After 1 year of ownership I just love my ML430.
I have done a fair amount of "preventative maintenance"
For me, that means time in service replacement items.
All new shocks, plugs, wires, tires, fluids etc.
The only pending item to do is a complete cooling system-ectomy.
Any items that wear out over time.
None of these items were broken, just 18 years on the road.
I have 2 BMW X5's, both require much more money and attention than the ML.
The ML430 is my always starts, always works vehicle.
It rides very nicely, comfortable seats and a nice stereo.
The only complaint is I wish I had a bigger fuel tank.
I get close to 20 MPG highway and that's about 300 miles per tankful.
I feel it's a lot better built than my BMW X5.
Certainly more suited to off road than the BMW.
I foresee this ML430 easily going another 100K with out any major problems.
Currently, I'm at 118K.
It will make it another 100k. Our 99 is at almost 290k miles and drives well. Seeing as they don't use salt in the winter in Texas the rust we are fighting in Wisconsin will not be a factor in Texas.
I fear rust will be what takes our 99 off the road, but I am hoping that we can get a couple of more years out of it.
I still love jumping in my 430 every day after 10 years of having it. It has around 340,000km on it and doesn't even seem like it's ready to give up the ghost. Actually running better at the moment than it ever has. I feel for you guys Rob with the rust it must be so annoying watching your cars rust away. Would be almost impossible to stop.
The rust really is insidious if it is a vehicle that has to be driven in the snow. The also use some other corrosive chemicals what it gets below 10º F because salt stops melting whrn it gets that cold. Seeing as the vehicle is hit with slush, mist and thawed snow/ice puddles all full of high concentrations of salt it gets into every nook and cranny.
On lesser vehicles things like shock towers, rockers, and frames are gone in 7-10 years rendering the vehicle a death trap.
I check and repair my truck every year after the salt season. I repair any rust and check under the truck for any frame rust. It is very easy to maintain with a good bodyman. Small price to pay ( but MB should have done better) for the truck.
I went off road yesterday. My version of off road is non paved.
Dirt road, back road, etc. not mud bog or crazy stuff.
I was actually very impressed with the ML performance. Had some deep rutsto navigate,
Tight turns. Never once slipped or had any doubt.
I took the ML430 down roads I would never take the X5.
The X5 is not an off road vehicle.
It's really not a very comfortable on road SUV either.
It looks a lot better than the ML430, but in the long run, i
prefer the Mercedes ride, comfort, ease of maintenance.
Off road in the BMW X5 means driving across the Polo field.
Or in a pinch, a dry soccer field.
I'm digging this SUV!
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