2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML320 from North America - Comments

I myself do not have a Mercedes nor would buy one (due to price) but Mercedes-Benz make great cars... and yes its true that the automobiles across the board from Asia to Germany to England have been declining in reliability, but come on guys... oil? you are complaining about oil? well if you learn to check it for yourself and not wait for the idiot lights to come then you wouldn't have a problem. those lights are called idiot lights for a reason guys come on learn to check your own fluids... the comment about idiot lights is not directly at your guys, but at the light itself cause they never ever work...

Also did you know that Benz (yes as in Mercedes Benz... Benz being one of the creators of it) was one of the first people to build a practical gas-powered engine? I don't think they would make a crappy motor after basically starting it.

To the folks from June 4th with the Mercedes that wouldn't start, a possible alternative explanation:

When you were in Europe, your darling son thrashed the crap out of it and ruined it, and now is playing dumb, ala "Oh gee, Ma, the darned car won't start and I just don't have any idea why..." Something went wrong with the oil? Sure, it stopped circulating after he seized the bearings by doing 100 in first gear through a cornfield.

Quoting the comment on 4th Jun 2006, 07:06: "I don't think they would make a crappy motor after basically starting it."

That's the problem with marketing, image, and prestige. Once a brand makes a name for itself the manufacturer can afford to cut corners by dropping quality in order to save money. The people who actually buy the cars only find out years down the track they have been conned. Everyone else who never owned a Mercedes-Benz made during the bad years of 1997-2003 makes glib comments about how it must be the user's fault the car broke down, or how Mercedes simply isn't capable of making a faulty car. After the merger with Chrysler it's widely acknowledged by owners, the motoring media, and even DaimlerChrysler themselves that vehicle quality dropped markedly because of cost cutting.

Other manufacturers kept their high standards or improved during the same period. I disagree that cars 'across the board' are dropping in reliability.

It is the worst car I ever had! so I had to sell it in about a year. I love this brand and their comfort and reliability, that is why I had to go with the ORIGINAL GERMANY MADE ML320.I paid a lot more, but since 2002 I have never ever had ANY problems with it. So IT DOES make a difference where the car is made.!!!

I am an owner of a 2000 Ml 320, no serious problems on it so far. This might be the cheapest Benz ever built. The car doesn't have enough power. Like I said I didn't have any problems with the car, but I'm thinking of getting rid of this ML because of it's lack of power!!! I have a 17 year old Alfa Romeo 164s that cost me 3,000$,it runs and performs 5 times better than the 30,000 dollar Mercedes. I suggest if your looking for an SUV, the Mercedes ML is not the best choice.

We bought ours after my wife totaled my Land Rover. We were looking for a car with as good or better safety rating. We well, she like the looks of the ML320, a little too minivan if you asked me. So far I have had to replace the wind blocker on the sunroof 2 times, the drivers side window track and the brakes several times. I also had the small hose to the radiator fixed.

The dash seems to have a new warning light every month. I am lucky to have a friend who isn't afraid to work on it (services all our cars). The latest this month is the airbag light.

I have read all the comments above and think that MB has since moving manufacturing to AB has lost it's rep as a leader in the automotive world. Mom has always had a MB (early 80's till 2000) and she will never buy another since her "gliches" with her S-class. I wish we would have listened to mom.

I own a 2001 ML320 and after reading all the comments in this thread I am realizing that I am not the only one. I thought maybe I have a lemon but seems like all are lemons. My friends make fun of me since their Toyotas run like champs and I keep taking my luxury car in for repairs like …

Window motors (replaced)

Central console switches (replaced)

All 4 brake pads and rotors (replaced)

Synthetic oil evaporates somehow

Rattling parts inside

Engine bed needs to be replaced.

I am waiting to get rid of this Mercedes and going to try BMW. I thought I would be a life long Mercedes owner but this ML320 will change all that.

A very unhappy Mercedes owner in CA : (

Hello all of the poor ML320 owners. Like many other buyers I thought I would be purchasing a quality vehicle that had a prestige marque. Mine is a 2000 USA built vehicle and I live in Australia. It wasn't until I looked on the net I saw that you don't buy a US built Merc. The vehicle had travelled a mere 59,000 K's. The drivers door window motor stopped working. Next was the drivers door window switch (had to replace whole master control panel.) I looked under the old one and saw 'Made in Mexico" Then the crank case heat sensor went, then airbag sensors for front passenger seat went. Engine blows a puff of smoke when first started. I have only had Japanese made vehicles and never had a problem with them until well into the 400,000 k's mark. Buyers beware Mercedes are not quality vehicles.

I own a 2001 ML 320 and my experience has also been disappointing (83,000 miles). I equate Mercedes to being a top quality vehicle... so not the case. I have spent thousands of dollars since I purchased the car from the previous owner.

- Windows make noise when going up and down

- Sunroof broke and had to replace part

- CD player doesn't work

- Constantly replacing brakes and rotars

- BAS/ESP light continues to come on no matter how often I take it in to get repaired.

- Replaced crank shaft

- Leaking reservoir for steering.

That's just what I can remember off the top of my head - there's more...

My previous car was a Honda Accord and I had no problems with that car. I had scheduled oil and filter changes and I had to replace tires - no major maintenance at all (boy do I miss that car).

I'll never buy another Mercedes - it's just a name. So not worth it.