[TroyW]

Test drove one today from a private owner . Has 143000 miles , Motor ran good , transmission shifted smooth. All the bells and whistles in the SUV worked as they should.

Please let me know if this is a reliable MB? I found no recalls , but a lot of TSB's.

Is this v6 solid and is the trans. tried and true?

Any info is welcome, Troy

 

[mclass13]

Well every car has problems some are more expensive than others but its all in how you treat your car.Mercedes parts are more expensive than most of the cars but with this forum you will get all the knowledge to diagnose and fix any issues as long as you good with your hands.My 2004 ML350 has been very reliable only 2 major problems driveshaft bearing and a CPS sensor everything else its been regular maintenance. Its all in the way you treat your car.

 

[Darkmann]

Have a VIN check at a local dealer before you put $$ down. Don't worry about the TSBs-these trucks have always been problematic, so no surprises there. At that mileage, my guess is that whatever in-warranty issues there was has been solved. You only have to now deal with issues associated with any high mileage vehicle - except that parts for the ML usually cost a bit above average. So, do a VIN check, have a MB shop go over the truck, and get it if you feel OK.

Now, keep in mind that MB did a huge overhaul in 2002. The 02+ trucks are quite a bit better in every respect, except that they were just as problematic as previous ones. If I were you, I'd look more at the 02+ truck - before I got my 02 320, I drove a 01 500. The 02 truck was simply better, but I dumped it for a 05 because of continuous issues. The 04, 05 are probably the best ones. It's your choice.

 

[TroyW]

Have a VIN check at a local dealer before you put $$ down. Don't worry about the TSBs-these trucks have always been problematic, so no surprises there. At that mileage, my guess is that whatever in-warranty issues there was has been solved. You only have to now deal with issues associated with any high mileage vehicle - except that parts for the ML usually cost a bit above average. So, do a VIN check, have a MB shop go over the truck, and get it if you feel OK.

Now, keep in mind that MB did a huge overhaul in 2002. The 02+ trucks are quite a bit better in every respect, except that they were just as problematic as previous ones. If I were you, I'd look more at the 02+ truck - before I got my 02 320, I drove a 01 500. The 02 truck was simply better, but I dumped it for a 05 because of continuous issues. The 04, 05 are probably the best ones. It's your choice.

Yeah , this SUV is for my 16 Year Old daughter.Private Party value in good condition is $4905.00 , bad thing all four tires only have a couple thousand miles left on them.That alone will set us back about $600.00. Might make offer of $4500.00 cash . They can take it or leave it.

There asking $5950.00?

BTW are you guys and girls getting roughly 22MPG highway?

 

[Noodles]

They have overpriced it which is common. So many sellers feel their vehicle is special.
Also then if they have to discount it (which they will) it leaves them a lot room to move.
I am sure they know its value is really $5000.

 

[4wd430]

Man your 16 year old daughter is lucky...

Yeah , this SUV is for my 16 Year Old daughter.Private Party value in good condition is $4905.00 , bad thing all four tires only have a couple thousand miles left on them.That alone will set us back about $600.00. Might make offer of $4500.00 cash . They can take it or leave it.

There asking $5950.00?

BTW are you guys and girls getting roughly 22MPG highway?

 

[DrX]

If you buy the ML, you should make it your daily driver and let your lucky daughter drive the C280. The ML is newer, safer, has a higher driving position, more headroom, a bigger engine, and more cargo space. In other words, it's an upgrade. It has the same 722.6 transmission, so you know how good that is.

 

[TroyW]

If you buy the ML, you should make it your daily driver and let your lucky daughter drive the C280. The ML is newer, safer, has a higher driving position, more headroom, a bigger engine, and more cargo space. In other words, it's an upgrade. It has the same 722.6 transmission, so you know how good that is.

I enjoy getting 28MPG with my C280, can't live without my USB port on my pioneer as well .

 

[Merzatt]

Please let me know if this is a reliable MB? I found no recalls , but a lot of TSB's.

Is this v6 solid and is the trans. tried and true?

Any info is welcome, Troy

No, it is not a reliable MB. It has knicknames like Alabama panzer, Mercedes Lemon, Murphy's Law, etc. You better be comfortable with diagnosing/fixing cars, because MB dealers are stealers. That's why resale value of these cars are so low. V6 is as slow as an SUV can be (0-60 is between 9-10 seconds) but still it is a great car to drive and ride is comfortable. Well maintained MLs last a long time, probably over 200k miles. 722.6 transmission driving quality is exceptionally good. It has a leaky electrical plug as the only design fault. Unfortunately, Mercedes sold these as "no maintenance" and many have failed before 150k miles.

Every year had recalls, three of them for your model year.
2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML320 Sport Utility Recalls - InternetAutoGuide.com

Check out the New members guide, useful documents and DIY to get better idea. Good luck.

 

[DrX]

I enjoy getting 28MPG with my C280, can't live without my USB port on my pioneer as well .

You could easily swap the Pioneer into it. Who's going to be paying for your daughter's gas bill? Not her, I'll bet.

My previous car was a W203, which was a work of art, but the ML is unmatched for versatility. I note the C280's engine is a shorter-stroke M112 compared to the ML320's, so it will be familiar territory to you.

 

[TroyW]

You could easily swap the Pioneer into it. Who's going to be paying for your daughter's gas bill? Not her, I'll bet.

My previous car was a W203, which was a work of art, but the ML is unmatched for versatility. I note the C280's engine is a shorter-stroke M112 compared to the ML320's, so it will be familiar territory to you.

I dont want a gas hog SUV , i like my small nimble C280 and decent on gas. On the other hand we have informed my daughter she is buying her own gas!!!!! Not mom and Dad!!!!

 

[TroyW]

Isnt the ML320 like close to 6000 pounds?

 

[mclass13]

Yeah , this SUV is for my 16 Year Old daughter.

Well since is for your 16 year old daughter ill the ML is an excellent choice for safety. I mean its a very safe car. But its not gas friendly as the C280.

 

[FAR888]

Which year C280 are we talking about here?

 

[Mike's ML]

Which year C280 are we talking about here?

Hi Farid. He has a 1997. Two years older than your wife's C280.
(see signature in post #1)
Mike

 

[DrX]

On the other hand we have informed my daughter she is buying her own gas!!!!! Not mom and Dad!!!!

For a minute there I thought you were spoiling her.

You could also consider investing in a GPS tracking device. You install it before you give it to her and never tell her about it. It dramatically reduces parental anxiety without negatively impacting on your relationship. I have one that tells me where my wife is, anytime I want, by sending an SMS for $0.01. Because I like to know and she doesn't like being asked.

 

[FAR888]

Hi Farid. He has a 1997. Two years older than your wife's C280.
(see signature in post #1)
Mike

Hey Mike!

Long time buddy!

I don't know how I could have missed the model year in his signature.

And yes, the C280 is a great little car!