Our "new" family hauler

ChemMan · ChemMan's Garage

I ended up selling our 1998 ML 320 last wednesday. It had 157,000 miles on it and was starting to give a couple of problems. The drivers side catalytic converter got clogged and caused misfires on the cylinders on that side. Small things were starting to give problems. We decided to get rid of it now while we could still get a decent amount for it. We sold it to an exporter in New Jersey. He told me he would be sending it to Jordan! Don't know if it is true, but that is what he said.

We looked at a few other vehicles, new included but decided to get another ML. Test drove a ML430. Agreed on a price, but told the guy I would pay him once the wire transfer from the sale of my truck came though. When I called him back, he wanted $500 more than we agreed on. I passed on it. It is still for sale as of this morning.
Thought about an ML 55 AMG, but the test drive was disappointing. Besides 9.8 mpg is not going to work anyway. Another ML 320 looked really good on paper, but reeked of smoke.

I found this one in Chicago. Took the train from Flint on Saturday. Only $21.60 with the AAA discount. Test drove it, bought it and was back home that evening. Cleaned the inside Sunday (it was filthy) My son was born Monday. He came home in it on Tuesday. Here are the pictures:

Mike

Joeaksa · 05-10-2007, 07:43 AM

Photos are kinda bland...

ChemMan · ChemMan's Garage

ChemMan · ChemMan's Garage

pookie · 05-10-2007, 12:17 PM

Is this or was your other ML AWD? I heard there are some issues with the AWD system in these. Did you ever have any problems?

O and I thought you were going to say the dude in NJ never got you the $$ or something when I started reading.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Mini-van

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Or as one of my buddies said about my BMW X-5

"It's a mini-van for those in denial of having a mini-van..."

ChemMan · ChemMan's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by pookie
Is this or was your other ML AWD? I heard there are some issues with the AWD system in these. Did you ever have any problems?

O and I thought you were going to say the dude in NJ never got you the $$ or something when I started reading.

They are all AWD as far as I know. Never had a problem with the AWD system. There was a commercial on the mercedes website that they run in Europe showing the ML being used as emergency vehicles. I watched it and said-yeah right. When I got the 98 we drove up North in a blizzard. There were cars and trucks in the ditch. Really bad storm. We got up there without a problem. I was sold at that point on the ML's. Plus the old one did not give us a problem until it passes 150,000 miles. Hope for the same with this one.

Red-Beard,

Yes, yes. Deep down I know it is a Minivan. But come on, I have 2 boys, a wife and a dog. They all can't fit into the 911 and the slk only has 2 seats. Besides technically the w163's are classified as a light truck

Mike

kqw · 05-11-2007, 11:10 AM

Geeze....You forgot one more addition to your family....The Mechanic who you'll become very familiar with.

ChemMan · ChemMan's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by kqw
Geeze....You forgot one more addition to your family....The Mechanic who you'll become very familiar with.

Since I did 90% of the repairs myself, I already know him. The only repair I had to get help with was replacing the catalytic converter and rebuilding the driveshaft on our old w163. Since the new one has the same m112 engine, I am not concerned. Besides this one has a 100,000 less miles than the one we sold.

kqw · 05-11-2007, 12:40 PM

Whew....for a while there I thought you were in for it....Great that you know the in's and out's of ML's