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Comments
I asked them what happens if the bulb blows and they said that they would change them free of charge since it is under the warranty!! I dont want to test that one though.
Drew, I was thinking about this maybe it is coverend under the capsule warranty and not the ML warranty?
Anyway they aimed the lights free of charge. But you have to tell them that they are HIDs because otherwise they, surprisingly, may aim them like Halogens. Shoot the lamps on a wall at the dealer ship just to make sure that they dont look really off. It took me three time to get the adjustment correct, first time it was aimed for Halogen, and the second time I had to convince them that I had Xenons.
They should aim them w/o an appointment because it was considered a safety hazard, so they took the ML in for aiming, immediatly.
Robert
Robert
There are special brackets for the M4 brushguard and the PIAA fog lights that they and Clairparts sells.
Can you please take pics of the mounting points? I'm wondering if your dealer had to drill holes in your bumper. I looked at buying the M4 guard's parts, but wasn't comfortable w/ the bumper holes :-P
dennett:
Yes, the ML500 is definite AFAIK. Rumors even from MB salesmen...
That cliffyb is funny, isn't he? He never did say what kind of grad degree he was getting, but he sure does act bratty :-)
For me though, AWD is just about a necessity so I'd probably choose the 4-motion model (which makes the Passat pricey), or go for a Subaru. BTW, did you know that VW offers a Jetta (known as the Bora there) 4-motion in Europe? As for Volvos, they are fairly expensive and as of late, haven't been particularly reliable. To add to this, the out of warranty service/repair costs are high.
Just my 2 cents :-)
The Passat can get really pricey; throw in a V6 and/or 4Motion, go to the higher trims, etc. The Subaru Legacy's and Outbacks are just a lot cheaper (you can buy a loaded Outback wagon 4-banger for $26k). Does great in crash test scores, but no side curtains ... yet.
Guess that'd be another reason to wait; the Japanese makes don't adopt the latest safety features as quickly as their German counterparts, but once it becomes a competitive issue, they usually do it. (Look how the 3.2TL you were looking at once didn't get side airbags and pretensioners until its second model year.)
The A4 and Passat share the same platform if I remember right.
You might want to wait for the 2002 model this fall. The A4 will get a total redesign, so the Passat might pick up the new body (and new features) as well. The new A4 design is more A6/TT looking. Some like it. Some don't. It will be safer than the current A4..better CAD tools, etc.
A friend a year ago was looking at your price range. Started wanting the Passat. I went w/ him to a car show and we sat back and forth. The VWs have cheaper interiors. The A4 just screamed "solid" a lot more than the Passat. He's the one I mentioned who got the 1.8T Quattro. Unfortunately, his current car died and he needed a replacement, so he couldn't find one w/ the $500 head bag option or he would have gotten it. The curtain bags also look like they have excellent coverage. The current A4 has the best crash rating for the Compact class (I think).
Am I correct in thinking that reliability of the ML has greatly improved over the years? I'm simply not seeing the kind of complaints here that I see on the X5 boards. Also, is M-B dealer service better than BMW overall? I'm starting to get that feeling.
So I'm now looking at buying a used '99 or '00 ML430. (And I've forgotton the prod. date on the '99's after which crash safety was improved).
Any advice? One thing I'd like to know about is the stereos on the ML--is the Bose definitely worth having? Are people happy with the stereos? Lots of complaining about both the base & premium stereos on the X5 & it's a big issue for me.
Thanks in advance for any info!
So even _if_ MB service was generally better than BMW service, it wouldn't make a difference if your local BMW dealer had better service than your local MB dealer.
Therefore, if this is a priority for you, I would suggest asking on the MB and BMW discussion boards for input on the dealership service department quality for the dealerships near you. There's enough readership (especially on the MB boards) that you're bound to get input from some people in your neck of the woods. Also, remember that you're asking about service department quality, not sales.
Holes were drilled through the plastic bumper in order for the brush guard to be mounted. A rubber washer/rubber gasket was placed to cover the opening. A very good job to mesh the guard to the bumper and conceal the holes. Pictures have been taken and will be processed this coming week. As soon as I scan them I will email them to you.
Danny d:)
BTW, I think you wrote to me asking about the grill. I got the entire ML55 grill from my MB Canada dealership. Airpressusa sells something similarly priced (in fact cheaper) here.
Drew
Host of Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
One thing I'd like to know about is the stereos on the ML--is the Bose definitely worth having? Are people happy with the stereos? Lots of complaining about both the base & premium stereos on the X5 & it's a big issue for me.>>
...for years, then you don't really need our advice on BMW service. As wmquan points out, you really need to go on a dealer by dealer comparison. Both my BMW and MB dealerships stink when it comes to service, if that helps!
