gothamgoon

I bought a used '99 ML430 a couple of months ago with a few known issues at the time of purchase. At first I was worried that I had made a mistake with all of the negative feedback about W163. Now I have almost all of the issues sorted out and although I cannot prove it I do think that the previous owner is actually to blame for most if not all of the issues I knew about when buying it and the issues I have uncovered while repairing it. From using low octane gas, not attending to regular maintenance of the vehicle and even possibly letting someone work on the vehicle that appears to have no mechanical ability whatsoever and should never have touched it.
One example: last week while taking it for a test drive I heard a bang under the hood and the exhaust noise went up and it started running as if one cylinder had died. I thought the engine was done. I opened the hood and saw one of the sparkplugs hanging out of the engine attached to the coil wire! that was the bang. I checked and found that over half of all the spark plugs were loose, some more than others. I also found that the coil wires on a couple of the cylinders were reversed, a,b. I took it all apart. I tightened or reinstalled all spark plugs and wires and coils. My ML430 is running smoother and stronger than since I bought it. Engine even has 212,000 miles, no leaks.

KillaKev757

I just purchased a 00 ML430 a few weeks ago, as you all the negative feedback I read had me nervous as well but just like you, the more I work on it the more I love it. Just did a tune up, replaced brakes, rotors, and struts just to be safe. Now I only have 2 lights on, lateral accel sensor and steering angle sensor. Both will be replaced this month.

JimKatconowitz

Thats great that your Ml is running prime, for general maintenance at 212,000 miles have you looked into servicing your transmission?