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Hello all!
Im looking at a 2015 ML 400, Low miles, very sharp.. What do I need to know about these cars? Reliability, ride quality, what to look out for, decent MPG??? I'm currently in a MDX if that tells you anything.
Thank you so much for your help!
M276 engine is generally reliable but some early models need a timing chain tensioner service bulletin done on them.
Turbo high power engine probably
means you will enjoy it, meaning fuel economy will be less than the RDX. Might also mean you consume tires faster than the RDX.
W166 ML/GLE platform is generally solid and reliable.
M276 engine is generally reliable but some early models need a timing chain tensioner service bulletin done on them.
Turbo high power engine probably
means you will enjoy it, meaning fuel economy will be less than the RDX. Might also mean you consume tires faster than the RDX.
W166 ML/GLE platform is generally solid and reliable.
in addition, the ML400 comes with nice features standard, including, but no limited to:
AMG Sport package (including 20" AMG Rims)
HK7 surround sound system
Surround view-camera (i cannot guarantee that it has it but from what ive seen)
Heated/cooled cups
MB-Tex wrapped dash
Bi-Xenon w/active curve (this isnt standard, ive seen ML400 with halogens so you have to watch out)
ML400 is steps above a Acura. The quality is fantastic. I personally went with the 350 4matic gas over the 400 because my wife does not need the airmatic suspension. As long as the Airmatic is working correctly there should be no issues.
ML400 is steps above a Acura. The quality is fantastic. I personally went with the 350 4matic gas over the 400 because my wife does not need the airmatic suspension. As long as the Airmatic is working correctly there should be no issues.
my mom has a W220 from 2003 (S430) with the airmatic and after 14 years the airmatic failed and its too low to the floor to even drive so i agree with this
my mom has a W220 from 2003 (S430) with the airmatic and after 14 years the airmatic failed and its too low to the floor to even drive so i agree with this
Ya early airmatic and ABC can be a issue. 2000-2009 Airmatic was known as failmatic lol. However there are great aftermarket air kits out there that seem to be much more reliable.
I'm on my fourth GLE's, two GLE350's, a GLE43, and now a GLE63. I have never had a problem where I had to leave the vehicle for an extended period of time. Now my '07 CL 600 was a different story but I was totally in love with that car.
BTW, my '17 GLE has 18K miles on it. So far, new tires and rear brake pads.
Last edited by Bill Baird; Nov 18, 2021 at 08:39 PM.
these are the headlamps you want. Great range and will curve on turns.
Other than that, the halogens are very easy to spot and the feature is very easy to spot.
75,000 miles and needs a new engine , the mechanic said trade. I brought it new now Benz offered me $1000 bucks on a new Brent l. . I am so upset don’t buy this truck
Hello all!
Im looking at a 2015 ML 400, Low miles, very sharp.. What do I need to know about these cars? Reliability, ride quality, what to look out for, decent MPG??? I'm currently in a MDX if that tells you anything.
Thank you so much for your help!
I love mine. I sought the ML400 specifically, as I find the 350 underpowered. The 400 is no speed demon but it does address the 350's shortcomings, plus they tend to come better equipped. Mine has the AMG trim, leather seats, top-stitched dash, lane assist and, most importantly the adaptive headlights, a must have for me. For me it replaced an old Lexus RX330 that served as beach car/winter car (when the SL400 gets parked) and I can't even express how much of an upgrade it is. Mine had 85,000 miles when I found it in Nebraska last fall; more than I had hoped but it was well serviced and the colors I wanted (plus those must have headlights). It's my 12th Mercedes overall and I've driven many well out of warranty. A well-serviced Benz is VERY reliable. If you stay on top of oil and filters you'll have only brakes and tires to deal with. I get a little over 20 mpg in mixed, mellow driving. Ride quality is the best of all my cars, best of any I've EVER owned since my '76 Sedan de Ville!
edit: lol, I didn't realize this thread was 4 years old when penned my love letter to my ML!
Last edited by eddieo45; May 11, 2023 at 08:18 AM.
I love mine. I sought the ML400 specifically, as I find the 350 underpowered. The 400 is no speed demon but it does address the 350's shortcomings, plus they tend to come better equipped. Mine has the AMG trim, leather seats, top-stitched dash, lane assist and, most importantly the adaptive headlights, a must have for me. For me it replaced an old Lexus RX330 that served as beach car/winter car (when the SL400 gets parked) and I can't even express how much of an upgrade it is. Mine had 85,000 miles when I found it in Nebraska last fall; more than I had hoped but it was well serviced and the colors I wanted (plus those must have headlights). It's my 12th Mercedes overall and I've driven many well out of warranty. A well-serviced Benz is VERY reliable. If you stay on top of oil and filters you'll have only brakes and tires to deal with. I get a little over 20 mpg in mixed, mellow driving. Ride quality is the best of all my cars, best of any I've EVER owned since my '76 Sedan de Ville!
. Did you ever drive an ML with halogen headlamps? I find sister's W166 ML350 a bit weak on that front compared to the Bi-Xenon on the W211, or LED on the W212. For those with difficulty driving at night that is a No-No.
What about turbo reliability? Were any repairs required before, and after your purchase? Oil leaks, wastegate, etc ? I would consider 2015 ML400 if I can find one @100K miles mark.
. Did you ever drive an ML with halogen headlamps? I find sister's W166 ML350 a bit weak on that front compared to the Bi-Xenon on the W211, or LED on the W212. For those with difficulty driving at night that is a No-No.
What about turbo reliability? Were any repairs required before, and after your purchase? Oil leaks, wastegate, etc ? I would consider 2015 ML400 if I can find one @100K miles mark.
Thank you
my daughter had a W164 for a few years so I knew how underpowered the 350 was. I'm old as dirt so I remember when halogens were state of the art! Like I said, adaptive headlights were a must for me. I have the same turbo engine in my SL and I've had an MB turbo and a supercharger in the past, all flawless. If you find one with a good service history grab it! I paid $25,000 in November, for reference.
M276 engine is generally reliable but some early models need a timing chain tensioner service bulletin done on them.
Turbo high power engine probably
means you will enjoy it, meaning fuel economy will be less than the RDX. Might also mean you consume tires faster than the RDX.
W166 ML/GLE platform is generally solid and reliable.
RDX is a crossover and fwd based.. Mpg and tire consumption will be higher.
I just left an ML400. It was VERY hard to let it go, but I couldn't justify the repairs it needed at 93,000 miles. Everything above about the ML400 being well equipped, amply powered, and generally a refined and comfortable vehicle is true and reflects my experiences. We put about 10,000 miles a year on the car while we had it. Dealer serviced until 70,000 miles when I switched to an awesome local independent shop that specializes in MBs. Followed his and the manual's advice for service. Nevertheless, I noticed that the car began to struggle slightly to start-up. A clicking or unusual rattle would happen for the first ten or fifteen seconds before setting back to normal. Then the check engine light came on and a clicking or rattle was louder and longer. I got it right into the shop within a day or two, and the mechanic diagnosed a cam shaft issue. He said it would be at least a $7,500 repair, and maybe more. He recommended we trade it in or sell it to a dealer without delay, as the cam shaft issue (in bank 1, for anyone interested) could happen again on the other bank. Replacing them all now would save labor, though, but add a few thousand to the repair costs. (I also lost a little coolant over the last year. We could smell the coolant after driving the car, but we never saw any obvious leaks).
I took a hit selling it to a local dealer of about $2,000.
I'm super disappointed, though. We loved that car, especially for highway travel and trips. Roomy, comfortable, well optioned. Other than the engine issue (which is hopefully rare), my only complaint is that the climate control in our car was LOUD. You'd have to leave the AUTO mode and turn the fan down to have a phone conversation.
I just left an ML400. It was VERY hard to let it go, but I couldn't justify the repairs it needed at 93,000 miles. Everything above about the ML400 being well equipped, amply powered, and generally a refined and comfortable vehicle is true and reflects my experiences. We put about 10,000 miles a year on the car while we had it. Dealer serviced until 70,000 miles when I switched to an awesome local independent shop that specializes in MBs. Followed his and the manual's advice for service. Nevertheless, I noticed that the car began to struggle slightly to start-up. A clicking or unusual rattle would happen for the first ten or fifteen seconds before setting back to normal. Then the check engine light came on and a clicking or rattle was louder and longer. I got it right into the shop within a day or two, and the mechanic diagnosed a cam shaft issue. He said it would be at least a $7,500 repair, and maybe more. He recommended we trade it in or sell it to a dealer without delay, as the cam shaft issue (in bank 1, for anyone interested) could happen again on the other bank. Replacing them all now would save labor, though, but add a few thousand to the repair costs. (I also lost a little coolant over the last year. We could smell the coolant after driving the car, but we never saw any obvious leaks).
I took a hit selling it to a local dealer of about $2,000.
I'm super disappointed, though. We loved that car, especially for highway travel and trips. Roomy, comfortable, well optioned. Other than the engine issue (which is hopefully rare), my only complaint is that the climate control in our car was LOUD. You'd have to leave the AUTO mode and turn the fan down to have a phone conversation.
Really sorry to hear that story. The rattle in the timing system: chain tensioner, check valve, camshaft adjusters was definitely an issue with the early M276/M278 engines circa 2012. Attached is the TSB for the case at the time. First time I hear this happening to a late M276. I may need to start checking my 2014 E350 (same engine w/o turbo), and sister's 2012 ML 350. Neither have had the rattle so far. One thing though sister's has been on a steady diet of 5K miles oil/filter changes since @70K miles, and I started on mine around 75K miles only because our Indy mechanic advised us to do so (as well as several forum members here)
I will keep your experience in mind since I am looking for a used one ML350/400 at the moment, hopefully between 90K->110K. Rare to see them below 80K miles, and driven in the south.
Thank you for sharing that. My mechanic said he's seen a lot of 2012 and 2013 engines with this issue, but has had two 2015s come in with this issue in the last 9 months. Not enough to do more than extrapolate that it's an issue, but it could be the start for an unfortunate trend. It's had to prove a counterfactual, but 5,000 mile oil change intervals may have prevented or delayed the issue. As I read more about these cars (albeit too late), that sounds like great advice and something I will heed on my other vehicles.
Definitely, the camshaft adjusters are an issue with worn-out locking pins. What is causing the problem? poor lubrication, poor material selection or faulty idea?
E Coupe C207, ML W166, ML W164, Sprinter 1500/144, W111 SB220 Fintail(s), A5 chassis Beetle 5+5
I actually changed only one front rotor. I pad slapped some Bendix P1 last year and got confused because one rotor was replaced prior to me getting the car. So one day they are fine one day they are bad. I know it sounds dumb, but I have eight cars.
So I had a nice kit here, and was going to redo the whole front, but I realized the issue and got one Wagner rotor for $50 and re-slapped the pads. It works great. believe me, I have a mountain climbing drive. Name brand pads from many mfg are fine, if not great. In the 1990s you had to hunt for good ones.
My wife's W164 was ready in the front too, same scenario but it got pad slapped with Wagner OEx pads FOUR years ago.....but the pads were still good, like 80%, so I "rotor-slapped" them, lol.The old rotors were rusty and flaking away bad on the outer edge, new rotors is all it needed, lol. I have a few full sets of unused brakes sitting around now, whoops.
Of course I don't use a power bleeder. Gravity is very good and easy and free. I bleed alone now, giving the wife a break. It's easy.
E Coupe C207, ML W166, ML W164, Sprinter 1500/144, W111 SB220 Fintail(s), A5 chassis Beetle 5+5
Originally Posted by JCM_MB
. Did you ever drive an ML with halogen headlamps? I find sister's W166 ML350 a bit weak on that front compared to the Bi-Xenon on the W211, or LED on the W212. For those with difficulty driving at night that is a No-No.
What about turbo reliability? Were any repairs required before, and after your purchase? Oil leaks, wastegate, etc ? I would consider 2015 ML400 if I can find one @100K miles mark.
Thank you
Relayed to the high beam bulb base. It's a game changer.
I actually changed only one front rotor. I pad slapped some Bendix P1 last year and got confused because one rotor was replaced prior to me getting the car. So one day they are fine one day they are bad. I know it sounds dumb, but I have eight cars.
So I had a nice kit here, and was going to redo the whole front, but I realized the issue and got one Wagner rotor for $50 and re-slapped the pads. It works great. believe me, I have a mountain climbing drive. Name brand pads from many mfg are fine, if not great. In the 1990s you had to hunt for good ones.
My wife's W164 was ready in the front too, same scenario but it got pad slapped with Wagner OEx pads FOUR years ago.....but the pads were still good, like 80%, so I "rotor-slapped" them, lol.The old rotors were rusty and flaking away bad on the outer edge, new rotors is all it needed, lol. I have a few full sets of unused brakes sitting around now, whoops.
Of course I don't use a power bleeder. Gravity is very good and easy and free. I bleed alone now, giving the wife a break. It's easy.
Originally Posted by Audi Junkie
Relayed to the high beam bulb base. It's a game changer.
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. Did you ever drive an ML with halogen headlamps? I find sister's W166 ML350 a bit weak on that front compared to the Bi-Xenon on the W211, or LED on the W212. For those with difficulty driving at night that is a No-No.
That's in regard to the brakes.
