royeco

I'm thinking about buying a 2006 ML with 110,000 miles. One owner, no wreaks, serviced at the dealer it was bought. Traded in on a new one. What are some of the problems I should know about. It has a full service history.

Benzdom

You have to be very well informed to buy a car from this year. Google "balance shaft" issue . Also, this year had problems with the transmission, the front differential... . Make sure you do a pre-purchase inspection.

Guhuowa

Thanks for sharing.

Benzdom

I got your private message but it's better to ask your questions here in the forum. I decided against a 2006. And even against a 2007.

Guhuowa

2008 was the last year for CDI, how do you think of that year model. Also do you think cdi has less maintains than BT started from 2009.

Benzdom

You know the Bluetec has no spare wheel because the bluetec tank? And there are regular problems with the heating element. There is also a lawsuit forming because bluetec isn't as clean as advertised. From what I heard the diesel is less reliable than the gas version at the ML - I regularly hear about oil leaks.

But that's what I read on the forums. I am in the market buying an ML350. I just decided to keep away from the diesels. They are more expensive to buy, too than the gas versions.

Penn

My favorite part of 2006 ML ownership was the day I sold it. By far the least reliable Mercedes Benz vehicle I have owned.

Transmission plate and air suspension issues were the most annoying.

Guhuowa

FROM wiki:
M272 engines that were sold between 2004[1][2] and 2008 with engine serial numbers below 2729..30 468993 often show early wear of the balance shaft gears, requiring extensive repairs at a retail cost of over $4000.[3][4] These complaints led to a class action lawsuit against Mercedes-Benz (Greg Suddreth and Paul Dunton v. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC), which alleged the M272 engines are equipped with defective balance shafts gears which "wear out prematurely, excessively and without warning, purportedly causing the vehicles to malfunction, the check engine light to illuminate and the vehicle to misfire and/or stop driving." [5] The suit further alleged that Mercedes knew of this problem, sending out repair bulletins on how to address this issue and ultimately changing the balance shaft gears to avoid this problem. This suit was ultimately dismissed with the judge agreeing with Mercedes that because the gears fail at 60 -80K miles and outside of the warranty period, Mercedes is not legally responsible for these problems.[6]

CLK Group

Knowing what I do now I wish I had purchased an ML350.