Excellent
Oxygen sensor ($80).
Brake light switch ($15).
Regular maintenance.
Wonderful car to own... went offroading a lot of times, and it has done great.. Donuts on the snow, since it's an all wheel drive :). Fun car overall.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 29th August, 2010
Great vehicle, we will see you at 500k+
Replace transmission at 300,000.
Factory recall for intake manifold cleaning at 125k.
Cats replaced at 275k.
Front drive shaft at 350k.
Window switches 2 times at 125k, 200k.
O2 sensors at 325k.
Front sub frame suspension components are shot, and I'm about to replace the entire unit from donor vehicle parts; cost $750 + my labor.
Great vehicle. We will be together for another least 150k more. Still pulling boat and trailers.
The body is very rigid and truck-like, which I like. It is a tank.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 22nd January, 2010
Awful. Worst vehicle I've owned by far
The harmonic balancer ground a hole in the upper oil pan and damaged the idler pulley and fan belt. Had it all replaced for a large sum of $, only to get a recall notice shortly after. We did end up getting reimbursement from Mercedes, but only after jumping through several hoops. With the amount of $ they charge for their vehicles, you would think their customer service would be much better to support THEIR mechanical failures (which are incredibly numerous).
2nd recall on catalytic converter. Amazingly the MB dealer found our was "OK" and didn't replace it.
3rd recall for defective lower power steering clamp. Had it fixed, only to have a SECOND recall for the same part as the original "fix" wasn't adequate. Yeah, no kidding as I ended up replacing my power steering pump less than 2 years after the MB dealer supposedly "fixed" the hose problem. Maybe I should ask for reimbursement on that repair as well?
I'm still trying to get a MB dealer to return my call for a 2nd recall "fix" appointment. TERRIBLE service and incredibly overpriced service from all Mercedes "authorized" dealer service centers.
Various poor quality parts, design or defective fittings such as: the interior door panels became dislodged from housing, broken seat latch (rear folding seat), broken driver's side headlamp cover (which of course cannot be replaced without replacing the entire headlamp housing) & broken rear stop light cover.
Cup holders both broke in the front, aside from them being absolutely useless at a depth of about 1.5" to begin with - horrible design.
Power window panel/switches replaced twice already.
Horn (both low & high) replaced twice.
All brakes and rotors had to be replaced, as were the ball joints and rear struts (despite never off-roading or towing or any other heavy stress to the vehicle)
Tensioner, pulley and serpentine belt replaced a SECOND time.
Major (and regular) electrical malfunctions: sensors, lamps, inoperable dashboard displays, et al.
About the only good thing I can say about the ML320 is that it is a very solid vehicle - no worries about the family getting injured in a minor accident - and it handles fairly well, but rides like a truck, not a luxury vehicle. Very hard ride.
I have noticed the ML supporters love to insult those of us who are MB critics by insinuating that we don't maintain or take care of our vehicles. Fact of the matter is, Mercedes is ALL about a name and nothing about quality. Most of the items in the reviews I read have little or nothing to do with regular maintenance, unless of course you're a lifelong Mercedes driver who considers engine and suspension repairs and recalls as "maintenance".
I've driven Toyota's for most of my life, and despite being 1/4 the price of a Mercedes, the quality is FAR superior. Thankfully I didn't buy my overpriced Benz new, so someone else absorbed the incredible decline in resale value for the first couple of years (which is another issue with them - they hold no value whatsoever over the years, despite their 'name').
This is by far the WORST vehicle I have ever owned, and I would never buy another Mercedes. I have told everyone I know the same. Unless you're willing to throw money out the window so that you can boost your ego and say you have a "Mercedes", look elsewhere for something that won't give you the headaches and drain your bank account.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 4th January, 2010
What is so unusual in having to change brake pads and rotors on a 10 year old vehicle with 130,000 miles on it?
There's also nothing extreme in 'switches' that need replacing after such an amount of time and use either.
Regardless of your opinion, Mercedes-Benz makes excellent vehicles and has been doing so for over 100 years. Your list of complaints is trivial, when it should be obvious that 'premium' does not imply perfection.
Seeing as you think it is unreasonable to change the brakes on a 10 yr old car, (which is being unrealistic) your opinion of the ML is not valid in my opinion.
From Australia: bought 1998 ML320. I had lots of problems and money to fix it, too numerous to list it. Will never buy Mercedes again.
Worst car I have ever owned. I will never buy another Mercedes again.
please read your Consumers Report annual guide every year to keep updated on cars and their reliability. The new one just came out. Pick it up at supermarkets or newsstand anywhere.
That M Class has had many issues with it... cooling, drive system, electrical, climate system, body hardware, and power equipment and radio... amongst other problems.
Also, in all fairness, it did good in other areas. Please use the Consumers Guide and this website... Carsurvey.org... before you buy any car, new or used.
11th Oct 2012, 22:38
For all of the misery initially reported on these cars, we are seeing quite a number in the import garage I help manage with LOTS of miles on them, and relatively few issues, none of which would scare me away from owning one.
In the last month, we have seen a 1999 ML320 with 156k, a 2000 ML320 with 260k, and a 2001 ML430 with 206k. Even at these ages and mileage, the build quality was respectable on all of them, with the 1999 being the best example; it had absolutely no squeaks or rattles on the long test drive it required, and the engine and transmission operated seamlessly.