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Comments
2000 ML320
If you want instantaneous acceleration, you should either floor the gas pedal to prompt an immediate downshift of a lower gear, or you could downshift manually, and then step on the throttle.
http://www.homelink.com
Hope this helps!
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
My ML320 is being "seen" by the district service manager on Thursday, and he is going to put a 100amp something somewhere on his own ML (at my dealer's shop) and on mine. After that, I'm pursuing a claim for replacement with an E-wagon at fair value.
Everyone who has been living with this issue should understand that it is abnormal, has been recognized by MB, and is supposedly being solved. PLEASE REPORT YOUR INDIVIDUAL CASE TO YOUR DEALER SO THAT MB WILL KNOW THE GRAVITY OF THE PROBLEM AND WORK QUICKLY ON A FIX.
Take care, guys.
Dunno about most - but if I'm in an emergency situation, I'm gunning it. Don't know if a tight-spot is the place to be babying your engine.
My ML320 is being "seen" by the district service manager on Thursday, and he is going to put a 100amp something somewhere on his own ML (at my dealer's shop) and on mine. After that, I'm pursuing a claim for replacement with an E-wagon at fair value.
Everyone who has been living with this issue should understand that it is abnormal, has been recognized by MB, and is supposedly being solved. PLEASE REPORT YOUR INDIVIDUAL CASE TO YOUR DEALER SO THAT MB WILL KNOW THE GRAVITY OF THE PROBLEM AND WORK QUICKLY ON A FIX.
Take care, guys.
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/townhall/chat/mercedeschat.html
Please make sure they give you a detailed copy of the job order. They should include all parts and a description of the work.
The MY2002 has a new shifting program. I'm surprised it has the problem as well. I thought it affected the mileage.
Well, the dealership has gone extra miles to rectify all the concerns. However b'cos of the unfortunate WTC-Pentagon tragedy, delivery of parts( leather seats,handle) to Canada from the US has been delayed. The check engine light was on b'cos of a leaky gas cap liner (?) therefore some pressure problems hence the entire assembly was replaced. So far the vehicle is operating well. Still waiting on having the bumper repainted. Where does one get a hood deflector from and what should one expect to pay?
Has anyone experienced inconsistent volume surges while radio/CD is on? I don't believe the volume is speed controlled like our C-class or is it?
If it is, it ain't working correctly then.
Hood deflector - I got the EGR from Performance Products. I think I paid around $60 for it including shipping.
And, no, Jaime, i have not installed it yet.
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/townhall/chat/mercedeschat.html
A few observations. First, I'll second the recommendation about EuroMotorcars on the dealer board. Their first quote was certainly in the target range, if not the absolute lowest mentioned here. No obnoxious "conveyance" fee or tack-on, just $25 to process the plates. A fair deal for them and us without games.
Two minor quality problems so far. The 3rd seat headrest wouldn't go in because the locking spring was out of place--fixed by the salesman & me. The left side mirror doesn't go left-right, but I haven't taken it in for that yet. Minor, but both items shouldn't've left the factory.
For those looking at 3rd seats--we ARE the test case! Yes, it is possible to put 2 toddlers in car seats and 2 pre-teens in the back. There isn't a lot of leg room, but they can get in out OK. There is leg depth in the well for our tall older kids. The ability to adjust the split parts of the rear seat fore/aft is helpful. We love the added rear a/c for '02.
Finally, to answer the recent question on garage openers, I programmed both Genie fixed-code and Chamberlain/Sears rolling code ones on the first shot.
I'm just about to order ML320, with last decision bose or no bose......have u listened to standard speakers yet?
Keep in mind - my adults are relatively small (none over 5'11") and we're not going to drive to Florida with them back there - just short trips.
Also - how hard are they to get out of there? I plan on having mine in the garage most of the time, with them installed only for the occasional use they'll get.
Good luck with it - hope it gives you many years of service!
-J
My opinion (and remember - sound quality is a very relative thing):
If I had to put a dollar value, to me, on the Bose - I'd say it's worth about $750 or so. It's got a nice 6 CD changer, and the speaker/amp system is very capable. If I was going to have it aftermarket installed, it would cost at least $400-500, but:
It wouldn't be covered under warranty, and it wouldn't be MCS integrated, not to mention the fact that I'd have people hacking away at my new car.
Considering the cost of the item is about $1200 (although you negotiate it down to $1050 or so), it's about 300 or 400 overpriced. My final observation - when you're talking about a $43k vehicle, why skimp on 300 or 400 bucks?
If you're not one for a 6 CD changer, then the system is obviously worth less. In a vehicle with rain sensing windshield wipers, heated seats, auto-dimming mirrors - I felt it was a shame to miss out on an adaptive 6 CD 9 speaker based stereo system.
