Mercedes ML thoughts?

[WolfeMacleod]

A lot of changes in my life have developed over the last six months. Most recently, I find I've suddenly inherited a family of two children, 7 and 9.
Looking at the Mercedes ML class vehicle as kid carriers. Kinda want to stick with a German theme in the household, I suppose. Anybody drive one of these as far as reliability, maintenance costs, problem spots, etc? Looking at the older '00-'01-ish vehicles that can be had for sub-$15k range. Seems to older vehicles can be got for around $10k or lower.

[Porsche_monkey]

This should be interesting. In a Mercedes trashing sort of way...

I don't think you'll hear a lot of positive stuff.

[Steve Viegas]

My co-worker had one that she loved until it hit 50K. She told me at that point it fell apart. She just picked up a newer one with 14K on it and tells me she will sell it before it hits 50K

I guess my point is she liked it enough to get a second one, but she did so fully intending to get rid of it in 2-3 years.

[carnutzzz]

My God man- they have the reputation as being among the worst!

[Soterik]

Hey,

Eric w/ the 912 (amongst others) a couple of blocks east from you in the cul-de-sac.

Boys? Girls? Will they be going to Broadview Thompson?

Forget the ML... Buy something Japanese or US. I've had several Explorers and Suburbans (towing), the're fine. Or any of the Toyota, Nissan, Honda's etc.

It's just utility... consider a minivan. I am for my next kid car purchase, thinking of the Sienna AWD for skiing, as the Burb' mileage sucks.

Don't you have a Toyota FJ (the new one?)?

E

[daepp]

I own a 2001 ML 430. After travelling nearly 200K miles, I purchased a new daily driver and now my daughters go to high school in it daily. I truly loved this vehicle.

The Good:
Small, solid, peppy, full time 4WD, comfortable seats, good NAV, seven seat belts, very easy to park, very safe (8 airbags, anti-roll, ABS based posi-traction like system)

The Bad:
15 mpg, very rough ride (based on a true, boxed ladder frame - no unibody)

The car has never left me. I had quite a few trips to the dealer while it was still under warranty though.

Problem areas include: Door lock switches, A-pillar trim, brake light switch, and probably others that I can't think of at the moment.

I have to say I think these ML's suffered from a bad rap based on the 1998-99 models, which were a first for MBZ. By 01 a lot of the bugs had been worked out. They are not nearly as smooth as the unibody ML's, but they are so stout that they are still raced in rally's and off roaders love them. Mine has beena ll over the back country in CA. Also, IIRC, a mid-year ML won last year's Paris/Dakkar for its class.

[WolfeMacleod]

Hey man, how ya doing?
The two girls will hopefully be going to Broadview, yes.
I'll probably be losing the FJ Cruiser to the soon to be EX-wife, despite the $10,000 in mods and money I have put into it. Several thousand dollars over the last six months alone. She keeps flipping between keeping the FJ and taking the Saturn...she wants that FJ BAD...but can'tr either pay for it, or compensate me in a reasonable manner for the money I've put into it. .... She had an affair in July with someone in the off-roading club, and the FJ is her tie to it all...she can't let it go.

Originally Posted by Soterik

Hey,

Eric w/ the 912 (amongst others) a couple of blocks east from you in the cul-de-sac.

Boys? Girls? Will they be going to Broadview Thompson?

Forget the ML... Buy something Japanese or US. I've had several Explorers and Suburbans (towing), the're fine. Or any of the Toyota, Nissan, Honda's etc.

It's just utility... consider a minivan. I am for my next kid car purchase, thinking of the Sienna AWD for skiing, as the Burb' mileage sucks.

Don't you have a Toyota FJ (the new one?)?

E

[HardDrive]

They have a terrible reputation for a reason. Back in 2003 we bought a Lexus 330RX over the Mercedes for a reason.

Get a Honda Odessey, or a GMC Yukon/Suburban. The 'big' SUVs are very cheap at the moment, and you can fit an army in them.

[HardDrive]

If your going to buy a POS, why not go all the way?

[WolfeMacleod]

Damn man, that's just cruel

Originally Posted by HardDrive

If your going to buy a POS, why not go all the way?

