ML series - any known issues?

Perhaps you can get a better deal when the redesigned ML hits the streets shortly?

Let's think............

Creaking tailgate Central locking electric window switches suspension struts poor fit and finish tortional damper falling off front of crank sludge heating and ventilation controls

Apart from those I can't think of any others just now. By far the most serious problem is the tortional damper issue as this is a heavy bit of kit to fly around loose between the engine and radiator. Quite common with the V6 petrol apparently. The suspension units come as a single part and are consequently expensive given that the springs are replaced even if you only need a damper.

Huw Huw

Easily fixed with a simple adjustment

Primarily only a problem on the 1998 and 1999 models.

Easily corrected with the revised part.

Other than the need for normal replacement, I am not aware of any chronic problems with the shocks or struts.

I'd have to disagree. While the 98 & 99 models lacked some of the "expected" luxury amenities, the later models, and especially the 2002+ models, have very good fit and finish. It seems that once most of the early "chronic" problems are resolved, the ML is proving itself to be a very reliable long-term vehicle.

Yes, one of the chronic problems that plagued the 1999-2000 models. It's an easy and fairly inexpensive fix as long as you catch it before the defective part fails.

I am not aware of this as a chronic problem. Keep in mind that engines used in the ML are the same ones made in the same factories as all other MB models. There's nothing special about the ML that would cause a sludge problem. There was an issue with excessive oil consumption in the pre-2001 models before they switched to full-synthetic oil from the factory.

Other than some complaints of inadequate cooling ability from the A/C system (which was significantly improved in 2002+), I have heard of no problems at all with the ventilation controls.

Like I said, it was a defective part that was not a problem on the 2001+ models, and is easily replaced as a preventative measure on the pre-2001 models.

I believe you are speaking of the rear struts. This is very common with a coil spring/strut cartridge arrangement. However, it is possible to buy the parts separately as aftermarket equipment.

I will add one other issue, which is the fuel sender/pump unit. There were many failures with the 98/99 models, but fewer with the 2000 model, and basically none on the later models. However, the fuel sender/pump, lines and filter were redesigned a few years back and subsequently there was a TSB that called for their replacement on all pre-2003 models. It is likely that most all defective 98/99 fuel pumps have been replaced, but the TSB for the latest pump/sender and larger lines might not have been performed. What this means is that if you go to change the fuel filter, it will require replacement of the pump/sender unit and the fuel lines because the old smaller filter is no longer made.

I would say that an ML that has been well maintained is a good buy right now with the W163 just days away. Again, these trucks had some rough reliability issues early on, but with those resolved, they have proven to be fairly reliable vehicles and overall, they are good performers.

I had a 2000 model and have to admit to having no problems whatsoever with the vehicle apart from the appalingly poor fit and finish, both interior and exterior. Cheaply finished low rent plastic with poor fastening abounded. I could have lived with this but not the poor ride quality which continues today. The problem here is lateral pitching. I continue to follow these vehicles sometimes and note the occupants swaying sideways on roads that appear quite smooth in other vehicles. My family could not stand this in the long term. Changed it for a BMW X5 which was in a different league as far as design and build quality, though not as mechanically reliable. I have now found my long term nirvana in the Range Rover which is mechanically similar to the X5 in so many ways but so far with even better build and reliability

It seems that once most of the early

I have no doubt that it should last well. I did not sell mine due to any doubt about long term mechanical reliability. I actually like the basic vehicle and would not have bought it if I did not. The build quality issues were certainly disappointing compared to most vehicles I have owned, even

Yes, before the front crank pulley, incorporating the heavy tortional damper, spins off into oblivion. Mine was a five cylinder diesel, lovely thing.

They had to switch to synthetic mb229.1 specification oil in the USA quite early on due to engine failures caused by premature lubricant breakdown. Quite why they did not specify the superior 229.3 oil from the begining is a bit of a mystery. It also points to a failure of R&D because the ASSYST intelligent service monitoring should have prevented such failure if it was calibrated properly for the oil used. Nonetheless this was a short lived problem which was sorted simply and early on in the model cycle. There should be no problems much after 1999 build and even these few would have been serviced with synthetic oil from early on and any failure fixed long ago.

Stiff lever operation with failure of the mechanical switching components [rods] on pre 2001 models.

I did not know this. AFAI knew they were one sealed strut but things move on and I would indeed expect fast moving parts to become more available and affordable as the model becomes older and more common.

At whose expense?

Despite my comments, I would agree with that.

Huw

Aren't these made in the US now? Nuff said.

They have always been made in the USA, except for a brief production run in Graz (all of which stayed in Europe). Most of the problems were not related to build quality in the MBUSI factory, but to poor quality outsourced parts (many of which came from Germany and Japan). As with most MBZ vehicles through the years, a majority of the problems were "annoying" and not related to safety or overall longevity. One of the most serious problems was a self-destructing harmonic balancer which was manufactured and assembled in the engine plant in Germany, and can also be a problem on other MBZ engines.

???? What the heck does this mean????

As far as I know, there was never any recall on it. If you can see the part number on the balancer, "112 035 00 00" is the bad part and "112 035 08 00" is the good one.