springerfever

Well, its been a while since I've been on the site...but, I'm Back!!

ML is running great. I have given it to my son, a junior at Duke University. He's on a work/study program this summer, so I have commandered the ML for two months and I am addressing a few issues.

1.Driver seat slightly 'rocks'. No smart-aleck remarks please. My son, after taking posession of the ML, yanked out the Bose headunit/amplifier/speakers and replaced with JL amp/subwoofer/Alpine head unit and Focal door speakers w/Dynamat. Incredible sound !! Anyway, I thought the four seat bolts might be loose, so I removed them and in the process also removed the unused Bose sub from under the seat. Replaced bolts, torqued them down and still the seat rocks a bit when under acceleration. Anybody had a similar problem or possibly suggest a fix ?

2. I would like to get a new remote key. Dealership wants $200.00 for a new programmed/cut remote key. Anyone found a cheap alternative? I see them advertised on Ebay, but no need to purchase if I can't get it to work with my ML. FCC ID code on the key itself is : NCZ MB1K

3. Need to replace the ML430 plastic engine cover. Please don't ask how it got cracked. Get this: dealer wants $500.00 for this part. Absoulutely incredible ! Anyone got one they would like sell cheap ?

FYI.......ML is still running great. Still original (knock on wood!!). I've replaced all four shocks (quite a while back) and had to spring for a new (to me) transmission a few years ago, but other than that, she is rock solid. I've already gor the MB 250,000 kilometer badge on her grill and in approximately another 25,000 miles, I can apply for the 500,000 kilometer badge. I know........WE DON'T NEED NO STINK'N BADGES!!..but, it's still pretty cool to rack up this many miles on a great vehicle.

I've found two great deals lately :

Mobil One 0W40 available to purchase online at Autozone for $3.99 quart and pickup at your local Autozone store. So far I've gotten about 40 quarts. Join their Rewards club and after 5 twenty dollar purchases you get a twenty dollar credit on your next purchase. See below:

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/cat...e=nysQuestions

Also, a great horn upgrade for the ML is the Fiamm combination 72012 and the 72102. These mount in the stock locations but you MUST run in tandem with a dedicated relay to get maximum power for maximum loudness. With a voltmeter, if you are getting 12.5 or higher voltage, these are awesome !!


Lastly, anyone need stock Bose headunit/amp/subwoofer for a very reasonable price..? Let me know !


Glad to be back........anyone got a higher mileage ML out there ?

dave_gt

Nope...but right behind you! Just ticked over 200,000 miles last week and the 250,000km badge on the grille + Certificate + Letter + Binder are awesome!

Check with Sports and Imports in Atlanta for the engine cover. After that, call Tom Hanson at The Classic Center for MB. Other'n that, there should be some junkyards around but I haven't visited any around here in years.

I have a similar Alpine head unit mainly for the Sirius radio (lifetime subscription).

Rocking driver's seat? Well, I feel a little motion periodically but nothing major yet. Will check into some folks around who might can fix it. You might give Jonathan a call at his shop in Lawrenceville...

Jonathan Hodgman
Blue Ridge Mercedes/AMG East
http://www.blueridgemb.com
Offering Enthusiast Service, Restoration and Tuning.
(404)805-1357

BTW, are you a member of the MBCA? If not, we would love to have you join the Peachtree Section!

dave_gt

Hmmm...just checked the link you gave out and Autozone quotes the higher price at $7.99/qt. What am I doing wrong?

springerfever

Not sure, Dave. I revisited the site and it came up 3.99/qt. Forget the link and just google Autozone. Upper right corner search engine punch in Mobil 1 0W40. Still reads 3.99. As a matter of fact, while out running errands today, I dropped by the Suwanee location and cleaned 'em out of 0W40. Your best bet is to buy it online and arrange for store pickup. Their website will direct to to the nearest location.

No, I'm not a member. Once my son gets home, the ML will be headed back to North Carolina. Thanks for the suggestions on the seat and engine cover. I'll give him a ring .

frogstaple

Mine only has 51,000 miles. At this rate, I'll die before my ML.

LMA1973

These are great vehicles!! I have a '99 with 108K in mine and she runs like the devil.

Stiggs

Its great to hear that she is running well!
I have 131K on mine and plan on getting up to your range! Of course I have some rust issues that are cropping up. Not sure if the body will last that long.

When I need odd parts such as your engine cover, I go to e-Bay and look for junkyards parting out ML's. I needed a new gas door because mine rusted out, so I found one on e-bay for $25. Much better than what the dealership wanted for one. Check it out. The key is look for something big like doors or other big items they are parting out, then call the seller and ask what other parts are still on the truck.
Good luck!

