By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
Mstang, do you take any additional steps to keep kids away from side airbags?
Drew, thanks for the great pix.
Did they rebalance the tires on the wheels or the wheels on the axles? Makes a difference on the possible cause.
They could have screwed up the tire balance, or not even done it - it happens.
Or, if the wheels were rotated and the lug nuts not fastened according to torque or "star" pattern.
Does the tread wear look even on the tires? If it wasn't and the wheels were rotated this will cause the vehicle to vibrate until the tread "re-wears" to compenstate for it's new axle location. But if the tread wear was uneven to begin with, then there was tire imbalance or an alignment problem.
If the vibration is felt through the steering wheel, I'd bet that having them redo the tire balance will clear it up. I've taken vehicles right back to the dealer after feeling the vibration and 90% of the time this clears it up. Hope this helps and good luck.
Are you saying the 3rd row seats also have pretensioners? I've never seen this mentioned anywhere.
whatwasthat:
You can order the cargo cover pieces from your dealer or from www.clairparts.com. Install is supposed to be fairly trivial.
Thanks again.
Thanks.
While the ML will not have as much passenger or cargo room as the minivan, it will definitely be more fun to drive :-). Your kids (or even your parents) should not have any problems fitting comfortably in the 3rd row with the 2nd row moved a bit forward if necessary.
Childseats shouldn't be a problem with the side airbags. As for older kids/adults, you will have to teach them not to lean against the door. If they wish to sleep, fold down the centre armrest, place a pillow there and get them to lean towards the centre rather than the doors. With a little training and with you watching, I don't think it's a problem. FYI, to date, there have been no reported deaths from MB airbags (front or side).
Please limit your image size about 640X480 to prevent the pictures from messing up the page width. Also, please post no more than 4 images in one messages so that other participants still using dial-up connections won't have to wait a long time to load this page just to read the new messages. If you wish to post more than 4 pictures, please post them in the M-class owner's club: Photo gallery discussion topic and then provide a link to your post in here. You can do that by copying the URL of your message (just right click on your message number and select "Copy Link") and then pasting it in the text box. The system will automatically transform it into a link to that message; see my links (i.e. KarenS...) above for an example of this.
Finally posting copyrighted images is a no-no, so please watch out for that. You can however provide a URL to the image(s).
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
Just kidding. Maybe there's still no info for the pricing for '02. But if last year was an indication, i think they increased it by around $300 or so from '00.
IMO, if you get the leather seats for the 3rd row, it'll go nicely with your leather interior since it'll be the same leather as your other seats.
As Glenn mentioned above, pricing hasn't been mentioned (aside from option pricing) simply because we don't know it yet. MB does not release the information till just before the vehicle is available so even the sales persons don't know it at this point. Don't expect any discounts on the '02 model though. Pricing (for the MSRP) may be increased anywhere from US$500 to $1500. It will definitely be more than the increase from '00 to '01, since the '01 didn't have too many changes.
The 3rd row seat option (which also includes power pop-out quarter vent windows) deletes the cargo cover, but the standard cover will still fit.Yes, the 2nd row seats do fold down completely flat, flush with the cargo floor. Here's a picture I took more than a year ago. I didn't push the seat down all of the way down - probably 95% down - since the MB floormats weren't available at the time and the temporary ones I had were getting in the way a little (you can see it bunching up a bit).
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
I was told by one dealer that you can't add 3rd row later and another dealer said you could.
CJ
2000 and 2001 required it to be factory ordered so that it included the 2nd row seat that folded up and out of the way with this huge piston.
The end of model year always brings up the issues about whether to wait or not. Bottom line is if you want a simply equipped MB, then I'd wait. If color and options are important (like the 3rd row seats), then either do the best you can do now, or order new one. The 3rd row on my 2001 ML is a must have. I had it installed on my 1998 and then ordered it for the 2001 for all the reasons mentioned here: don't always use, but when company or family comes to town, my kids can get in the 3rd row for trips and we can all go together. As Drew's pictures pointed out, they really are first class seats and setup.
I have a great contact at a So. Cal dealer (even though I live in No. Cal) that I'm ordering mine from (an E class actually) with a great deal even on a 2002 model. Email me if you're interested in his contact info.
=============================
"M-class window
I feel your pain, I have been there, mine were so loud I could record them.
I have a 2001 and have experienced many rattles and squeaks that have all been fixed, (one was in the dealer show room, should have been a clue) thank goodness I have a reliable dealer. I too had noise from the center of the steering wheel. It was more of a buzz and some groaning going on. They replaced the entire housing unit just after the air bag, the area where the stalks and hazard buttons connect. That has cured the rattle and lessened the groaning.
As for the squeaks in the dash I had them all over the place. They eventually replaced all the insulation and re packed it, problem solved. It used to sound like two mice having a picnic in there.
Push your dealer hard, some of these MLs do rattle too much. Most SUVs do, but some of these rattles are unacceptable especially for an MB. The constant ones are unforgiving. If it really gets to you and the dealer won't help drive through the glass of their show room and claim insanity, heck, the rattles told you to do it.
Good luck "
==============================
dt77
http://fullspeed.to/ml
So, the question is this: does anybody know if the ML320 will address that issue for 2002? I will for sure buy a 2002 SUV, but if MB doesn't do something major about the 3rd row seating it WON'T be an MB.......and that would be a shame. Is there a web site somewhere that gives info on the 2002 ML320? Thanks.
Sorry to tell you, but no, it won't be the tuck into the cargo area type. The seats won't change since the 2002 is just a minor facelift. Significant changes won't happen until 2004. Even then, I'm not sure they'd be the tuck into cargo area type. One thing to consider is that the MB 3rd row seats feel more sturdy than the MDX ones so I'd consider them more safe (which is not to say the MDX ones are not, but they feel less so); it's subjective and the convenience of having the MDX ones is worth a lot too.
Let us know if it works out.
On a side note, they'll activate the fog/aux lights for free but then again, isn't that supposed to be free anyway?
Maybe, i'll just get the lug nut from them and do it myself.
30 miles each way? Heck I drive 74 miles each way to work everyday. 30 mile drives are a trip around the block for me .
Yeah, i'll try to talk to the SM and see what they can do.
Thanks.
Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
3rd row. They rattle alittle when not occupied so we keep them down or folded up. At times I take them out and leave in garage as they are easy to use. I think they work well. The middle seat moves forward, to give more room. Mostly its for short trips with kids. If you need more room, get a mini van or large suv.
ONly suv that works well for 3 rows are suburban and sequoia. I feel safety is paramount in my choice of vehicle for my family, and what short commings the configuration has, the safety advantage more than makes up for it. Do I want my wife and kids getting t-boned in a RX or MDX?? or the ML? I considered the MDX based on specs and it appeared to be a hell of a value. It drives ok, and for the money it is good, but ML is a step up in most catagories, especially the ones important to me. Yes, the ML costs more than the other two.
I took my ML back to the dealer and they will re-check everything they did, make sure the lug nuts are all there and tightened to specs and they will also activate the aux/fog lamps. They gave me another ML as loaner, this time, it's black on black. The loaner's doors won't lock using the remote or arm the alarm and as you take the keys off from the ignition, then open the door, there's this chime that sounds like i forgot to turn off my lights and i checked for everything that would trigger the sound and couldn't find any. I'll just notify the rental agency.
---------------
Thule will not recommend attaching a cargo box directly to the factory
crossbars of this vehicle. You need to retrofit the factory rack with Thule bars using the 415 Railing foot pack and 50" load bars. Once this is in place any of the Thule boxes will work.
Here is a link to the retrofit package you need.
http://www.gearonthego.com/storesense/scripts/store.exe/detail?59930+keyword=thule&rack&packages&+keyoption=AND+start=1+max=15+results=4
Once this is in place any of the boxes on this page will fit.
http://www.gearonthego.com/storesense/scripts/store.exe/search?category=Cargo&Carriers:Cargo&Boxes+oem=Thule
To make the system secure you need to add locks to your package, this will lock the base rack to your vehicle and also lock the box.
Here is a link to what you need.
http://www.gearonthego.com/storesense/scripts/store.exe/detail?58754+keyword=596+keyoption=+start=1+max=15+results=12
Hey, gpvs I mean to ask you something about the law in VA, because when I was station there (VA)long time ago....the law was, you can not turn on your fog lights unless your head light is on and the tinted window is illegal I just wondering about the ML, if you have a factory tinted are they passing for state inspection?
Curious Jim from Cali.
