[CL_S]

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

[Ludepower]

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

[ilvtofu]

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]

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]

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]

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]

^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]

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! :eek:

[Volvo-brickster]

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]

^ 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]

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]

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]

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]

Yuck an ml320?

Consider an early model Acura MDX!

[The_AK]

^ 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]

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]

POS don't do it!

[ilvtofu]

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

[shenmecar]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

^ 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 !

[impactY]

A subaru will eat your ML up

[TOPEC]

^ 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 !

what kind of subaru do YOU DRIVE? i drive one thats fairly LOW and with snow tires i plow through everything fine including SFU parking lots during the night of snow falls.

[asian_XL]

^ 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?
!

exactly

[thumper]

http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/mercedes-benz/m-class/

114 reviews from ML owners (and some wannabes/posers). hope that helps (if you haven't run away yet)

[BEEB]

what kind of subaru do YOU DRIVE? i drive one thats fairly LOW and with snow tires i plow through everything fine including SFU parking lots during the night of snow falls.

during the snow fall isn't that bad. It's bad "after" continuous snow falls !!
heres my ex subaru ! Adjustable Cusco Zero 2, Cusco underbrace 6 point, STi trailing arms in the back, STi group N lateral links, Wilwood front 6 pot rear 4 pot, 215/45/17 Yokohama snow tires !! So, WHAT DO YOU THINK I DRIVE? ;)



http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/6/web/2178000-2178999/2178156_18.jpg

and this is what I based upon my opinion on.....

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/3713/3121/21781560133_medium.jpg

[ilvtofu]

I'm not saying that the subaru is better than an ML in the snow, but for what we get here they are certainly sufficient, If you look around alaska you'll find that lots of people drive Subaru legacy/forester all over the place. And what they get there is much worse than what we have.

Consumer reports mentions transmission (minor), fuel system, electrical, suspension, brakes, exhaust, paint/trim, body integrity, body hardware, power equipment all to be below average. And even though they recommend the new ones, the owner cost is "much worse than average"

With my own experiences of owning a mercedes and a smart, I know that bringing it back to the dealer for a service is significantly more of that than say a Highlander which is similar size, and fuel economy is worse too.

[TOPEC]

during the snow fall isn't that bad. It's bad "after" continuous snow falls !!
heres my ex subaru ! Adjustable Cusco Zero 2, Cusco underbrace 6 point, STi trailing arms in the back, STi group N lateral links, Wilwood front 6 pot rear 4 pot, 215/45/17 Yokohama snow tires !! So, WHAT DO YOU THINK I DRIVE? ;)


funny how u get stuck in the snow with a subaru, maybe raising the car height since u have adjustable coil.....???

[ilvtofu]

funny how u get stuck in the snow with a subaru, maybe raising the car height since u have adjustable coil.....???

:werd: 2 winters ago my dad drove a lowered STi around on shitty performance tires, plowed the snow but good enough to get it back in the garage in the icy alley.

[BEEB]

^ so bad that my cusco wasn't the TEIN so I can adjust it with the push of a button.
Cusco don't come with electronic adjustable control units.
Adjusting coilovers means more negative camber and then gotta go in for alignment? no way.... i'm lazy ! Also, I live in Burnaby just under SFU, so Subaru didn't cut it for me.

But all that was my past, I've sold the Subie and I've a good O'ML to boot around in the winter.

[TOPEC]

sorry false info

[BEEB]

boy ur a fucking DUMBASS

1 no one mentioned anything about TEIN
2 no one mentioned anything about bound/rebound adjustment
3 ALL CUSCO COILOVERS ARE INDEPENDENTLY HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE
4 changing ride height does not give u more or less camber, this is NOT A HONDA where the LOWER u go the MORE CAMBER U GET
5 CUSCO DOES offer control units, it's call ZERO-2E which can be added to ur Zero-2 setup as an option like TEIN DOES

boy ur one shameful subaru owner

if your not a fucking dumbass, you would notice TEIN have EDFC which I was referring to. And sorry buddy, I'd my Subaru since 2001 and I am out of the subaru in 2005 which is 4 years ago. I really don't know that Cusco made a Zero 2E cause I'm not into JDM anymore.

If you're telling me to adjust my coilover heights, you think that's not gonna change my camber setting? :haha: :thumbsup: YOUR SMART!! If i'm raising the car for snow clearance, what is my camber gonna be, Mr. SmartAss!

You sure made me sound like I never adjust my coilovers before when I went through 4 sets of suspension on my Subaru which include TEIN basic, Cusco Zero 2R, STi pinks with KYB, STi take offs.

I would love to learn how to add a Zero2E to a Zero 2 coilovers !! :confused:

Mr Smartypants, since I'm such a shameful Subaru owner, I AM currently not a subaur owner and I'll let you take that title from me. And last thing, learn your basic subaru. Don't buy used parts from me man !!

One last thing I realize, did i offended you for calling subaru a bad car in the snow? I'm so sorry, don't get upset !!

[ilvtofu]

Please don't call each other names, lets get back to the op's topic,

IMO beeb you must've been a lucky one to have a fairly reliable ML, I know there are a few out there, I know 6 people with the same year of C240 that I had, My aunt's was the only one that rarely had problems and it was a 4matic, so there are lucky ones out there I guess.

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

welcome to RS

[BEEB]

Please don't call each other names, lets get back to the op's topic,

IMO beeb you must've been a lucky one to have a fairly reliable ML, I know there are a few out there, I know 6 people with the same year of C240 that I had, My aunt's was the only one that rarely had problems and it was a 4matic, so there are lucky ones out there I guess.

well, i tried to give the original poster a hint in how well the ML could be. and this faggot start to call me dumbass who doesn't even own a ML and didn't read his subie bible before calling names !

I'm lucky to own 2 mercedes currently and both are pretty good. The C230 didn't have anything wrong for the past 4 years. Not even one single problem except wiper change and oil change.

[ilvtofu]

Of course all cars have reliability issues in varying degrees, but buying the same parts even just for regular service will usually be more expensive on a benz

[moomooCow]

^ 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 !

I got around perfectly fine last winter in my 2004 WRX stock suspension with a front lip. All seasons too! :thumbsup:

[taylor192]

Please do NOT buy the last generation ML.

Check the forums at MBWorld.org for owner's experiences, those cars required a lot of repairs.

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

now you are talking


funny how someone still wants to back up for the first gen ML