REVscene - Vancouver Automotive Forum

CL_S · 07-14-2009, 06:36 PM

Looking into possibly getting either the ml320 or a 430....just curious to know your thoughts/experiences with this suv.

Ludepower · 07-14-2009, 06:47 PM

Repairs are focking expensive....leave money in the bank.

ilvtofu · 07-14-2009, 06:53 PM

These are shitty cars, driven a fair bit, all have weird squeaks and don't feel solid, current MLs are a lot better, last gen X5s squeak strangely too.

320/350 gets decent gas mileage (around 14L/100km)

Prices obviously attractive 10-15k?
Don't be buying a car just for the star though friend,

Like lude said repairs are expensive. Theres really nothing good about these cars besides the name

Beware of electrics too, lightbulbs especially

Mugen EvOlutioN · 07-14-2009, 07:43 PM

one of the worst car ever made in terms of SUV

gutless, lots of problems.

new gen is much better, same with the X5

asian_XL · 07-14-2009, 08:47 PM

like any other mercedes, if you abuse it, it will fall apart quickly. (common sense)

me and my buddy both own a W202 c-class...his C230 is fucking flawless,
cause he drives it at 50km/h and rolls over bump at the slowest speed. Polish it
almost twice a year. It's like new after 12 yrs and 120,000km

I always wonder why I pay over a thousand a year to fix mine, and he only
pays for the oil change.

don't just rely on what people say about mercedes repair bill is expensive.

TOPEC · 07-14-2009, 09:20 PM

one word, dont.
they're good when they're new, but as it ages, there'll be lots of problems here and there which will costs quite alot when add up. i suggest u look into a X5, "should" be better overall

ilvtofu · 07-14-2009, 09:25 PM

^there really wasn't anything good about the ML when it first came out,
besides the fact that it was cheap and it offered the luxury brand name,
There was a tiny market for these "luxury SUVs" but there really wasn't much
luxury about them either. But in 97 there weren't any cayennes, FX, X5, RX300,

Inevitably the price went way up in later years when they realized there was a market for these sorts of cars, but essentially was the same POS they were originally selling for 15k less

hk20000 · 07-14-2009, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asian_XL

like any other mercedes, if you abuse it, it will fall apart quickly. (common sense)

me and my buddy both own a W202 c-class...his C230 is fucking flawless,
cause he drives it at 50km/h and rolls over bump at the slowest speed. Polish it
almost twice a year. It's like new after 12 yrs and 120,000km

I always wonder why I pay over a thousand a year to fix mine, and he only
pays for the oil change.

don't just rely on what people say about mercedes repair bill is expensive.

wow your friend's car has less miles than my W202 C36!

Volvo-brickster · 07-14-2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asian_XL

like any other mercedes, if you abuse it, it will fall apart quickly. (common sense)

me and my buddy both own a W202 c-class...his C230 is fucking flawless,
cause he drives it at 50km/h and rolls over bump at the slowest speed. Polish it
almost twice a year. It's like new after 12 yrs and 120,000km

I always wonder why I pay over a thousand a year to fix mine, and he only
pays for the oil change.

don't just rely on what people say about mercedes repair bill is expensive.

sure

baby any car and treat it as a garage queen and it will last and be relatively cheap for maintenance

for a daily driver, any modern car worth its salt should be expected to last without any major issues.

asian_XL · 07-14-2009, 10:59 PM

^ some people are dumb enough to take their m class offroad, run over curbs, load tons of shit, tow something that you shouldn't do, floor it like it's a civic.

I am surprised there are many lemons out there.

ilvtofu · 07-14-2009, 11:09 PM

My mom's W203 C240 was babied, never driven hard, and always properly serviced.
Still stuff like the A/C went @ only 60000km
and lightbulbs every 10000km
Not the way it's driven, just built like garbage.
Interior was like brand new after 6 years. Detailed twice a year like you said.
Power door locks, sunroof switch, you name it.
Bought the car brand new in 02 and sold it last year with 70,000KM on it.
Really classy looking bordeaux red but couldn't afford to keep fixing it like that.
A/C was quoted at $3000... so we just sold it for 2000 less than market value

asian_XL · 07-14-2009, 11:54 PM

my R171 A/C was gone at 24000km, and it came back again two weeks ago...very wacky
same as my W202...you need to do a combo hit to get it to work.

do I care? not really...I should be glad it isn't the convertible motor that not working.

TOPEC · 07-15-2009, 01:40 AM

plus, when ever u buy the first production year of ANY car, there ought to be many many problems/issues/glitches that will take a year or 2 to figure out.

TypeRNammer · 07-15-2009, 02:04 AM

Yuck an ml320?

Consider an early model Acura MDX!

The_AK · 07-15-2009, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asian_XL

^ some people are dumb enough to take their m class offroad, run over curbs, load tons of shit, tow something that you shouldn't do, floor it like it's a civic.

