I am a bit frustrated so I thought I will share this with you guys. I bought my ML320 from an indy luxury car dealer in Houston. This shop is pretty well known for Ferrari and Porsche repair. They have a small lot onsite selling BMWs and occasional Mercedes.

My 97 E420 (123K) was leaking TX fluid so I drove in to discuss repair costs, and saw the 2000 ML320 with 114K. It seemed pretty good and had not been cleaned yet so I saw it before detail got to it. There were tiny cosmetic/detail issues but something I immediately noticed was the PS was making a whiny noise.

I test drove and liked it and for $4500 or so difference, I got the ML. The sales person noticed my leak and split the repair cost on the tx seal fix ($300 my share) In return, they fixed all the nicks and nacks on the ML. Since they did not have the PS Pump, they gave me an IOU on the power steering.

It took them two months to get the PS pump and now the ML has been with them for a week. The shop owner said he put on a new pump and the noise was even louder. Now he is ordering a return valve/pipe or something for it. He calls it a nightmere ML. (This is the ML they sold me!)

Also the salesman came on to me and said, he is pissed because after the transmission leak fix, they had to replace some module on my trade and it cost them another 300 or so bucks so I should share the cost of PS repair.

I have never heard of anyone complain on a trade after two and a half months of the sale and still trying to sucker money out.

Funny, other than the noise (and it wasn't very loud, I just wanted it fixed) ML is great. I like the color, the ride, the AWD, the MCS, etc. I am happy because nothing has broken on me since the three or so months I aquired it. I was actually stomped when the salesman dumped that bit on me saying I traded a sucker on him. I still miss the E420 - It was a hellova car. The ML will do more for me (towing a jetski) otherwise there is absolutely no comparison between German E420 and US made ML320.

What do you guys think about the PS Pump. I have a feeling that these people got a remanufactured pump or there is no reason for it to make noise after fresh replacement. Any comments? The salesperson no longer wants to talk to me and has become rude. (Its a single owner repairs / single sales person team and they play good cop/bad cop). They still have the ML and looks like I will not get it for the Memorial Wekend.

 

Of course they got the cheapo part from some no name backyard factory. I've had the PS noise on both my 01 E430 and my 02 Ml320, and in both cases, the PS rack had to be replaced - luckily for me, both were warranty repairs. I get the feeling that's what's on your plate.

Don't buck one way or the other. I would start looking at the applicable lemon laws in your state, just in case. Ask them if they used an OEM part. As for sharing the cost, that's the biggest BS in the book. You signed a contract and they are bound to it, period. If they don't like it, ask to take the vehicle to a MB shop for repairs and make sure they sign paperwork agreeing to pick up the tab.

Good luck and hope this all works out well. Keep us all updated please, this in quite unique and interesting legally.

 

Here's the update. After two PS Pumps, The noise is louder than before and I am told the shop cannot do any more. At this time they are basically telling me to get lost. Per shop owner, they have spend a lot over what they made on the vehicle, and are not willing to do any more because there is nothing in writing and no resolution that is economical for them to do.

Unscrupulous Ba$tards!

Now I have a vehicle with "louder" PS whine than I had before they attempted to repair it and I am at a loss. You can hear the whine turning, parking (louder) and less loud when idle. Before the pump replacement, you could only hear it when turning or making a U.

It feels like driving a Ford Taurus or an Explorer because the pump noise kills the joy of driving this fine vehicle. I am sad, pissed, and more pissed when I think I trusted this shop.

I guess now I have to pay outa pocket to have the PS rack to be replaced since pump, return hose etc have already been changed.

I paid almost retail for this truck because they promised to do all services including transmission (they did), electronics check (they did), tires, detail etc. and two remote keys. BUT the biggest one was the PS noise and the least of my concerns bcause I thought, its a shop, PS is no problem for them.

Yeah right!

Anyone - please give me any ideas. I feel sick thinking of putting more money down the drain on this truck. I love the truck but dunno how much a rack replacement would be. Any ideas on that?

I still have my trip computer that I ordered off ebay sitting here and absolutely NO desire to put it in because I don't feel like driving the truck until PS NOISE is fixed.

 

Look, you bought a very used 6 yr old car from a nondiscript "dealer" who sells everything. What do you expect. Fix it and drive it!! (Lemon laws do not apply to used vehicles in most States)

 

SOSH, I was never looking into lemon laws to begin with. Where did you get that idea?

I know what I stepped into, except that they were supposed to fix the PS problem, and now I am stuck with it. We knew there was a problem and had mutually agreed to having it fixed before I bought the vehicle.

All I am looking for now is a resolve. Other than the pump, and the hose, what else can I replace to solve this issue? Is it the rack? I don't know much about PS systems so I am asking for I do not get taken by the mechanics.

I repeat. Other than the rack replacement, is there any other ideas or solutions? If majority opinion is rack, how much should I expect for parts and labor?

thanks.

 

If they took 2 months to get a PS pump , then they oviously waited to get a second hand one .... which appears faulty! .....

 

The lemon law comment was in regard to a previous post in this thread. I am aware that you did not mention it. Re the pump, Its likely that they purchased a used or rebuilt pump that is not from MB. I believe that the noise is from the pump. It could also be from the rack but not as likely. Are you certain that all the air was purged from the system?? Take it to a MB dealer, have them fix it pay the bill and get on with your life.

 

You should take your ML to the nearest Benz dealer and let them take a look at it for thorough inspection and second opinion.

 

Thanks Sosh. I think I wil do that. Next time I am buying from a "real" dealer because they usually at least do what they promise. the little shops/dealers are a pain later.

If its just the pump, I will be happy. I guess I am stuck at this point so I will take care of it the right way. Thanks for everyone's response.