.poshjourneys.com/german_auto_tour.htm

mikestaley

Congratulations on your new ride!

If you can be patient enough when you pick up your vehicle, a suggestions...

Your dealer may be breathing down your neck planting seeds about returning a great evaluation for them.

Take the time to check the air pressure in your tires with your sales person beside you...

Many of us found tires @ 39# plus! This is a move to allow the dealer to know just how great they are, or are not! Sweet ride and great new color.

I have 17K miles on my ML320 love it just wish they had a decent phone it it for the use I need.

Keep us informed.

bon2000

Where did you see the new ml and what does it look like. I have never seen the new ml you are talking about. Also guys....I have not done a think about my ml320 2001--2 months old with 1, 700 miles on it with cargo mat with divider sections, cargo cover, all weather mats and divider for the dogs......what should I expect to get for my truck if I do sell???? I think I would want at least $39,000---is that good with all the extras or not????????Bose sunroof mi package, heated seats, etc., bon

ometofu

www.autoexpress.co.uk

Drew said it is not true thought....

mbml55amg

gpvs

I bought the all weather mats with the dead pedal cover a week after i got my 320 and have been happy with it. i just realized a few days ago that the rear mats only cover the sides and not the middle for the 3rd passenger. Do you guys know of any other mats that will match the front OEM mats that covers the rear middle footwell as well? I had a Disco before this and also have the all weather mats in it and the rear covers the whole rear footwell including the middle.

mark156

Bonnie, just remember, a used car is a used car. The only "enticement" might be that someone would want to save any luxury tax paid. When a person can go out an buy a vehicle just like yours with Zero miles, it will effect your selling price. I, too, hope that you don't have to sell it.

Bill Shaw, that is the exact vehicle I'm thinking of except I want a 2002. I saw that same color with the sport package the other day out here in California and it looked sharp. My first choice might be Brilliant Silver, but my E430 sport is already that color so Smoked Silver is my second choice. Happy Motoring! Mark

armoredveh

While I personally like what might be the next ML bodystyle (not enough to get rid of the one I'm picking up this afternoon though ;-)), I'm surprised most people here aren't talking about interior ergonomic improvements; i.e., MCS/radio controls on the steering wheel, electronic driver/passenger climate controls, etc. These, IMO, are the biggest shortcoming when the ML is compared to the X5, MDX, and LX.

Notwithstanding these "complaints," they still weren't enough to persuade me to buy elsewhere. But I can't help think how much better the ML would be with them. FWIW. YMMV.

Thanks to Mark and Mike for the kind words of encouragement. Desert Silver Rules. :-)

Regards, Bill Shaw

tarik

I guess, this is the contact information you were looking for. Why don't you organize the tour yourself? MB and Porsche are both near Stuttgart, the BMW museum is (obviously) in Munich, and Audi has just now opened their brand new historical expo in Ingolstadt, which is 45 minutes north of MUC and two (rather fast) hours east of STR.

Here is info concerning visiting Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, AUDI and BMW in Germany.

Now, this site seems to offer EXACTLY what you're craving for... ...and I don't blame you a bit :->

Here is info from a guy who went racing in Germany, this is the Nürburgring home page (crank up those speakers!), and their pricing. For some reason, the pricing and schedule pages are not available in English, so just drop me a line and I will translate for you (I am trying to make up for the "Babelfish" joke the other night...).

Green from envy Tarik

tonychrys

www.huskyliners.com

They have mats that cover the enitire floor in the 2nd row.

dabework

I just had the rear view mirror fall off of my 01 ML430. Other than have the dealer put it back on, has this an isolated issue or is this something that has been seen before ?

Thanks

Dave

bertram60

I just purchased a 00' ML430 for my wife. 9k miles, original purch. was 5/24/00, and the price was under $40k. for a Starmarked, super clean car (no paint work, scratches, dings). I was a little concerned as to why someone would sell/trade it so soon, but it's what the boss wanted at what appeared to be a good deal.

I have a few questions, and in reviewing a few hundred postings, didn't see them.

My wife drove to work last week and upon returning to the car to go to lunch, the Nav/Stereo system would not power up. At home I checked everything, pulled the fuses, all OK, replaced them and system started back up! Anyone else seen this?

