A. W163 Owner's Manuals

• MBusa 2002 Owners Manual(PDF Link)
• 2000 Owners Manual (PDF)
• 2003 Owners Manual (PDF)
• 2005 Owners Manual (PDF)
• 2000-2005 Owners Manuals (PDF)
• extra 2006-2013 Owners Manuals (PDF)

 

B. Helpful and Getting Started W163 LINKS

Current - Up to Date
BW Thread: DIY and References Summary
BW Thread: Useful Documents (Referenced in Above Link)
BW Thread: Mods and Retrofits Collection
BW Thread: W163 Parts Pictures
BW Thread: W163 Owners MEGA-THREAD: Roll Call
BW Thread: W163 Deals / Specials
(new) WEBSITE: StarDIY Wiki Page

Other Active User Groups
WEBSITE: MB World / W163
Facebook: Mercedes-Benz W163 ML Owner's Group
Facebook: The W163 Owner's Group
Youtube: ML Georgia Group Videos

Good Resources, Archived
WEBSITE: Wolgang's ML (Archive)
WEBSITE: M-Class Outpost (Archive)
WEBSITE: PointedThree Forum - W163 (Archive)

 

C. Mercedes Technical Materials

• factory approved engine oil
• euroncap crash test results
• m112 (V6) / m113 (V8) Engines Overview (Wolfgang ML)
• OEM suppliers to W163 parts (Wolfgang ML)
• MB StarTECH - Limited (LINK)
• STARfinder MB TECH GUI (LINK)
• MB Operating Fluids (attachment below or LINK)

 

D. Videos

• video : M-class Design & Engineering
• video : M-class Development
• video: M-Class Dealer Safety Info
• video: MB Wheel Alignments
• video: 2000 w163 Technical Introduction
• video: 1998 M-Class Product Information Video
• video: M Class (W163) - Video Handbook (2001)
• video: M-Class - BigBadDad (compliments of Rudeney) m4v file

 

E. Mercedes Official Press Photos

• MB Press Photo Download Library
• Various Selected Photos Below

 

F. Technical Pics

 

G. Brochures, Marketing Materials, Magazine Reviews

The Original Mercedes-Benz ML Was Weirder Than You Remember - The Autopian

With torsion bar suspension, low range, and body-on-frame construction, the original Mercedes-Benz ML was an anomaly of a German luxury SUV.

www.theautopian.com

 

H. VIN DECODERS

mbdecoder (works 75% of the time)
vindecoders
carinfo.kiev

H2. GENERAL RECALLS, SERVICE BULLETINS

BW THREAD: ML series TSB...hope this helps a few out. Hey, just got...
BW POST: MB Bulletins for 1999 ML
WEBSITE: NHSTA.gov (click on dealer communications tab for additional notices)
PDF: Fuel Gauge Accuracy (Thanks to @43sqd )

 

amgdvl, nice discoveries. You may want to add these to the Useful documents sticky thread. Some of these are already there.

 

I. COMMON (SIMPLE) ANNOYANCES

Body
sunroof drain leak / water on floor mat / pan
windshield washer reservoir plastic degradation

Body Electrical
door lock actuator ("machine gun")
low range motor lubrication
blend motor flap (HVAC flap) failure
spare key remote (unavailable replacements)

Electrical
BAS/ESP fault

Performance
Engine Motor and Transmission mounts
Torsion Bar Bushings

J. NEW OWNERS CHECKLIST

BW THREAD: New Owner Maintenance/New Purchase Checklist (Post)
BW THREAD: w163 "Quirks, Hints, and Features" : Random Tidbits
BW THREAD: ML Owner Likes and Dislikes....

 

K. ML PROTOTYPES and AAV

just thought I would share a pic i never saw before of the AAV prototype... as I get / come across good resolution pics... I will add them here....

 

L. JURASSIC PARK MOVIE CAR

 

K2. ADDITIONAL AAV and PROTOTYPE PICS

 

(reserved)

 

(reserved)

 

(reserved)