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MB M-Class Owners: Meet the Members

166 messages,  Last post on Jan 25, 2006 at 1:28 PM

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#127 of 166 by kxs1 May 16, 2003 (4:46 am)
whupwhup, how much did you pay for yr 350? I bought a 03ML350 at about the same time from NJ for $41870. is your inspiration package P37 or P38?
#128 of 166 1500 Under Invoice by prodogs May 19, 2003 (5:07 pm)
Hi, been offered 1500 under invoice for an ML350 in in NJ. Does anybody know of any better deals?   Also, does anybody have details on current Mercedes Lease Deals. Terms for one I am offered are 58% residual value with 6.5% interested rate 39 months. Residual seems ok but 6.5% seems high.   Thanx
#129 of 166 Considering a ML 320 by mark320 Sep 21, 2003 (4:11 pm)
Hi   My wife and I are considering a 2002 ML 320 (#12,000 miles)   We have read numerous reports regarding problem and issues with the M class. We have spoken with our service advisor and he claim's that the problems have been worked out in 2002 model. anyone have any advice for us regarding the reliability and safety of the ML. Thanks Mark
#130 of 166 Mark320 by chumsae Sep 23, 2003 (7:03 am)
We bought a used 2000 ML320 last year with 37,000 from a MB dealer at $25,600. The car was in good, but not excellent condition. This is my 3rd MB, having owned a 1965 230SL (bought in 1970) and a 1984 380SEC (bought in 1986). Here are my experiences: 230SL bought for $4,500, repainted for $1,400 in 1970, drove for 4 years and sold for $6,700. Never needed a repair.   380SEC bought for $26,000, drove for 6 years and sold for $14,000. A few minor repairs (failed window switch) but fairly high planned maintenance at about $1,500 per major appointment.   And now the ML320. Our other car for the last 8 years is a 1990 Lexus LS400. Bought with 54,000 miles and now has 191,000 miles. Have replaced the AC twice, steering rack and steering pump and that's about it... has original exhaust, suspension and all the rest, paint is like new, leather has minor cracking, dash is perfect. The Lexus is about $1,000 for major planned service.   Why an ML320? I use this for work and get to write off its expenses. I used the accellerated depreciation allowed for trucks over 6,000 lbs loaded weight (GLVW) and this paid us back about $7,000 in lower taxes last year. The Lexus RX300 didn't meet the weight (but only by a couple hundred pounds - not the 1,000 lbs someone mentioned here)for the accellerated depreciation. I believe the RX300 weighs about the same as the ML320 but has less design load.   Next, the ML has decent handling for an SUV, lots of safety features, is comfortable, has useful space behind the rear seat, and gets decent mileage... I always see 19 - 20 in mostly suburban driving.   The fit and finish of an ML320 is not equal to MB sedans and at $40,000 (new)for a 4 wheel drive SUV I didn't exect equality. The ML500 and ML 55 are closer to MB standards but you naturally pay for the goodies.   I know that some ML owners have had a horrible time with major issues and dealer experiences, but overall the major components are rated highest in the latest issue of a car rating magazine (I think it was Consumer Reports), giving the car solid red circles - the highest reliability rating - on engine and drive train. There were average-to-low ratings on electrical, for example. My dealer experience here has been "A-" for the ML and "A-" for the Lexus (both dealerships owned by the same family).   One way to gauge the reliability is to compare the cost of aftermarket, exclusion-style, warrantees. I found that a good ML warrantee (which we didn't buy) that would cover up to 100,000 miles and with discounts to be about $2,100 with zero deductable. The same coverage on a Toyota Camry is $1,100. The MB coverage is more money, but you would expect it would be so, yes? I think that if the ML were absolutely awful, then the insurance companies would either refuse insurance or charge much more for coverage if many problems existed.   In short, these are very safe, fun, and good cars if your expectations are set right from the beginning.
#131 of 166 Hello! Everyone... by njexpress Oct 07, 2003 (10:27 am)
