Hi guys,

Yesterday I became the proud owner of a 2000 ML430 (59k miles on it) and got it at a pretty good price: $20,500 US. Anyway, when i test drove it, it drove really well, and still drives well. I have a few questions that I hope you can all help me with:

I'm considering going to a nearby Mercedes dealership and have them do a "checkup" on the car, if such a thing exists. Is there somethign like this, and would you all recommend it? It's just i'd like to have the car checked out beforehand, in case something really horrible pops up.

Also, most of the nav CDs that came with the car don't seem to be recognized, but thankfully the one for my area does. Think I can get a replacement by NavTeq?

How much are an extra set of keys? I only got one from the dealer.

I'm glad I found this forum, i've already found some great info on my ML430

Thanks,
riz

BTW I live in downtown Washington DC

 

congrats on the purchase

got any pics?

there is such a thing for a "checkup"...usually takes an hour's labor to do (about $90-$100). Techs usually go over the car check for leaks/cracks/things wearing out and such. They usually either tell you whats wrong or write it in the service invoice.

You can get NAV CD replacements at the dealer...I think they're about $125? That's the price I saw last time, but it could have changed by now.

Keys are kinda expensive. The ML's use the switchblade remote and it costs about $250 to get a replacement/additional one and you have to order it through the dealer...usually takes a few days to get one from Germany.

Hope this helps!

 

Gdawg's on point. i agree, but remember prices vary with where you live. nav cd's in jersey are $175. the checkup could run you more so ask them how long its gonna take... you dont wanna be shocked when you come to pick it up.

oh! and welcome to the forum, this place is awesome with answers to everthing mb.

 

Only when your in the area the CD is for will it be recognized.

 

I saw a key for our MLs on sale on ebay...the manual shows you how to program it.....its pretty simple....I just got a 2000 ml 430 as well!!!! mine with 25k, I paid 27ish...

 

most keys that you see on ebay DO NOT work with your car. You can't bring in a blank in to your local dealer and have them cut it to match your ignition unfortunately. They have to be ordered from Germany based on your VIN number.

 

I have the latest 2004.1 set of nav cd's for the ML with a firmware upgrade.

 

thanks for all the replies guys,

you guys have already been really helpful!

GDawgC220, i'll call up a nearby mercedes dealership and hopefully set up some kind of appointment to take the car in. And I'll post pics soon! As soon as I get the car cleaned up a bit. The dealer didn't really care to keep the car clean inside and out, so i've gotta spend a weekend just getting the car back to what it should look like.

So far, I LOVE IT!!!! What an awesome car this is, let me tell you. A very huge improvement over my 1990 Cressida!!!!!! hahah

azinn, I think i meant to say that the discs were saying "unreadable" or something like that, but I sure hope it's just that i'm not in the correct area! That will save me a lot of money. I'm stuck with the older 1999 CDs and already there are places that I am going to that are not on the map.

Thanks all,
rizwan

 

Hi guys,

So i'm taking the ML430 to a merc dealership for a checkup next week.However, i noticed that the "OIL HI" light keeps going off every 6 or 7 minutes when i'm driving. Do you guys think it's safe for me to go to a regular auto repair shop *just* to have the oil drained?

thanks,
riz

 

yes...but hurry...you dont want to be driving around if there is a large excess of oil.

 

Hi Guys,

I fixed the "OIL HI" problem by having the oil replaced. Yeah I know i could've just drained it, but i figured I might as well put some nice new motor oil into the engine. I made an appointment with a nearby merc dealership to have a "Pre-sale Inspection" done (2 hours, labor = $195.80) to make sure things are OK in the car. But I have a couple of questions for you MB veterans:

What is the relationship between me and mercedes dealer if I bought the ML430 from some other, non mercedes dealer?
How does that make my relationship with a mercedes dealership with whom i've had no prior business? Is there some sort of "I'm obligated to help out anyone with a mercedes" kind of a mentality in the mercedes dealership? Is that dealership obligated to fix anything on the car that has been deemed a "known problem," such as the fuel guage issue, and the power steering hose clamp issue, even though I didn't buy the mercedes from that dealership?


