Many silly little electrical / trim problems, which I would have thought would have been resolved by now - considering how long the ML has been in production.
Battery failed at 15,000 miles.
Door locks keep on playing up - dealer can't seem to fix them.
Fuel gauge next to useless.
Clock gains about 10 minutes / month.
Window got stuck down.
Remote entry system keeps on playing up.
Car alarm goes off at random times - usually in the middle of night.
Tires are wearing unevenly and no, it's not been curbed or off road.
Drivers power seat gave out at 12,500 miles.
Random warning lights, which the dealer can never replicate.
Front pads shot at 11,000 miles - just been in for service, now it needs new pads and rotors all round, which are not covered by warranty $$$$. We drive it very gently.
Potentially a great SUV with great safety features, but way too many problems & defects for a true MB.
The writer is exactly correct about the many small defects of the M. But the most critical things is the brakes. I own an M (and am urgently going to get rid of it). The brakes have always been a problem. The first set of front pads were replaced at less than 12,000 miles. The second time (under 20,000 miles) it was both the front and rear pads! The next time it will undoubtedly require new rotors as well.
The pads are very expensive. The rotors are amazingly expensive. The dealer keeps trying to justify this obvious design defect by throwing it back on my driving. Well folks, I was trained as a mechanic as well as an engineer. I know design problems when I see them. I'm quite sure that the dealer is just giving me the MB "party line" but I'm not stupid. Unless I pulled a 5,000 lb trailer or drove down from a mountain every day, there is no justification for this kind of brake wear.
I bought a 2003 m-class for my wife. in a nut shell it has been a wonderful vehicle. it is safe and comfortable and accommodates 5 persons very comfortably. we just did the infamous brake job @ 22,000 miles... it was 275 dollars. if you can afford to buy a 40,000 dollar truck how can you even say this is unreasonable, stop whining. And as for the GM product, I just returned a chevy blazer that was on lease 6 months early to buy a c320. the chevy had 14,0000 miles after 2.5 years b/c we couldn't stand to drive it compared to the ML350. And finally the blazer was made in mexico and the ML350 was made in vance, alabama, so I don't feel so bad driving a "german" car.
M.
We have owned several Mercedes vehicles in the past and the brake pads are soft. They are that way for better braking and it is the price you pay. Just be careful and replace the pads early and never worry about the rotors.
The ML320 is one of the best 4 WD cars we have had, and it has stood up to the Alaskan roads without any serious problems. Extremely comfortable and we feel very safe in it.
I will say that it does rattle more than we are used to for a Mercedes, our other ones can go 10 years before there are any noticeable rattles. Not this one. But we still give it a strong 2 thumbs up!
I was just informed by Mercedes-Benz Manhattan that by 2004 ML500 with 18,000 miles needs new brakes and rotors...$1,300.00!!! I love Me-Be's, and this one is my third. However, this seems to be a rather extensive and expensive repair for such a relatively new vehicle.
I also have a ML500, 2004 with 15,500 miles. The brakes started squeaking after two months. I returned to the dealer 3 times with this problem and was told that I live in a humid state (Alabama) and Mercedes brakes are noisy and squeak in humid areas. I am not stupid, but I could not get anywhere with the dealer. I just took the car back again since the problem is even worse and at 15,000 miles I am now told I need new rotors. I do not tow anything and only gently drive the car. Mercedes corporate of course could care less and told me they do not cover brakes, do not consider this a design flaw and basically said they had no intention of even considering helping. I am going to get rid of this problem vehicle and I would urge anyone considering a luxury SUV to avoid the Mercedes M class unless they correct the brake flaw. This SUV is obviously too heavy for its brake system. I am really disappointed in MB, and will never make the mistake of purchasing another MB vehicle.
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