This car needs brakes every 20000 miles.
It burns 1 quart of oil every 1,000 miles.
Air inflow senser replaced at 70000 miles.
Power window switched replaced at 40000 miles.
Weather stripping on sunroof and one door replaced.
One broken cupholder in front and rear cupholder broke as well.
Brake assist switchlight and ets switchlight failed at 50000.
Amazing,
My experience seems to parallel most of the reviews on this board. Many quality issues: Burns oil like crazy, goes through brakes every 20000 miles. Power window switch fails, cupholders break, weatherstripping falls off. Costs a fortune to repair at dealership and they nod their heads like robots and say "that's well within the specifications". I hope my transmission doesn't go -I hear ominous thumps once in a while. Just surprising that there are so many quality issues on a Mercedes.
On a postive note it handles very well in the snow and is solid.
I would not buy another Mercedes ever.
I agree with this assessment down to every detail - except that I had to replace my transmission at 80,000 miles to the tune of $6,000. I will never buy another Mercedes - which is really sad, because I loved driving this SUV - but reprehensible quality.
If you are thinking about buying one of these you better think again. Don't be fooled by the Mercedes-Benz name. I owned a 98 ml320, and it has went back to the dealer many times for little annoying problems. One MAJOR problem was that the piston rings were fried and they had to completely rebuild the motor. I put a lot of money into this truck and I had it until 2004. I couldn't take it anymore so I sold it. I should have made that move a lot earlier. The best thing I bought for this vehicle was the for sale sign. In 2004 I bought a mercury mountaineer and I love it. Sine 1998 was the first year of this model, they probably improved the vehicle after a few years, but I would ask an expert on these vehicles.
The only way to fry your rings is by not changing the oil. Mercedes engines have legendary longevity. 300k+ for gas engines and 500k for diesels is normal.
I am also an unfortunate owner of ML320 1998 model. My transmission went out of order as early as at 49,000km. I got it repaired and it again went at 1,2000km. Now the down shifting is a problem.
The ETS switch is a constant problem.
The fuel gauge is installed in the fuel pump and is faulty even in a new replacement part. Within a span of 120,000km, I replaced the fuel pump four times.
The brake pads need replacement at as low as 13,000km.
Front window roll up/down switches go out of order very often, and one has to replace the whole panel between the front seats, and not just the roll up/down switch.
If you do not use 4WD often, the engaging motor is jammed and 4x4 will not be engaged when required.
The glass holders break as early as 12,000km.
The engine misfires very often. Then you have to switch off the engine and re-start it.
The air flow sensor gets out of order very often.
My grandfather and my father owned a Mercedes in the 50's and early 70's respectively. I am therefore a third generation Mercedes buyer but I will never ever buy a Mercedes, and not only that, I will write in my will for my next seven generations not to buy a Mercedes!
All I want to add is that my 1999 ML320 has been fantastic!!! I'm a widow and mother of four and have fixed a few items myself.
Remember, cars are no different than your home... we use it, it supplies covering and in this case delivers us to our intended locations.
Why not be thankful for the use of a Mercedes or any vehicle for that matter.
Many in America are way too unappreciative of what they have.
Mercedes are phenomenal vehicles, this is my second and I wouldn't have any other car.
I'm extremely thankful to those that create such marvelous inventions that curry us here and there.
Hats off to all such inventors for making our lives easier and efficient.
Victoria.
I bought the 1998 ML320 brand new and now have 120K miles on it. I do have to put in a quart of oil every 1500 miles or so since about 90K miles, and have experienced some of the problems others have complained about. But most things were covered under warranty. Overall, I've been pretty happy with the car. Pretty good gas mileage for an SUV (I get about 18 city and 23 highway). I'll probably be buying a new SUV this year, but will miss my ML.
I have a 1998 ML320. I will say that most of the same issues I have had as well. I had an extended warranty and in the beginning it covered most issues so I felt no financial pain. But now the same things are going out. O2 sensor, driver power window switch, brakes every time I blink, and now the sunroof, 1 day after I spent handsomely to fix the A/C. Oh well my darling is 11 years old now and just needs fixing.
I love this vehicle so much. It is solid and has run so well. The engine has 191k and counting. I hope I never have to sell it. I am looking at a new ML class to buy. All vehicles give problems and besides this was the 1st year of the model, the first year! Let us be reasonable and accept the mistakes Mercedes may have made. Besides I think it was designed here in the USA... LOL!
My father owned a legendary 200E from 1979 (not the diesel) and we all love Mercedes-Benzes "The vehicles of the kings". I will keep buying Mercedes-Benzes.
Akin.
I am the second owner of a 1998 ML320 and have had it for 5 years. Last year my A/C started acting up and would only work occasionally. This year it didn't work the first three days I tried to use it, then it did work one morning only to NOT work again after coming out of the store. this happened two more times throughout the week (working only twice out of 8 days) and then it just stopped all together. It has now been a month and I am sweating. Have any of you had this problem?
Yes, I too have a 98 ML 320. Yes it had lots of problems and yes most fixed under warranty. Very few problem now. 12 years old. Found a solution for oil usage. Started using Mobil 1 for older cars 10W-40. Apparently available only at Walmart (who would have thought). No oil usage now. Do have the AC very weak now. Sure it will require a compressor replacement. But I get over 20 MPG in town and up to 28 on the road (26 road average). It has been a fantastically capable vehicle. Climbs anything, pulls anything, goes almost anywhere, very easily cruises 80 MPH, smooth ride and engine. Wow, still really like the thing.
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