I have a 2000 ML430 with approximately 145,000 miles on it. Recently I have noticed that when taking off from stop, it takes a while to accelerate. It just seems slow to really get going, but once it does it goes too fast, almost as if it was compensating for the speed it did not have while it was just sitting there and I have pressed on the pedal. It takes about 4-6 seconds from when I press the pedal, to when the car actually accelerates. Any ideas on what this could indicate?

 

The first thing you should do is have someone stand behind the truck and while in drive release the brake pedal and have the person tell you if the brake lights go off exactly when you release the pedal. Do this a number of times to make sure. If the brake lights remain on then the Traction Control Module senses that the truck should not be moving and the delay will occur until the brake lights go off.

If that is not the problem then try this relearn procedure for the throttle. If that doesn't work then you will have to see if there are any codes stored, regardless if the CEL is not illuminated.