Wile E. Quixote

This might be the same problem I had on my 1999 ML320. There's a bracket under the driver's seat that holds the motors that move the seat back and forth and up and down. This bracket can break. Mine broke and I had the same problem you did, the seat rocked back whenever I accelerated. I replaced both seats (which was a real learning experience, or a pain in the ***) to fix the problem. You can check to see if the bracket is broken by removing the plastic cover on the outside of the driver's seat and then seeing if you can push the seat back. If it is the bracket that is broken you'll see where it's broken. It's kind of a pain in the *** to repair but can be done. Let me know if this is the problem with your ML and if you're interested I'll send you the extra seat bottom that I have lying around for the price of the shipping.

lupers3

I have a 2000 ML430 with 185,000. If you want the engine cover i'll sell you mine for 200$. lol I have to replace my CPS this week and i would like to replace my driver seat leather and headliner

springerfever

Well, my sons' 99 ML430 just ticked over 300,000. She's still running great. He headed back to school today and other than topping off all fluids, adding a few psi to the tires and reattaching a mudflap, all is well.

One other thing.....I had read about this problem a few years back and to be honest, it didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. A LEAKING REARVIEW MIRROR !!! Lo and behold, when I went to adjust the mirror, there was this gummy stuff leaking out of the bottom and the mirror was all messed up with dark areas and a dull blue tint. Called the dealer...would you believe $650.00 for a MB rearview mirror. I picked one up at AutoZone for $15.00. Unfortunately, it did not work with the windshield mount which is part of the ML glass, not just a stick-on with mirror adhesive. Removing that mount (according to AutoGlass, you run the risk of breaking the glass.)

Plan B...ebay....nothing there and I didn't want to buy another mirror that might have this same problem a year down the road.

Plan C...check THIS website for other owners and their solutions. Voila !!!
See website below for company which FIXES the problem for $79.00. You send them pictures of your mirror, they contact you. You pay $79.00 and they send you replacement. After you swap mirrors out, you mail defective mirror back to company. If you don't mail core mirror they charge you $200.00 core charge. I'll let you know how it works out !

http://www.sybesmas.com/contact.html

Stiggs

300K...nice!
My rearview mirror leaked too. I was lucky to find a used one on eBay for cheap! If you wait long enough one will come up for sale! Only thing is I didn't know how to replace it so I had the dealer replace it for me. I think they charged me like $50 or even less.

I think I'm up to 139K miles now. Can't wait until I hit 200K!

willpower

This is great news, especially after reading a bunch of horror stories about the W163 in other places. Just picked up my 99 ML430 with 96K KM, so I'm glad I'll get to be rocking it for a while!

springerfever

Willpower,

If you are not running Mobil 1 0W40, swap over on your next oil change. I have used this synthetic since day one and change it myself every 10,000 miles.

old98

I am back too...looking for a different answer, but stopped by this thread since I saw a low milage post ....we gave ours to our daughter a year or so ago...our 98 320 now has 244K on it running well...a big oil leak that I was just living with and adding oil. but last night the oil leak is so bad it has been spraying on the serpintine belt..which I knew...but never thought it would get as bad as to slip ,burn the belt off and she lost the power steering, charging system and such....only good thing she was just a few blocks from home....I am a bad Dad....now to try and figure out the oil leak and fix.....sorry for rambling and hijacking the thread.....BTW I still think its a great car...we have had it since 01
have used Valvoline synthetic blend 5-30 for ever...changed no more than 5000 miles between

willpower

Thanks!! Just wondering, why 0W40 specifically for the ML? I've always used Mobil 1 10W30 for my W202, and have a huge stockpile of it when a big box retailer was selling it for $10/qt.

willpower

so I'm hoping I can use up the rest of my 20 or so quarts left in my garage LOL

Springer: did you also change oil filter every 10K mi? And did u go factory or generic?

springerfever

willpower

My sons back from college with the ML and an oil/filter change is definately on the list of things to do. I change the oil and the filter every 10,000 miles. Mercedes updated their filters a few years back and you want to make sure to use a fleece-type filter. I use a Mann Filter....HU718/5X. I bought a case of them a few years back. I think in bulk I paid about $12.00 each. Dealers wanted about $20.00 each, probably more now.

I suck the oil out of the dipstick tube using a Mity-vac that I had for an old Chris-Craft inboard many years ago. It works GREAT and extracts 99.5% of the oil out of the crankcase. No crawling up underneath the chassis and its a very pleasant, two-beer job. I always look forward to it !!

Good luck with your ML. Ours is still running great !