ML320 was a nightmare
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Tampa, Florida
C320 wagon
just the facts
Well it was so horrible i didnt want to relive it.... but here ya go. sun roof broke wouldnt retract, windows wouldnt roll up, check engine light continuously on even after 6 services, leaky radiator overflow, computer controlled transmission failure, ABS brake system errors. Most of these required multiple visits and often didnt provide resolution. Finally convinced MBUSA to terminate my lease and take the vehicle back. Thats when the joy of dealing with MB Credit began.. but thats another post
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Tampa, Florida
C320 wagon
MB CREDIT
Apparently between the dealer, the regional MB USA service rep and MB Credit communication is a challenge. They tried to collect the lease termination fees and outstanding monthly payments. In fact this started back in July 02 and is just now getting resolved after many letters and phone calls.
I guess one good thing came of all this i purchased a black C320 wagon and really love it. Much better gas mileage as well. Maybe, sticking to the ones built in Germany is the answer :p
I guess one good thing came of all this i purchased a black C320 wagon and really love it. Much better gas mileage as well. Maybe, sticking to the ones built in Germany is the answer :p
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Canada
2000 ML
Re: MB CREDIT
Originally posted by jjcast
Apparently between the dealer, the regional MB USA service rep and MB Credit communication is a challenge. They tried to collect the lease termination fees and outstanding monthly payments. In fact this started back in July 02 and is just now getting resolved after many letters and phone calls.
I guess one good thing came of all this i purchased a black C320 wagon and really love it. Much better gas mileage as well. Maybe, sticking to the ones built in Germany is the answer :p
Apparently between the dealer, the regional MB USA service rep and MB Credit communication is a challenge. They tried to collect the lease termination fees and outstanding monthly payments. In fact this started back in July 02 and is just now getting resolved after many letters and phone calls.
I guess one good thing came of all this i purchased a black C320 wagon and really love it. Much better gas mileage as well. Maybe, sticking to the ones built in Germany is the answer :p
Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
ML500
It would be nice if the plant in Alabama could get it together and build a quality product. Both of my ML's have been great, no complaints. But, this country needs to get back to a level of quality that instills confidence in buyers.
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis MN
'03 C32 LET Stage I
Alabama/Germany
IMO its not Alabama verses Germany, Mercedes is has been having quality issues for sometime now. I bought my 2000 ML 320 in 2000 brand new and have had wheels balanced/aligned at 12,000 and again at 24000 miles, had oxygen sensor replaced at 21K and 32K (same one), had rear struts replaced (squeaking badly), had fuel pump and lines replaced, power steering hose replaced...
My friend bought a '98 E320 used with 48K miles and had the following problems: water pump replaced at 51K, ball joints replaced at 55K, catalytic converter replaced twice (same one) at 57K and 65K, oil sensor replaced and is bad again, power seats do not work properly intermittent problem, light bulb fuse every two months. Yesterday he left lights on and drained battery. MB road side assit. jump started the car, but it lost all use of power windows, locks and seats. Car also ran very rough after jump start and had to be taken to the dealership for recalibration of some sort. Car uses a quart of oil every 1K mile.
The moral of the story is that it is not where it is made Alabama or Germany, MB quality has been going down hill due to price reduction. One of my friends has a '88 190E, purchased in 1988 for $31,560. 190E equitant today is C240 which is also about the same price if not less. Now how would one explain this price over 15 years of time, only reduced quality can explain this.
My friend bought a '98 E320 used with 48K miles and had the following problems: water pump replaced at 51K, ball joints replaced at 55K, catalytic converter replaced twice (same one) at 57K and 65K, oil sensor replaced and is bad again, power seats do not work properly intermittent problem, light bulb fuse every two months. Yesterday he left lights on and drained battery. MB road side assit. jump started the car, but it lost all use of power windows, locks and seats. Car also ran very rough after jump start and had to be taken to the dealership for recalibration of some sort. Car uses a quart of oil every 1K mile.
The moral of the story is that it is not where it is made Alabama or Germany, MB quality has been going down hill due to price reduction. One of my friends has a '88 190E, purchased in 1988 for $31,560. 190E equitant today is C240 which is also about the same price if not less. Now how would one explain this price over 15 years of time, only reduced quality can explain this.
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Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
ML500
You're probably right. There's such a push in recent years to maximize profits/shareholder value at any cost. Manufacturers most likely try to save money in areas that they think customers won't notice. But, the overall quality of the vehicle as a whole is reduced, and people may not notice any individual cost saving part but the general impression becomes negative.
That's what I'd expect out of GM & Ford, but not MB, BMW, or Porsche. Such is the world we live in.
That's what I'd expect out of GM & Ford, but not MB, BMW, or Porsche. Such is the world we live in.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Tampa, Florida
C320 wagon
Quality VS Cost hmmmm
I agree, I turned my E320 '99 in this past fall, car was great for first two years, but year 3 wasnt so great. Had to have entire steering assembly replaced, still not sure what happened to it. Used to be a Mercedes was good for years and years. I really loved the E, but decided to downsize to the C320 wagon, which is nice but definitely not in the same class as the E. I ve only had one intermittent issue with it, the ABS system warning has triggered a few times. No explanation from the dealer as to why. You know though i would rather pay a little more and have the quality back. Or keep your teleaid & GPS Nav systems, I have a cell phone and can read a map.... put the money back into the vehicle systems and quality that really matter.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
ML350
You thought you're ML was bad.....
My '01 ML320 was such a piece of junk, that MB of NA took it back and gave me a new one for nothing. Not only was it a new one, but it was an '03 ML350. This 350 is so bad that it has less than 3K miles and has spent days in the dealer and now has an appointment with a factory rep to get it fixed because the dealer (the second dealer) is stumped. I say, buy Japanese cars. You visit the dealer twice - the day you pick it up and the day you buy your next one.
Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 82
Likes: 1
From: Sevierville, TN
2000 CLK320 Cabrio 2020 E 450 Wagon '92 VW
Re: ML320 was a nightmare
Originally posted by jjcast
ML320 so bad I gave it back
ML320 so bad I gave it back
Last edited by woodyww; Apr 2, 2003 at 07:08 PM.
