Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
I've seen the G-class in my Automobile magazine and I will take a look at it when it comes out to the showroom. It might be more SUV than I want, we'll see.
Mark
Aside from being a large fellow (6'4" and 260lbs), our 2002 ML has been fantastic and I'd take a prisoner if I were made to sit in a 3rd row! Don't get me wrong, I see the allure if you have kids, but still believe MB will point you to the next G/R-Class if you need the 3rd row.
One thought... knowing that the 2nd row does slide forward to accomodate the 3rd row passengers, that all but kills knee room in coach class, doesn't it?
Most of my friends are of a much smaller size than you, so the issue has not come up about being cramped in the ML.
Mark
R
P.S. Please no questions as to why I don't want to wear the seatbelt (at all times) or advice to cut a belt off another car and click it in (I can think of that myself!). I want to know if there's a way to turn it off. I did read about European vs. USA settings and that might be the answer, but until I pick it up, I don't know what the menu options will be... all I know is that in my husband's BMW it drives me crazy!!!
The seat belt chime may be federally mandated so info about turning it off may be hard to come by. The dealer may not disclose how to disable it if they know, since there could be a liability issue for turning it off.
Steve, Host
In the early 70's, the Congress attempted to require an interlock system such that when the seatbelt chime was deactivated it also caused the deactivation of nonessential systems in the vehicle (radio, tape players etc.) Public reaction was unambiguous and Congress (at the insistence of NHTSA) abandoned that approach though some manufacturers "voluntarily" installed the interlock.
Today, NHTSA is pushing for a "seat belt reminder system" that would basically mandate the chime do its deed for an extended period (5 minutes or more).
tidester, host
I will stick to my point, those that take operating performance machines seriously simply turn off the chime by buckling up....
Call me paranoid, but we'll reopen this discussion 20 years later, if there isn't a law against Internet message boards.
Another example occurs when I need to reach into the rear seat for something (don't worry, tyresmoker, it's generally while we are sitting at a stop light) if you've ever done this, you'd know, it's kind of hard to do if you're wearing a seatbelt! So, I remove it, rearrange whatever we were trying to transport that has spilled/ fallen, all the while to hear ding - ding - ding. I could go on, but my point is, there is absolutely NO reason the chime needs to be constant, 30 seconds of it when you initially start the car is plenty!
There's quite a bit of info out there on how to disable the chime in Fords (click it three times, turn on headlights etc..) I was just wondering -- as was my salesperson [who told me the service people do know how, they just aren't allowed to do it] if anyone has any inside info.
Anyway, thank you to everyone who agrees the new models are a bit overboard on the warning system and I'll let you know if I ever figure it out... I should pick it up on Thursday. Silver ML 350 - can't wait!
R
Mark
M
R
I think ESP (stability control was introduced with the '99's, so make sure the one you're looking at has it. I also believe that sometime in the middle of the '99 model year there were some improvements made to the interior materials.
The all-new 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
Steve, Host
I am thinking about purchasing a 2000 ML 430 with 56K on it. I have reviewed the service records and ran a carfax and all is well.
However, I have read several posts that makes me think perhaps I should go with another vehicle.
Please advise me on what I should be concerned about.
Things to consider......... how many miles do you drive a year? Can you get an extended warranty?
I have a 2002 ML500. If you are looking for a used ML, 2002 was the model year that Mercedes updated the ML. The front and rear bumpers were redesigned, center console was redesigned where the power window switches were put in a more convenient location, the A/C controls were updated and rear air vents were added, better materials were used in the interior, etc.
My local Mercedes dealership is offering new 2005 ML's for $100 over invoice since the new 2006 ML's are now available.
Mark
They are asking $19000 including taxes and fees. I can still get an extended warranty on the car. I drive A LOT OF MILES. Probably 20K or so.
That's a lot of miles to put on a used car that already has decent mileage. If you decide to go for it, an extended warranty would probably be a good idea.
Mark
I live in Atlanta. We drive everywhere here. I am more concerned about all the problems I hear about this vehicle. I had a 2000 Land Rover which was a great truck. People warned me not to buy the Land Rover and it ended up being a great vehicle.
