1999 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML320 3.2 V6

Summary:

Reliable and a cheap luxury second hand buy

Faults:

Nothing really.

It got a good and expensive dealer service when we bought it. Haven't been to Mercedes dealer since.

It had a new sensor fitted for something I can't recall, but the full service cost $4,000 plus!

Since then we found a local guy with the ability to run Mercedes diagnostics and fix any issues with aftermarket bits (nothing needed so far).

Regular oil changes with full synthetic have helped perhaps.

General Comments:

Surprised me. My wife wanted it and I thought it would be a nightmare to own after reading reviews... but it's been fantastic. A really capable 4WD (and I drive a Nissan Patrol as my car). Powerful and smooth. Prefer it to my mother in law's BMW X5. Happy with the quality and no performance issues to date.

These are very under-rated cars with what I consider to be an unwarranted bad reputation. Maybe we got the good one... but others I've spoken to since I bought ours are equally happy.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th January, 2017

6th Jan 2017, 10:46

You got a good one, keep looking after it. Someone else took the hit for that $4K service, all the stars seem to have all lined up. Certainly, with time, and your resourcefulness, alternative parts and having an independent expert mechanic makes owning these and similar cars easier. Time also makes common problems more familiar and easier to diagnose or deal with.

I wouldn't say the bad reputation is unwarranted - magazines from different countries have run reliability surveys that back these up. It isn't inevitable that if you own one, it WILL definitely, always (or often) break down on you. There will always be enough samples out there like yours which have given little or an acceptable number of problems (or may be minor enough to be a mere nuisance), hence there will still be people who buy them. I drive a 2001 BMW Compact (hatch), had it now for 6 years and with 165K km, I've known people who have had nothing but trouble with their BMWs - 3-, 5-, and 7-series. I certainly wouldn't dismiss or belittle their experience, but I will give credit to my car as I'd have dumped it long ago if it gave me any real grief.

2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML270 CDI 2.7 turbo diesel

Summary:

Avoid, get a Range Rover or Toyota instead if you have to have an SUV

Faults:

Nearly everything, & none of it cheap.

1 Catalytic converters (2) ended up costing $2000. Non genuine, as the MB dealer wanted more

2. Alternator, $3000 to fix - it's a rare water cooled special part; the front half of the engine has to come out to replace.

Inlet manifold - cheap plastic (!!!) screw threads.

Window electric master switch.

Endless filters & sensor units.

Fuel pump.

CD /radio went unserviceable.

General Comments:

Not in any sense anywhere near the normal Mercedes build quality.

Ride quality was good, but it's a very expensive ride. Basically it's low level built rubbish.

Interior trim of particularly poor quality; kept falling off.

The car was a horrible experience all round; we spent a fortune on it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 16th March, 2012

29th Mar 2012, 10:42

I agree totally. My last problem, of many, was the same. Over 3000€, but over the years, the only thing reliable was its unreliability.

I am very disappointed, as I have had Mercedes for 26 years. This last one shows their quality now. I shall be buying BMW next time, for sure.

1999 Mercedes-Benz M-Class 430 430

Summary:

A lemon

Faults:

Automatic transmission split spraying oil over the exhaust.

A large whole was blown in one of the rocker covers.

Vehicle locked in part on two occasions and could not be driven.

Fuel sender required replacement.

ESP computer required replacement.

Steering rack required replacement.

Back of the drivers seat collapsed.

Oxygen mass sensor required replacement.

Harmonic balance fell of and the repair cost was A$5000.

General Comments:

This car is a lemon and Mercedes Benz will not stand by the vehicle.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 24th August, 2003

1999 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML320 L 3.2 petrol

Summary:

The most versatile car money can buy

Faults:

Two rattles quickly cured by the dealer.

Aircon developed a leak, waited 3 weeks for parts but dealer service excellent.

Oh yes, badges got stolen off the car!

General Comments:

Excellent value for money and an allround pleasure to drive. Offroad ground clearance a problem but drive system excellent. ESP system quite remarkable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th March, 2000

13th Jul 2012, 16:39

So, this review is now 12 years old, the vehicle concerned was only one year old at time of review with 24000 on the clock only. I will bet there's a whole sad story to follow, if truth be told - the ML series are just total rubbish, as anyone who has owned one for more than a few months will confirm. Do your research thoroughly before you buy or you will regret it; the costs are just horrendous.