RE: Mercedes-Benz ML55 AMG | The Brave Pill
Discussion
We have one of these that my old man bought a few years for not a lot of money, hardly any rust too!
The engine is brilliant, the cabin is a nice place to sit but the car isn't fun to drive around corners... its fine in a straight line though
We only have it on the road for when the snow/winter hits really
The engine is brilliant, the cabin is a nice place to sit but the car isn't fun to drive around corners... its fine in a straight line though
We only have it on the road for when the snow/winter hits really
Am curious as to whether all the positive comments and reviews of the ML55 appear to come from people who have actually owned one of these great cars for a period of time? Not sure how many of the negative comments come from previous owners? Just saying. Not at all trying to talk up second hand values 
Always quite liked these. Back in early 2001, when 'Y' reg came out, a local estate agent got one in black. That thing looked so beefy with its wide arches, huge wheels and twin exhausts. He kept the car for about 12 years and apart from a few minor niggles, it never went wrong.
Sounded lovely as well. Let's not forget that these were one of the first mainstream performance SUVs, and as the article mentioned, it really did begin the 4x4 power race.
The X5 was probably dynamically better, but didn't look as mean as the ML55 and that M113 is a gem of an engine.
Sounded lovely as well. Let's not forget that these were one of the first mainstream performance SUVs, and as the article mentioned, it really did begin the 4x4 power race.
The X5 was probably dynamically better, but didn't look as mean as the ML55 and that M113 is a gem of an engine.
Lots of replies but not many owners, well I own one and love it !!! ;-) I went out to buy a Ml63 and came home with a Ml55. Ml55 offers 85% of a ML63 but at a fraction of the cost.
Mine is a 2003 black on black, 130K example. Owned it for 4 years. I had to scratch my v8 inch, looked at X5s and other v8 loveliness and ended up with my Ml55. I did my research pre buying it, yes the internet is full of ... dont buy it, heaps, rusty cr4p, etc etc but go and drive one and Im sure you will be sold.
Ive had many of the common issues, blocked sunroof drains, brake pedal switch x 2, AC fan module, rusty rear hatch latch, crank shalf sensor, jammed aux water pump, trim rattles, etc, immboliser ring, etc. Spend some time looking on the numerous internet forums and there are fixes for all. Many youtbue videos to look at too. Parts are cheap too. If your okay with the spanners then you will be okay.
My one is now rattle free, reliable ( touch wood), lovely place to sit in and is no slouch. Brakes arent the best, Ive recently refreshed my suspension but it can roll but its a 4x4 at the end of the day so you need to adjust your driving style accordingly. I come from the Mkiv Supra TT / M3 ownership world so I appreicate handling and driving styles.
This era of merc wasnt known for it's rust proofing. I can see little rust bubbles coming through, luckily black smoothrite is the same colour black so I use this to touch up. However i will need ot repsray in the future. You need to check around the wheel arch edgs, sills, hatch, pillars but then all 15 year old cars / suvs have similar issues. Nothing is without its faults.
Ive done 40K+ in it now, yes the fuel bills are shocking but I knew that when I brought it so I cant suddenly start complaining. When ever I tell people I have a AMG v8 they always go on about fuel costs as if I didnt realise this may be an issue :-). My Ml55 is my weekend kids wagon, and they love the sound of it, as do I. It has a sports exhaust on the back and the noise is pure.......... devlish and never fails to make my laugh.
Even after 4 years ownership, which includes some pain relating to certain fixes i had to do ( leak from sunroof knocked out a ecu in the dash causing start errors ), i still love it just as much as I did when I first saw it. Even now I still look back it when I park it up. Best £4K Ive spent. It has some grazes now, laquer peeling, but it still my baby :-)
If you are considering buying one then buy a code reader. This will save you 100s. I often check mine, clear codes, and work out what the issues are. Currently its on track to have a new water pump, belts, idlers as its time. The thermo stat is stuck open at the moment, its running cool so I will get the Gates pack and do this in Jan.
If you compare the Ml55 to X5 4.8, well 4.8 had numerous issues with the V valley water pipe, air suspension issues, value blocks. Compare the Ml55 to the Land Rover V8 and the LR has numerous issues. Audi Q7's have nunmerous issues at this sort of age too.
My Ml55 cost me £4K 4 years ago.. it came with new 20inch alloys with new tyres, private plate, £1K sports exhaust and only had 89K miles. For £4K !!!!!! lol tremendous !
SBK
Mine is a 2003 black on black, 130K example. Owned it for 4 years. I had to scratch my v8 inch, looked at X5s and other v8 loveliness and ended up with my Ml55. I did my research pre buying it, yes the internet is full of ... dont buy it, heaps, rusty cr4p, etc etc but go and drive one and Im sure you will be sold.
Ive had many of the common issues, blocked sunroof drains, brake pedal switch x 2, AC fan module, rusty rear hatch latch, crank shalf sensor, jammed aux water pump, trim rattles, etc, immboliser ring, etc. Spend some time looking on the numerous internet forums and there are fixes for all. Many youtbue videos to look at too. Parts are cheap too. If your okay with the spanners then you will be okay.
