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SUVs Mercedes Benz M-Class Mercedes-Benz M-class (ML320, ML350, ML500 and ML55) 2005 and earlier
8166 messages, Last post on Dec 02, 2009 at 6:41 PM
You are in the Mercedes Benz M-Class Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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The '06 M-Class is the current showcase ad at Edmunds.com: The all-new 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class Steve, Host |
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Hello, I am thinking about purchasing a 2000 ML 430 with 56K on it. I have reviewed the service records and ran a carfax and all is well. However, I have read several posts that makes me think perhaps I should go with another vehicle. Please advise me on what I should be concerned about.
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Replying to: lyrickyla (Apr 12, 2005 12:10 pm) Things to consider......... how many miles do you drive a year? Can you get an extended warranty? I have a 2002 ML500. If you are looking for a used ML, 2002 was the model year that Mercedes updated the ML. The front and rear bumpers were redesigned, center console was redesigned where the power window switches were put in a more convenient location, the A/C controls were updated and rear air vents were added, better materials were used in the interior, etc. My local Mercedes dealership is offering new 2005 ML's for $100 over invoice since the new 2006 ML's are now available. Mark
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Replying to: mark156 (Apr 13, 2005 4:49 am) They are asking $19000 including taxes and fees. I can still get an extended warranty on the car. I drive A LOT OF MILES. Probably 20K or so. |
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Lyrickyla, That's a lot of miles to put on a used car that already has decent mileage. If you decide to go for it, an extended warranty would probably be a good idea. Mark
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Replying to: mark156 (Apr 13, 2005 5:01 am) I live in Atlanta. We drive everywhere here. I am more concerned about all the problems I hear about this vehicle. I had a 2000 Land Rover which was a great truck. People warned me not to buy the Land Rover and it ended up being a great vehicle. |
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Personally, I like cars to be under warranty, especially, if drove as much as you. My 2000 E430 Sport has been out of warranty for about a year and a half; I only have 29,100 miles on it. Probably as it gets close to 50K, I'll trade it. At the rate that I'm going, the car will be 10 years old by that time. My 2002 ML500 has 41,000 miles on it and I'll trade it at the end of this year for a 2006 model (not sure what kind yet). I'm sure I'll be right at 50,000 miles by December so I'll be going out of warranty. I'll be right at the 4 year 50,000 mile warranty threshold. If I were you, I would buy an end of the model year vehicle and then when it comes time to trade, your vehicle won't appear to have as much mileage. Also, you will have the benefit of a full warranty. Just my .02... Mark |
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What do buyers/non-buyers think of the new 06 styling? It seems to me to be an amalgamation of several other existing, popular SUVs instead of a "pure" Mercedes look? |
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Replying to: lyrickyla (Apr 12, 2005 12:10 pm) ML's are a mixed bag when it comes to owner happiness. We've had our 2000 ML320 for 2 1/2 years and we are in the "happy camp" among owners with one financial hit of $1,200 for the A/C at 70,000 miles. We are now at 80,000 miles. Part of the negative experience comes from a pattern of real problems with the truck, and real problems with the dealer and manufacturer. Spend a couple of hours here and you'll see the picture. Part of the negative experience comes from missed expectations, I think. The ML is our 3rd Mercedes over a 30 year stretch and our expectations are safety, handling, driver enjoyment, reasonable economy, reasonable cost of ownership, and decent dealer service. We do not expect Lexus style reliability, but something decent. Our now 15 year old Lexus LS400 has been very good but not perfect... at 190,000 miles now, we have previously replaced the A/C twice, and steering rack. A few other things we live with such as broken switches, displays, and antennas. In our limited experience, Mercedes will see about 30% more faults than a Lexus. The ML320 fit and finish and A/C do not compare well with Lexus or MB sedans (at least for the 2000 ML320), but these are not bad at all. Part of the negative experience comes from dealerships who are under the gun to improve service revenues and reduce warranty expenses to M-B, which is in moderate financial trouble. On the positive side there is the enjoyment of the truck itself which offers safety, handling, comfort, good off-road capability, and reasonable MPG (20 average for the 6 cyl.) I also like the A&B service plan at $150 & $300 about every 12K miles rather than the Lexus $500 at 30K and $1,000 at 60K intervals. At 60K the Lexus cost us $1,500 versus the ML $1,050, plus wear items. Also, for 2000 model year M-B paid the first 4 visits, reducing my cost to $150 at 60K. I believe that this freebee has gone away. Also positive, at 80K the truck drives like new; very smooth engine and transmission, and a solid feel to original shocks and suspension. Few domestic trucks and SUV's are this tight and reliable at 80K. Some imports can beat it but often at a cost - smaller cargo space, no low range, no ESP, rougher ride, lower MPG, higher maintenance programs. So, weigh the +'s and -'s. To me it is worth the quirks. |
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My 2002 ML500 is still under warranty until this December (4 years). Also, I have free maintenance until the warranty expires. The only out of pocket expense have been a set of new tires. (about $700) I added a wind deflector on the front hood and mud flaps ($400) Rear brake pads installed at 18,000 miles. ($220) I don't think it needed it so soon because now I have 23,000 miles on the rear and the light has not come on. When I take my ML in for tire rotations (non MB shop), they always tell me that my brakes are getting close to needing to be replaced... I'm going to wait for the "brake pad" light to come on before I change them. The adjustment I've had under warranty, other than regular maintenace.... *** fix the loose molding at the bottom of the front bumper (twice) ***rear cup holder broke ***squeak in dash at the base of the windshield (90% fixed) rattles on occasion at freeway speeds. The hood was removed and something was done at a body shop at the firewall or just above it. There was a note from MB on how to fix it if a customer complained of that noise. ***one speedometer light went out. Every car I have ever owned had "adjustments" that needed to be done. I've owned 4 Nissan's, a Peugeot, a couple of Jeeps, and a disastrous Oldsmobile diesel. This past winter right before Christmas, we had an ice storm. WOW, what a difference if you have AWD with stability control. I felt like I could go anywhere with no problem. On many occasions, the two-wheel-drive cars and SUV's were having a real problem getting around. I drove around many stuck vehicles without any problem at all. Also, when I went off roading near Joshua Tree National park, it's not a good idea to have mud flaps that are not flexible. I knocked my front mud flap loose and had to have it re attached at the dealer. If they were flexible, there would be no problem. Footie, I like the new 2006 ML style... it definitely looks like a Mercedes product to me and not much different than mine, especially the shape of the windows. Mark |
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