Having said all that, I think the BMW premium stereo with DSP is far superior to the ML Bose system. That's, IMHO.
They didnt give me any hassle with the lights, they were a bit shocked though.
I asked them what happens if the bulb blows and they said that they would change them free of charge since it is under the warranty!! I dont want to test that one though. >>
...xenons, right? If that's the case, is there a bulb to blow? I thought the xenons were arc-discharge and that one of the advantages were that they usually outlasted the life of the vehicle, so offering a lifetime warranty might not be such a costly move by MB.
On another unrelated note, the president of MB Canada, Ernest Lieb, said in a TV interview today that MB Canada already has 40 orders for the upcoming MB SLR and the 28 orders for the MB Maybach. Both of these cars will be priced in the $500K to $700K range. Wow!>>
...to less than 50 US cents?!? I've heard that the Maybach will be roughly $230,000 USD, and that Mercedes plans on annual production of 800+, starting in Fall 2002. Don't know about the Vision SLR, as that seems a bit further into the future. Remember the Maybach showcar debuted in 97, and production will come 5 years later, while the Vision SLR showcar debuted last year, so you do the math.
Who knows if the Vision SLR will go from showcar to production?!? That was one busy concept car.
We have a 1999 ML430 with Bose and we're very pleased... it is all dependant on what you are used to... Could you leave the system out and buy components that sound as good or better?
You need to drive and listen to the Bose system in an ML with a CD or tape of your choice... one that you are used to listening to on a stereo system you like hearing it from... then compare and see what you think.
Remember, if you are buying a previously owned ML430 then you will not be "custom ordering" it to be picky on what options it has. Also, you might pay a bit more for a used ML430 with Bose but not necessarily. Shopping for used is not the same as new... some sellers will just want a certain dollar figure for their vehicle regardless of the options. It might be hard to find an ML430 without it... You can always remove it and install a different system down the road and sell the Bose pieces on ebay.
What time frame are you looking to make said purchase and what area do you live. If you want to hear our Bose system and you live in the Northern VA area let me know and we'll link up so you can test it for yourself.
Happy New Year to All!! Frank
Yep, I mean the leather and vinyl. I thought water made leather harden when it dried?>>
...towel off the cows after a rainstorm! And, afterwards, the Lexol treatment!
Did you know there is a product out there called Udderly Soft? It's a lotion to knead on udders, and available at WalMart. I kid you not! While picking up some Mobil1 5-qt jugs, I saw a display in the checkout line!
Thanks. I'll post them when I get them :-)
It does sound like is the official M4 brush guard and it sounds like they improved the hole as well. Do you have a breakdown of parts and labor? I was quoted $175 for a local body shop install which seemed like a lot :-P
beetlebug:
Hope you're wrong about those prices. I think the SLR looks way cool. Maybe my taste is going as my wife claims ;-)
woodyww:
Problems always happen on first year cars. If you can hold out for the next year X5, it should be better. You're also used to your BMW dealer; if they provide BMW loaners, it might not be that bad (most MB dealers won't give you MB loaners).
As for the ML, they improved the interior for the 00 model year. It depends whether you want it to feel more luxurious or utilitarian (depends on what you use it for). Some folks on the M-Class mailing list like the old model better for the 3 way rear seats and the vinyl/plastic pillar moldings which are much easier to clean than the soft cloth the new ones have which rip more easily.
For dealers, you might want to stop by a service department and do a quick survey of the folks there. Or ask here or on the M-Class mailing list.
You should probably drive the MDX to be sure. I thought it was more nimble than the X5 or ML, but it wasn't as "solid" feeling. It seems to do very well in snow from the comments on the MDX forum.
Just take your time and make sure you make the right decision so you don't have any expensive regrets :-)
All of MB's brake pads (in fact, this applies to many German cars, I think) wear quickly because they're soft. This allows for better heat dissipation (superior performance for braking from high speeds) since the pads sacrifice themselves instead of the rotors. The side effect, as you probably noticed, is that the wheels get coated with brake dust pretty quickly. Part of this is also because the German TUV requires a larger percentage of graphite in the pads.>>
If you want better heat dissipation, it'd be simpler to just use larger diameter or thicker rotors. Pads are very poor for heat dissipation due to their small size. Rotors are designed for heat dissipation. The goal for braking is to transfer rotational energy of the wheels into thermal energy in the rotors. I hardly think that those smart german engineers are sacrificing brake pads for heat dissipation, when a much better heat dissipator is present.
