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Comments
After looking at all the repair records for my 150, especially those done in the first 6 months of ownership, I am extremely happy with my ML.
So my advice to all you whiners is to relax and enjoy the great vehicle that we have all purchased. And count your blessings it is not a Ford.
My wife's subaru outback needed a new engine at 13,000 miles. She put on another 70,000 miles on it before we got rid of it.
My point here is you can get a lemon with any manufacturer, however, you can reduce that possibility by purchasing something a brand with a good rep. Hopefully, this will not be my last MB. After giving Ford some many chances (6 new vehicles in 10 years) I will only give a brand one chance to get it right. I am tired of spending my hard earned money on crap.
Did someone say you should clean them with lemon juice?
I've tried cleaning the blades with windex, but they still streak when using the windshield washer.
BTW..just had the fog lights activated at the dealership. I installed the PIAA H3's myself.
Seem's kinda strange that they're supposed to be illegal in MN (according to Roberts site) but yet the dealer didn't bat an eye. Just put it on the computer and activated them.
Oh well, I'm certainly not complaining.
To Robert..excellant site, lots of good detailed instructions.
Good luck with Ml. Sound to me like any car you buy turns to S--t.
2000 ml320, 15k, only a "wavy" center armrest (bubble). Knock on burl..........
Thanks,
Jamie
Everyone if you have a chance take a peek. Its something that we have needed.
http://www.keysolutions.com/m-class.nsf/
Robert
Alson, does anyone sell a "Full Size" spare tire carrier for the inside. Iv'e seen one in the ML55. Does MB option this for the other 2 models?
- thanks
I currently own a '99 320 and I am going to upgraded for numerous reasons, some for safety (seatbelt/teather) and some for "gadgets". :-) My question is if a 430 is worth 5k more than a somewhat closely configured 320 (leather/6 CD/etc). As far as I can see, the 5k difference is for the engine, rims, and tires.
Thoughts?
Evan
BTW, my '99 320 has been great.
Keep us updated on the fix for your problem!
BTW, how was your trip? Are the snows back on? I see that your area will probably get a mix of snow/rain later this week(end). I'm hoping that we'll get just snow in Vancouver :-) Can't wait and I certainly hope that the forecast is accurate.
The ML55 has a compact spare, just like the regular MLs. There is not enough room for a full-size spare unless you buy the external spare tire carrier. This is only available as a factory option in Canada/Europe/Asia. There are aftermarket solutions (if you have the hitch) though.
Drew
Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
Snow Tires : I don't recall anyone answering a question on snow tires I had a few months ago. How does the ML react with the standard General tires on snow and bad road conditions. Are snows really needed?
I would think with the AWD and traction control you wouldn't need them, but am looking for input form some folks who have gone through a winter with the ML already. I saw the Tire Rack tests and the ML did much better with the snows, as any vehicle would on a iced skid pad, but that is also their business so I would assume there were some half truths there.
in NY
39000 for ML320
+ sunroof
+ m1 pkg
heated seats
bose + cd changer
metallic paint
I heard about the forecast this coming weekend! Snow level down to 1000 ft in my area! Whoo hoo! Looks like there's going to be quite a bit of snow in the mountains! Enough to go snowmobiling! I'm not driving the ML55 for that though. A friend of mine is taking his truck + camper up the mountains instead.
The trip went pretty good. I went through a bunch of twisties in the lower part of Oregon and upper parts of California. I drove at speeds I would've never attempted with the Jeep. The ML55 was fun to drive especially after I broke it in somewhere around Tacoma. The gas mileage however was horrible but we all know that can be blamed to my "lead" foot.
Also went up to Whistler right after Thanksgiving for 2 days too with the ML55. That's when I first got to drive the 55 in the snow. It did pretty good too. I didn't detect any slippage at all especially during tight turns nor did I see the ESP light flashing. These tires do pretty good. BTW, for you folks that're looking for winter tires for the ML55, I ended up getting a set of Dunlop Wintersport M2 in size 265/55HR-18 with the stock rims...they work GREAT although they're a bit noiser than the stock SP9000's.
Jason
I'm curious what your instantaneous mileage is w/ the 270CDI. I've gotten a low of 8mpg on my ML320 during acceleration/city driving and a high of around 24mpg on the highway (it says 70mpg when coasting, but I don't believe it). I suspect I should be using cruise control more on the highway to maximize mileage. It's weird to watch the fuel needle almost move as you use it in the city, especially compared to my old Integra.
I'm hoping MB will release an MLG-400CDI here to tempt me into breaking my 10yr upgrade rule :-)
+ sunroof
+ m1 pkg
+ heated seats
+ bose+cd changer
+ metallic paint
thinking maybe wait for Acura MDX
IMHO, the ML is a better choice than the Acura.
is this a fair price in NY, 2001 $39K for ML320
+ sunroof
+ m1 pkg
+ heated seats
+ bose+cd changer
+ metallic paint
thinking maybe wait for Acura MDX
In case you didn't know, MB's margins are only 7% as of the 2000 model year. Other manufacturers still have around a 15% margin. This severely limits how much a MB dealer is willing to deal. That said, it looks like you're getting roughly $1K off, so it's not bad.
More importantly, why did you mention the MDX? Does it have some features you really really want? If so, you should probably wait. It's always better to take your time and make sure you made the right decision for yourself rather than trade your car in a few years afterwards because you're unhappy w/ it...
