2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML430 review from North America
"An expensive piece of junk which is pseudo MB 'wanna be' - don't buy one !"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Total of 26 warranty claims for broken equipment, major ones as follows.
Fuel pump failed
Alternator failed
Battery failed
O2 sensor failed
Front power seat motor failed
Drivers window switches failed
MCS unit failed
Rear gas struts failed
Remote entry system failed (twice)
Entry keys failed
Rear seat came loose
Front passenger seat came loose
Auxiliary cooling fans failed
Leaky water reservoir
Rear brakes wore out at 16,000 miles, but no warning light
Plus all manner of rattles and squeaks too numerous to mention.
General comments?
The ML is a good design, but poorly put together and let down by the poor quality of the components used.
The inadequacies of the assembled vehicle are compounded by patchy service coverage at some dealers and the 'couldn't care less' attitude of MB USA.
For a $50,000 SUV this is not good.
The ML is seriously damaging the MB brand name and doubtless losing MB many customers - myself included.
On the plus side the ML is doubtless a very safe truck - when it's running OK.
But ours has left us at the roadside or inconvenienced too many times to be considered 'truly safe'.
Recommended reviews
| High price mechanical boondoggle! |
|
| A terrible, terrible vehicle |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Year of manufacture | 2000 |
| First year of ownership | 2000 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | 4.3L V8 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 1 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 0 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 7 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 0 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 1 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 0 miles |
| Most recent distance | 41000 miles |
| Previous car | Porsche 911 |
| Date of Entry | 11th February, 2003 |