groovzilla

i'm looking at purchasing a used 1998 mercedes ml320 for skiing and hauling our kids and found a nice local example however the owner explained that she is experiencing a problem with the CEL light comming on...she claims that when she bought the suv last year she used regular grade fuel for the first couple of weeks not realizing she was supposed to use premium grade...the car wasn't running well and the CEL light came on...she took it in to service and they fixed the problem but now whenever she fills the car with fuel the CEL light comes on for one day then goes out...this always happens when she fills up with fuel.

any ideas??

Trader220

I had a 1997 .... that ended my relationship with MB, never again.

ricster

Pieces of shiite

UberXY

I had a 98 E320 and currently have a G500. MBs are excellent cars to drive, but consume more time and money in repairs than all my other cars combined. I would rate them as worse than Audis. Everything inside the doors - mechanical and electric - is substandard. They make Porsche ownership seem dirt cheap. We replaced the 320 with an X3 (excellent car) for my daughter, and the wife now wants to trade the G for an X3.

The CEL light is there to tell the owner to get the codes read. The problem could easily be a gas cap that is not sealing correctly - if you are very lucky.

butzip

OK, I didn't want him to feel bad but, since ya'll were very candid, I'll throw in my 0.02.

I worked as an implant at MBUSI in Vance Alabama from 1998-2000. They had major quality and manufacturing issues. Mostly due to sub standard vendor QC. They are VERY capable off-road vehicles, believe me, I've been on various test tracks with them but...... as mentioned by others, not reliable, reapairs and parts are not cheap and you'll be fixing stuff that you just shouldn't have to worry about. And that's when they were NEW!! add 10+ years of wear and tear.........

I have owned only one MB, it was a low mile 300TE, I thought it would run trouble free for years. Clearly it was a family car not a toy so I expected it to be reliable and not consume my precious time with BS. Well I was way wrong....... in one year of ownership: Head gasket, waterpump, cam shaft, various electrical$$, exhaust, motor mounts. When it was running properly, it was sublime, way ahead of it's time, comfy, like a tank, interior very functional, tutonic defined..... just not easy to own. an unfortunate contradiction.

Edward

OK, you asked for opinions...

It's an "Image-vehicle" that looks better parked than it is to own. C'mon, look at what you want to do: go to the snow, haul kids and requisite stuff, misc family romping. Get a GM, Ford, Toyota, Honda, whatever ...to do the job at hand while not having to throw money and wasting time dropping off/picking it up at the shop. My opinion is get the vehicle that fills the mission task. You want a Benz, get a nice one. This ain't it ...IMHO of course

Edward

whalebird

They are not that bad. Lots of inprovements in 2000 though.

Todd951968

Check out Carsurvey.com and look them up. They are total crap. In fact, a lot of the modern MB's, even topline models have way too many issues. The have bad rust issues, as well. I'm talking thousands $ in rust repairs in cars less than 10 years old. IMO , the first generation E-Class models from the mid 80's- mid 90's were the last quality MBs built.

whalebird

I agree TODD. The W124 into the early 90s was an outstanding car. The later cars with the 104 DOHC six were amazing cars, I especially like the wagons. Of course, the V8 varients are tremendouse performers and can flat leave any mustang/camero standing, hell evan the 104 six can do that. The first couple of year of the ML had some issues but overall were not terrible, I just would not spend much on one. The fit and finish was very poor until 2000. At Benz, we always called them Alabama Slammers. They did have remarkable traction control, evan by todays standards and were very solid in their frame and chassis. I don't like any V6 really and the 320 is nary an exception. I don't think the V6 in the 320s have aged very well and it was a great V6 when it came out. I know several people who have early MLs and they are still very good vehicles. The early 430s were a notch above, but that is only my opinion because I like any benz with a V8.

A4

My wife currently has a 2000 ML that we've had since new and now have 135k on it. Its been ok and my recommendation to you is to stay away from the early years, if you have to have an ML, and get the dealer maint records. There were many TSB's and recalls for the ML and we had ours at the dealer fro many repairs under warranty, Harmoinic balancer, power steering pump, drive line strabilizer, control arms, Tranny issues, etc, etc, etc. A mechanic buddy of mine services a guy's 2001 ML with 300K on it and he's replaced everything 4 times except anyting regarding the engine. The v6 is a great engine with decent power and if serviced will last forever. you shouldnt spend more than a few grand for it.
Once ours dies though we wont buy another.