My 2002 ML500 has 41,000 miles on it and I'll trade it at the end of this year for a 2006 model (not sure what kind yet). I'm sure I'll be right at 50,000 miles by December so I'll be going out of warranty. I'll be right at the 4 year 50,000 mile warranty threshold.
If I were you, I would buy an end of the model year vehicle and then when it comes time to trade, your vehicle won't appear to have as much mileage. Also, you will have the benefit of a full warranty.
Just my .02... Mark
It seems to me to be an amalgamation of several other existing, popular SUVs instead of a "pure" Mercedes look?
ML's are a mixed bag when it comes to owner happiness. We've had our 2000
ML320 for 2 1/2 years and we are in the "happy camp" among owners with one
financial hit of $1,200 for the A/C at 70,000 miles. We are now at 80,000 miles.
Part of the negative experience comes from a pattern of real problems with the truck, and real problems with the dealer and manufacturer. Spend a couple of
hours here and you'll see the picture.
Part of the negative experience comes from missed expectations, I think. The ML is our 3rd Mercedes over a 30 year stretch and our expectations are safety, handling, driver enjoyment, reasonable economy, reasonable cost of ownership,
and decent dealer service. We do not expect Lexus style reliability, but something decent. Our now 15 year old Lexus LS400 has been very good but not perfect... at 190,000 miles now, we have previously replaced the A/C twice, and steering rack. A few other things we live with such as broken switches, displays,
and antennas. In our limited experience, Mercedes will see about 30% more faults
than a Lexus. The ML320 fit and finish and A/C do not compare well with Lexus or
MB sedans (at least for the 2000 ML320), but these are not bad at all.
Part of the negative experience comes from dealerships who are under the gun to
improve service revenues and reduce warranty expenses to M-B, which is in moderate financial trouble.
On the positive side there is the enjoyment of the truck itself which offers safety, handling, comfort, good off-road capability, and reasonable MPG (20 average for the 6 cyl.) I also like the A&B service plan at $150 & $300 about every 12K miles
rather than the Lexus $500 at 30K and $1,000 at 60K intervals. At 60K the Lexus
cost us $1,500 versus the ML $1,050, plus wear items. Also, for 2000 model year
M-B paid the first 4 visits, reducing my cost to $150 at 60K. I believe that this freebee has gone away.
Also positive, at 80K the truck drives like new; very smooth engine and transmission, and a solid feel to original shocks and suspension. Few domestic
trucks and SUV's are this tight and reliable at 80K. Some imports can beat it but often at a cost - smaller cargo space, no low range, no ESP, rougher ride, lower MPG, higher maintenance programs.
So, weigh the +'s and -'s. To me it is worth the quirks.
Also, I have free maintenance until the warranty expires.
The only out of pocket expense have been a set of new tires. (about $700)
I added a wind deflector on the front hood and mud flaps ($400)
Rear brake pads installed at 18,000 miles. ($220) I don't think it needed it so soon because now I have 23,000 miles on the rear and the light has not come on. When I take my ML in for tire rotations (non MB shop), they always tell me that my brakes are getting close to needing to be replaced... I'm going to wait for the "brake pad" light to come on before I change them.
The adjustment I've had under warranty, other than regular maintenace....
*** fix the loose molding at the bottom of the front bumper (twice)
***rear cup holder broke
***squeak in dash at the base of the windshield (90% fixed) rattles on occasion at freeway speeds. The hood was removed and something was done at a body shop at the firewall or just above it. There was a note from MB on how to fix it if a customer complained of that noise.
***one speedometer light went out.
Every car I have ever owned had "adjustments" that needed to be done. I've owned 4 Nissan's, a Peugeot, a couple of Jeeps, and a disastrous Oldsmobile diesel.
This past winter right before Christmas, we had an ice storm. WOW, what a difference if you have AWD with stability control. I felt like I could go anywhere with no problem. On many occasions, the two-wheel-drive cars and SUV's were having a real problem getting around. I drove around many stuck vehicles without any problem at all.
