I am buying a used 2002 ML500 and never having owned one I am looking to find out the weak points of the car. I also need to know if I will need anything extra to run the Navigation system. I have read that CD's are required? I have not seen the car yet and don't know how the system works. Anyone that can help a rookie please get back to me.

 

If your ML500 has factory navigation, double check if map CDs are included. You can test by just inputing a new address.

 

CD's are fairly inexpensive on Ebay! The DVD based Mercedes NAV system is the better way to go if you haven't already installed something aftermarket. Got mine on Ebay for $700 with version 2005.1 NAV DVD and installed it myself. Dealer will charge approx. $1,200.00 for the NAV, $275 for the DVD and two hours labor to install or about $200.00. Go on Ebay and search for "mercedes mcs" and you should find one if you are patient. They aren't on there all the time. Good luck.

 

DVD is the way to go. I owned a 2002 ML 320 with a CD nav before my 2005 ML 500 and I have to say the Nav system in the 500 is far superior. You get much better detailing on the map, routes that don't take you in circles and faster loading. I believe the DVD system was introduced in 2003. If you look hard enough, you can find a low mileage 2003 for pretty much nothing.