sLickfITY

I am in the process of buying a 1998 ML320 w/75,000 miles. i checked out the car and i could tell it needs a valve adjustment, they ran a Carfax report for me and it all checked out good but you cant really trust that report alone. How much does this valve adjustment service run for at a certified MBZ mechanic? They are asking $17,900 which fairly reasonable but i am kinda iffy about the engine. they are offering a 3yr/35k mi. warranty for 2k extra on top of the sticker. Can any of you guys tell me what i should look out for next time i check out the car? Thanks this would be greatly appreciated.

Brandon

mbtech208

The ML320 has self-adjusting valves that never need adjustment. What kind of noise are you hearing?

sLickfITY

im hearing a constant ticking noise when i start the engine up. what could this be?
BTW:thanks for your reply

mbtech208

All of the SOHC V6's and V8's have some degree of a "tick-tick-tick" at idle, which is the sound of the fuel injectors clicking open and closing. This may be all you're hearing, though I'd have to hear it to be sure.

Chuck V

Haven't looked at prices on the 98. Check out the blue book price to see if its a deal or not. Don't even think about a 98 though without a good warrenty.

DougWW

Kelly Blue Books shows this to be 13,900-14,000 as a private party sale and 17,900-18,900 retail. The 98's had a lot of problems, rear tail gates that rattled, fuel pumps that just stopped working without notice. Keys that failed, and a host of other problems. You might be better off looking at a 1999 or later when a lot of these problems were solved. I have a 99 and have had the fuel pump problem and door locks that failed.

Doug W.

sLickfITY

well i am going to buy the 3 yr 35k mi warrenty for it. i may just keep my options open and still look. Everything seems to work fine when i check it out (knock on wood).