-September 2024 Special Lease Deals-
2024 Chevy Blazer EV lease from Bayway Auto Group Click here
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee lease from Mark Dodge Click here
2025 Ram 1500 Factory Order Discounts from Mark Dodge Click here
2024 Chevy Blazer EV lease from Bayway Auto Group Click here
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee lease from Mark Dodge Click here
2025 Ram 1500 Factory Order Discounts from Mark Dodge Click here
Comments
Thanks for the info. I think I can get my local dealer to come down off of MSRP on a 2002 ML.
Kenyee:
The only thing really stopping me from buying the 2001 ML is the side curtain airbags. That's why I was also considering the (apologies if I offend anyone) BMW X5. But the almost 10k price difference is a bit too much. I'd rather wait a couple of months for the 2002 ML. Now, those are my thoughts. What do you folks think?
Tranta:
Email me at arbabc@hotmail.com and I'll put you in touch with the dealer.
Thanks everyone.
Can anyone help facilitate my decision? Are the differences between 99 & 00 substantial? Are these good prices? Should I avoid the extended warranty?
Thanks,
John
johnnatkinson:
The 2000 model does have free service in the 4/50 warrantee period. Also better insulation. You'd be happier with it..
I like the stereo system in the 2000. Do the 1999's have the same transmission control, with the side-to-side downshift control versus the regular MB D-4-3-2 fixed positions? Its great to have.
Personally I'd vote for the extra money and lower miles.
Either way, buy one of them. They are great vehicles and you'll love driving it.
From my (so far 3-month) experience with one of those devices here in Europe, it does not interfere in any way with the operation of the rain sensor if placed behind the "dotted" part of the windshield (to the immediate left or right of the mirror support - see Andrew's picture:
Another issue is whether it will stay there - I had mine detach itself. Funny enough, it was the double-adhesive on the support that gave way, not on the glass surface. Anyway, I release the pass itself from its holder now - giving possible car thieves a free ride on their escape route may be being too kind...
Ride safely, all
Birger
3rd row seats are very easy to remove and install. I do it all the time.
Cleaning. I have been a duragloss fan for many years. I have heard many good things about zaino bros. products. I am ordering some this week.
Tires. My generals wore out at 24k. After rotation I am told I need an alignment. Replacing with dunlaps for $87 per this week. Beats 150 for mich's.
Gas milage not doing well on my 2000 320 with a/c.
Was 20mpg now at 18. new tires should help. My 01'e-430 with 8k is at 21k is similar driving.
ML is doing great, wife loves it, very versitile with 3rd row, and using thule system for kayaks and use the big ski box for long trip hauling and skiing. Great 4wd in snow and ice in mountains.
Buick suv. Saw it in car show last year and looks great in person vs. pictures. when optioned up it lists for 35k. Its a part time 4wd alternative for mini-van. 4wd does not compare, but it beats front whell only. Interior is nice layout. Engine is a wheezer. For that money, honda mdx is better buy. I almost got a MDX but found its not as competant as ML and flimsy interior not to my liking. I am a safety nut and won't compromise. Ml is hands down the best. Exterior is very drab looking in my opinion on MDX. Its a good value alternative for mid-$30s price point.
BMW x-5 is nice also, just does not have the room inside. I like the styling and layout.
I would easily get another ML when the time comes! With Gas prices much higher, this machine really makes sense!
Maybe someone could address this a little more.
I'm in the middle of a decision on whether or not to order a 02 C wagon or 02 M class. So any input on this is much appreciated.
I looked for you as well. I guess I should have emailed you a picture of myself. I didn't think the crowd would be that big. I also couldn't find your red CLK Cabriolet in the lot. I spent too much time in the C comparison area. My writeup is at http://www.keysolutions.com/M-Class. I was the guy running around taking pictures with the Kodak digicam. I think there was only one other person taking pictures at the event :-)
scrt:
It's in the cargo area on the left.
seq:
You push a stalk and then tell the radio to change stations or change volume; I suspect that is the next safety feature instead of the buttons. It works well from what Drew tells me. The steering wheel buttons can get annoying if too small (a la BMW) but seem to work well on the C.
BTW -- I second bargamon's observations about the ML viz the competitors. The combination of safety, room and overall utility easily put the vehicle at the top of our list.
Not to mention the fact that MB redesign a new climate control system for the 2002 M when there was already a superior system in the C and G classes that could have been used instead. We would have had dual zone climate control if only they had not tried to reinvent the wheel!!
My 2001 ML loaner also does not have a CD player, single or changer, installed.
