wpeace

Thanks for the forum don't know where esle to turn. Have a 2002 ML500 with 103K miles. Have meticulously maintained it and have been rewarded for my efforts with expensive failures that have nothing to do with owner maint. Here is the crux. Just spent 2K on maint at 100k miles and today 1 month later I have a failed Crankshaft sensor and a failed ESP module. Both failed at the same time which is curious but none the less they need to be fixed to the tune of $1700. I cannot afford to keep this up. Thoughts on pros and Cons of trading for another brand and sucking up the abysmal 18K tradein value to ensure I don't keep bleeding repair costs or keeping this vehicle to recognize the return on my sunk costs. Thanks in advance and BTW if anyone is looking for a well maintained ML500 in the DC area I can make you a deal

Militant-Grunt

If I were in your position I would sell.. 100k miles for an 02 is a LOT. Im suprised they still want 18k for it. With that high mileage the thing will just depreciate at a alarming rate.. an ML 55 with 80k miles go for like 22k on ebay.. So 18k for an ML500 wouldnt sound too bad..

pointman

sell, no question about it. that is very high mileage. i am also really shocked that you were offered that much of a trade in figure. i would take it and run.

wpeace

As a follow up I'm surprised at the comments on mileage. Reason I purchased the ML was my belief that I would have reliable longeveity. Is that a mis perception on my part that everyone would agree with?

GDawgC220

definitely not. MB's (engine and drivetrain) wise are made to run and run for a long time. It's really the electronics that tend to go bad over time and of course, wear and tear parts that just wear out, no matter what kind of car.

If it's been maintained well and relatively trouble free, keep it. It'll go on an on as long as it's properly maintained. But like I said above, things do fail over time and mileage because parts just wear out...and the electronics failure (sensors, pumps, etc) are expensive to keep up with.

There have been a number of ML's with over 100k as well as other MB models. A member on here as over 200k on his '99 ML430 and still running fine.

People think that MB's will run forever and they don't factor in the cost of replacing worn out parts and such, which are VERY expensive depending on what it is. A lot of things tho can be DIY to save money, such as spark plugs, fuel filter, coolant flush, oil changes, etc. That's the big misconception...it's not cheap to maintain an MB with accumulating miles or age for that matter.

But they are built to last (engine and such)...proof with all the MB's running around and lots of older MB's as well. Just depends on if you want to keep up with the maintenances/repairs.

mihir_d

One of the books on the design and making of the ML says, a test vehicle had been made to accrue a staggering 1000000 miles and had all of its critical components tested to perform that long before being put in in to actual production...

At 100,000 miles, the truck's vital components have started failing...my 1995 Nissan maxima with 165000 miles is having far less problems than the 00 ML which is at less than half that mileage....

gocargo

The ML is not a lightweight Camery or Civic, it's nearly a 6000 pound body-on-frame 4wheel drive vehicle with lots more moving parts. New, it's priced very competitively when compared to domestic and import SUV's that are closely equiped.

How much is a $40,000 (when new) Tahoe worth when 4 years old with 100,000 miles and no warranty? LESS than the Mercedes. The drawback to the older Mercedes is the repairs and parts are generally more costly... but your vehicle has higher resale and a more apealing brand-name recgonition.

In 2007 when my my extended warranty is up, I will probably look to the w164 CDI due to my 1000-mile road trips and I already buy diesel for my Cummins turbo-diesel Ram 4x4 so know the good fuel stations.

-brett

springerfever

I feel your pain. Its incredible how these vehicles have depreciated over the years. You always take a huge hit when you buy new and rack up the miles.

My 99 ML 430 just turned over 222,000 miles and still runs/looks great. If I were to sell it, it probably wouldn't bring more than $8000.00; which is absolutlely amazing to me considering all the things that I love about the ML.

As a matter of fact..when my son turns 16 in less than a year, the ML will probably go to him, if he can pry my fingers off the steering wheel. To me it is one of the safest cars on the road, handles well, has good visibility, and the all-time four-wheel drive is great in rain/snow and off-road. And what other SUV offers the low-range ? This baby is built like a tank...

When vehicles reach 100,000 they will require more maintenance, but as GDawg pointed out. you can do alot of it yourself. Its actually pretty easy to work on. Exactly what did they do on at 100,000 miles that they charged $2000.00 ?

Your decision is not an easy one. IF you can get 18,000.00 cash for it, I think I would sell. But if they are just offering you the 18 for a trade-in on a marked up new vehicle, I'd pass. Get a trusted mechanic to do a full check on the vehicle from top to bottom, start your own maintenance program, and set aside a fund for when a major item might need replacing..such as transmission/ ac compressor/etc. Also figure in what your new vehicle payments would be along with the increased insurance. How long you gonna be paying on that baby ?

BTW.......if I do pass my ML along to my son....know what I'll drive ?

I'll be looking for a fully depreciated ML for less than 10 grand that has a meticulious service record and no re-occuring issues such as MAF/ crankshaft-sensor/ME unit/window switches/OBD codes/etc history.

beemaze

I have a MY 2000 ML430 on which I purchased the 4 year/100K mile extended warranty for a bargain $2000. Currently it is at 67,000 miles. I plan on getting rid of it a few months before the warranty expires as the cost of warranty repairs made after 50k miles has far exceeded the cost of the extended warranty.

Good luck!