High Mileage W164
Please keep replies on topic to my question.
Thanks!
I change oil every 5000 miles, and now tranny fluid at 20000 miles. Everything else serviced per the manual.
It still starts right up, gives 30MPG at 60MPH, and will break the tires loose if I launch aggressive.
No major issues.
Repair by dealer:
Wheel speed sensor - warranty
Idler - warranty
Leaky valve cover near filler - warranty
side window trims - Not under warranty
Orig Brakes!
Orig Suspension!
4th or 5th set of tires
Great truck, it is our 3rd vehicle and used for trips to tougher parts of town or inclimate weather

Semi-seriously debating replacing it with a W164 Ml63..... or new ML63 AMG..... but this old ml500 just keeps ticking so hard to let her go.
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I just didn't have the time or a large enough parts cleaner so I negotiated with the dealer and had the technician there I trust do the job.
Cost just under $1700. That would actually be my first out of pocket expense in 130000 miles, so hard to complain. I had them replace both the cooler and seals.
Servicing
In early 2011, at the 50,000 mile milestone, I had my M-B Dealer perform all of the M-B recommended servicing items noted below that were recommended to be performed and 50,000 miles, as well as those recommended to be performed at 60,000 miles, as a precaution, since I was buying the vehicle off of my original lease. (Mercedes-Benz Maintenance Services: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12 & 20). I also had all brake pads and rotors replaced on all four wheels, replaced both batteries, tire rotation, 4-wheel alignment, replace rusting lug bolts, (a common problem on all current M-B vehicles), and replace all 3 wiper blades. The total cost for all of this was $3,998.
In the summer of 2012, at the 70,000 mile mark, I had my M-B Dealer do the following recommended service on the vehicle:
1. Perform Mobil One synthetic oil and filter change
2. Perform a 4-Wheel Alignment after they remove my Winter Snow Tires and reinstall and balance my Summer Performance tires on the OEM rims
3. Flush & refill brake fluid (M-B Service 4)
4. Replace A.C. combination filter (M-B Service 5)
5. Replace air cleaner insert (M-B Service 8)
5. Change transmission oil & filter (M-B Service 20)
Issues
For the most part my ML63 has been very reliable over the past six years, with most issues that I have experienced have all been relatively minor, (except for number 6 and 8 below), and all were all corrected by my M-B Dealer and were covered under the original MBUSA vehicle warranty or my M-B Extended Limited Warranty, (except for number 8), and included the following:
1. Air Conditioner Compressor leak (lost refrigerant). AC Compressor was replaced in 2008.
2. Both metal running board tops were oxidizing and were replaced in 2008.
3. Two OEM 20” AMG alloy wheels experienced growing corrosion around the hubs due to clear coat failure. Both wheels replaced in 2009
4. One of the LED video screens in the rear of the passenger side head rest failed and was replaced with a new unit in 2008.
5. Rear tail gate closing issue due to faulty striker and bumpers were repaired in 2009.
6. Replace failed engine serpentine drive belt and isled pulley in 2010.
7. Replace a loose sunroof contact switch in 2013.
8. The ETC module, (the automatic transmission's computer brain), connected to the valve body / conductor plate inside the transmission had malfunctioned and had to be replaced, at a cost for parts & labor of just under $1,000 in Aug. 2013. (Note: my previously purchased MBUSA Extended Limited Warranty had expired on May 30, 2013 so I had to pay this cost out-of-pocket).
I change the engine oil and filter every 6,000 miles as a good preventive maintenance routine.
I just purchased and had my Dealer install four (4) new (OEM) Continental Cross Contact UHP 295/40 ZR 20 high performance tires which are my excellent performing summer performance tires and usually are good for approx. 22-24,000 miles before they need to be replaced.
My winter tires that I put on the 20" OEM rims are 295/40 R20 Pirelli Scorpion ICE & SNOW tires, which work well below 40 deg. F. and are quite good in the snow.
It will be interesting to see if I also eventually experience any leaking valve covers or if the AMG engine's assembly will differentiate it from the other ML gasoline engines.
AVB-AMG
Last edited by AVB-AMG; Mar 21, 2014 at 11:32 AM. Reason: typos
A few years ago I had the bad balance shaft issue (class action lawsuit issue) and was told by the dealer the fix was $8,000 as I had exceeded my warranty mileage a few months earlier. I had brought it in for service with issues related to the balance shaft when it was in warranty and it wasn't taken care of. I went to the manger of the dealership and they took care of it.
I go through tires very quickly.
Other than these issues, I take care of the car, service it and change the oil regularly, and I hope it lasts and lasts. This oil issue concerns me though.
A few years ago I had the bad balance shaft issue (class action lawsuit issue) and was told by the dealer the fix was $8,000 as I had exceeded my warranty mileage a few months earlier. I had brought it in for service with issues related to the balance shaft when it was in warranty and it wasn't taken care of. I went to the manger of the dealership and they took care of it.
I go through tires very quickly.
Other than these issues, I take care of the car, service it and change the oil regularly, and I hope it lasts and lasts. This oil issue concerns me though.
Don't buy that story. Due to you don't have oil leak on floor it is good indication about problem.Clean intake turbo from oil, replace rubber (a lot of threads here how to do it) and I think you are going be good for next 200,000 miles
Don't buy that story. Due to you don't have oil leak on floor it is good indication about problem.Clean intake turbo from oil, replace rubber (a lot of threads here how to do it) and I think you are going be good for next 200,000 miles

Two wheel bearings have went, and had the MAF cleaned two times due to poor performance.
Please keep replies on topic to my question.
Thanks!

If you want to go high mileage I think the trick is to be aware of noises and small symptoms before they become big problems or a breakdown. the highest miles on a truck like mine that I've heard of was 398k and engine showed no noticeable signs of internal wear!
Last edited by Gttom; Jun 21, 2016 at 05:57 PM. Reason: Add more info




112 is a bulletproof engine, aside from needing 12 sparkplugs, wires and iginition coils.
Just turned 140K Miles.
Too many problems to list, and my girl still loves the damn thing, won't sell it. Looking like we might be needing to replace the intake manifold for the crappy flaps. Pulling a P2189: System Too Lean at Idle bank2
If you want to go high mileage I think the trick is to be aware of noises and small symptoms before they become big problems or a breakdown. the highest miles on a truck like mine that I've heard of was 398k and engine showed no noticeable signs of internal wear!
I need to fined a leak on the air con, condenser I think but it needs testing again.
Drivers seat has polished and about to be replaced, uses No oil and drives very well.
Just changed the power steering pump and the reservoir, it has a filter inside and has to be changed.
Last edited by zenman63; Aug 10, 2016 at 03:46 PM.


