Dallasgreg

Hi All, I'm considering trading in my 04 Acura TL for an 03 ML 350 Inspiration Package. The MBZ has 34K miles and is in good shape. I'm needing something that is more rugged and can hual kids more easily. Price is ~ $25K. Looking for pros / cons and experiences with this year MBZ. Thanks in advance.

jorantes

no cons... 2003+ best year MLs made...

have no problems with mine yet... @ 60k mi...

inspiration package has UPGRADED METALLIC PAINT, ML55 SEATING, LEATHER ARMREST (NOT CHEAP PLASTIC), EXPENSIVE DESIGNO WOOD TRIM (ACTUALLY REAL WOOD), AND THE WIDER ML500 WHEELS AND TIRES and ML55 SILVER GRILLE... CANT BEAT THAT...!

jorantes

OH AND BTW... THE ACURA IS POS COMPARED TO THE MERC... I HAD AN 03 TL S-TYPE WITH NAV AND TRADED IT JUST AFTER 2 WEEKS...

deutscheramg

inspiration package rules!

deutscheramg

hey acura isnt that bad, what theyve done w/ revamping their entire fleet of cars is amazing they all look so much better than before and dont show too many traces of the past look at an 03 TL to the 06 TL much better improvement if i do say so myself!

MJ50

just picked up 04 ml350 inspiration edition last weekend.
just make sure it's CPO.
i'm loving it... too bad wifey drives all the time...

Darkmann

It's really really difficult to go against the replies you've gotten thus far. A TL for a ML, well unless you really really need the room. Any ML built after 2002 is quite good - not as well built as the Acuras - but just good. I had a 02 320 and it was too problematic for me (too many little things went bad). I now have a 05 500 and it's night and day compared with the 02 320. It's had its share of issues, but not nearly as bad as the 02 model. So you see where I'm coming from.

Here's what I will say: don't expect the Acura build or the Acura customer service. You may not have any issues, but more than likely, electrical issues will get you one way or the other. Research the subject vehicle very thoroughly, get the history and buy any warranty you can.

MJ50

btw, i traded in 2003 Honda Accord EX-L sedan with Navi for ML.
the only thing i miss from honda is oem navi... but soon i'll put AVIC-D1 on my ML... no regrets whatsoever...

where r u located? the dealer i went to also had '03 ml500 inspiration edition available... fully loaded. i didn't get that one cuz i didn't want to get another black car...

Darkmann

I'd trade any Accord or Civic line any day for a MB product - the Accords are all over the place, they are boring and becasue they are near problem free, they are not exciting!!! I had an Acura break a timing belt on me (water pump seized) and nothing, I mean nothing, happened to the engine - there were lots of noises in the hood when it broke, but after pump and timimg belt were replaced and I was good to go!!! I was hoping the darn engine would go, but it kept on ticking. That's not exciting at all. Finally, my niece who was learning to drive at that time went out with me on a driving lesson. She took a corner too fast and we ended up (I mean up) on a telephone pole - the car slid up on the pole support cable and stayed there with its but on the ground at about a 45 degree angle. That's how I got rid of that vehicle. I like good vehicles, but perfect vehicles I don't care for!!!

Dallasgreg

Hi Everyone, I really appreciate your insight into the ML I am considering purchasing. This is a fantastic forum with valuable information. As I become an MBZ owner, I too will share with others what I know. Thanks again!

deutscheramg

Are you from dallas, seeing how it says Dallasgreg is your member name...?

Dallasgreg

Hi, really appreciate your advice and experience. So, I just purchased it today. When I took it home it had less than 1/4 tank of gas and the fuel light went on. So, filled it up with $50 of 91 octane and now the gas gauage won't show full (sits at O)... Is that one of the electrical issues you referred to in your reply? Thanks and hope to hear back from you...

Dallasgreg

I am from Dallas -- u?

AsianML

Sounds like it. But I'm not sure. I wish I had a link to the problem, you could probably do a search and find more about it.

Congrats on the ML btw, and welcome to MBWorld.

Darkmann

Yes, that would be one of them - a very much known one. It's your fuel sending unit that's messing up. Since you still have factory warranty on it, don't take it in yet. Nothing will get damaged. Drive for a week or two and note any issues you find with the vehicle. You may have the BAS,ESP,ABS thing or you may not have any more issues at all. But whatever you do, post your findings here first for more advice. After that, take the truck to the dealer for warranty repairs.

Dallasgreg

Thanks very much. I will do just that. This forum is great as so many people are willing to help out. Hopefully my knowledge will increase and I can contribute as well. Have a good one.