My one is now rattle free, reliable ( touch wood), lovely place to sit in and is no slouch. Brakes arent the best, Ive recently refreshed my suspension but it can roll but its a 4x4 at the end of the day so you need to adjust your driving style accordingly. I come from the Mkiv Supra TT / M3 ownership world so I appreicate handling and driving styles.
This era of merc wasnt known for it's rust proofing. I can see little rust bubbles coming through, luckily black smoothrite is the same colour black so I use this to touch up. However i will need ot repsray in the future. You need to check around the wheel arch edgs, sills, hatch, pillars but then all 15 year old cars / suvs have similar issues. Nothing is without its faults.
Ive done 40K+ in it now, yes the fuel bills are shocking but I knew that when I brought it so I cant suddenly start complaining. When ever I tell people I have a AMG v8 they always go on about fuel costs as if I didnt realise this may be an issue :-). My Ml55 is my weekend kids wagon, and they love the sound of it, as do I. It has a sports exhaust on the back and the noise is pure.......... devlish and never fails to make my laugh.
Even after 4 years ownership, which includes some pain relating to certain fixes i had to do ( leak from sunroof knocked out a ecu in the dash causing start errors ), i still love it just as much as I did when I first saw it. Even now I still look back it when I park it up. Best £4K Ive spent. It has some grazes now, laquer peeling, but it still my baby :-)
If you are considering buying one then buy a code reader. This will save you 100s. I often check mine, clear codes, and work out what the issues are. Currently its on track to have a new water pump, belts, idlers as its time. The thermo stat is stuck open at the moment, its running cool so I will get the Gates pack and do this in Jan.
If you compare the Ml55 to X5 4.8, well 4.8 had numerous issues with the V valley water pipe, air suspension issues, value blocks. Compare the Ml55 to the Land Rover V8 and the LR has numerous issues. Audi Q7's have nunmerous issues at this sort of age too.
My Ml55 cost me £4K 4 years ago.. it came with new 20inch alloys with new tyres, private plate, £1K sports exhaust and only had 89K miles. For £4K !!!!!! lol tremendous !
SBK
sbk1972 said:
Lots of replies but not many owners, well I own one and love it !!! ;-) I went out to buy a Ml63 and came home with a Ml55. Ml55 offers 85% of a ML63 but at a fraction of the cost.
Mine is a 2003 black on black, 130K example. Owned it for 4 years. I had to scratch my v8 inch, looked at X5s and other v8 loveliness and ended up with my Ml55. I did my research pre buying it, yes the internet is full of ... dont buy it, heaps, rusty cr4p, etc etc but go and drive one and Im sure you will be sold.
Ive had many of the common issues, blocked sunroof drains, brake pedal switch x 2, AC fan module, rusty rear hatch latch, crank shalf sensor, jammed aux water pump, trim rattles, etc, immboliser ring, etc. Spend some time looking on the numerous internet forums and there are fixes for all. Many youtbue videos to look at too. Parts are cheap too. If your okay with the spanners then you will be okay.
My one is now rattle free, reliable ( touch wood), lovely place to sit in and is no slouch. Brakes arent the best, Ive recently refreshed my suspension but it can roll but its a 4x4 at the end of the day so you need to adjust your driving style accordingly. I come from the Mkiv Supra TT / M3 ownership world so I appreicate handling and driving styles.
This era of merc wasnt known for it's rust proofing. I can see little rust bubbles coming through, luckily black smoothrite is the same colour black so I use this to touch up. However i will need ot repsray in the future. You need to check around the wheel arch edgs, sills, hatch, pillars but then all 15 year old cars / suvs have similar issues. Nothing is without its faults.
Ive done 40K+ in it now, yes the fuel bills are shocking but I knew that when I brought it so I cant suddenly start complaining. When ever I tell people I have a AMG v8 they always go on about fuel costs as if I didnt realise this may be an issue :-). My Ml55 is my weekend kids wagon, and they love the sound of it, as do I. It has a sports exhaust on the back and the noise is pure.......... devlish and never fails to make my laugh.
Even after 4 years ownership, which includes some pain relating to certain fixes i had to do ( leak from sunroof knocked out a ecu in the dash causing start errors ), i still love it just as much as I did when I first saw it. Even now I still look back it when I park it up. Best £4K Ive spent. It has some grazes now, laquer peeling, but it still my baby :-)
If you are considering buying one then buy a code reader. This will save you 100s. I often check mine, clear codes, and work out what the issues are. Currently its on track to have a new water pump, belts, idlers as its time. The thermo stat is stuck open at the moment, its running cool so I will get the Gates pack and do this in Jan.
If you compare the Ml55 to X5 4.8, well 4.8 had numerous issues with the V valley water pipe, air suspension issues, value blocks. Compare the Ml55 to the Land Rover V8 and the LR has numerous issues. Audi Q7's have nunmerous issues at this sort of age too.
My Ml55 cost me £4K 4 years ago.. it came with new 20inch alloys with new tyres, private plate, £1K sports exhaust and only had 89K miles. For £4K !!!!!! lol tremendous !
