Hey everyone, I am just looking for a little input here, to help decide either to purchase this car or not..
Okay, so I found a 2002 ML500, sport. It has just over 102k miles. It has been a single owner, the lady bought it in 02 brand new from the Dealer, it has all of its records and has always been maintained through a dealer, never been in an accident, and most of the miles are highway, because she and her husband would drive it from Salt Lake City, up to there cabin in Yellowstone at least once a month.. So she traded it in at the dealer about 6 months ago for a Pilot i believe, and it has been sitting because with the way gas is, no one is buying them. They cut me a deal, $9,900 it books out right around 14k or.
So this sounds like a pretty great deal, the car drives great, has more power than I will ever need, and everything works, AC, Nav, sunroof.. So I was just wondering if I could get some input as to what I should look for, what I should be aware about, the only Mercedes I have owned is a 86 300td, which is amazing, but this is a completely different class. I told the dealer I would give them until the weekend to think about it, So any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
Few things to consider...
MPG (somewhere around 13 to 17 in the city). Are you ok with that (with gas prices above $4.50 a gal).
Maintenance is not cheap on this truck. While you can save on some of the maintenance items (with the help from this forum members), the parts alone are not cheap.
Some people were lucky with no major repairs for their trucks while others had spent more than $2000 per year in maintenance/repairs.
Some people buy used Mercedes cars/trucks and then later complain about the cost of maintenance. Know what you are buying and be prepared to spend money. Then you will have no problems :-)
Location: 1000-Islands, NY & Historic Norcross, Ga USA
Posts: 55
My opinion is as good as anyone's here, and it's free. I've owned 5 ml's from 1998 to a pair of 2005's, all of them good cars. I had a 2002 ml320 that was one of our best in MPG's (16-17mpg) and very good acceleration, for a V6. Your 2002 ml500 will get you 13 in town to 15-16 hwy. The 2002 has the newer headlights, although probably halogen. I don't know about your metal rusting situation or salting of the road in winter, so can't comment if you may have near term muffler and catalytic converter issues (you have several under there), but overall these ML's are pretty good cars and reliable. The dealer's service writer should be able to print you out the sercive sheet and go over with you what repairs have been performed on it since new, as long as it was done by any mb dealer. Furthermore, that mb salesperson has the ability to print off the window sticker for you to see the options. The dealer should give you some warranty, 3 months or shoot for 6months. Try to pay less, with the economy the way it is, few people are buying trucks and suv's. Your dealer admitted to you he's had it 6 months!! Write a check for $8265.00 and take it with you already filled out. Sit it on the counter and say take it or leave it. Fuck with them, maybee they WILL take it and you'll wish you offered less!! You are the KING my friend, remember that Mercedes dealers are hurting, everywhere.
My suggestion though is this: supress your urge to spend, SAVE YOUR MONEY and wait until after Christmas. You may be able to buy the same SUV for much less, IMO. Housing market getting worse. Gas could go to $6 per gallon.. (Diesel to $7) so you will be parking that new ML wishing you could afford groceries.
Just make sure you have extended warranty.. Without the extended warranty you may be paying large amounts of money to repair your vehicle..
It will be worth to check the industry reliability reports over the 1998-2005 ML models (W163)... Overall, they are not reliable vehicles as you can infer from all the various quality/reliability reports and from the problems people have/had in this forum..
Good luck..
AC
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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.
Those trucks seems to be hit or miss. I am not sure if that is because of poor manufacturing, or poor mechanics doing the service.
Our ML320 is 3 months shy to be 10 years in our posesion. Total cost of repairs ... $120 (our labor). Not bad for 10 years wouldn't you say?
Mileage is tricky. Some members record 25 mpg in those truck. If you drive 60 mph on deserted freeway, it is for sure. I am driving our ML55 like crazy and still get close to 17 mpg on dilluted California gasoline.
If you are on the market for SUV, for the listed money I don't think you have a chance to get better deal
I have a similar vehicle. '02 ML500. 2nd owner, purchased in Dec. 05, 78k. Now has 113k. Wife's daily driver since .07. So far, no major issues. Had to fix a power steering leak and a windshield washer reservior. Other than that, add gas (and plenty of it) and go.
In mixed driving, we get 15. On a trip, cruising 75-80, we get 18ish. Running at 60-65 yields 20, but who can drive that slow?
If someone could determine a compatible ring and pinion from another vehicle, the 3.70's could be swapped for something taller.
At $9k, it is a lot of car if you need a big vehicle or tow vehicle.
Regards,
Jerry
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