Also, car didn't have fogs. Can dealer install OEM fogs in composite lights? Any cost ideas, or do I have to resort to after market lights.

Thanks

biker5

Yes you can installed fog lights in two ways. 1. You can install 2 H3 bulb inside the headlight housing but it is illegal in most states.
2. You can install it to the front, but you have to purchase a grill guard and it is expensive.
Grill guard plus foglights cost is about $500.00
H3 bulb plus activation of fog switch cost is about $50.00. Hope this will help. Congratulations to you and your wife you've got a new toy.

senc

As to why anyone would trade so soon when nothing is wrong, plenty of people who have money to burn(and there are plenty who do)do it. My brother has far too much money and trades with a dealer he knows 3 or 4 times a year. Right now, his wife has '01 ML430; as soon as sun starts to shine, she will have a CLK 430 convert. He's already had a new CL 500 and an S55. He has no hobbies other than breaking in new cars....Also, some people buy the M class and decide they really wanted the sedan. At $40k, I think you got a great deal. Best I can get from my 99 ML320 is about $26k.

jwomac

Sounds like your MCS unit may have the intermittent problem of locking up. Mine did the same thing. Sometimes it would freeze even while playing and would not turn off, adjust volume, etc. After turning off the ignition, the MCS would not power up again. Often the tape deck would start running (even with no tape in it) and make a loud clicking noise. Pulling the fuse always got it going again. After a few incidents, I had the dealer replace it. The new one has worked much better.

Karen_S

...but I would like to invite you to the new Mercedes M Class Owners club, which is on the Owner's Clubs Board. When you have an opportunity, stop by, introduce yourself, and let me know what discussions you would like to see in your Club's folder.

For your convenience, this discussion will also reside in the Club folder.

Hope to see you there soon!

KarenS

Owner's Club Host

Karen_S

I didn't make this very clear before....this particular discussion will always reside on the SUV board. You will not be taken away from here! One of the cool features of this software is that a discussion can "live" in more than one place.

Hope that clears up any questions!

KarenS
Owner's Club Host

rich96

Everyone,
It might be a good idea to pick up the March issue of Automobile magazine. They did a tire test using the ML320. For mostly on-road use, the Yokohama Geolander was the top finisher, followed by the Goodyear Wrangler AP.
Rich

gpvs

I am not that familiar with the airbags but I just realized that the drivers side has the MB metal star in the middle. If the airbag deploys, what happens to it? I imagine that the airbag will open from the middle where the star is.

guy22

I have a 00 ML320 and have had a number of problems like yours. The same problem and I'm on the third unit. The service kept claims there is a problem with the software and the factory is working on it. I'd like to know if you or anyone else has heard of this software problem. I was also told there was a service bulletin on this but he couldn't show me.

plank

Has anyone used more than 1 disk when planning a trip using the Navigation system? Wondering how it works..... Mercedes directed me to input destination disk and save destination to address book, then switch back to the current location and drive following directions.... no directions, only says "out of range, drive a while" What am I doing wrong? Lost in driveway...

mbml55amg

I sold a '99 ML430 & bought a '00 ML55 last year, perhaps a similar situation happened with your ML430. The good news is that you have plenty of warranty left in the event anything should give you trouble.

mtndog

Why are the fog lights illegal? Are the fog lights pre wired and they just need bulbs installed?

nikorr

Who want's to see 2002 ML. Go to ...Autonovinky.cz


Marcel

gb16

Thinking about a 2000 I saw in showroom (around $34K with 16K miles). I'm in the NE and was wondering about a review on edmunds.com review. It read:
"Fast-acting ABS, combined with both traction and stability control, make the M-Class unstoppable in the snow."
Is this saying the the car isn't good in the snow?
Thanks.

mbml55amg

No, just the opposite.

cpt1

While washing my '00 ML 320 yesterday (2 months old with 2200 miles) I noticed that a plastic bracket on the right front bumper just below the tow hitch had broken and a piece had fallen off. I don't recall hitting anything and am wondering if this was just a weakness in the plastic and if the dealer would fix it under warranty. The bumper sits slightly lower on the right side due to the lack of support from the broken bracket. I am very careful with my car and am rather upset that this happened. Any one out there with a similar problem? Any suggestions? Thanks!