I am surprised there are many lemons out there.

if it can't do any of those, it doesn't deserve the "SUV" class,
should be labeled as "BAC" (Big Ass Car)

thumper · 07-15-2009, 07:12 AM

ML=built in the US of A (alabama)?

my aunt bought an ML320 new. she traded in her absolutely bulletproof 1985 300E that never gave her a single problem since day one. that ML turned into her worst nightmare... it was like almost every single thing in that truck must have broken at least once, including the a/c like someone mentioned, which was i think a $3600 repair that somehow the extended warranty weaseled it's way out of covering it so she had to foot the bill.

she has a lexus rx350 now. it's boring as hell, but at least she gets to drive it, instead of service loaners or rentals whenever the ML sat at the shop getting fixed.

Rikaro · 07-15-2009, 11:43 AM

POS don't do it!

ilvtofu · 07-15-2009, 11:54 AM

Better off with a used highlander which is about the same size and power as an ML320

shenmecar · 07-15-2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thumper

ML=built in the US of A (alabama)?

my aunt bought an ML320 new. she traded in her absolutely bulletproof 1985 300E that never gave her a single problem since day one. that ML turned into her worst nightmare... it was like almost every single thing in that truck must have broken at least once, including the a/c like someone mentioned, which was i think a $3600 repair that somehow the extended warranty weaseled it's way out of covering it so she had to foot the bill.

she has a lexus rx350 now. it's boring as hell, but at least she gets to drive it, instead of service loaners or rentals whenever the ML sat at the shop getting fixed.

why didnt she get a RX400H? at least its boring and gas friendly. =P

thumper · 07-15-2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shenmecar

why didnt she get a RX400H? at least its boring and gas friendly. =P

as i recall, it would have to be ordered in because there was short stock of hybrids at the time, and she was desparate to get rid of the ML

Cman333 · 07-16-2009, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CL_S

Looking into possibly getting either the ml320 or a 430....just curious to know your thoughts/experiences with this suv.

They eat alot of gas, reliability really depends on how well you take care of it. It's definately no where near a Honda in terms or reliability. If you don't beat the crap out of it, it's a pretty decent car. My relatives and family have own(ed) them with no major issues. There's alot of small things that break down over time, but considering the age it's pretty normal.

If you're looking for an SUV I don't think the ML is a bad choice. I personally like the X5 more but those have a higher price tag on them and the reliablity is just as questionable. Mainly due to it's age, if you can find one that's been maintained well then I'd say go for it.

My dad has a 98 ML320, he drives it daily, no real major issues. He's had it the last 3-4 years maybe spent roughly $1000 on repairs (which to me isn't alot for a 10+ year old car). Maintence is whole new story, they eat through oil like crazy. Oil changes are $100+.

If you buy it, give the Benz dealer a call and give them your VIN# to see if all the service recalls have been applied. I know someone that bought one last year and benz did the service recalls free. Even after 10 years!

If you want something reliable then look into a Japanese SUV. Otherwise European and Domestic SUV's will have their fair share of small issues.

jigjag · 07-16-2009, 04:55 PM

Get an early 2000's CRV (chinese recreational vehicle). Solid in that price range.
Some earlier gen MDX's have tranny issues (same chassis as v6 accord and tl's).

I thought about an ML for a short time, till i realized they suck ass.
Side note, have any of u c230 owners had tranny/gear issues. My bro has a 98 and the tranny is facked. It doesn't catch gear and when it does, it won't shift outta first. Towing it to local tranny shop tomm. am. But i'm thinking it might be some electronic bs, not the tranny. Anyone??

Don't get an ML.

cheers,
j
ps. fx35 FTW.

BEEB · 07-16-2009, 10:35 PM

if you need an SUV, forget about gas prices!
if you need the safety of SUV and doesn't wanna drive a F350 pickup truck, ML is your best bet.
if you don't wanna get stuck in 1 feet of snow like what we just got last year, ML is your choice.
Sorry, I sounded like a sales man, but I love my ML430 which I think it's the best bang for the bucks SUV in the market right now.

we went throught all the side streets and snow banks and rescued all my relatives and friends from their crossover vehicles. Also, V8 engine with approximately 300 tq is really decent for daily driving.

if you have any problem with the ML, PM me !

ilvtofu · 07-16-2009, 11:22 PM

Most ppl get stuck because they think their AS tires can get them through fine in the snow. Pretty much any Crossover today with a good set of snow tires will get you through fine. You don't necessarily need an ML. Save the money that you'll spend fixing your car and buy a good set of snow tires and steelies,

I hear the subaru outback and Forester are pretty good,
Rav 4's are a safe bet too.

You'll be saving gas money as well as maintenance money
I can guarantee that you'll encounter problems within 2 years of buying a 2000 ML, not little ones either.

Certainly isn't your best bet, I'm normally an advocate for euro cars, but the old MLs have been blacklisted XD

Have you looked into audi allroads? they seem to be affordable used, but again not sure about reliability, but my friends 99 A6 has been reliable. They traded it in for a new ML lol.

Frankly the new ML is much nicer than the old one, not so half assed.

BEEB · 07-16-2009, 11:50 PM

^ it's just funny how people talk like they really know about ML's. Let alone driven one or own one and paid for the maintanance.
So, what kinda problems would you think a 2000 ML would encounter within 2 years? transmission ? differentials, transfer case? blown engine?

I'd a Subaru and it just doesn't work in the snow even with snow tires. Did you know that when the snow is taller than your undercarriage, your car will get stuck easily?
Please don't advice people of what you think, try to drive these cars and you may have a different perspective !