This saturday I put a deposit on a 99 ml 430 then to my horror came home and read some cust. reviews. people kept using the word lemon, pile of junk, ect.... Is this a good purchase or a mistake? any help appreciated, thanks chris[V][V][V][V][:(]
This saturday I put a deposit on a 99 ml 430 then to my horror came home and read some cust. reviews. people kept using the word lemon, pile of junk, ect.... Is this a good purchase or a mistake? any help appreciated, thanks chris[V][V][V][V][:(]
Not necessarily! [:D][;)]
It depends on what kind of shape its in. As with any other model, improvements are made thru the production run.
I have a 320, so I'll leave it to the ML430 owners here to comment on specifics. The fuel pump/sending unit and harmonic balancer leaps to mind, though.
My '98 currently has 165,000 miles on it. Its had its share of problems, but overall I think its a great truck!
__________________
_______________ '08 Acura MDX w/ Tech package
Previously - '98 ML320 - 285k miles in 7 years
everything has its price :) If you're getting a good deal on it.. it might be worth the hassle of constantly bringing it in for more repairs..
...or maybe not?
I'd rather recommend 2000 or newer due to "upgrades" (eg. navigation etc..)
BTW, I hope others will chime in, but as far as I'm concerned, paying a dime over 18k for it is *not* a good deal... (and this is being "generous" and giving them 2k profit...).. just my opinion... but I probably wouldn't buy it at all if I were in your position...
No ML will be perfect, particulary the older ones. They all tend to suffer from a number of well documented problems which range from trivial (but annoying) to major and expensive.
Personally I would think twice about buying an older ML (actually any ML for that matter) unless it came with a comprehensive warranty and or you have a few thousand dollars to hand to keep on top of the maintenance.
One thing you can 100% sure of is that your intended purchase will eat brake pads and rotors - have them checked over before you buy as a dealer will charge anywhere between $800 and $1200 to change all four sets of rotors and pads.
However at this stage of your purchase decision it's going to be hard for you to detach yourself emotionally from wanting to proceed. Let's hope you get a good one and don't pay over the odds ($17-18K absolute maximum)although from a dealer they're probably asking $22k - depends where you are.
__________________
Tim (Formerly a senior race engineer / designer at Cosworth Racing UK for Formula 1 and CART engines)
'00 ML430
Replaced with Lexus RX400h 4x4 (0 to 60MPH in 6.5 seconds and 30MPG city)
My other 4x4 '03 Colbalt Blue Porsche Stage III 996 Twin Turbo (60 to 130MPH in 8.7 seconds and 12 MPG)
2005 Mini Cooper S, a pocket rocket
2002 VW Beetle, daily hack
Past cars of note:
'02 Porsche 996
'99 Porsche Boxster
The truck was dealer serviced. The power was very nice, and if you can steal the truck for 18k, that would be great. That is the trade in price on that vehicle. I would pay to have your local MB dealer check the vehicle out, then pull the warranty history report on the vehicle first. Your truck will be out of warranty now, and things can get costly.
I'm coming up to 1 year now with my used 99 ML430. I leased it with 70K Miles on it for a very reasonable price with an extended warrantee on it.
To date I love the vehicle, since it's my first foray into the benz world, I'm satisified with the product. I may try other brands in later years, but as far as it goes right now I'm happy.
The only problem I had with the truck and the leasing company recognized and repaired it, was an embarassing squeak coming from the rear end of the vehicle that turned out to be the pivot joint of the rear shocks.
Coming out of winter though, the price of maintaining the pristine shine of the vehicle will definately eat into my pocketbook, but then again I quit smoking in november so I don't have that eating away at my wallet.... tit for tat I suppose.
Anyway, as Gino Vanelli said... "black cars look better in the shade" (or in my case azure blue)
I purchased a 99 ML430 almost a year ago, and the vehicle has been awesome since. Had to replace the switch that controlled the power windows, $49.00 for part (Instructions from the guys on the board, installed it myself). Other than normal maint, not one problem to report. I've installed the following; rear light guards, exhaust tip, side steps, chrome trim around side marker lights, and chrome strips on grill. Vehicle looks nice, my wife drives it most of the time, and she gets a lot of compliments from other people. Our friend bought a new 2003 Lexus LX470, and his wife likes our better. All the accessories are Chrome, and the vehicle is black, looks sharp. Had it detailed about 5 mths ago, and the guy doing the detail thought it was a new one, very clean. Purchased it with approx. 40,000 miles.
Good Luck.
__________________
Dennis
If you don't know where you want to go....
"Then it doesn't much matter how you get there"
1999 ML430
1998 Toyota Tacoma
1996 BMW 318is
2006 Mazada 5
2006 Infinity FX35
Linear Mode