[daepp]

I own another MBZ SUV, as well as a mid-sized Lexus, an F-150 and the 911. They've all had their share of "issues". I fpush came to shove, the F-150 has probably been the best.

As for the ML, the reliability issue is over stated. And they are a great deal at today's prices.

[Soterik]

Originally Posted by daepp

I own a 2001 ML 430. After travelling nearly 200K miles, I purchased a new daily driver and now my daughters go to high school in it daily. I truly loved this vehicle.

The Good:
Small, solid, peppy, full time 4WD, comfortable seats, good NAV, seven seat belts, very easy to park, very safe (8 airbags, anti-roll, ABS based posi-traction like system)

The Bad:
15 mpg, very rough ride (based on a true, boxed ladder frame - no unibody)

The car has never left me. I had quite a few trips to the dealer while it was still under warranty though.

Problem areas include: Door lock switches, A-pillar trim, brake light switch, and probably others that I can't think of at the moment.

I have to say I think these ML's suffered from a bad rap based on the 1998-99 models, which were a first for MBZ. By 01 a lot of the bugs had been worked out. They are not nearly as smooth as the unibody ML's, but they are so stout that they are still raced in rally's and off roaders love them. Mine has beena ll over the back country in CA. Also, IIRC, a mid-year ML won last year's Paris/Dakkar for its class.

Not bad! I stand corrected.... is that opinion shared with other post 2000 ML owners? Yours is the v8 right? What's the mileage on the 6'?

I have to concur on the Burb', they are cheap, but the mileage is "really bad", but it's somewhat offset as they run reg gas, and they are cheap. Parking them is a complete issue, and I think Wolfe may have an issue with the parking from what I recall.

Wolfe, Hope she takes the Saturn! I'd say we should get the kids together, but mine are boys...and that won't work!

E

[daepp]

Mine is an 01 V8. The original window stickers on the V6's only showed 1-2 mpg improvement over the 8. The problem with ML mpg is weight. The car is a tank. I have been rear ended twice in the ML - once by a kid who was texting in a Suburban and never hit his brakes. I could still open the back hatch after the crash!!!

The ML is a very solid, safe tank. I know there are plenty here who will bad mouth SUV's simply for their rollover potential, but I get a lot of peace of mind knowing my daughter is in such a tank.

As for other owners, there is as much discussion on these vehicles as any other, and MBWorld is a good forum for DIY help. Like the Pelican 911 Tech board, the MBZ board has saved me a lot of dough. For example, the dealer want $680 for a new Mass Airflow sensor and install. The forum gave me instructions on where to get one ($105 - original Bosch) and how to install (10 minutes plus one trip to AutoZone for a special socket).

I admit I am biased - but when I get back in the ML I realize I still miss. Not the harsh ride (I drive a GS350 now) but the solid, nimble, upright experience. FWIW.

[daepp]

[asphaltgambler]

Originally Posted by WolfeMacleod

Damn man, that's just cruel

Now THAT'S the funniest thing I've heard or seen today!!

[Schumi]

A fellow 944 owner in the STL region has an AMG ML55... his screen name is 'bland vanilla'

I have seen the car and really loved it. His has had some nice power adders done and it is a serious performance machine, with a full sound system and DVD.

I'd sure love to have one.

[daepp]

BTW - stopped using premium gas at end of warranty - which I think was @ 50K miles.

[Macroni]

Not as roomy as you might need with two kids and their ever present friends.
You need a usable third seat IMO.

[Dottore]

I have a 2007 Diesel ML that I love.

Before buying it, I did a lot of reading. The early series cars were plagued with all kinds of quality control problems. This was at the time when Mercedes was in an advanced state of chaos, trying to digest the Chrysler merger.

For the new series (2006 and newer) Mercedes read the riot act to the ML division. The object was to turn things around completely, and build a bullet proof car. From my limited experience—and from all that I've read, I think they succeeded.

So I wouldn't buy an early car. I have read too many horror stories.

But the 2006 and younger cars are really, really good.

[VincentVega]

I've seen several window and climate control units go bad. Getting a bill for 2k+ on a ~10k vehicle scares a lot of people. Be prepared.