Looking at ML series (probably ML350)
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 2
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Potential ML350 (W164)
Looking at ML series (probably ML350)
Hi All,
I am a former MB owner when I lived in the UK (a few 190E's, a W202 C class, 2 x W124 E class). I now live in the USA and am looking for a replacement SUV for my current 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. I had been looking at 2nd gen Santa Fe's but they all seem very expensive for what you get, and for around the same yr (2009/10 era), it seems that a W164 of the same age wouldn't cost me much more.
However, I know that in America, German cars are considered particularly expensive in terms of maintenance and parts. The former doesn't worry me much as I'm an engineer and carry out nearly all the maintenance on my cars, However I don't know if there is anywhere in the US you can get parts for German cars at reasonable prices. What is the realistic cost of maintenance on these models? Do they have any particular reliability issues? For example on the second gen SF's I was looking at, the rear AWD coupling and oil level sensor were common and serious issues.
This is intended to be my daily commuter and towing vehicle on the weekends. Anyone from the UK here knows that used car prices are shocking in the US by comparison, and I've decided if I'm going to have to spend $10k plus then I want to get something I like.
Thank you in advance.
I am a former MB owner when I lived in the UK (a few 190E's, a W202 C class, 2 x W124 E class). I now live in the USA and am looking for a replacement SUV for my current 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. I had been looking at 2nd gen Santa Fe's but they all seem very expensive for what you get, and for around the same yr (2009/10 era), it seems that a W164 of the same age wouldn't cost me much more.
However, I know that in America, German cars are considered particularly expensive in terms of maintenance and parts. The former doesn't worry me much as I'm an engineer and carry out nearly all the maintenance on my cars, However I don't know if there is anywhere in the US you can get parts for German cars at reasonable prices. What is the realistic cost of maintenance on these models? Do they have any particular reliability issues? For example on the second gen SF's I was looking at, the rear AWD coupling and oil level sensor were common and serious issues.
This is intended to be my daily commuter and towing vehicle on the weekends. Anyone from the UK here knows that used car prices are shocking in the US by comparison, and I've decided if I'm going to have to spend $10k plus then I want to get something I like.
Thank you in advance.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Potential ML350 (W164)
