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

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Comments

  • pooliopoolio Member Posts: 18
    I have a 2000ML changed to Mobil 1 at 5000mi.Will be getting the 10,000 mi oil change shortly,and will continue to use 10-30 mobil 1.Have had no problems what so ever.The car has not lost or burn't eny oil,and looks clear like the day I put the Mobil 1 in.Since I changed to mobil 1 the engine seems to run smoother.
  • birgerbirger Member Posts: 80
    Drew,

    WRT the DSP settings on the Comand, I can't tell, as the ML Comand does not have them! As a matter of fact, it's on the list of questions to ask MB in Stuttgart.

    And yes, it's got an indicator for the glowplugs, but with the very short warmup period required, you hardly get to see it. Buckling up takes more time!

    It's got the autostart feature, but I see form the manual that this is only on trucks with auto trans - people owning the manual version have to turn the key and hold it until the engine starts.

    Kind regards,

    Birger
  • sshowittsshowitt Member Posts: 137
    I have signed that guarantee not to export within a year twice, 98ML320 and then the 00ML430. What would happen if one refused to sign? Would they not sell you the vehicle? Are we legally obligated to sign this document? Any legal eagles out there who could shed some light on this issue?
  • ken125ken125 Member Posts: 4
    I was told yesterday by the dealer that synthetic oil was now standard for oil changes done on 2000/2001 ML320.

    I was told that this change went into effect within the past few weeks.
  • birgerbirger Member Posts: 80
    Hi,

    Average fuel consumption over the initial 5,000 kms/3,000 miles:

    '99 ML 320: 15.01 MPG @ US$ 3.44/gallon

    '01 ML 270 CDI: 20.41 MPG @ US$ 2.58/gallon

    Same type of driving - need I say more?

    Kind regards,

    Birger
  • kenyeekenyee Member Posts: 738
    Do you have a lot of stop and go traffic?
    On my ML320, I've gotten 19mpg and 16.6mpg for the last 2 half-tank checks (checking using the fillup receipts instead of the trip computer which says I'm getting around 16.5mpg)...
  • sencsenc Member Posts: 44
    I'm just going to pay for the door seals myself for my '99. It's worth the $175 approx. for the quietness. It sure is cheaper than trading for an '01.
  • lovemyclklovemyclk Member Posts: 351
    I'd like to install the MY2001 door seals on my wife's '99 ML320, but was told that the door stampings are distinct and that the seals could not be retro-fitted. Was I given the wrong advice?

    We'd like to add them if possible, anyone done this recently to a '99? Thanks!
  • kenyeekenyee Member Posts: 738
    lovemyclk:
    They're yanking your chain. It does work.
  • gpvsgpvs Member Posts: 214
    It seems that the front passenger door is harder to close than the others. I have a '00 320 and does the door seal contribute to that problem? Has anyone else experience this kind of problem? I thought at first that it was just my wife but last saturday, i sat on the passenger seat and when i shut the door, i had to do it twice since the first time, it didn't close completely. Any ideas?
  • rover96rover96 Member Posts: 33
    Complain & have the delarer adjust the striker plate & latch ( mis- align).
  • mikestaleymikestaley Member Posts: 35
    FYI:

    I changed from Dino to Synthetic @ 1K prearranged with the dealer on purchase, with me providing the oil of choice. Amsoil 30 weight.

    Be vary wary of thinking that ALL dealers will change over to synthetic oil for free!

    Vehicle care is alike health care - the more involved you are the better care you receive.

    Mike 00 ML320 17K
  • tj98tj98 Member Posts: 8
    Sorry, the spell checker messed it up in an interesting way... Here it is

    Guys,

    I called my friend again last night and he is positive about seeing that memo. He told me it was kind of recent, maybe a few weeks old. He says that the engine comes from Germany with Mobil 1 in it and that Mobil 1 must be used for the regular FSS intervals. If anyone is going to a dealer soon, please investigate further. I won't be going for another couple of months but for me it is not so important since I use Mobil 1 @5k mile intervals anyway and I pay for the service. This can potentially affect a lot of people and the type of oil they get from the dealers (especially their free scheduled maintenance).

    Mobil 1 is better for the engine during cold starts and you should definitely have it if you live in a cold climate.

