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I have been lurking here for a few years, ever since buying a W211 e320 wagon which we love. I spent a few months catching up on defered maintenance on that (motor mounts, spark plugs, filters, belts) We also have a 2005 Lincoln Navigator which we were keeping around for towing and heaving hauling duties, but I finally realized that it didn't make sense to keep it around and not use it.
Once we got the maintenance caught up in the e320 it has been a comfortable, reliable car. With the occasional old age hiccup. Like the fuel pump crapping out. And the water pump. Luckily both at home.
So last week I spotted this ML350 Bluetec at the local auction (full disclosure, I'm a dealer, but we mostly specialize in Subarus, but the ML is for us). The car didn't have any major issues, and actually drove better than another one with half the miles on it. The Carfax showed just two owners, no accidents, and regular maintenance every 5-10k miles like clockwork. So I took a chance and bought it.
I'm starting to sort out any minor issues and will be going through it and changing all the fluids shortly, plus filters, etc just getting the maintenance caught up.
It also only came with one floor mat, has a few minor trim pieces I need to replace, and is missing the Keyless go button. So I need to source a few things for it.
The most obvious issue is that it's going to need tires, and man 20" tires ain't cheap. I'm actually looking for 19" OEM takeoffs since the tire selection is better. But worst case I'll order something with decent tire lift from Tire Rack.
For now the first real issue is an occasional no-start issue. I found this thread and I'm looking forward to pulling the EIS and re-soldering it in hopes that solves the problem. It's going to be primarily my wife's car (I usually drive our inventory cars, or my 1973 Alfa Romeo Berlina) and our road-trip car, and tow rig if we get another trailer. So obviously it needs to start when we want it to. The problem didn't show up at the auction unfortunately, but if I can just re-solder it and don't need to take it to the dealer that's not a bad fix. (there's a similar issue on Subarus that affects the airbag status light, so I have to bust out my soldering iron every few months)
I also ran the VIN through a decoder to get all the options, and it seems to be pretty well optioned with I believe both the P1 and P2 packages, as well as rear entertainment, auto rear gate, Navigation and the HK stereo.
That's one question I do have, is there a good source to know what came standard, what was in the option packages, and what was a standalone option? I'm mostly just curious. I'm happy to share the VIN if anybody wants to run it again.
Oh and it needs the Takata airbag recall, so I need to get in line for that.
Otherwise we love it so far. Lots of power, super comfy, and getting over 20 MPG already in mixed driving!
So I dove right in today and fixed the EIS module. Sure enough my connector was completely loose, so it was only rarely making a connection.
Many thanks to the folks from this thread, I followed the instructions including the video instructions, and it took me less than an hour. I took out the dash pieces as it only took 5 minutes. T15 torx bit I think.
It works great again! Now onto the next fix, tires.
Here are a few photos, I apologize for the size. I'll see if I can shrink them.
I used a pair of massive tweezers to unscrew the key bezel
Another shot of the tweezers
Here's the bottom of the HVAC panel. Just a couple clips hold it, but yanking on it is definitely scary. I'm notorious for breaking plastic clips.
Here's one of the small clips on the dash that holds the bottom of the HVAC controls.
I doubt Mercedes will ever replace the air bags. There are no reports of any issues or incidents with them and I don't even think Takata will be in business for very long.
I doubt Mercedes will ever replace the air bags. There are no reports of any issues or incidents with them and I don't even think Takata will be in business for very long.
Tires ordered, I found a good deal on some Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus from Walmart of all places. I'm not a big fan of Walmart, but they were over $200 cheaper than other places there.
A couple updates. I got the new tires mounted this week. That eliminated a grumble from the front end that I was worried was a bearing going bad. Rides a bit better too.
I also did another read through my Carfax and discovered that the oil cooler was repaired/replaced in 2012 around 75k miles. I do have a small drip of oil occasionally that I need to track down, but I'm less worried that I will have to tackle the oil cooler ASAP.
My wife still loves it, and I'm loving the fuel economy. I have a couple air filters to install and the proper oil for an oil change.
FWIW the best deal I found on oil was Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic through Walmart for $6.97 a quart. Since we like to do long roadtrips in the summer, and Portland rarely gets below freezing I decided to go with 5W-40. Maybe I'll go back to 5W-30 this winter.
Synthetic oil is formulated to be pretty damn near impervious to temperature changes. Congrats on fixing the problems. Keep an eye on that oil drip. Put a pan under the car if you have your own garage.
I doubt Mercedes will ever replace the air bags. There are no reports of any issues or incidents with them and I don't even think Takata will be in business for very long.
Good thing you didn't get a diesel model.
The Mercedes dealer replaced my airbag when I took the car in to remove the wheel locks.
05-17-2018, 12:01 AM