With regards to the PIAA, i'm trying to install the integrated h3's. I don't think I'll install the below the bumper ones. Thanks for the info though.
gpvs, If you are going to install a H3 bulb to your aux/fog housing, ensure that when its your time to have a state inspection don't let the tehcnician knows that you have a fog lights installed because the height location of that fog is also illegal in most state. if he finds out he will tell you to take it off.....putting that in is a pain especially the driver side same as taking that off. Hope you will take it as an advise not an order. OK ba kabayan..
Thanks for the info. I'll be picking up my car later on the day and hopefully be able to install the bulbs tonight.
Robert or anyone that had installed an ML55 Xenon Headlight.
I got the ML55 Xenon Headlights fom Clairparts.com and had a chance to install it the other day in my wifes '99 ML320. I did as what Omar had instructed, to switch the Gray and Pink wire. The initial startup looks pretty good. It illuminated like a bright white with blue shade and purplely color. But then after 15 to 20 seconds, it faded and became yellowish, like an ordinary halogen color. I thought, maybe because my eyes just got immune to it, so I applied the high beam, so that I can compare it with the low beam, which is the xenon one. To my surpise, it's the same color. If I beam it to a wall, I can see a bluish spot, right in the middle of the beam, but the rest of the color is yellowish. I'm not sure how it looks like since I have never seen an ML55 Xenon Headlights on, but I assumed that, this should be at least more white, brighter that a halogen bulb color. Before I start it up, I replaced both fuses, F34 and F35 from 7.5 to 15 amps. Then after the initial startup, I replace it back with both 7.5 and start it up, and still works. But yesterday, I did try it again, to take some pictures, but the left side didn't work. The F34 fuse blew up, so I replace both of them again back to 15 amps, F34 and F35. I'm not sure if I did something wrong, or maybe, there is a plastic or some sort that I have to remove from the xenon capsules before starting it up? Or maybe, when I try to switch the wires, gray and pink, I accidentally put them back to there original place? What will happen if the later happened? I assume the light won't turn on, does it? Please help. You can see it in this link. Thanks
http://www.lim-family.com/roger/xenon/xenon.html
If you switched the wires wrong then you should be able to tell by looking. High beams are the lower set of lamps and should only be on when you hit your high beams. I got the jumper harness (as listed in Robert's page) for my installation and didn't have to change the fuses like Omar did. Not sure if its the harness or your year, there was some discussion that on pre 2000's you may have to change the fuses, but on the 00's and later the wiring was different and you didn't have to change the fuses.
I'm totally delighted with my xenons and it would be hard to go back.
Thanks.
Thanks.
If you haven't already seen it, the whole install instructions with pictures are on Robert's Web site at the following URL; http://www.exconde.com/hidmod.htm
If you look at my lights on a door, or another vehicle, you can really see the color difference. From the pictures you had it was hard for me to tell, other then the arch at start up. On my garage door and street when I flip on the High beams you cab see two distinct colors. This is why on the Porsche system they tilt the xenon's into the high beam pattern, on high beam, to wash the colors a little better and so you don't notice the yellow halogen color as much.
dt77
http://fullspeed.to/ml
I wish I take some pics of my setup, butI'm some 7000 miles away from my ML.
dt77
MB lights tend to be a lot less blue incomparison with those on a Japanese car. Even our CLK55/E55 it is the same way, the color temperature drops. I believe that Drew mentioned that Lexus is moving (or is currently using)a different HID system, but I forget what kind it was, perhaps Argon Discharge?
The reason for th Fuse Blowout is because of the change in wiring harness for the 99 to the 2000 MY. From the comments I'm getting, it seems that before 2000 you have to change the fuse to a 15A, 2000 and above the 7.5A shoule work just fine.
Robert
all this talk about the lugnuts not torqued properly is getting me a little worried. A few months back, I discovered a nail embedded on my driver side front wheel. I took it to a dealer recommeded tire place where they proceeded
The guy was swearing all the way cuz he could get the nuts loosened. He finally got them loose by putting all 300 lbs on the nuts. Anyway, the whole ordeal proves unfruitful cuz the the nail turned out to be tiny - dind't even penetrate deep enough. how lame.
I remembered he just used a powered tool to tighten them and then he used his weight on them again. SHould I be concerned ? warping rotors..hmmmm..?
dt77
My y2k just had FSS B at 23,106 miles.... brakes were still good.
On the aux fog lights, the dealer should do it for free. It takes about 2 minutes. I had my turned on at no cost, then I installed the bulbs. There is also a second turn on required, and that is for the dash light. You need to remind them of this.