ML 500 quality
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 25
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2006 ML500
ML 500 quality
I was wondering what people's experiences have been with the 2006+ ML's in regards to quality. I purchased my 2006 ML 500 used last fall with 24K mi. on it and is has had issues ever since. First, it came with a transmission leak that was "missed" in the CPO inspection. After having the vehicle back for a day I noticed the driver's side window seal was faulty and creating lots of wind noise on the highway. The vehicle also developed a consistent buzzing rattle coming from the rear C pillar area, for which there was a service bulletin for but after being "fixed" still comes and goes. Today, after putting down one of the rear passenger windows, I realized that it pulled the window seal down with it. The vehicle also has the intermittent transmission lurch while coming to a stop that I've read is a known issue. Now I know these aren't crippling mechanical failures, but I expected a lot more out of a vehicle of this caliber. I literally haven't owned it a day without there being some issue that needed to be fixed on it. I'm considering getting rid of it before something major happens since thus far the problems keep on coming.
How have they been for you guys?
How have they been for you guys?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
I find the quality, fit and finish of my 06 ML500 to be excellent. This is my 3rd ML and by far the best of the lot. I have had no issues, even none of the so called "known issues". Looks to me like some of your issues were caused by the previous owner by abuse or failure to correct what he found in the course of routine maint. I believe that once you have these minor items addressed that you will enjoy your ML.
Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 136
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From: HK
2010 BMW F10 535i
My 06 ML500 had only 1 issue -- the failed power lock, dealer fixed it for free and so far this baby has been behaved flawlessly.
The overall quality performance of W164 is way better than that of my ex W211 .
The overall quality performance of W164 is way better than that of my ex W211 .
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 429
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From: South Florida
2006 ML500
My experience with Mercedes is that if I let one thing stay broken...alot of other things seem to quickly follow. Also, they seem to like to be driven rather than be garage queens.
I've been happy with the quality of my ML500 so far......(knock on wood)....I have 23k miles.
I've been happy with the quality of my ML500 so far......(knock on wood)....I have 23k miles.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 61
Likes: 1
From: idaho
gl 450
I bought a used 2006 ML500 in that had 5000 miles on it. I had it a year and had multiple problems with it. Every 2 months I had to take it back in for something or other. I traded it a year later and got the GL450 and kept it for 15 moths and never had a problem. I now have a ML550 and it has been trouble free. It also seems to be a great improvment over the ML 500 in almost every aspect. I know that MB had targeted the MLs poor reliability back in 2006 for improvment. By all I can see their quality has imprroved 10 fold since then.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
I bought a used 2006 ML500 in that had 5000 miles on it. I had it a year and had multiple problems with it. Every 2 months I had to take it back in for something or other. I traded it a year later and got the GL450 and kept it for 15 moths and never had a problem. I now have a ML550 and it has been trouble free. It also seems to be a great improvment over the ML 500 in almost every aspect. I know that MB had targeted the MLs poor reliability back in 2006 for improvment. By all I can see their quality has imprroved 10 fold since then.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: United States
2008 R350 & 2008 C300
I had a 2006 ML 350 and it liked to visit the service bays monthly. New problems would always pop up the more miles I put on it. I'll chalk it up to being the first year for the new model, as it seems the newer models have a lot less problems after they have made countless updates to everything.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
2006 ML500
Thanks for the feedback. I'm trying not to overreact since I really do like the car, but it's tough when I can't put together a few months of trouble free operation. You know how it goes; I might be one window seal repair away from a couple trouble free years, or these might be the first few in a long line of headaches. It's a bit frustrating when you trade in a 30K trouble free car and get a 45K problematic one, but I'll try to be optimistic. https://mbworld.org/forums/images/icons/icon12.gif
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 284
Likes: 1
From: New York, Westchester
2017 GLE 350 W4, 2016 C 300, 2012 E 350 W4 Lux, 2006 ML 350
Love My ML
I've owned my ML for around 14 months and absolutely Love it!
It's solid, quiet, comfortable, quick, and handles like a dream. I really can't think of anything I don't like about the car.
Best vehicle I have ever owned so far.
Sorry to hear about all your problems though.
Maybe it had a troubled childhood.
Who knows what some people do to their cars
Don't know what I'd do in your situation... Fish or cut bait???
Hope it works out
It's solid, quiet, comfortable, quick, and handles like a dream. I really can't think of anything I don't like about the car.
Best vehicle I have ever owned so far.
Sorry to hear about all your problems though.
Maybe it had a troubled childhood.
Who knows what some people do to their cars
Don't know what I'd do in your situation... Fish or cut bait???
Hope it works out
Last edited by paulybagadonuts; Mar 3, 2008 at 06:57 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 61
Likes: 1
From: idaho
gl 450
My ML 500 had the air suspension and I had numerous problems with it. They had to change out the air compressor on a recall. Several times the battery went dead while sitting overnight in the garage. I found the air compressor running the ML up and down one night with no key in the ignition. It had numerous trim peices that had the chrome peel and also some carbonfiber trim that also discolored. I have found the fit and finish better on the new ML550 and it seems to be quieter and rides nicer. I have a freind who had a 2006 ML 350 and now has a new 2008 Ml350. He has also told me that his new ML is much better than his 2006.
Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 136
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From: HK
2010 BMW F10 535i
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,348
Likes: 0
From: Northern NJ
2014 BMW 550i
I would say that my ML has decent quality. Certainly a lot better than my experiences with the W163, and so far it has been much better than my 2004 E500 that I had previously.
Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 161
Likes: 1
From: Endicott NY
2014 ML350 Bluetec, 2016 GLC 300, 2023 Corvette, Z51 Stingray
I have a 2007 ML 350 which I took delivey May 2006. I have had no issues to date. I owned 3 BMW's previous to making the switch to Merceds and more than likely will lease another ML when my current lease is un on May 2009. Like the author of one of the previous posts I too cannot say anything bad about the vehicle.
Mark
Mark
Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: HK
2010 BMW F10 535i
Just love my ML more and more as days go by.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
'14 A6 3.0 TFSI
I purchased my 06 ML in October 2005. It has 30k and it has been trouble free. Sorry to hear that you're having problems. It seems many people have no problems and a few people experience a lot of issues.
Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 87
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From: USA
ML500 AMG pkg
I purchased one of the first new 06 ML 500 fully loaded with the AMG pakage and it's been the best vehicle I've owned. It just turned 32K miles. The failures I had since new were: airmatic compressor, rear tailgate latch and an improved valve body in the trans to eliminate the uncomfortable 2-1 downshift when coming to a stop. Warranty is awsome and the dealer service was great at ASC in arlincton VA. Now I'm waiting for my 09 CDI Bluetec which is showing up in November. The 09 will have a factory power inverter (115VAC)!
