CD Article: 1998-2005 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class

[CD_Editor]

You may discuss our cover story of the day in this thread....
Used Vehicle Review:

A luxurious and comfortable SUV that has performed well in crash tests, the Alabama-built Mercedes-Benz ML Class has been plagued with reliability problems, reports Chris Chase. "The truth is that the ML is simply best avoided."    More...

[mdxtasy]

"but the truth is that the ML is simply best avoided."

Ouch.  Glad Mr. Chase has the cajones to call it like it is.  Wish more new car reviews were so blunt.  I test drove a 2001 ML a couple years back.  Being a previous MB owner, I thought I'd give it a whirl.  There was no way I was remotely interested in such a beast.  The new generation of ML's look a lot better inside and out.  Think they worked out the reliability problems?

[AVToller]

I got to test a bunch of them in the snow on Mt. Seymour back in 2001, including the AMG version. I had a lot of fun driving them, but preferred the agility of my Forester. 

[Snowman]

Yep, I know a few X-5 and ML owners who will never buy German automobiles again.

[johngenx]

Yep, I know a few X-5 and ML owners who will never buy German automobiles again.

The ML brought a whack of new folks into the showroom, and promptly convinced them that they goofed.

Not only did they take home the least reliable product in MB's line-up, but they got a vehicle equipped with down-market switch gear and interior materials.

Common problems...

1. Check Engine Light.  ML owners get sun-burned from the CEL.  Mostly things like crank position sensors, Air Mass Meters, Fuel Pressure Regulators and other easily solved (with money) problems.  Highly annoying.
2. SRS malfunctions.  For some reason, the ML suffers badly from SRS problems.  The most common is the failure of the BabySmart sensor in the passenger seat cushion.  Easy to fix, just replace the sensor!  Just bring money for the part and the labour to take your seat apart and reupholster it!
3. While the 4-matic systems are deadly reliable on the cars, the ML's have some incidences of transfer-case failures.
4. HVAC failures.  Evaporator temp sensors break, and always when it's 36C.
5. COMAND screens.  All the ML's came with the screen based radio system and I guess they don't age gracefully.  Newer ones run the HVAC as well, so you SOL to install an aftermarket radio.

BMW built the X5 to compete with the ML, and for some reason they figured lack of reliability would be one area they'd run with.  It's a race to the dealership between the two for a repair...

[Bullet Blue]

I always thought that it looked a bit like a minivan. Especially from the back.

[Snowman]

A friend of mine and his boss has both leased new V8 XC-90’s because of the experience with the X-5. As there is no BMW dealer up here his boss spent many days running down to Barrie for repairs. Some times it left on a flatbed. Since the company is Swedish owned they scored point when getting the Volvo’s. Life sucks when you get a $70k car allowance.

[msian]

I always thought that it looked a bit like a minivan. Especially from the back.

Yup...I still remember way back when they started to show up on the roads around here, my wife unknowingly said: "Hey, I didn't know MB made minivans too!?"...

[msian]

I always thought that it looked a bit like a minivan. Especially from the back.

Yup...I still remember way back when they started to show up on the roads around here, my wife unknowingly said: "Hey, I didn't know MB made minivans too!?"...

Although we saw one of the newer ones yesterday and that obviously didn't look "minivan" to her anymore!

[Shnak]

I always thought that it looked a bit like a minivan. Especially from the back.

Yup...I still remember way back when they started to show up on the roads around here, my wife unknowingly said: "Hey, I didn't know MB made minivans too!?"...

Although we saw one of the newer ones yesterday and that obviously didn't look "minivan" to her anymore!

The new ML has to be the most attractive SUV on the roads at the moment. What a gorgeous machine!!

[PeterPan]

A friend of mine and his boss has both leased new V8 XC-90’s because of the experience with the X-5. As there is no BMW dealer up here his boss spent many days running down to Barrie for repairs. Some times it left on a flatbed. Since the company is Swedish owned they scored point when getting the Volvo’s. Life sucks when you get a $70k car allowance.

And the point being? XC-90 has had very dismal reliability ratings and Volvo is hardly known as a "luxury" brand anyways. They charge and arm and a leg for a product that is hardly above average, with the Ford under pinning and all.

[Trainman]

A friend of mine and his boss has both leased new V8 XC-90’s because of the experience with the X-5. As there is no BMW dealer up here his boss spent many days running down to Barrie for repairs. Some times it left on a flatbed. Since the company is Swedish owned they scored point when getting the Volvo’s. Life sucks when you get a $70k car allowance.

And the point being? XC-90 has had very dismal reliability ratings and Volvo is hardly known as a "luxury" brand anyways. They charge and arm and a leg for a product that is hardly above average, with the Ford under pinning and all.

And the point being in responding to a 4 1/2 year old post?   

[johngenx]

And the point being in responding to a 4 1/2 year old post?   

He's a little slow in formulating such a witty and informed post...

[BJB]

And the point being in responding to a 4 1/2 year old post?   

He's a little slow in formulating such a witty and informed post...

...and don't get me started on the chevy nova...

[Thinking Out Loud]

....and the 914 is NOT a Porsche.....