markml55

I Have heard of fuel pump problems on early ML's
I have 01 ML55. At 1200 miles I drove 130 miles in AM, parked it,8 hours later at 44F it would turn over but not start,ten tries later it started. Last night (a week later) I drove 500 miles,turned it off,5 minutes later it wouldn't start 20 tries and it started,turned off ,wouldn't restart 10 tries later started. This AM it started first try. Does 55 have same fuel pump as 430,is it in same place ? I know the gas tank, and Motronic are different. Are there any TSB's for the 55 and this problem.Thanks

parfive1

Yes the integrated (in headlamp section) fog lights are illegal in most states, including mine. I think its due to the height of them. I can't understand why though. They only shine out about ten feet in front of the vehicle, and mostly to the sides. IMO if your following the car in front of you by only ten feet, then your way to close.

At any rate, I did install them in my wifes 00 ML and had the dealer activate them ($39).

The ML comes prewired, just insert the bulbs and have the dealer activate.

Robert has a great website with complete, and easy to understand instructions at

http://www.exconde.com/tnt.htm

Scroll down to Integrated fog lamp intstall.

thor8

It sounds like the keys sensor, try pulling the key out and reinserting it and then turn it, or try your other set, mine did that a few times we finally found the problem, the dealer ordered a new swicth but the problem went away after a while and I never went back to the dealer.

biker5

I asked my technician when he activated my switch.(cost me $38.00)Anyway he told me that due to the height of the foglight location, any aux. light above 25 inch. from the ground is illegal here in California and the ML integrated fog is about 32 inch in height unless its for off road use.

kenyee

AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, KA, LA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NV, NM, ND, OH, SD, SC, TX, WA, WV.

They are also ILLEGAL in Washington, DC.

joeadp

How is the third row seat in the Mercedes?

Is it eay to remove if need be?

Can I leave one seat in the vehicle?

Do they fold forward so stuff can be put on top of them.

Thanks.

Considering MDX and ML never owned a Honda but like the idea of the third row seat folding into the floor.

Appreciate any opinions, I have 3 young children so, the third row can come in handy.

bon2000

a friend of our bought the black on black o1 320 about a month agao---before i had any thought I would maybe have to sell (which we are hoping we do not as I love my truck)----and he said he just saw photos of the new ml which could come out next or the year after and he said it is georgeous....said he will trade his new one in for the second generation. But this guy loves these trucks...he traded in his black with tan interiod ml320 for his new 20001 black on black....pictures guys.....we love em.....give us more....bon

bon2000

What color is smoked silver....and is that the color silver you see in all the silver ML's on the road? or is it a new color for 2002????also I can't really see the ml truck on the autoexpress site.....it seems to me to look like the Ml55---anyone have a full front, side, rear view picture of the new truck they can post that I can get to easier....I have trouble getting to all these sites and then can hardly see a picture of the car....thanks bon

mtndog

What brand and wattage did you install? I'm sure this subject has been covered but I didn't want to go back and read 100's and 100's of posts to try and find it.

joeadp

Any pictures of new ML?

Any idea when it will arrive?

bon2000

help guys...I couldn't find any good photo of new ML on autoexpress and couldn't get into autonovinky.cz at all!!!!!!!!!!!!1If any of you guys have pictures, clear ones, from a magazine...either tell us the mag and we will go buy it or put photos we can go to direct in this column and we can see front, rear and side view and interior would be great too...photos...thanks
bon

tarik

This is the picture on the czech website, but Drew has an interesting story as to the "birth" of this image...

Tarik

tonychrys

I was considering purchasing an ML320 W/NAV, but read that there may be some changes to the 2002 models. I hate to buy something that will look dated in a year--are the changes significant in body style? I also like the MDX, and would get it with touring package--which is better on quality and reliability? Also, comments on Mercedes flex financing-is it a good deal?

tarik

This little rocket does the 0-62mph dash in 5.2 seconds, and goes 290kph (180mph) - according to MB's own R&D crew, which are the only people on the planet who get to enjoy un-governed high speed MB driving...

Tarik