What's up?


My family is looking into a comfortable spare car for everyone to use and the debate has boiled down to 99-00 Lexus RX300 vs. 98-00 Mercedes ML.


Personally, I dig the styling of the ML more than the RX. I don't think either SUV can be called "manly" but the ML would be more so.


However, I keep hearing Mercedes horror stories. My cousin claimed the lemon law on his brand new problem-plagued E500. My neighbor claims his ML320 ownership experience has been *****ty and if he were to do it again he would have bought the Lexus or the Infinity FX if it were available then. And another cousin is pushing my parents towards the Lexus because she claims her new SL500 has had more problems in 1 year than her 10 year old Toyota Celica had in 10 years .


So, with that said, what problems have you guys had with your Mercedes cars, particularly the ML? What type of maintenance and repair expenses are typical each year?



Thanks for the help!

 

hi xenon,

i have had two ML's. an 00ML430 and 02ML500.
both have been trouble free. the only problem i have on
my current 02 is the trip computer keeps resetting. other
than that it runs great. lots of power and still solid. from
what i've read on these forums the new ML's have
better reliability than the older ones. if you want
a V8 get the MB...V6 maybe get the RX. right now the ML's
should be selling at a good discount because a new model
is near.

 

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=52658

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=53396

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=55243

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=43698

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=57947

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=56841

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=55630

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=57280

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=52549

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=57601

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=57084

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=57119

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=56932

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=56463

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=41574

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=55870

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=52394

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=55159

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=53723

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=53352

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=52986

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=52619

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=52547

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=48156

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=51361

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=40724

 

I would have to go towards the RX. I considered buying a ML320 before but the interior felt cheap and all the problems I heard from owners and reviews scared the living crap out of me. I didn't want to go through something worse than I have experienced with my E320.

I drove the RX300 for a week when my GS300 was being repainted because it got keyed. The car is as smooth as silk and it rides like a car. I'm not sure if you're going to go off roading (probably not) so it'll be a good car. It's a good SUV. I'd go with the RX.

 

Wow! You really must have no life.

 

>"Wow! You really must have no life."


Gekko
Registered: Aug 2002
Posts: 19

Noble C320
Registered: Jun 2002
Posts: 2483

 

This topic has been beaten to death so many times, but what the hey.

Alright, YES, ML's did have their share of problems, mostly mechanical stuff and plastics in the interior. But, that being said, it's not the worst SUV out there. It's one of the safest SUV's, has better off-roading capabilities than the RX (as the ML is built on a truck frame, not a uni-body frame), more room than the RX and the power is more than adequate, even the V6.

It seems like some people have absolutely no problems or very minor things (like the mentioned trip computer) and some others have been plauged with a whole slew of things. I guess it's just your luck which one you pick up, and this is not just with MB, every car company has this (go to BMW or Audi forums, even lexus forums, you'll see the same thing, so it's not just MB having problems)

If you were to get the ML, i'd honestly stay away from the 98 as that was first year production and missing a few things that were implemented the next year. I would go with a used '02, if you can, because over 1200 changes were made (mostly for the better), updated interior so not as much plastics, more of a MB interior feeling, and overall better build quality. But if you can't, I'd try a '00 as most quirks have been worked out over the first two years and you should be able to get a better deal.

You've probably read some of the threads on the RX vs ML...most people say that they pick the ML and some will pick the RX. You should really test drive both and see which you like and then factor in opinions and what you've read on forums.

Good luck, let us know what you decide on.

-G-

BTW, back to your original title about maintainance expenses, yes, when things break or in need of service, it's going to be a little costly. Example, out of warranty service, A service, which is minor runs about $250 I believe and the service B, major, runs about $450...so you can see even the regular service is up there. That being said, imagine repairs...most things are gonna cost about $500 (IE, airflow sensor, oxygen sensors, etc)...if you can get a starmark warranty or dealer warranty to cover items, that be best.

 

ML's are a rock, I hate them, but they still are pretty decent vehicles.

RX's aren't rocks. They don't have the ability nor honor of even comparing to a Mercedes. This is coming from a little spoiled kid with a LS400.

 

http://www.troublebenz.com/

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...8/mercedes.htm

http://mbspy.bacosys.be/mbquality.htm

http://www.mercedesproblems.com/


http://bimmer.roadfly.org/e28/messag...w13/13350.html

 

Haha, guess that about sums that up now doesn't it?


*********

Back on topic, I'd avoid the ML. I think the build quality is poor. I'd get the Lexus instead. Or Toyota.

 

Some people do think the ML is a bad vehicle and some think it's great. Honestly, I think it is overall a pretty decent MB SUV. It does it's job of hauling people around, being one of the safest SUV's out there, built well enough to go off-roading, etc.

Sure, there are some quirks here and there, but tell me what car company doesn't. Every batch, there are gonna be a few bad lemons and some are flawless and some have minor issues that can be corrected. I'm not saying the ML is perfect, but it's a great truck to own and drive. 02+ are pretty reliable in it's build and problems, as MB has worked most out with the first few years.

Again, it's all what your looking for...

-G-

 

wow you have the intellectual ability to click on my profile?

If you took it a step further it says about 4 posts a day! Gee that is a ALOT huh?

Like I Said before You must be the biggest loser to come over to another car site and to justify your purchase here.

You will never see me at a lexus site

end of story.

 

I would, honestly, stay the hell away from the ML. I've hear horrendous stories about them and every dealer I go to (been to at least five or six) has at minimum of 5 in the shop for repair.

 

Some people have horrible experiences with them and some others have no problems or very minor problems. It's kinda split down the middle. Guess if you got lucky, you got one of the better ones. So opinions would probably be 50/50 here.

 

Sorry, the ML cannot be recommended. Everyone I've known that had one got rid of it for something else.

 

some will love it and some will hate it.