An ML feature I appreciate
is rear door aribags (2 kids 9&11)
Acura MDX imo looks a little better
and has 3rd row, drives as well as ML
Downside w/ MDX is paying MSRP
AND 3 month wait !!! Most dealers
are getting 1500-2K over MSRP
Any opinions on ML quality - hoping its
better than prior years
What I did when I was looking to buy was go to carorder.com and print out what they would sell one to me for and after a week of haggling got a fair price, within $500 of the web price, at the local dealer. Also try the web car sites compare tool and it will tell you the differences and weight the cost differences/trade-offs of the different models you are looking at. I was going to buy a Lexus RX300 till I did that, drove a ML and started to really look at the differences. To big an investment today to make a quick decision.
On that topic, I have never been as happy with a choice I made as I have been with the ML. A big thanks also goes to Drew (aling) as his comments on other boards made me do more research and end up buying the ML... What ever your choice enjoy!!!
ML quality is average now. If you've been reading the MDX topic on Edmund's, you'll also see that the Odyssey (the MDX is based on parts of it and built at the same plant) is also average.
I think you'll have to prioritize what you want: safety (ML is better), reliability (MDX is probably better, but w/ the Odyssey's lackluster reliability, I'm not so sure), price (MDX still cheaper even w/ absurd markups), durability, ergonomics, size, 3rd row use, maintenance cost, whether your local dealers are good, service departments, etc. The 2002 ML will also have curtain air bags and a minor face lift (will probably have the Sports pkg as standard would be my guess). I'd guess the 2002 MDX will have VSA/ESP and maybe real wood inside.
You also don't have to wait for the MDX if you're willing to consider out-of-state purchase.
As mentioned earlier, I had them look at the transmission, and they re-shimmed somthing...don't know what, though. This morning I was able to get a really good test, too. It was brutally cold here in sunny southern California, barely 50 degrees and on my way down the street from my house the engine revved as high as before when cold, but when it shifted it was a nice, smooth one with no lurching or clunking.
So if anyone is having similar shifting "anomalies", then I suggest having your dealer look at it.
Before I bought my 2000 ml320 about a month ago, I too considered the MDX thinking it was a much better value. I did drive it, and I think the drive is pretty similar. The third seat is nice but it is only for kids or really small adults. The interior is laid out quite nicely as well.
But I think the MB ML320 has much more character, an the Acura stlying is so so. Like with most of Japanese cars, one would get tired of it easily, in my opinion. Also, the big factor against MDX is that they are not discounting at all. They are adding dealer markup plus the wait as you mentioned. With that, I did not see any incentive in going with the Acura.
After I took delivery and was driving my '99ML430 home form the dealer, the radio was making loud popping noises (fixed - replaced radio - after 3 trips back) and a startling rattling noise underneath the truck - the emergency break cable supports were broken off - fixed after one trip back.
But, my friend still takes the honors - He was driving his brand new, shiny Dodge Intrepid off the dealer lot and never made it out - a huge tree branch fell across the hood of the car an totalled it...
Drew
Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
I suppose it depends on how much snow/ice you get, Bob. One could argue that if you get more than a few days of (moderate to heavy) snow per season, that you should consider the dedicated winter tires.
The OE tires are pretty good though. The open tread design is great in that it doesn't clog up with snow as easily as the closed tread passenger car tires (ex. on the Lexus RX300). Incidentally, this open tread design is part of the reason why the ML is not completely on-road biased. I'm not sure about the Generals, but the Dunlops have a self cleaning tread design.
As long as you take a cautious approach when cornering/braking, the OE tires should be fine; ESP can only do so much. Better yet, drive into an empty snow covered parking lot and try turning/braking/accelerating with and w/o ESP. That should give you a good feel of the limits of the vehicle as well as the tires. Plus, it's just fun if you can sneak in a couple of donuts (in the snow, that is) :-)
Mark
As your vehicle gets broken in more, fuel economy should improve slightly. However, I know that the acceleration from that AMG tuned engine can be addictive :-)
Drew
Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
P.S. Mark Just something silly that we do...nothing to be impressed about ;-)
By the way, didn't remember reading anything on the ml manual on warming up the engine on cold days. Do you recommend letting the engine warm up on idle or driving slowly? Please advise.
When the seats are hung on either side, make sure any cargo (boxes,etc) you place in between them do not press against the seat base.
The seats have a plastic base that easily cracks into pieces when any pressure is applied.
The worst part is these plastic plates are in short supply. Had to wait 5 weeks for the parts to arrive.
It's really fun racing to see who grabs the century marks whenever we can! Kinda adds to the fun but scribbling the numbers before the "century" marks...I'm not so sure if that's fairgame! Maybe we should come up with a rule that we have to wait til it's at 99 or 199 or so forth before going to the century mark. Just a thought, aling!
I was wondering why they were no longer showing those Dunlop Wintersport tires on tirerack.com. I guess everybody else thought that they'd need those tires too and bought them out all at once or maybe tirerack just decided not to renew their supplies. Do they sell those tires up in Vancouver though? I'd hate to have to worry about where to get replacements once these tires of mine wear out.
You're right....there's nothing like the rush you experience when you floor the pedal and surge on ahead past everybody else! AMG power really rocks!
Jason
Yes, MB Canada dealerships do offer the Winter Sport tires. I believe they have an agreement with Dunlop Germany or something like that, to import them in. Phone the dealership up ahead of time to order though. If you like, the next time I go in, I'll try to remember to ask them what one of these puppies cost.
Drew
Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
P.S. A while back you asked me about Edmunds.com. You'll find probably all that you want to know here.