gigi.servola

Hi all
Last year in May I decided to replace an 10-years old Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2 DiD Automatic with 440.000km with an 2005 MB ML350 totaling 58500km.
1. At the very beginning felt light steering wheel vibrations which were gone once front tires replaced and parallelism checked and adjusted.
2. In October had to change rear door lock, nearly 500US$ (I'm french resident, over here nothing is cheap!)
3. Several times the gear warning came on, MB technician advised to stop and start the engine few times in a row and that it will disappear. And it did so.
4. In December start to experience rattling noise when turning the steering wheel to the left and to the right extreme points.
5. In January, during gearbox oil change, MB found power steering hydraulic oil pump leak on the shaft seal. Advised tho change it for 1500US$. According to MB, as this is up to now an unknown defect, MB can't take on its own the cost of the replacement!
6. At the same time, the appearance of the gear alarm was to be eliminated by replacing the magnetic pick-ups of the in and exhaust valves camshafts. If alarm persists, the endoscopic inspection of the cam-shafts rearing shall be performed to check for condition,and eventually to replace worn out gears. Total cost estimated 4800US$, of which 75% on MB account.
7. At the same time, in January, could not any more adjust the left rear mirror vertically. It moves only horizontally. Cost not advised yet.
8. Since March couldn't lock anymore front passenger door. Locking device to replace at the cost of 630US$.
The ML350 totalise 70900km, has done less than 12.000km in 9 months.
Does it seems to be normal that an MB build vehicle presents such defects at this mileage and age?
If this is not poor quality than what "poor quality" is?
For comparison:
a) The 440.000km Pajero has the fuel injection pump replaced at 290.000km and the engine replaced at 320.000km (due to mechanics' error!);
b) The 1987 italian made LANCIA Thema TD made faultlessly 630.000km with only one clutch change!
c) with other two Lancias' I've done nearly a 1/2 million kilometers without any problem!
Final question: Is MB becoming an ordinary, low quality but high price car manufacturer???

meaculpa

Yesterday I was working behind the Navigation/Comand on my 2007 ML350 and I was very unpleasantly surprised to see that some parts were
"Assembled in Mexico"...and I was thinking "is this a German car?" WTF

zemun1234

When assembly factory is in Alabama, what do you expect ? Boost local economy and bring the cheapest part what are not in front customer eyes or hands

meaculpa

In order to boost our economy we must move production back to the US from China and other countries. Moving a majority of manufacturing to other countries, especially China is doing harm to our country since China has a written plan to replace the US as the world’s super power. Therefore, American multinational corporations and other American manufacturers owe allegiance to the old US of A by maintaining a strong presence in our country.

sheepdog8

Just FYI- your ML is the last year of the W163's , so you're in the wrong forum category. Should get help easier with your suv's problems there.