Also, when I went off roading near Joshua Tree National park, it's not a good idea to have mud flaps that are not flexible. I knocked my front mud flap loose and had to have it re attached at the dealer. If they were flexible, there would be no problem.
Footie, I like the new 2006 ML style... it definitely looks like a Mercedes product to me and not much different than mine, especially the shape of the windows.
Mark
One obvious difference is that the Lexus has that "BIG" swing-out door instead of a lift gate. That type of design does not work for me. For one thing, it opens backwards. If you are parallell parked, you are in the street trying to unload groceries, etc. If you pull into a garage and close the garage door, it better be deep for that big door to open. The lift gate on the ML acts as an umbrella when raining if you are loading things.
The 2006 ML's do not offer a third row seats like mine; the Lexus does.
Mark
Same thing with autos... if carrying 7 is your objective, plenty of folks would love to put you in a minivan. Unfortunately, functional design does not translate into the "cool" factor craved by today's buyers. Until the new R and G-Class vehicles hit the streets, MB may not be your best alternative for hauling the troup. Fantastic choice, however, for that family of four!
You're missing a major point here. There is a vehicle that comfortably holds 2 kids in the thrid row, and provides an exmplary level of safety even in a rear-ender. There are photos of it being rear-ended at 50-60 mph with zero intrusion into the third row.
It's the 1998-2005 M-class.
The Volvo XC90 also has impressive rear-collision protection and yet still manages a third row that is more than roomy enough for kids.
So yes, you can have your cake and eat it too.
I don't expect cargo room with the third row in use, but I expect the flexibility of having a third row to use for short-term passenger carrying.
... putting children in the third row of a mid sized suv even the new longer wheelbase m class is lunacy. in the event of a moderate to severe rear end collision there is not adequate buffer between the third row seat and the intruding vehicle. guess who becomes part of the crumple zone! how does that grab you? still want to be trendy???????
You're saying that a third-row in a mid-sized SUV is not safe. The 1998-2005 M-class has proven that it IS safe, by using the proper design. So has the Volvo XC90. They have engineered the chassis so that they can safely take a hit that would probably collapse the third row of some of the lesser, full-sized SUV's or minivans.
They did this to give the G and R reason for being, not because they couldn't engineer the ML to be safe with a third seat. Mercedes has for sure slipped in reliability, but safety is still one of their strong points.
M
Anyway, if you want the leather inserts, you must get the Trim Package costing an additional $2,200 which I believe also requires the Sunroof Package costing an additional $1,390.
For full leather, you must order the Premium Package costing an additional $6,150 and also the sunroof package at $1,390.
I could be wrong about the sunroof thing, but I think that's how it works.
Is this true? Should I plan on using regular gas? If this isn't as good for the car as premium gas, would it help if I mix it up a bit?
Thanks very much in advance.
Jesse
Jimmy Liu
WongFeiHong
Steve, Host
I know a lot about Land Rover's and take theLR3 for example. I am not saying it is a better car, but the vehicle is priced at $45-$55 and they by and large don't discount the car, especially the HSE model. It doesn't make me feel enthusiastic about a car if the dealers have to give it away and flood the market.
Maybe you have tons of money to throw around, but a lot of us don't mind getting a good deal on a vehicle. There is nothing wrong with a discount. If you like to look like an idiot and get ripped off, then enjoy paying full price.
One of our local dealer (Non MB) has a trade in ML 500 and is willing to deal. It may have been sitting for some time and that's why he is willing.
Please share your comments and advice..
Thanks
The vehicle appeared to be perfect. Does anybody have advice for me as to what to look for. The vehicle is a 1 owner that was sold and traded back to the same dealer. They are going to get the service records for me on Monday.
The asking price seemed about right at $29,800 and they indicated there was some room to haggle.
I had the Check Engine light coming out. Check with a friend who has a ODB reader, the error is P0170 and P0173. Iread from the net it is most probably the Mass Air Flow sensor to change ar maybe just to clean ? Anyone knows how to do that ?
Thanks
Is it difficult to access this sensor (the MAF one) ? I just would like to get a look at it before to go to my dealer. He may tell me I need to change the whole engine !!!!! :-)
Thanks,
David.