Greetings:

I own a 2000 ML 430. It has a great history as you read shortly, however, I have a couple of questions so, please, read to the end.

I am the second owner. I bought it two years ago from a single guy who took excellent care of it. All of the service history is at the dealership where I continue to have it serviced every 10K miles.

When I bought it, it had 128K miles on it. Apparently there was a 'recall' on the 430's engine and it stated that if the ML was showing oil consumption, Mercedes would rebuild the engine up to 150K miles. Well, at 109K, this happened. Basically, I bought an ML with 19K miles on a MERCEDES total rebuild. Believe me, it looks, runs, and drives like new!!

I have conducted several upgrades such as the xenon headlight kit, wood trim accessories, chrome grill and door handles, 18" chrome wheels.

Today it reached 178K miles and is still running and looking new. You would have NO IDEA that it had that many miles.

Now the questions...

What I thought was worn out tire noise turned out to be a right front wheel bearing gone bad. At the same time I had a 4 wheel allignment, and had to replace a second break light sensor at the foot pedal. (God, do I have to replace the break llight sensor every two years?) At any rate, the noise is gone but the allignment is off.

1. Mercedes said I had a caster-camber that couldn't be adjusted thus giving me a 'close' but not perfect allignment. To replace would cost $800. I declined as my bill approached $1,000 for the work already done, besides the upgraded tires and wheels I just got. Also, it would be cheaper to replace a tire or two every 30K than to spend on a new Caster-camber unit.

2. Mercedes said they took it for a test drive and commented that it 'pulls to the left". When I drove it, I agreed, it does pull to the left, but ALSO the steering wheel was shaking like Kathern Hepburn!

3. Since Mercedes service isn't open on Saturday's, I went to a local garage and had the wheels and tires checked for balance. ALL FOUR WERE UNBALANCED! It drives much smoother, but still has a shimmy at 70mph +

4. We looked at the front set of caster-camber units and found no rust or anthing of the sort, does the rear suspension have a set as well? We didn't look.

If someone could direct me to a website where I can find the part/parts I would appreciate it.

I am also looking for a 'bone yard' where I can locate an ML steering wheel that has the wood inset to match the rest of the wood upgrades.

Thanks,
Scott
Indianapolis, Indiana

 

Hello, I have a 99 ML 430 with 99k on it, and I also have similar problems to what you have. But I actually have a question for you, I haven't heard of this "recall" on the engine if it consumes excess oil, my 4.3 burns about a quart per month under very sparse use. is this something I can take in and have done?

Thanks!

 

Try this website for parts, its the cheapest that I have found so far..

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...?siteid=213951

 

Believe that the warranty on the engine he is talking about is the one that MB offered re the suit about the fss and conventional oil use. Has nothing to do with burning oil but if the proved that this was the result of sludge hence the rebuild.

 

ah, thanks for clarifying. sorry to waste space on the thread!

-Erik

 

All the details of the FSS lawsuit are here - http://www.paed.uscourts.gov/documen...s/03D0139P.pdf

 

ah, thanks! I've been looking for exactly that!

-Erik