I've had my 1999 ML320 since September 98. In three winters of 125 to 140 inch snow falls here in the Rochester, NY area, and with a salt mine close by, there is not even the slightest hint of rust anywhere on the vehicle including the entire undercarriage. I drive 38 miles to the office through heavily salted interstates and sanded rural roads.
Buy something fun. Forget rustproofing. You will only create pockets of moisture that will eat through hidden metal areas in the long haul
Lastly, most vehicles today use double sided galvanized steel that rarely rusts unless scratched through or as the result of collision damage with a correspondingly poor repair.
MB tops that by using higher tensile strength steel in some panels to ensure torsional rigidity and the integrity of the safety cage.
Here are the two choices, and I'd really love to know what a "fair Deal" would be:
(1) 1999 ML 320 with Bose, Heated seats, CD Changer, ESp etc. 12,000 miles, silver color. Warranty expires Sept, 2002
(2) 1999 ML 430 with same options as above and the "sky roof" (not sure that I like this), 27,000 miles, black. Warranty expires Jan, 2002
Quetsions -
(1) What are fair prices for each?
(2) Can I add a third-seat to either after buying?
(3) Should I get extended warrranties? If so, any idea how much this will run??
Thanks for yoru help, and would really appreciate some quick responses!
-Sri-
Second there is not much that one can do other than spray some of that body undercoating that comes in cans and runn the risk of sealing the drain holes in the bottom of the body panels, that will create problems.
Maybe is not needed but for peace of mind and a lifetime habit of washing the underneath and engine compartment I would do it.
Long time ago when I used to live in south america, a grease and lube job also included to wash the underneath with a pressure hose with the vehicle up the air, after it was clean it was misted with kerosene, it is practically the same thing as WD40 maybe a little better because it has a little higher oil content, I always thougth it was a good idea, at least it sounds good. Heavy equipment like bulldozers after they are cleaned they receive this treatment, mostly with diesel fuel since it is has a higher oil content or kerosenne and oil, keeps the tracks from rusting and seizing, since dozers are known to seat a long time unused.
Hmm...the alarm problem was fixed in the 1999 model. Please let us know what the final result of the alarm fix is.
Just a reminder that the MB chat is on tonight (6-7pm Pacific/9-10 pm Eastern). Hope to see you there!
http://www.edmunds.com/chat/mercedeschat.html
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
Any opinions on whether dealers will be moving off msrp?
Thanks
Are you using the same road when you test your hands off steering, if you do the road you are using is not even.Try to use diffirent road or hi-way,because I felt the same thing at first but since I drove 1200 miles last weekend I eventually found out that all the road are not the same. I was doing the same thing on my steering... if its straight or not sometime its shiffted to the right and sometimes it was dead straight for about a minute hands off. so try another road or hi-way.
Someone mentioned a book by John Lamm. I am not aware of this and would appreciate more detail please.
Thanks
That's the title of the book. You can get it from Amazon i think. I believe that's where i got mine. Very good and informative book for the ML enthusiast.
For pricing I compared the Edmunds used car evaluator (which I thought overpriced some), the ads in Yahoo (to see what others were asking for theirs) and the on-line listings from the 6 or 7 M-B dealers closest to me for comparable models.
Price varies by region so its hard for readers here to advise on what you should pay.
My recommendation - Buy either one, once you have an ML the only you won't like is having waited so long to get one. They are great to drive.
On the skyview roof - My ML has one. I was skeptical at first, but bought that ML because of price and mileage (19K). We love it. I have spent enough miles in a 2001 ML loaner with a regular sunroof to know that I much prefer the skyview. It has the big air deflector so it is quieter and much less windy when open. With the skyview fully opened and the windows closed you still need a/c on a sunny day up front. The back gets a little breeze, but the kids (and adults who fancy convertibles) love it. I wouldn't buy another ML without it, and since 2001 is the last year for them (because of air pillows mounted in the roofs of the 2002 model) I anticipate keeping this one for years.
used cars. I was looking into third party warranties. Does any one have any experience with
Warranty Gold? www.warrantygold.com.
Thanks
Tony
I mentioned to the mb dealer a common problem with some tires is that which is called "tread pull";
wheels were shifted diagonally front to back as I recall and that solved the drifting to the right.
Alignment and balance had been checked prior to this and were OK.
I currently have the book for sale as a used book on Amazon. If you would like to buy it, please contact me at gsmith@semarca.com. It's a great book and I'm glad that I bought it. I bought it new and it has only been read once .
Gereld