Again - that's up to the listener. You really should try both for yourself, and remember to bring along the tunes!
what is the trick here? and how do you know you are not overrevving it?
just for the curiosity..........won't try this at home? :=)
For what it's worth, in the '02 MLs, to select the optimal gear for acceleration, all you have to do is to tap the shift lever to the left and hold it there for a second or two and the transmission computer will automatically select the best gear. For the pre-'02 MLs, tapping and holding the shift lever to the left will bring up the gear the transmission is currently in (except if you're already in 5th gear, at which point you go to 4th gear), and then you can simply tap a second time to go into the lower gear below that. I've found this to be extremely effective and really have zero complaints :-)
Thanks in Advance
Sam
E-mail me if you prefer privacy - jnanas@hotmail.com.
I'd call her myself - but my car isn't due for at least a month, and I don't want to call her this far in advance. I would like to know what I can expect to pay, so I know what the final cost of this vehicle will work out to.
Thx,
-John
Does it occur even when you downshift to 2nd or 3rd?
Please let me know. I am supposed to be picking up our '02 ML320 on Saturday or Monday and I would like to know if I should be looking instead at the ML500 or even the X5 (I'd rather not...).
-- Gustav
no i have not tried manually shifting. need more lectures from Drew. :=)
Drew: can u confirm : in 02MLs(particularly 320), shift lever to the left and hold it there for a second or two and the transmission computer will automatically select the best gear.
thx.
BTW, I found out that the Bose changers ARE Alpine, but you can't add one aftermarket. They're custom for MB from Alpine's OEM division.
Note that the 2nd seat's 60/40 splits are independently adjustable. This really provides much more flexibility depending on the size of the folks you're carrying. Now if only the 2nd row had several positions rather than just "front" and "back"...
The seats stow easily. I've done it only a couple times, and still fumble, but it'd be quick after a few more times. I haven't removed them yet, but it looks easy. They supposedly weigh 35# each.
Note also that there is a little bit of room behind the 3rd row, especially near the floor. You won't fit cases of beer, but a couple medium-large soft duffle bags could make it.
The explorer and MDX both had them - but neither allowed you to shift legroom from the 2nd to the 3rd, eliminating both the others from serious third row contention.
The only thing I consider is when I do deploy the third row, I'll be left with little space in the rear (the laws of physics still apply - can't create space where there wasn't any before). I'm figuring on combatting that with a good roof luggage carrier.
Anyone here use a luggage carrier to store a stroller/travel system?
If the front end had actually rusted to that point, then simply the force applied when taking off from a standstill, or a good bump while moving faster than 30 MPH, should have caused the front end to separate.
Although it seems like a great amount of stress - the pull from the winch at that point is less than the amounts of force applied during those other situations, specifically at the area around the crossmember, which would have caused the car to split much earlier.
Could just be a troll post... either that, or something else they're not mentioning.
2. I live in Central Florida. Comparing the offering prices for 2000 MLs to the Edmunds TMV, it looks like most nearby dealers are right at the TMV (assuming "outstanding" condition) or a little below it (assuming "clean" condition). How much can I expect them to bargain?
Thanks.
Thanks again.
Are the tires on the ML500 quiter?
Thanks
The new tires are the Continental 4X4 Contact (top), and the Dunlop SP5000 (bottom).
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
what are they comparing to.?
There wasn't a huge inventory of them here but most were far below the TMV. Maybe the Mid-West doesn't have the same demand for foreign cars as FLA. Given the economy I would think the dealers would want to move inventory and would negotiate, particularly if there is a reasonable amount of selection near you.
I was also surprised how many dealers in the area were showing non-Starmark vehicles in their on-line inventory listing, but mine wasn't shown on-line as a Starmark, just at the dealer was that shown.
I'd definitely recommend a Starmark'd car over unwarranteed. With warranty coverage double the distance, why buy a brand new one?
I love driving the ML. I does rattle a little more than I'd like, but the drive/ride/handle factor makes it all worthwhile.
FWIW, I have one with a skyview roof and its great. CLE doesn't offer a lot of chance to open it, but in FLA it would be nice.
Cool Wheels
Wolfgang
have seen some brochures but for those who have bot the new one and compared it to the old one your thots would be a help. thx.
For those of you that are farther along with your research please give me your pros and cons.
The dealer I used was Mercedes Benz of Rochester and everything went without a hitch. They were very nice and professional. Don't expect any money off from them I tried and failed but I'm still happy with my '02. 1500 miles and perfect.
The other one is odd. I noticed it mentioned by -nothappyml- 20 or so posts back. I had not heard it mentioned before so thought I had something unique, but maybe not. My command / bose system has been randomly raising the volume to FULL (Cd or radio), if I don't catch it 1st. Let me tell you, if you haven't tried, and I don't recommend it, this thing really gets loud. It's an eye opener when in busy traffic. Dealer says he will replace the MCS head, but mentioned that he had not heard of it before. My backlight flickers when the headlights are on (night mode display) so I am not too sorry to see it go. That in itself wasn't a bother, but may have been related. I'm only glad to be able to whine about such trivia, this SUV is GREAT.
The pictures can be see via the link below, just keep clicking on the right arrow to move to the next one.
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=137587&a=1130466&p=54560270&f=0
Enjoy!
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards