Hi to all. I have just joined your forum and I am looking forward to some interesting discussions, particularly as I am considering the purchase of a used ML320. It is a 2000 plated vehicle with fully logged service records showing 160K kilometres. All services have been carried out at a mercedes dealership however I would like to know if there are common faults relating to this model that I need to be aware of (such as overheating, electronics failures, driveline faults, etc? The majority of use will be highway driving with occasional beach use as I live near Fraser Island in SE Queensland. I guess it would be useful to know what sort of fuel consumption could be expected as our fuel prices in australia are currently $1.50/litre and rising. Do these vehicles run effectively on Gas? Any comments and or advice would be greatly appreciated.

I currently own a classic 1985 280SE W126 that is an absolute glamour and would like to get my hands on a workshop manual for same (not the owners manual as I already have that). I use the car about once a month for short cruises on the weekend just to show her off and would like to do some of the maintenance myself as it is a cool car to work on.

Looking forward to your feedback mercedes fans!

 

Hi Casa,
I was driving my 1980 W126 280SE Euro 126.022 daily for straight 10 years, what a good car it was and I had a lot of fun with it. Very fast and reliable, don't expect that from the ML320 (that I have replaced it with).
I can do all the repairs on my own, including transmission replacement in my ML and I can tell you, the quality of my ML made here in USA is so far behind of the 280SE made in Germany that I don't even want to go there.
I like my ML, it is a good work horse but don't expect to get good gas/mileage out of it because of the weight and full time 4x4 drag action.
Though, it will look nice on the beach! Check all the records and see what was done so far on that ML because it could get quite expensive to keep it on the road.
By the way, I still have paper manual (4 very thick books) for W126 chassis body and M110 engine but it would be too costly to ship them to Australia.
If I would do it over, I would invest the money for my ML to fix up my 126 (I had it repainted in 1996 for $2,750).
Good luck,
Bernard

 

HI:

I have a '01 with 213K on it and agree with Bernard. Mileage is poor but it is a comfortable ride and great in the great white north during the winter.

Repairs are costly and as I am currently experiencing the parts are expensive and hard to come by for a vehicle 10 years old.

Good luck

 

Bought my 2000ML new and have 117k miles on it to date.

Kind of a love hate relationship. There was some initial sourting of air leaks about the sunroof, power steering hose and a couple of other things.

The rear seats have excessive play and rattle over bumps from new.

Having said that, it seems a very good used car. Most of the intital issues will have been addressed on a used ML.

My only issues after the first year has been a couple of battery's. The brushes in the ABS pump seem to ware out by about 100k miles and some had issue with the ABS solonoid pack. New these are like $1500 but there are aftermarket builders that will work them for about $250. This put my ML down for a week waiting for a turnaround.

Last, the bord that holds the shift solinoid in the transmission failed. Trans went to second gear limp home mode. Cost under $1k including full trans service to repair.

Have heard the trans can be a weakness and the fluid should be flushed and changed from time to time.

Expect it to go to 200k miles.

 

i have a 1999 320. i bought for a really good price back then. i drove a G class before the ml but it was to expensive to maintain. I thought the ml would be suited more to bring the kids to soccer. But i am driving it lots of time off road and it impressed me a lot! I changed the tires and i have lots of grip and i goes even further then my 2005 f150 4x4!

Also the maintenance is not bad! the only thing i had to replace so far was the wiper motor! And the usual brake pads and discs. Nothing major.

Even the fuel milage is not that bad! But i have to say i live in a small town with mostly high ways.

When i bought this car i did not expected it to last this long! But when i have car it might be a touareg. Just to try something different. But for sure a German car.

 

Thanks to all of the forum members who responded to my 'Buying a used ML320'. My trusty (and thirsty) old Landrover discovery V8 and my 280SE will have to keep me mobile for the short term as the ML I was considering sold before I could even get a look at it! I am still looking for the right vehicle and the forum input will surely help to track something down. Thanks again guys.

Incidentally, I would be more than happy to pay for shipping if anyone has a W126 280SE workshop manual (in English only please) that they no longer require? Even a few greasy handprints will be OK!