Help please - looking at buying an 05 ML500
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,289
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From: Indiana
2003 AMG SL55, 2002 AMG CLK55, 2002 AMG ML55, 2005 ML350, 1995 S320 LWB - totaled
Help please - looking at buying an 05 ML500
Hi Guys and Ladies,
As the title says my wife and I are looking at buying and 05 ML500.
How are the newer ML's vs. all I have read about the earlier ones?
Have they fixed alot of the earlier issues?
We did drive it and it was rock solid.
Thanks in advance for your feed back!
As the title says my wife and I are looking at buying and 05 ML500.
How are the newer ML's vs. all I have read about the earlier ones?
Have they fixed alot of the earlier issues?
We did drive it and it was rock solid.
Thanks in advance for your feed back!
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 260
Likes: 2
From: New England
1990 190E 2.6, ... 1998 ML320, 2005 ML500SE
I have both the first and last year W163's. I love both but the 05 is much improved over the 98 but also much heavier. As far as problems they have been about the same, very few problems with either year.
Mike
Mike
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 429
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From: Westchester, NY
E55, C32, ML320
We have the 98 and other than running through brakes relatively quickly, it has been great. We're thinking of getting another one and I'm trying to make the same decision: 05 vs 06. My wife prefers the body style of the 163, but my friends at MB say the 164 is the better way to go. Next time I bring my car in for service, I'm going get a 164 loaner and check it out more closely.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 864
Likes: 1
ML
Buy it. It's great. I have one and I love it. I had a 02 320 for 4-yrs and then got a 05 500 (hoping that the issues will disappear with the 05). Well, the electronic issues are still there, just different, However, not nearly as many as with my 02 320. Overall, the 05 500 is a much better built machine than my 02 was. Expect the BAS/ETS/ABS/...XYZ lights to pop up and if you do mostly city driving, you'll eat brakes for breakfast, lunch and dinner while sipping down a lot of gas.
Now, here's an interesting point that EYEDOCML320 brought up - the 05 500 is basically a 04/05 350 Special Edition without the V8 motor. Gas mileage is a wash, really. The 350 will be less expensive (well, maybe!). I have driven a bunch of 350s and they're no 500. The 500's thirsty V8 is a joy to punch. In fact, I just made a 18hr run from New Orleans to Salisbury, MD today and the 500 was a thrill to drive. I was doing mostly 90 with five adults and loaded trunk, and the truck was so, soo, soooo responsive I couldn't wipe the grin off my face. If you really don't care much for the power, the 350 SE is really a better buy.
Now, find a 05 500 Sport model and you'll have the best of all. I have the Sports model and the it just looks so much better than the regular body design.
In any case, just don't jump into the purchase. Check the car out thoroughly - VIN check, private mechanic check, service records, etc. When ready, come back here and post questions. Please do not buy before coming here to ask more about whatever you find!
Now, here's an interesting point that EYEDOCML320 brought up - the 05 500 is basically a 04/05 350 Special Edition without the V8 motor. Gas mileage is a wash, really. The 350 will be less expensive (well, maybe!). I have driven a bunch of 350s and they're no 500. The 500's thirsty V8 is a joy to punch. In fact, I just made a 18hr run from New Orleans to Salisbury, MD today and the 500 was a thrill to drive. I was doing mostly 90 with five adults and loaded trunk, and the truck was so, soo, soooo responsive I couldn't wipe the grin off my face. If you really don't care much for the power, the 350 SE is really a better buy.
Now, find a 05 500 Sport model and you'll have the best of all. I have the Sports model and the it just looks so much better than the regular body design.
In any case, just don't jump into the purchase. Check the car out thoroughly - VIN check, private mechanic check, service records, etc. When ready, come back here and post questions. Please do not buy before coming here to ask more about whatever you find!
Last edited by Darkmann; Jan 3, 2009 at 02:19 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 260
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From: New England
1990 190E 2.6, ... 1998 ML320, 2005 ML500SE
Mike
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Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 864
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ML
Yes, I have a 05 500 Sport. When I got it, the dealer said that was the last one available in the country - I'm not so sure about that though. I live in the east coast and the truck had to be shipped from the west coast, so he may have been right somewhat!
Last edited by Darkmann; Jan 3, 2009 at 09:19 PM.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 260
Likes: 2
From: New England
1990 190E 2.6, ... 1998 ML320, 2005 ML500SE
Mike
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 864
Likes: 1
ML
That's almost correct. They don't have the nice gold one as in previous brochures. However, if you look at the last page of the 05 brochure, on the right column of options, you'll see Appearance Package listed as an optional package. That's the one!
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 50
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1990 300TE
As stated if you can do the sport it is worth the search. I have an 02 sport ml500 and it took 4 months to find.
I've just had the cats replaced under warranty by MB but other than that just a rear lock buggered up.
Standard
Sport (mine)
I've just had the cats replaced under warranty by MB but other than that just a rear lock buggered up.
Standard
Sport (mine)
