mbmatt89

Hello, My mother has had multiple C's, but I am turning my problem ridden domestic in for an ML350, I found a loaded 2004 in white. Its a family friends, and since I'm starting law school in the fall, I want a more sophisticated vehicle, but I do not want mechanical problems.

Here are the specs (albeit limited) on the vehicle.

2004 ML350
80,xxx miles
Loaded

What problems if any, can I expect and would an offer of about 9k, work.


Thank you very much,

Matt

sosh

Keep in mind "never buy a used car from a friend or sell a used car to a friend". Well over average miles. Could be looking at higher than normal maintenence costs. At 100K which is not too far away plugs. Perhaps a trans fluid change, maybe water pump, Hoses belt, maybe transfer case, plus a myriad of other possibilities, Could be big bucks and tough on a "poor" student. Go for a lower mileage ML if you insist on an ML or even go for a new econobox of some sort that does not lighten your wallet.

Benzo 003

I would have no problems buying a M/B from a friend as long as they could provide a service history. The miles are low on the national average of 15k per year. 12k if you lease.
It's all in the service history. If it was well maintained, hop in and enjoy.

sosh

Seen many friendships destroyed by business deals and car deals between the friends. You are way off on the average miles in the US. Its about 10000Does not matter if its a lease or purchase. Check the national figures!! These things get expensive as they age and accrue miles. Its lots of cash for a student to put out to correctly maintain one.

Benzo 003

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_th...ear_in_america

Benzo 003

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...6111620AAumXyQ

Benzo 003

http://www.ul.ie/techcomm/ELearning/...ndhandcar2.htm

Benzo 003

here's a lease deal only allowing 10k per year before penalty......hmp!


http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...danAPRILAd.jpg

I am not looking for a debate Sosh....a little computer work backs me up....Sorry your friends are not on the up and up, but there are plenty of "friend" deals that go very well too. I would love to buy a used car from not only someone I know, but someone who has the complete history of the vehicle. Any other used car deal is a crap shoot on what you are getting.

mihir_d

Don't buy high mileage cars from friends/familiy - chances are, it will end in a sour note and soured relationship..

Sosh is right, the truck will be due for about $3K in regular maintainence alone at the 100K mile mark...

Even if you get lucky and escape chassis/power train/major bodywork issues, there are plenty of expensive things that could go wrong at that many miles..

Door locks, CPS, Oxygen sensors, CATs, ABS pump, fuel pump, AAM and this list can go on and on...these are all all $300-$600 items....and are known to go wrong between the 90K-150K mile mark...

In student life, I would certainly advice a newer econo ride Vs a high mileage ML...

sosh

Thanks Miihir, some of these young kids just do not get it!! Guess it takes some life experience to understand. As for the average mileage here again you believe every thing you see on the internet! Car dealers figure its about 10K per year as do leasing companies. I for one drive each of my MB's about 5 to 7K per year and my Corvette about 1000 to 2000. The number represented that you sent could very well include commercial vehicles which raises the bar substancially. I also believe that that number was for "asian cars" which are econoboxes for the most part and are driven by young people. This segment of the population and the econobox segment does also drive more.

mbmatt89

Well Ive had an econobox for a while now and I just came up on the deal. I am looking around though, I want an ML320 or 50. Also what about a 4matic such as a 280 or c320 can those go in the snow relatively well. Where Im going to law school is in the mountains and gets a lot of snow.

Thanks for the help so far.

Benzo 003

Mr Sosh,

12-15k per year is not your version of average mileage. Non-retired people that commute rack up plenty of miles not to mention recreational driving for weekends and get aways.
Crusty ole retirees just dont drive as much as the working force does.

Not to mention, no purchase price has been listed. What if this vehicle is so reasonable that the 3k of maint. coming up may not be so out of line? What if the poster is a DIY person and can do the majority of the work?
Sosh I read your posts, you run to the dealer FOR EVERYTHING. Maybe some people can save money on a used deal by doing their own work.
Get off your high horse and get more info before sending this person off to purchase some stranger's car that he just got back from the race track where he and his friends beat the crap out of it. That would be a much better purchase.....

sosh

The C 4matics do well in the snow limited only by their ground clearance and the tires used. It is an entry level vehicle but albeit a nice one. Lots less to operate than an ML but still an MB.

sosh

Firs off I am not retired. I did commute a 50 mile round trip from my home to the airport every 3rd day. (was in Europe for the time it sat at the airport) The one busines I have left is only a mile from my home but I am out and about doing business stuff every day. Every weekend a 200 mile plus round trip to my beach house. And, by the way stats show that retired people in many cases drive more than the work force. They are out and about in their vehicles every day and also do long trips.Your situation in Chicago may be different but I know many people that do the commute from Arlington Heights or Barrington every day to the loop area who do not put on over 10000 miles a year. I am going by dealer and car mfgers marketing stats. I will not get into a deeper contest with you but you just believe what you wish.

Benzo 003

Sosh,

I agree to disagree. BUT......

simple math here.....Arlington Hts to the loop is approx 35 miles one way, so 70 miles round trip. There are 260 work days in a fiscal year.

260 X 70 = 18200....not to mention ANY other driving. A tad more than the "less than 10k" a year you stated.

I am out of this....MBMATT89 - sorry to have hijacked the thread a lil, do some comparisons....keep in mind the piece of mind having access to the previous owner.....somewhat priceless. There is no wondering what happened to this car, in this car....If the seller's other vehicles are hopefully pristine, it will give you an idea of what you're in store for.

mihir_d

I am the owner of a prestinely kept ML320 with 145K miles on it...it was purchased brand new in 2000, so it is a single owner - all 145K miles are california miles - this is as good as it gets..

The CPS, Oxygen sensors, fuel pump, MAF sensor, spark plugs, CATs etc. are all consumables - they have nothing to do with how well the truck has been kept - they all need replacement between the 80K & 150K mile mark...

And they all are expensive to replace....

The AAM, ABS pump, wiper motor, door locks etc. are a hit & miss - the door locks and window switches are actually not a hit & miss - they are known to go bad after the first 3-6 years.

In short, a high mileage ML is expensive to maintain - period - if the truck has not been maintained well - it is only going to be worse...

A $2000/annum budget to keep up with these trucks (including tires, brakes & oil changes) after 80K miles is not unreasonable..

A relatively newer low mileage ecnobox would need less than $500/annum in comparison for the same...

My wife's a student who drives a 2008 Nissan Rogue (kind of an econobox compared to the ML) with 30K miles on it.

I am living through both stories in my household...

And we both put 12-15K miles/annum on each of the vehicles...both have a 20 mile each way commute to work...

sosh

Mihir if anyone would know this it would be you. Its likely that you are the longest term and highest mile original owner of a W163 on this board.And yes you seem to take quite good care of the ML.