7th Aug 2002, 10:39

Nightmare is not quite the right word to describe the ML320. It's a pathetic joke. Read my letter to Mercedes Benz explaining my problems with the vehicle at: www.nagele.co.uk/comment.htm

29th Apr 2003, 06:58

I just got one ML320, my brother got a BMW 5 series, he has had his car for 2 years and he has never been to the mechanic, I have had mine for 9 months and I have changed the fuel pump, brake pads and I wonder what will be next. Benz has failed on its reputation for excellence. Frankly, I don't think I will ever get one again. That car is a piece of crap. I was at the Benz dealership and they advised me to get another car acknowledging that their car was a piece of crap.

12th Aug 2003, 23:34

My ML320 1999 has had similar problems. I will probably never buy Mercedes again. I hope someone from mercedes reads this website. Hopefully that may help resolve these issues.

19th Dec 2003, 05:20

My Mercedes ML 320 is a 2001. It has had numerous trips to the repair shop, mainly engine light on, numerous times, mysteriously shutting off while driving, sun roof problems, mostly electrical. I want my Ford back.

18th Jun 2004, 16:00

My major problem with my 2002 ML320 is that it has developed a very serious and in my opinion, dangerous hesitation problem. This occurs even when the car is fully warmed up. It is most noticeable when switching from reverse into drive. When I press the accelerator the car just sits there for a few seconds seeming to try to make up its mind what to do. It also occurs at most any other time when trying to get the thing moving from a complete stop, like at a traffic light. I just took it in for service. The dealer informed me that there were no indications of a problem in the on-board computer so he is convinced that there can't be a problem. They are going to let me take one of them for a ride to demonstrate...can't wait. I wonder if anyone else has run into this.

16th Aug 2004, 13:19

99 ML320 bought new in September, 1998, now has 89,000 "around town miles" as I simply do not trust it on road trips. Often have had the dash warning light come on and the transmission lock into low "limp home" mode, sometime 60 miles from home, once 600! Everything resets if you turn off the ignition and restart the car. Several visits to the local dealer, they replaced a module once under warranty, now claim they cannot identify the problem.

My wife drives past a police station two and from work, they have a radio transmitter on the roof, when you get near it all the warning lights come on and the transmission locks in low!!!. MB claims it is not possible, suggested she take another route! When my wife told me about this I said "no way", she said "get in the car". Drove until we got right in front of the station and "zap". Dealer useless. Between my father and I we have owned 12 Mercedes since the 1960's, my friends kidded me about "brand loyalty" when I bought one. All I can say is that I am very disappointed with the vehicle and dealer.

5th Sep 2004, 10:50

I have a 2000 ML320 I have owned since new and would highly recommend this vehicle. Other than normal maintenance it has been virtually trouble free and getting awesome fuel economy for its weight and size.

4th Jun 2006, 02:30

This is not the car we purchased. Bought the car drove for 7 months, never any problems. Went to Europe for 1.5 months come home the car won't start? Dealer said its the battery. Replaced it and still nothing. Apparently something with the oil went wrong and when my son started it with no oil to warm it up well we were gone the engine seized. I have doubts about Mercedes now. My first Mercedes, a 1985 330D runs strong with 185,000. I wish they were still built like that. I've been in a loaner car for 2 months because Mercedes has all the stuff on backorder. Furious!

4th Jun 2006, 07:06

I myself do not have a Mercedes nor would buy one (due to price) but Mercedes-Benz make great cars... and yes its true that the automobiles across the board from Asia to Germany to England have been declining in reliability, but come on guys... oil? you are complaining about oil? well if you learn to check it for yourself and not wait for the idiot lights to come then you wouldn't have a problem. those lights are called idiot lights for a reason guys come on learn to check your own fluids... the comment about idiot lights is not directly at your guys, but at the light itself cause they never ever work...

Also did you know that Benz (yes as in Mercedes Benz... Benz being one of the creators of it) was one of the first people to build a practical gas-powered engine? I don't think they would make a crappy motor after basically starting it.

4th Jun 2006, 18:39

To the folks from June 4th with the Mercedes that wouldn't start, a possible alternative explanation:

When you were in Europe, your darling son thrashed the crap out of it and ruined it, and now is playing dumb, ala "Oh gee, Ma, the darned car won't start and I just don't have any idea why..." Something went wrong with the oil? Sure, it stopped circulating after he seized the bearings by doing 100 in first gear through a cornfield.

4th Jun 2006, 21:37

Quoting the comment on 4th Jun 2006, 07:06: "I don't think they would make a crappy motor after basically starting it."

That's the problem with marketing, image, and prestige. Once a brand makes a name for itself the manufacturer can afford to cut corners by dropping quality in order to save money. The people who actually buy the cars only find out years down the track they have been conned. Everyone else who never owned a Mercedes-Benz made during the bad years of 1997-2003 makes glib comments about how it must be the user's fault the car broke down, or how Mercedes simply isn't capable of making a faulty car. After the merger with Chrysler it's widely acknowledged by owners, the motoring media, and even DaimlerChrysler themselves that vehicle quality dropped markedly because of cost cutting.

Other manufacturers kept their high standards or improved during the same period. I disagree that cars 'across the board' are dropping in reliability.

1st Dec 2006, 08:55

I am an owner of a 2000 Ml 320, no serious problems on it so far. This might be the cheapest Benz ever built. The car doesn't have enough power. Like I said I didn't have any problems with the car, but I'm thinking of getting rid of this ML because of it's lack of power!!! I have a 17 year old Alfa Romeo 164s that cost me 3,000$,it runs and performs 5 times better than the 30,000 dollar Mercedes. I suggest if your looking for an SUV, the Mercedes ML is not the best choice.