Is it easy to get rid of detailing on the sides of the car? My car came with thin stripes on its sides.
It seems that I'm the only person whose ML430's color is "hunter" green (interior is tan). It has a very thin yellow stripe going along each side of the car which i'm not too happy about... and I wanted to get rid of it. How expensive is something like this? Hopefully it shouldn't require the card to be repainted...right?


It's only been 2 weeks and I already want to improve the look of the truck, both exterior and interior... what have you learned from your experiences?
Now, I don't want to ghetto-mod it out obviously, but I want to fix the center armrest (leather has come loose and is not smooth on the top), and the shifter has a slight crack in the top.
For the exterior, I was thinking of maybe getting a chrome grill for the front, but i'm afraid it's gonna look "cheap." http://formymercedes.com/viewAll_W163.asp (fourth one down) . Has anyone done this?


Think a better air intake is worth it?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...480520548&rd=1

I have been looking around for the newest MCS cds for the nav system, but I wanted to mention that I've already made copies of the only MCS cd i have: 1991.1 MCS CD8 - Mid-Atlantic. If anyone would like to know how to copy CDs, I'd be glad to help out. It's really not hard, and it's a wise choice to protect your investment. Though, i'm sure if you guys are already in this forum, you already knew that!

Thank again, you guys are very helpful,
riz

 

rizwan,

Congrats on the new truck. Wait until it snows. Do you get snow where you are? This thing is a beast in the snow. I love it!

As far as the dealership....just get off on the right foot with your service rep. They should be cool with it.

Definitely get a new grill. I have the old ML55 grill (now the ML500 grill). its the one with just the chrome stripes. Looks cool and its not too flashy. Sorry don't have any pics right now. Also got some fog lights installed. Hella FF100's. Had an independent truck guy do it. Those come in real handy.

What else....also had Sirius sat radio installed. All new speakers, new headunit, CD changer in glovebox, 13" Sub and amp in way back, and installed air horns. Those suckas are loud. I was sick of that wimpy ML horn. The guys at the independent truck place did the horns too. Love those guys!! In a non ghey way of course.

 

Congrats on your new truck. I would agree - get off to a good start with the mb customer service rep. My dealership has been fantastic. I got the extended warranty on mine as well. Especially with the '99, there are things that go wrong - lots of sensors etc. I like to keep everything in top condition and it could be expensive to pay for it out of your own pocket. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I have enjoyed mine.

 

thanks guys for your replies, i appreciate it

I do love this truck! SO far it's been an awesome experience owning it, and all my friends are jealous of it, it's great!

I have already bid on ebay for one of the ML55 grills, so hopefully that should be coming in soon. I'll keep you guys updated. I'd post a picture of the car, but living in downtown DC, you can't really get a good shot of the car (parked in front of a meter ). Who knows, maybe i'll get a chance to take it out of the city one day and shoot a few pics of it.

As for the service rep, even though I didn't buy the car from a mercedes dealership (from a used car lot in maryland), I havealready contacted the nearest dealership and have gone there to have a pre-sale inspection. While I was there I got them to fix the dents that were on the car from the previous owner (unfortunately the paint scratches are still there ). So, all in all i think that i've gotten off on the right foot with them. I'm considering the extended warranty on the car, although it is quite expensive for me right now.

Stiggs, DC does get snow every once in a while, and I can't wait to try the truck out on it!

Thanks for the replies,
riz

 

Hey guys I am in the same boat, and have a 2000 ml 430, and want to upgrade a few items. I need a cd changer and nav cd's.

Also I was thinking of changing the suspension set up. Has anyone done this.
I am not to concerned with lowering the car, just a better set up for handling.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks

Nafees Khaiser