Like the others have said, ML's are not light on gas. If you have kids to run to school, practice, etc-the M class is a great vehicle. Also if you get a decent amount of snow, they are great in the winter. My view on buying a used vehicle is do your research and buy the one that has the most records or indicators that it has been properly serviced and maintained. I think most will tell you to buy the newest one and while this is generally true, but keep in mind that the new/improved features on the newer vehicle means nothing if the ML has not been taken care of.
I have owned 2 w163's now. Both have been great. My previous one is now somewhere in Jordan. I sold it to an exporter. My next SUV will like be another M class. No matter what you decide to do, have a pre-purchase inspection done. With the w163, most places will charge you extra to have a compression test done. I think it is worth the extra money. Good luck in your search.
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Mike
1990 Mercedes Benz 300 SEL
2001 Mercedes Benz ML320
1999 Mercedes Benz SLK230
1986 Porsche 911 Carrera
As long as you have the complete repair history and can see that the owner took care of the vehicle then I wouldn't have a problem purchasing one in good condition.
I bought used. I've run through several of the problems you'll read about in the forums but none of them were a material issue. Maintenance expense per year is about twice what my wife's '03 sport trac runs but not a bank breaker. About $500/10,000 miles. As long as you aren't stupid enough to take it to a dealer most of the issues are very minor expenses at an honest independent repair shop. Brakes are the worst I've seen <g>.
Gas mileage is supurb as long as you understand that you are buying a truck. It gets better mileage than any other full size truck I've owned (including 6cylinder models and diesels!). You'd have to drop down to the 4 cylinder mini-trucks to get better mileage.
are those well known gremlins which can leave you stuck at the roadside with little if any warning.
eg the CPS, PAS hose, fuel pump.
Then there's the brake pad wear - more on the V8's, faulty windows switches etc.
As for fuel consumption - that's one of the reasons why I sold my ML430, the very best it ever achieved was 20mpg on the flat at a constant 55mph, other wise it was low teens round town and 16-17mpg on a run.
The maintenance on an ML can really build up over a time.
It was the happiest day of my life when I sold it and bought a hybrid Lexus in its place.
Totally different vehicle - but about as close to reliability perfection as you can get.
FYI reliability was #1 for us after the ML broke down at the kerbside for the 3rd & last time - despite it having been maintained 100% and then some.
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Tim
'00 ML430 with 40 + warranty repairs all told. Now sold :-)
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 with 1 warranty claim - the MB made transmission !
'99 Porsche Boxster
Good honest advise from an owner who went to the Dark Side..!!!
Or... is he in the Bright Side and we are really in the Dark Side..??
AC
Quote:
Originally Posted by timf
are those well known gremlins which can leave you stuck at the roadside with little if any warning.
eg the CPS, PAS hose, fuel pump.
Then there's the brake pad wear - more on the V8's, faulty windows switches etc.
As for fuel consumption - that's one of the reasons why I sold my ML430, the very best it ever achieved was 20mpg on the flat at a constant 55mph, other wise it was low teens round town and 16-17mpg on a run.
The maintenance on an ML can really build up over a time.
It was the happiest day of my life when I sold it and bought a hybrid Lexus in its place.
Totally different vehicle - but about as close to reliability perfection as you can get.
FYI reliability was #1 for us after the ML broke down at the kerbside for the 3rd & last time - despite it having been maintained 100% and then some.
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2005 ML 500
Black, 18" AMG Wheels, 285/60R18 Falken Ziex ST/Z + Bi-Xenons(+ Drew's e-code mod), Yakima roof bars. Former vehicle 2001 ML 320 with 108K miles, when traded, and a large repair/defect history.
Hello,
and thank you all for your thorough replies.
Great advice and thoughts!
I will stay away from the W163, instead will look into a W124 wagon.
Thanks again!
Tony
Here's a thought. Chasis stuff aside, shouldn't motor and drivetrain issues afflict other mercedes models of the same vintage as many components are shared across models? I think you'll find that the other chasis will have their share of similar problems. Other models built in the same generation were built in the darkest of times for Mercedes.
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ML 500 '02
300SE '89
525iA '89
944 NA '85.5
928 '80
928 '80
4Runner '95
Linear Mode