My nanny had a car accident on Friday, drives a 2000 altima, she is ok, airbag went off, but bruised and shaken. She is looking for a larger auto, but ML is way to expensive for her. I suggest a Honda CRV, any other suggestions in the 20K or less range.
My first winter snow with ML in NY Long Island, had to put in low gear, since some streets were plowed to early and ML went thru ridges of snow over 6 inches. The ML slid, a bit sideways due to the large snow ridges. I think larger thread tires would have handled better.
I mostly feared others on the road, riding like jerks, some still in a big rush...hope they do not end up in the morgue or cause someone else to.
The MB mudflaps held up, I feared the inverted design they would bend, but I think are made that way to actually scoop the snow and form a barrier of some sort.
Went a bit fast on a turn and the ESP worked, well my son asked what the noise was. Glad it worked.
Happy New Year
Drew/Robert, The reason I ask is my brother said in his Porsche conversion to the projectors there is a plug housing that connects the wiring to the housing that had a MB star on it and appeared to also be made for MB and the Porsche. All he could remember without looking at it again was two lines with a 'c' through them on the housing with the MB star. If this is possibly the same connector I may also be able to get it from Bosch or look for it when I go to Germany this year.
Classical female voice (Kiri Te Kanawa, "Vier Letzte Lieder") was the worst CD I tried. I didn't enjoy listening to the Leontyne Price Christmas album at all. Track 2 of Sarah McLachlan's "Surfacing" ('I Love You') misses most of the lowest note of the bass riff
The CD player itself is no joy (and may be the source of the bass problem noted above). Listen to the attack of the first note of the Stravinsky violin concerto (Perlman/Teldec) -- really grates.
Chemical Brothers was OK, KMFDM "Nihil" Track 2 ('Juke Joint Jezebel') was better than I expected, Prodigy "The Fat of the Land" (tracks 1 and 8, 'Smack My B**** Up' and 'Firestarter') are OK. Mozart Horn concerti sounded OK but muddled (Houston Symphony recording). Gloria Cheng-Cochran "Piano Music of John Adams and Terry Riley" was OK (but not very bright).
I figure this is one of the places MB cut corners to meet this price point. When I want to really listen to music, I listen at home (Bryston integrated, Denon CD, Linn AV5140 speakers, Nordost cables).
- Jim Fox
You might want to drop $300 on a pair of MBQuarts/ADS/BA speakers for the front. Folks on the mailing list think it makes a huge difference. Just about every year, people bring up the horrid B*se subject and we beat it to death. :-P
Others are very happy w/ the Bose/changer combo. It's definitely one of those "you gotta try it before you get it" things...
Drew
Host of Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
I believe that Drew had a Xenon bulb die on him and MB replaced it free of charge. The bulbs them selves are pricey, but since they are so durable dealerships dont see Xenon replacements often. Drews bulb blowout must have been a fluke. However they had to replace both of them because of the difference in temperature if only one is changed (I think that the bulb changes temp with age of bulb, but if they are burned at the same time they change at the same time). One woule be at a higher/lower temperature than the other.
Here is a picture of the bulb:
Robert
IT is possible that MB uses some bosch wiring parts. BUt I think that since the Headlamps themselves are hella then they have to be Hella Wirings. I doubt that they would use Bosch parts to connect a Hella Part, espically major competitors. Maybe they use the Bosch in the S class.
I believe that in the Earlier S-Class they used Philips bulbs hence a much bluer (higher temp) color. Sice I dont have my M with me right now I think that they use OSRAM bulbs in the capsules (I'll confirm) MB uses a combination of technologies from Hella and Bosch so they probably use it different brands for different cars according to $ and capability. I noticed that Hella only has a couple retrofits available for each BMW and MB.
Drew/Bob:
Isnt it amazing that PUMA is out of these connectors?!?! If no one knows about these conversion, then who is using them??? I doubt that I started a major rush of people to buy the part. So someone MUST be using them and they are specifically identified as a M-Class Conversion Jumper. Maybe they are coming out with their own package? Could MB be using them? There is a mysterious disappearence of these adapters. When I last contacted PUMA, they said that they order directly from the Georgia dist. plant. So I think that it may be someone cutting off the supply.
Robert
Region 1 California/Nevada
Model Year 2000 CLK, E, CL and S-Class
P/N : Q 6 46 0053
Bosch Release 7/00
THIS DOES NOT WORK ON THE ML
Confirm the P/N with your local dealer
rexconde@exconde.com
Robert
Ahh the joys of different time zones. !!
Robert
I have recently decided to purchase a 2001 ML320 with M1, 3rd row and Sports package (family car with zing!)but I'm contemplating whether it's worth splurging on the Power Sky view Sunroof. My dealer tells me that it's a feature with "a lot of problems" and may not be worth the extra $2K.