    Regards

    TJ
  • biker5biker5 Member Posts: 199
    Anyone from SO CAL ML owner will join the 2nd MB FUN RUN? I went last year,it was great,and totally enjoyed it, even though I was the only ML show up. Lets join them gangs.
  • tj98tj98 Member Posts: 8
    Reading what ken125 posted above and what I heard from my friend, it seems that indeed a synthetic oil (Mobil 1) is now officially recommended by MBUSA for all MLs. Since the 320 engines are virtually the same since the introduction of the ML in '98, this type of oil should have been used all along. I am not saying that dino oil is harmful, but it is interesting to speculate why the company did this (apparently with a memo to all dealers). Is it because dino oil caused some breakdowns when following the FSS intervals? I guess a lot of people will be complaining whenever they get an engine problem later on, if the dealer was recommending dino oil for their trucks and they used it. It would be interesting to see if MBUSA will send a letter to the owners too about this new policy. I believe that it is important enough for them to do it.

    Cheers

    TJ
  • jferris1jferris1 Member Posts: 8
    Can anyone recommend tires for the ML320?

    I have a 99. I want quiet, medium performance, good life expectancy.

    I have 47K on the original Generals.

    Also, are doors seals a good idea, and what do they cost?
  • mianimiani Member Posts: 2
    How much should I expect to pay over the invoice on a ML320
  • cooltruckscooltrucks Member Posts: 12
    I'm looking at the ML430, I feel that the ML320 is underpowered for the weight of the vehicle (anyone else feel this way?). My concerns revolve around the quality and reliability of the 2001 model ML-Klasse.

    I would like some objective information/feedback regarding build quality and reliability of the U.S. built Mercedes ML-Klasse. I've experienced the Deutsch built Mercedes and wonder about the differences in selected materials.

    Thank you,

    -C
  • mianimiani Member Posts: 2
    How much should I expect to pay over the invoice on a ML320
  • sencsenc Member Posts: 44
    Way back in this bulletin, a few people mounted the seals on '99 models and sais it worked fine. Some of the people drilled holes where they were needed, others just cut off the tabs and used weather stripping glue. They said it was a successful improvement. My brother has a '01 ml430 and I hope to get them side by side to compare the door shape before I spend the money. It may be a few months because he lived about 6 hours away from me.
  • kenyeekenyee Member Posts: 738
    cooltrucks:
    Right topic. Just something we go over repeatedly every few months. You might want to have a look at the archives. It's basically up to average now as opposed to poor for 1998/1999 models.
    As for ML320 vs. ML430, it's a personal decision. Test drive both and let us know what you think. Some of us feel there is not much difference except if you're towing or want a sporty feel.

    jferris1:
    If you can hold out until March, the Michelin Cross Terrain will be available in the ML's size.
  • tj98tj98 Member Posts: 8
    I noticed today several rust spots on my MB chrome side bars (with steps) which I had installed last summer. We have a difficult winter and a lot of salt on the roads in upstate NY. A mild abrasive seemed to remove them well but I guess they will be back in a week or so. I was wondering if there is any coating compound that can minimize this from happening. Would regular wax help? Any ideas? Is this kind of spotting normal for the chrome side bars?

    In retrospect, the black side bars might have been a bit more durable. Any feedback on that?

    TIA

    TJ
  • lovemyclklovemyclk Member Posts: 351
    Glad to hear that they can be retro-fitted. Will bring up with our service advisor during next FSS visit.

    My CLK is close to the next service interval and will change to Mobil 1 10w-30 for our climate in Atlanta. First 2 oil changes were with dino oil, and performance has been great. Oil looked in pretty good shape given the miles between changes suggested by FSS. Glad to hear positive comments on this oil.
  • mikado462mikado462 Member Posts: 10
    I'm in the market for a quality USED 4WD vehicle. With the emphasis on QUALITY ... what I mean my quality is a vehicle which will last with normal maintenance.

    I actually HATE to buy vehicles. The only thing I hate more is parting with one after I've had it for some time since I tend to get attached to them.

    I've pretty much narrowed it down to Mercedes Benz or Land Rover ... does anyone have an opinion. Any particular models or years I should steer clear of?

    I'd like to see what ever I purchase still going strong 10 years down the road.

    All assistance and input welcome!

    Thanks in advance!
    Tim
  • kenyeekenyee Member Posts: 738
    lovemyclk:
    The seal retrofit is not officially sanctioned by MB. Some dealers will refuse to do it...

    mikado462:
    Funny choice...Land Rover for durability? :-)
    Land Rovers do depreciate quickly, so it will be less expensive to purchase w/ the same age as an ML.
  • zuludogzuludog Member Posts: 2
    While driving down 101 the other night I decided to sit in the back and let my wife do the driving. We were doing 70 and the temperature outside was around 45 degrees.
    Leaning against the door I could feel cold wind coming through the area where the airbag cover meets the door.

    While I wasn't overly concerned, it was just enough of a cold chill to be annoying. I checked the other door at the same spot and it was fine. The doors up front were fine too.

    All this talk about seals has got me wondering. Has anybody had this experience?
    Do you think the service department can do anything about it?
  • thevjthevj Member Posts: 3
    I have an early 98ML320 (33,000) went in to have the fss A service done..I requested Mobil 1 synthetic and was told they had received a MB message to only use synthetic in all year ML's I was charged for the synthetic..no free oil for 98's... thevj
  • kiiwiikiiwii Member Posts: 318
    if they are MB parts and still under warrenty, take them back for an exchange.
  • kiiwiikiiwii Member Posts: 318
    both my front doors need a bit more force to shut. i'm sure mine is caused by the door cusion (seal).
  • ometofuometofu Member Posts: 53
    Can I get the seals from Clairs? Anyone here actually done the seals upgrade? Is the decibel actually improved? Anyone has the offical decibel level of 99ML and 01ML?

    The road is really nasty in NYC, and my Baby is is all covered up with dirt and salts, anyone know if there is any handwash/self wash place around that I can safely bring my ML to wash..... grrrr

    by the Happy New Year to my Asian Cousins on this board.

    later...
  • kiiwiikiiwii Member Posts: 318
    both my front doors need a bit more force to shut. i'm sure mine is caused by the door cusion (seal).
  • birgerbirger Member Posts: 80
    Ken,

    no, there's not much stop&go included in those figures. But of course our speeds are a bit higher than yours, which might explain the difference. Push ANY ML beyond 100-110 MPH and you can nearly see the fuel gauge drop. But then again, this is far worse with the gas engines.

    Birger
  • bigbaddadbigbaddad Member Posts: 14
    Hopefully I can explain this without being too long winded. I took our ML up a normaly paved mountain road last week. Turns out there was road construction and a ton of mud. On the way down, I smelled a burning oil type smell coming in from the vents. I checked all my fluids, and the levels were fine. I talked to the dealer and they had me bring it in. In the service drive, the advisor thought it smelled like burnt oil also. It is a relatively strong and persistent smell. They took it in for the day. At the end of the day, their conclusion was that the mud that is baked onto the exhaust is causing the smell. The avisor thought that the road workers could be putting some chemicals in the dirt to keep the dust down, and that the chemicals could be the source of the burnt oil smell. They could not find any leaks that would cause the smell.

    Prior to bringing it in, I had hosed off the under side of the truck and noticed the mud easily washed off everywhere BUT the exhaust components. The dealer did not clean the exhaust, but recommended I drive through some puddles in the next rain. I have since taken it to the quarter wash and jet sprayed all the parts I can see. I have yet to jack the front and look closely for residual mud. Yes, I still have the burning smell.

    Sorry for the long story, but my question is, does this sound normal? Has anyone else gone through enough mud to get a burning smell? My service dept has not been stellar in the past, so my confidence in them is low.
  • rockypaulrockypaul Member Posts: 104
    Do one thing: Test drive each.

    If you enjoy an overly hippy feel and ergonomics designed for another species by all means get the Land Rover.

    If you enjoy the confidence of sports car like handling, often exceeding 20 mpg, the best on-center steering feel of any sub, a modern engine design and resale value second to none get the ML 320.
  • dwang0725dwang0725 Member Posts: 8
    To All,
    I just called my dealer and yes it is true!! The switch is on! All dealers will be switching over or already have switched to Moil 1 on 1998-current ML models. It was a memo initiated by MBUSA to switch over (it happened a couple of weeks ago). The details are still a little fuzzy, but from my conversation today, the free FUSS on 2000-current ML models will get FREE moil 1, 1998-1999 I'm not quite sure about (you might still have to pay because they started the free FUSS maintenance for 2000 on models). Other models are switching over as well, they are still working out all the details for it. I would check with your local dealer first to make sure they know about the new program.

    Dave
  • dwang0725dwang0725 Member Posts: 8
    The above post should read FSS not FUSS.

    Dave
  • rover96rover96 Member Posts: 33
    I came from Land Rover World!! Let me ask u this! How often do u go off road? If you use it a lot go with land rover(Can beat L/R for off road-king of 4X4) http://www.discoweb.org/index2.html. (Don't think M/B can do these)

    I never had any problem with my land rover. Every car has problem, period.

    Let's see:

    1. Gas mileage is bad in L/R (17 max) Vs MB (20 max).

    2. Drag Coeffience is good in M/B. L/R make me feels like "flowing" on Hwy.

    3. I still like L/R body style.

    4. Easy to get in & out on M/B. Back seat are too tight & not much leg room on L/R.

    5. Prefect snow Vehicle on M/B. I totaled my L/R due to the skid (High CG).

    6. M/B - Car like handling

    Good luck
  • noelb1noelb1 Member Posts: 19
    kenyee,
    I remember you asking someone on the forum about chrome coated vs stainless steel side steps while ago. I was just wondering if you got an answer. I am in the market for side steps and would like to get stainless steel. The post on rust spots on the chrome side steps after just one year freaked me out. My '00 ML is black, maybe I should just get the black ones? Any advice?

    NoelB
  • kenyeekenyee Member Posts: 738
    noelb1:
    I also got the chrome ones (didn't know about the SS ones which I probably would have gotten since they're only $100 more). The black ones will still rust because they're not SS.
    The SS ones look like the M4 side rails but w/ "steps" stuck on top. Not bad looking IMHO. They're closer to the body than the chrome steps. Check out the 2001 ML accessories catalog.
  • rexconde1rexconde1 Member Posts: 278
    It might as well be FUSS because my dealer doesnt know about it. Thank goodness for boards like this where WE get the information before the dealers.....

    ;-)

    Robert
  • rexconde1rexconde1 Member Posts: 278
    To the oil change page Uugh! deleted the wrong folder. Anyone? The one with the topsider, etc.

    Thanks

    Robert
  • djohnson64djohnson64 Member Posts: 43
    www.mercedesshop.com/diy_oil_change2.htm

    David
  • kenyeekenyee Member Posts: 738
    noelb1:
    The steps are from the M4 pkg which was offered from 1999-2000, so yes, they should fit.

    Folks whose dealers are using mobil1 for FSS changes:
    Can someone please get a copy of this memo/MBnet? We have a service manager from a CA dealer on the M-Class list. He swears that a Dec. 2000 memo only said Mobil1 is *approved for use* (i.e., you can't break anything) w/ MLs; it does not say "use Mobil1 for all service oil changes". It's also supposed to make the lifters louder on the M112 and M113 engines...
  • beetlebug62beetlebug62 Member Posts: 72
    ...recently, one of my PIAA superwhite foglight bubs burned out. Replaced it with a stock Hella H3 (part# 78135) from my local autoparts store. Turns out to be the same bulb used by the Hella Optilux foglight product line. And, it's an economical $3.00!!! The bulb may not be as white/blue as the PIAA, but I'm satisfied that its lumen output is as good if not better.

    Happened to stop by Sylvania's website, where I noticed they will have a next generation HID auxiliary lamp available by May, that has a color temp of 5400 degrees kelvin!!! For those who want white light, that's very white. Halogens have a color temp of around 3200K, current HIDs have a color temp of around 4200K. 5400K is quite a difference.
  • kiiwiikiiwii Member Posts: 318
    i don't know if the burning smell is normal or not. it sure happens to mine. i guess it's a new car thing. got about 5000 miles on it.
  • rexconde1rexconde1 Member Posts: 278
    Tarik,


    I was wondering if you knew anything about the AutoTour that they have in Germany, where you tour MB, BMW, Porsche AG. It is a two week trip that takes you all around germany. My father and I have been meaning to take this trip, and we finally found time this year.


    I have seen an article in the WSJ about this tour, but I cant seem to find it any more.


    I searched on the web and this is the only one that I find, but their site is down...

    http://google.yahoo.com/bin/query?p=AUTOTOUR+germany+site:www.about-australia.com


    Any Ideas?


    Robert

  • redgoatee7redgoatee7 Member Posts: 30
    Hey,

    The UK site www.autoexpress.co.uk has an interesting article about the forthcoming revised M-Class. There's also a concept picture...it's good looking, but unfortunately not official. Later.

    -Todd
  • biker5biker5 Member Posts: 199
    Hey REXCONDE1,
    I know what you mean. I saw this show in Speed VIsion twice,Sponsor by Porsche AG. Maybe if you can get a hold of someone at SpeedVision.com. You probably can get help from them....just a thought.
    Good Luck
  • ctk1ctk1 Member Posts: 79
    To Bigbaddad

    Regarding the burning smell, you may need to have a detail visual inspection around head shield along the exhaust pile and under the engine to see any black residual from the road construction. If this stuff stick on the head shied, it will take a while to burn out.
    Best is to turn on the engine, idling, while you inspect. That way you can pin point where is the smell come from easier.

    Good luck
  • ometofuometofu Member Posts: 53
    the next M-Class looks really cool. got the side blinker on the outside mirror too. the front looks more aggressive, sleek and looks wider too.... it article said, it will be out in next 2 year? What about to 2006?
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