blackbenzo

I still have the original battery. Bought the car new in Aug 00. Have 48k miles
I've added distilled water regularly.
Never seen a car battery last this long.
I'm amazed!!!!

springerfever

Six years is absolutely amazing !!!

I would seriously consider going ahead and replacing it. My factory battery lasted four years and the Autozone replacement lasted three years. More than likely you will need replacement within the next year, and, in the ML, these babies are notorious for being fine one day and dead the next.

Rather than the possibility of getting stranded, I would suggest calling the 1-800-FORMERCEDES number and have them come to your house to replace. No labor..just the cost of the battery. I think mine was $140.00. Absolutely no hassle, piece-of-mind and they will reset all your electronics.

I had mine replaced about a month ago......

p.s. how about posting a picture of your C2......

poptopclk

Well the battery is in the trunk on the w208 so the major enemy of battery life is not at play. Heat & vibration are a battery's worst enemy.
Mine is 02 / 2001 Stuttgart and 48,000 miles. Battery is working perfectly!

blackbenzo

Here's a black and white of the fleet

PaulX608

I had the original battery in my 2001 ML430 until about three weeks ago when it went ****-up. Had a very nice experience w/roadside assistance, and now I guess we're good for another 5 years or so.

cyeung65

Still have the original battery in my 00 ML320. 37k miles. In service Jul 00. I have the base package, no power seats. Who has replaced with the MB battery? Seems like an amazing battery. How much $$$ for it?

springerfever

MB battery is 130.00 to 140.00 installed . You could also opt for the MB gel battery...same dimensions.. but pricey at $300.00.

I think your ML is pretty rare. I saw a base model ML320 at Atlanta Classic back in 2000. Kinda' nice with the cloth upholstery and not so many do-dads.

How are your seats holding up......and try to download some pictures. I bet a lot of members haven't seen a base model.........

Benz_nut

Mine last 4 years plus...decent I reckon...

cyeung65

$130 installed is not too bad, considering a good aftermarket battery is upwards of $80 + Installation. I will check with MB how much they charge to carry out.

When I bought the ML, it was a birthday/wedding present for my then fiance. It was also the first MB I ever bought - so low price was a high priority. Sticker was just over $37k. Drive out with TTL was about that. No tinted windows, no leather, no power seats, no climate control air, only the sunroof option. The seats look as good as new. Fabric is nice and smooth, the vinyl areas are not worn looking. Only a 1 inch tear in the drivers side vinyl where possibly something sharp got caught at one time.

Since then, I have upgraded to 2002 projector headlights with an H7 HID kit, CD changer, and NAV. Also put in the 3rd row removable seats, they are grey leather, not a match but the cloth ones are almost impossible to find. The fog lights are from a 93 Lexus ES300 (Blasphemy? But I like the color and beam pattern).

springerfever

Looks like you have taken good care of your ML ! I like those seats.

MB battery installed will be less than $140.00. Think I read somewhere you can buy it over the counter and do-it-yourself for $115.00...

hanniep

mine had the original battery from 01 to Feb 06 when that sub zero weather killed it! $140 installed engine and trans codes had to be reset,...what a pain!!

N1PRJ

Dec '01 ML430 - still original battery, but after reading these I guess I should expect it to bite the dust soon.

I have added distilled water to it twice.

blackbenzo

whats involved in resetting the engine and trans codes.

I just have the radio code for mine or am I missing something?

cyeung65

How long was the battery dead? Maybe that has something to do with it. Or if there was an attempt to jump start it and somehow a power surge upset the computer?

///AMG55

I have had the same battery since march 01' nothing gone horribly wrong but the other day my remote key fobs stopped working replaced battery in them but no change it doesn't make sense or does it???

Kar don

wow, i had the original battery up until 02/06. 1999 ML320 65k miles in service 02/99. It wasn't dead when i changed it either! It was on its last legs though.

sosh

Battery in my 98 ML320 went from new, April 98 till I traded in Aug, 01 and was still perfectly fine. My 02 ML 500 Battery failed after 3 years and this was picked up during an inspection at my dealers on a load test. This replacement battery failed on the road 8 months later and was replaced by roadside assistance. My take on all vehicles is that battery life is approxamatly 4 years.

cyeung65

Not the batteries in this thread, but....
When the fob battery went dead, I had to reprogram the remote. Simple process explained in the manual.

AndrewAZ

I had mine in my 2000 ML last for 6 years 53,000 miles and might I add that the Hot 120F summers in AZ take a toll on batteries.

roy tho

8 yrs orig batt (2002) ml 320

boardboy330

Dead thread mang!

Original OEM Battery still in my truck...(sticker says it was installed in 3/00)