Does anyone have any experience with the Sky view and if so, would you recommend adding this additional feature? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. TX!
dt77
Drew
Host of Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
Its the First Post of the New Year
True, it doesnt have a filament, but there are still a number of wires inside the bulb, the two that create the arc. It could also break inside of itself. I believe that fault of the bulb could be caused by a larger problem Ballast or ignitor, loss of gas in the bulb, cracked bulb, broken wire. There are still a number of things that can go wrong.
Drew's blown bulb was actually the only one HID replacement that I have heard of. I would probably say his was a mfg defect. They are supposed to last forever, at least for the life of the car.
Robert
Kenyee, I am looking at my bill, and surprisingly, it doesn't have a breakdown on the cost/labor. The total cost was 620. before taxes. If I recall correctly, my Service Rep told me 1.5 hours for the labor.
The chrome side steps cost 595. installed (still trying to get use to the uneven angle every time I step on them)
Funny thing is that the 2001 MB Accessories Booklet has no prices whatsoever as compared to the 2000 Accessories Booklet.
Danny d:)
rexconde@exconde.com
...on another note I'm waiting for my airplane to take off, gotta go back to ChiTowm. Now I have to wear a coat, but get to play with the ML again.
The squeaking dash on my new '00 ML430 has increased, dramatically. The area where the passenger side "A" pillar meets the dash is teh culprit, there is a tremendous amount of play between the two. Has anyone fixed this themselves or had MB Service do it for them.
I'm not sure how to post images directly so here is a link to the photos of the area and the gaps.
http://www.hardcastletrading.com/ml430/
Thanks,
John
Thanks
John
Re squeaky dash, after taking my '00 ML in something like 5 or 6 times, for this problem, I asked them to remove the glove box and show me how to re-install it, so that I could track down the problem my self. I told them that I understood that they had limited time to troubleshoot this type of problem, and that I'd be happy to do it myself, just to insure it was solved. As it worked out, prior to returning it to me, they went over everything in that part of the ml including re-tightening the main bolts that secure the dash to the frame, putting felt tape on the contact areas between the glove box and it's mounting points, around wire harnesses, etc. And, it has been without further incident. I re-installed the glovebox the next day and roughly 10 days (and about 650 miles) later, no recurrence of squeaks. I'd like to add that this has been the first period in nearly 8 months where it wasn't a problem.
The moral of the story is to ask them to give you the tools to check it your self and that just might motivate them to do a real thorough job and also give you the opportunity to further review it your self. BTW the glovebox on the '00 comes out with 4 screws and 2 snap in rivets. It is easy to R&R!
Best of luck
Tracy
Did you need any special tools for the snap rivets or the screws? Anything I should be warned about before I try to take it out for a look?
thanks!
Re: the Bose stereo in the ML: the only stereo I've really been impressed with is the Nak. system in the LX470 (& there is another very expensive possibility in a used LX.....with all of it's great points, but also trade-off).
Frank: thanks for offering to let me check out the Bose in your ML! I live in Mass., but if I find myself in Virginia, will take you up on your offer.
Jim Fox: Thanks for the comments on the Bose. Sounds like you have an excellent home system! I'm also an audio nut, have ARC VT100MkII amp, VTL pre-amp, B&W 802's, & on & on. I originally started out looking for a car stereo that doesn't totally suck; not necessarily a great one. Also the expectations get greater as I get even up to or way past the $30,000 range for a vehicle. I just can't believe some of the crappy stereos in some of these $40K+ vehicles.........
Well, it's tough to be both a car nut & an audio nut.......(duh!)....I'm just gonna get out there & drive the MDX, drive the ML again, etc. etc.
Thanks again! Steve
Thanks
I love it so far.
Thanks
When I got home, I took out a few rags and the silicon spray (bought from Canuck Tire). As I was feeling around the base of the A-pillar, I must have pressed that portion of the dash a little too firmly (which wasn't very much at all) and I heard a click noise. I understand what you mean by more flexing now around that area. I think I managed to push the clip connecting the A-pillar and dash back together though. In any case, I covered the dash with rags and I liberally sprayed the silicon around the base of the A-pillar and between the dash and the windshield. I also sprayed some of the stuff in the leaf guard/air intake area outside the vehicle. Will let you know if this fix works (I think you've tried it, right?) for me. I'll mention it to the service advisor at Service A (at the end of this month or early next month probably) anyway.
WRT your question, MB has never provided software upgrades for the engine management so I guess the answer would be no. The torque curves are still the same, AFAIK, only the emissions have been tweaked.
Drew
Host of Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards