Is this to long a list of replacement items for a used ML?
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 19
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From: Kansas City
Someday an ML350
Is this to long a list of replacement items for a used ML?
I'm looking at an ML350 which seems to be in good shape and well taken care of but Carfax shows a lot of items that have been replaced that I haven't seen on other ML350 Carfax reports. I'm wondering if I'd be buying a problem child or if this is just a sign of over maintenance. It does have another 6 months of extended maintenance so maybe the owner has just been really picky.
Anyway, here are major items I'm talking about. I know the transmission service and spark plug change are good things and I just added them for completeness:
34k miles Outside mirror replaced
36k miles Engine and transmission mounts replaced, sunroof serviced, window run channel replaced
47k miles Transmission serviced
56k miles Spark plugs replaced
57k miles Ignition coils replaced, AC/Heating control assembly replaced
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
Anyway, here are major items I'm talking about. I know the transmission service and spark plug change are good things and I just added them for completeness:
34k miles Outside mirror replaced
36k miles Engine and transmission mounts replaced, sunroof serviced, window run channel replaced
47k miles Transmission serviced
56k miles Spark plugs replaced
57k miles Ignition coils replaced, AC/Heating control assembly replaced
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
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From: TX
2023 GLE3502W, 2024 GLC3002W, 1967 Pontiac GTO 4 sp (sold...sniff)
I don't think so. We have a '14 ML and a '14 GL. Only problems with the ML were a leaking valve cover gasket replaced under warranty, and the ubiquitous freezing of the up and down steering wheel. The GL got motor mounts around 45k and plugs at 60k. Transmission service doesn't mean anything without details. Fluid change is 7 years or 70k. Who are you buying from? Your local dealer might run a Vehicle Mater Inquiry (VMI) for you if you are buying privately. Of course you might have to convince them you'll use them for service. If the items you mention were done by MB, they should show up in the VMI with some detail.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
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From: Kansas City
Someday an ML350
I don't think so. We have a '14 ML and a '14 GL. Only problems with the ML were a leaking valve cover gasket replaced under warranty, and the ubiquitous freezing of the up and down steering wheel. The GL got motor mounts around 45k and plugs at 60k. Transmission service doesn't mean anything without details. Fluid change is 7 years or 70k. Who are you buying from? Your local dealer might run a Vehicle Mater Inquiry (VMI) for you if you are buying privately. Of course you might have to convince them you'll use them for service. If the items you mention were done by MB, they should show up in the VMI with some detail.
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From: TX
2023 GLE3502W, 2024 GLC3002W, 1967 Pontiac GTO 4 sp (sold...sniff)
Here is the VMI that the selling dealer printed out for me during the CPO purchase. 3 services ABA.. CPO prep. Windshield replacement. Flat tire. Evap cleaning.
Last edited by pjw1967; Feb 12, 2020 at 07:51 AM. Reason: Remove name
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 19
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From: Kansas City
Someday an ML350
Thanks pjw, that really is a comprehensive report. If I decide to proceed with this one I'll have to pay the MB dealer a visit and ask them to run one for me. I assume I'll only get one report so I'll have to make it count. 
It's to bad MB doesn't let users look up the services performed by the dealers with a VIN like Lexus does.
It's to bad MB doesn't let users look up the services performed by the dealers with a VIN like Lexus does.
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A gaggle of MB's
1. Please note on the Mercedes Dealer VMI Report - at the top it is marked "Internal Use Only" - and frankly a MB Dealer is asked NOT to release a VMI report under normal circumstance - especially in the case of someone "buying elsewhere"
2. Interesting I do not see a 2012+ ML350 W166 listed on Autotrader within 50 miles of KC - that has a CarFax and has the CarFax events you reference above - where are you buying this MB from ?
3. IMPORTANT - I have NEVER PERSONALLY SEEN a W166 ML that needed "coil packs replaced" plural - ever ! The ONLY reason coil packs (plural) would need to be replaced at 57K miles is MAJOR ENGINE OVERHEATING - and frankly A/C-Heating Control replaced at the same time is really "unique".
Unless the owner at that time was taken advantage of - if the COIL REPLACEMENTS WERE NEEDED - then MAJOR OVERHEATING PROBLEM AT THAT TIME - too much at risk here - 99 out of 100 other ML's at this mileage will NOT SHOW THIS WORK.
Short message - you have done your research - don't get conned by a non-MB dealer - RUN AWAY
2. Interesting I do not see a 2012+ ML350 W166 listed on Autotrader within 50 miles of KC - that has a CarFax and has the CarFax events you reference above - where are you buying this MB from ?
3. IMPORTANT - I have NEVER PERSONALLY SEEN a W166 ML that needed "coil packs replaced" plural - ever ! The ONLY reason coil packs (plural) would need to be replaced at 57K miles is MAJOR ENGINE OVERHEATING - and frankly A/C-Heating Control replaced at the same time is really "unique".
Unless the owner at that time was taken advantage of - if the COIL REPLACEMENTS WERE NEEDED - then MAJOR OVERHEATING PROBLEM AT THAT TIME - too much at risk here - 99 out of 100 other ML's at this mileage will NOT SHOW THIS WORK.
Short message - you have done your research - don't get conned by a non-MB dealer - RUN AWAY
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From: NY & FL
MB’s of all kinds.
I'm looking at an ML350 which seems to be in good shape and well taken care of but Carfax shows a lot of items that have been replaced that I haven't seen on other ML350 Carfax reports. I'm wondering if I'd be buying a problem child or if this is just a sign of over maintenance. It does have another 6 months of extended maintenance so maybe the owner has just been really picky.
Anyway, here are major items I'm talking about. I know the transmission service and spark plug change are good things and I just added them for completeness:
34k miles Outside mirror replaced
36k miles Engine and transmission mounts replaced, sunroof serviced, window run channel replaced
47k miles Transmission serviced
56k miles Spark plugs replaced
57k miles Ignition coils replaced, AC/Heating control assembly replaced
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
Anyway, here are major items I'm talking about. I know the transmission service and spark plug change are good things and I just added them for completeness:
34k miles Outside mirror replaced
36k miles Engine and transmission mounts replaced, sunroof serviced, window run channel replaced
47k miles Transmission serviced
56k miles Spark plugs replaced
57k miles Ignition coils replaced, AC/Heating control assembly replaced
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
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Someday an ML350
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 19
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From: Kansas City
Someday an ML350
fabbrisd1 to answer your question I'm buying it out of state.
Okay so the dealer ran a VMI for me and it helps explain some of my concerns.
- The outside mirror was replaced because the heating element was broken.
- The sliding shade on the sunroof was replaced. No extra detail was given.
- The transmission service was a fluid and filter change.
- It looks like one ignition was replaced about a month and 650 miles after the spark plugs were changed. The SA theorized that the tech might have damaged the coil when the plugs were changed causing a misfire. This seems like the most likely explanation.
- Both motor mounts and the rear transmission mount just say broken on the VMI. The SA didn't have a theory about these other than the customer might have complained about a vibration or shake and they were replaced to appease a picky customer.
- The SA had no idea of why the AC/Heating control assembly replaced. He said it's not an item that ever goes bad.
It has had regularly scheduled oil changes and the current owner did have the MB dealer do an interior and exterior detail once a year so it seems like it's been pretty well taken care of. With the motor/transmission mounts I'm worried that it's been driven hard and that I'll be buying a money pit. So at this point I'm still not sure if I'll pull the trigger or not.
A big thanks to everyone who shared their thoughts. I'll let you guys know what I decide to do.
Of course if anyone has thoughts to share please do, more perspectives are definitely welcome.
Okay so the dealer ran a VMI for me and it helps explain some of my concerns.
- The outside mirror was replaced because the heating element was broken.
- The sliding shade on the sunroof was replaced. No extra detail was given.
- The transmission service was a fluid and filter change.
- It looks like one ignition was replaced about a month and 650 miles after the spark plugs were changed. The SA theorized that the tech might have damaged the coil when the plugs were changed causing a misfire. This seems like the most likely explanation.
- Both motor mounts and the rear transmission mount just say broken on the VMI. The SA didn't have a theory about these other than the customer might have complained about a vibration or shake and they were replaced to appease a picky customer.
- The SA had no idea of why the AC/Heating control assembly replaced. He said it's not an item that ever goes bad.
It has had regularly scheduled oil changes and the current owner did have the MB dealer do an interior and exterior detail once a year so it seems like it's been pretty well taken care of. With the motor/transmission mounts I'm worried that it's been driven hard and that I'll be buying a money pit. So at this point I'm still not sure if I'll pull the trigger or not.
A big thanks to everyone who shared their thoughts. I'll let you guys know what I decide to do.
Of course if anyone has thoughts to share please do, more perspectives are definitely welcome.
Last edited by VolaCola; Feb 12, 2020 at 08:22 PM.