Just picked up our 2003 ML350 last week from Princeton, NJ. Sold my CR-V last tuesday(9/30/03) morning and took delivery of the new car in the evening. It's white with JAVA, M1, heated seats, Bose and Moonroof. My wife is the primary driver and we have 600 miles so far. The CD changer was not playing and I had to take her in and they replaced the magazine. Other than that, It's been wonderful!! Got it for 40K even, including tax, title and registration. I was researching and drooling over the Murano and the Lexus for a long time but in the end, I guess the MB's brand name made me settle for this! The ride is joustier than a Lexus but, heck, It's a mercedes, and a real (looks real at least!) SUV at that!! I am enjoying every moment of it; The touch shift is amazing! The pedal feel is really rough but once you get used to it, It is an amazing set of wheels!!! This is my first brand name car and may be I am imagining things but - It really seems to have an impact on people; Like, neighbors whov'e been there for as long as u've known - who promptly ignored you whenever you tried to say Hi! to them suddenly wanna look you in the eye and exchange pleasentaries etc... All this "special" attention apart, It has been a fun filled week, driving the ML. Body lean seems virtually non existant, at least when in the drivers seat; Of course I can't try any funny stuff while my pregnant wife is on the passenger seat - Nor can i drive the vehicle from the rear seats ;o) So far, based on a couple of sudden maneuvres I performed, it is one buttoned up truck!!!! Shall keep you posted on the developments. Very nice to be a part of this forum!! Cheers! --njexpress.
#132 of 166 Welcome Enexpress by mercara Oct 13, 2003 (4:21 am)
Welcome to the club. I have a 1999 ML320 myself. I would temper your enthusiasm a bit about it being a "Mercedes". Unfortunately, they don't make cars like they made grandpas merc which ran for over 250K miles without a problem. Overall, it is a decent car.
#133 of 166 Thank You, Mercara!! by njexpress Oct 13, 2003 (11:25 am)
I am slowly prepping myself for the maintenance "Surprises". Everytime I clean the vehicle, I see tons of brake pad dust in the wheels! That's the first time I've seen anything like it!! I grew up around places with not so great road infrasturcuture and I've never seen my wheels get so dirty!! I guess I am all set for a new set of brake pads soon ;0) I am also "looking forward" to the weird noise at the back. My next seat neighbor at work drives a '02 ML and he keeps "enquiring" of it everyday. Hope it turns out okay! Have a great day. Cheers! --njexpress!!
#134 of 166 Brakes for njexpress by mercara Oct 14, 2003 (8:38 am)
I did my brakes only after 53,000 miles. I do mostly highway miles and drive with a light foot. Even at 53K miles the warning lights didn't come on. I was told by the rep when I took my car in for a service that I will have to change them soon. Rather than bring it back a couple of 100 miles later, I just went ahead and changed the front and back pads.
#135 of 166 Good for you Mercara! by njexpress Oct 15, 2003 (4:23 am)
I hope I am equally lucky. So far, other than a replaced changer, it has really been great (Well, it is barely 2 weeks old!). I am averaging 16.5MPG with 80% HWY and a somewhat heavy foot. No tirescreeching "getaway" starts but I do hit the upper 80s on the free way. The pick up is okay, except for the HEAVVVVY pedal feel. Besides, with an MB, I suddenly seem to have lost the urge to dust those Miatas and Monte Carlos so, I didn't subject the vehicle to any true test ;o) Will keep the forum posted on how things go. Cheers! --njexpress
#136 of 166 My new Mercedes.. an ML500 by michaelwillems Nov 03, 2003 (6:33 pm)
Glad to meet you all -   I just traded in my 2003 E320 for a 2003 ML500. Could not resist that 5 litre V8, and more importantly, I have a cottage I shall need to get to in winder and here in Ontario that means 4WD. I think my ML will be the ideal compromise between rpoad car (the E was sweet!) and truck (I'd love a Land Rover   See my car here: http://www.willems.ca/pers_ft32.htm   This is a dealer demo model - 14k km on the clock against 24k on my "old" E320. So I got a car with 10k less mileage.   Observations so far:   - Braking is soft and not very good compared to the E - but it will do and at least it is less brusque.   - Very powerful.   - Cockpit oldfashioned Mercedes type but that's OK.   - Third row seats (I have that option) is of limited use as the mid seats need to move forward so far that passengers in the 2nd rown are squashed, and 3rd row passengers are still squashed anyway. And you need an engineering degree to figure out how to fold all those seats.   - Low range is useful. I was even able to tackle a steep mud hill at the cottage.   - Cruise control should have an indicator lamp   - Controls are fine   - Auto wiper works better than inthe new E in spite of older design   - Not many rattles at all, which is a pleasant surprise   - Broken ashtray, read cupholders, rear vent, and right seat base cover. And that's the stuff the dealer did NOT catch   Overall very good. More impressions later.   I am in Oakville, Ontario by the way.   Mike

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