2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class 2001 ML430 4.3 litre V8

Summary:

Definitely recommended! Don't be too put off by the whiners :-). Quality has steadily improved!

Faults:

Most of the problems were related to the electrical system, e.g. passenger seat motors and passenger seat airbag sensors.

Replaced rear corner plastic trim (cracked).

Replaced read brake pads and rotors at 16000 miles. This seems to be typical for the V8 ML.

General Comments:

The V8 has effortless power.

Cabin is a very comfortable place to be in.

Bose radio sounds great and has tremendous bass.

Truck is great on the beach and for the light off-roading I've tried so far.

Road-holding is very good for an SUV.

Safety features unrivaled.

Good space for 4-5 people and lots of luggage space.

Navigation system is wonderful!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th October, 2003

3rd Dec 2003, 21:55

Yes, quality has steadily improved from poor to not quite so poor - but still poor none the less. Even with 2003 models there are still well known issues which should have been addressed during the first year of production.

28th Feb 2007, 02:42

Mercedes ML430 still has some features to improve to satisfy its Mercedes fans. However, there are Mercedes ML430 parts - http://www.mbpartswarehouse.com/mercedes_ml430parts.html available on the net for replacements and additional accessories...

2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class 320

Summary:

Better deals around

Faults:

Brake fluid sensor would intermittently come on, usually when I was going down hilly terrain. Called dealer who said it was likely a sensor malfunction and advised to keep driving the car to see if light went off. Light would stay off for a few days and then come back on. Every time I scheduled an appointment to have it looked at the problem would go away for a while.

Tires needed to be replaced after 20,000 miles which seemed premature for a vehicle of this stature.

Rubber strip around sunroof came loose, causing the roof to remain partially open. Took two visits to the dealer to resolve.

Heater only seems to blow extremely hot. Dial must be deep in the cool range before the heat eases up. Dealer found sensor was faulty and replaced.

General Comments:

Good thing our lease deal came with free service on the car for the first 40,000 miles! Bad thing is we moved and the new dealer is over 2 hours away.

Has been an ordeal arranging for the end of lease inspection as there is only one appointment day per month to have the car reviewed.

Have already replaced the car with a Volvo.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 15th October, 2003

2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML 320

Summary:

This is not a car I would recommend to anyone

Faults:

The car has been in 15 times for various problems. The sunroof has been inspected and repaired 7 times.

The first week we had the car the rear seat assist system broke in my husband's hand.

The seat belts and interior console have both been replaced.

While driving my children to school the power steering went out.

The exterior trim on the rear of the vehicle has been replaced twice. On the second time it was repaired it proceeded to fall off on the highway, on the drive home from the dealer.

The interior rattles constantly at various speeds.

While my vehicle it is still in warranty, I have racked up over an estimated $2700.00 in labor costs alone! This doesn't include the parts and my time and energy going to and from the dealer.

Everyone at the dealership keeps ignoring me, sending me to see someone else, or just pushing me into the rental car line, instead of listening to my car concerns.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 4th September, 2003

2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class 320

Summary:

A high priced SUV that requires frequent trips to the dealership for repairs

Faults:

Defective Brake Lamp Switch.

Fluid Leaking from Washer Reservoir.

2 oxygen sensors replaced.

Left front window was inoperable.

Dome lights stayed on and eventually are replaced after several trips to dealership.

Arm rest bubbled and replaced.

Replaced seat headrest.

Converters are replaced.

Inoperable directional computer is replaced.

Rear seat squeaks unless towel placed between them.

Dealership replaces front brake pads twice before 40,000 miles. We replaced the back brakes at an outside facility.

Tires original to the vehicle were worn before 25,000 miles!

Power steering hose breaks and is replaced.

Replaced front propeller shaft.

CD player inoperable and replaced.

Replaced brake lamp switch.

Car has had 3 batteries.

Replaced oil sender.

Wind deflector in sunroof replaced.

Ongoing rattle in back of vehicle never fixed.

Hesitation in shift gears when first pressing on gas pedal. We are told by dealership that they "could not duplicate the problem."

Rear hatch lock doesn't lock and is replaced.

Rear hatch does not stay up and struts are replaced.

Windows are inoperable and window switch is replaced twice.

General Comments:

We always thought owning a Mercedes-Benz meant owning a quality vehicle. We now know owning a Mercedes-Benz means dealership visits.

We wonder when the repair replacements will need replacing.

We purchased the vehicle for its safety features. How safe can a vehicle be when it needs to be replaced?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 9th July, 2003

22nd Oct 2003, 10:35

I thought my vehicle was an anomaly : its had the same serial failure mechanisms I see listed here and many other reports : This car really is a disaster and my advice to everyone is STOP telling the world about it, you'll kill the resale value and I'm sure as hellfire gonna unload mine before the warranty is up (unless I win the Lottery : in which case I'll burn it in the parking lot of the MB dealership for fun!)