SBK
Great comments and very true. I too considered an X5 4.6 but the ML55 was much better value. Bomb proof engines and transmissions was also a good ML55 point.Mine is a 2003 black on black, 130K example. Owned it for 4 years. I had to scratch my v8 inch, looked at X5s and other v8 loveliness and ended up with my Ml55. I did my research pre buying it, yes the internet is full of ... dont buy it, heaps, rusty cr4p, etc etc but go and drive one and Im sure you will be sold.
Ive had many of the common issues, blocked sunroof drains, brake pedal switch x 2, AC fan module, rusty rear hatch latch, crank shalf sensor, jammed aux water pump, trim rattles, etc, immboliser ring, etc. Spend some time looking on the numerous internet forums and there are fixes for all. Many youtbue videos to look at too. Parts are cheap too. If your okay with the spanners then you will be okay.
My one is now rattle free, reliable ( touch wood), lovely place to sit in and is no slouch. Brakes arent the best, Ive recently refreshed my suspension but it can roll but its a 4x4 at the end of the day so you need to adjust your driving style accordingly. I come from the Mkiv Supra TT / M3 ownership world so I appreicate handling and driving styles.
This era of merc wasnt known for it's rust proofing. I can see little rust bubbles coming through, luckily black smoothrite is the same colour black so I use this to touch up. However i will need ot repsray in the future. You need to check around the wheel arch edgs, sills, hatch, pillars but then all 15 year old cars / suvs have similar issues. Nothing is without its faults.
Ive done 40K+ in it now, yes the fuel bills are shocking but I knew that when I brought it so I cant suddenly start complaining. When ever I tell people I have a AMG v8 they always go on about fuel costs as if I didnt realise this may be an issue :-). My Ml55 is my weekend kids wagon, and they love the sound of it, as do I. It has a sports exhaust on the back and the noise is pure.......... devlish and never fails to make my laugh.
Even after 4 years ownership, which includes some pain relating to certain fixes i had to do ( leak from sunroof knocked out a ecu in the dash causing start errors ), i still love it just as much as I did when I first saw it. Even now I still look back it when I park it up. Best £4K Ive spent. It has some grazes now, laquer peeling, but it still my baby :-)
If you are considering buying one then buy a code reader. This will save you 100s. I often check mine, clear codes, and work out what the issues are. Currently its on track to have a new water pump, belts, idlers as its time. The thermo stat is stuck open at the moment, its running cool so I will get the Gates pack and do this in Jan.
If you compare the Ml55 to X5 4.8, well 4.8 had numerous issues with the V valley water pipe, air suspension issues, value blocks. Compare the Ml55 to the Land Rover V8 and the LR has numerous issues. Audi Q7's have nunmerous issues at this sort of age too.
My Ml55 cost me £4K 4 years ago.. it came with new 20inch alloys with new tyres, private plate, £1K sports exhaust and only had 89K miles. For £4K !!!!!! lol tremendous !
SBK
I always thought my interior was black too but could be a very dark grey?
Do you happen to know which code reader you bought?
Hi,
Youre right, its more dark grey than black. The scanner I brought was Autel OBD2 Code Reader - Maxidiag Elite. Got it from Amazon
Im also part of the BenzWorlds US Forum - https://www.benzworld.org/forums/w163-m-class.35/
Tremendous amount of help.
I went cheap.. 2002 ML500 with lpg (did I say cheap!). 16-17mpg is about 28 mpg on gas which is not silly given performance but sadly lpg is getting rare. The ML500 allows you to get a 70 litre gas tank under the car where the skinny spare wheel is but ML55 has bigger exhaust so spare wheel lives in the boot. I guess no ML55 are therefore 3rd row cars unlike mine.
The ML55 has the AMG bodykit which covers the wheelarches and hence the rust.. and I think it is stuck on so who knows what they hide! The paintwork is poor MB water based junk so it needs TLC at door bottoms, rear boot around number plate, bonnet at front edge plus underneath can be not pretty. Currently the car is half painted down one side but mud covers that all the time..
I have a iCarsoft code reader which is fair for £120 odd but now have a full MB STAR reader and that does so much more if you can find one cheap - they are about £700 otherwise.. the cheap reader works but is cranky sometimes; tracking a duff ABS sensor kept crashing it. The ABS/Traction system is woeful if a sensor goes down - a duff rear sensor made it think that the rear wheels had locked and so it started pulsing the ABS at about a 0.2g stop which when your car basically fails to stop at anything beyond a light stop is a little concerning (pull the ABS fuse to get your brakes to work..).
As a snow car.. hum. Without traction control (ABS pump needed new brushes) and Pirellis cross-climate type tyres I had to rock it out of a rut on ice. With 4 snow chains it is great .. but I have never had such poor windscreen wipers. Basically you hit a drift and it goes over the bonnet as expected but the wipers stop so you have to actually stop to pull the snow off the windscreen to even see.. so first see how long the drift is before you hit it so you know when to stop to clear the wipers! The G wagon maybe 14 years older but it has wipers that work in snow drifts (but it lacks the power (300GD) so you get stuck in the long drifts especially if the engine is not warmed up properly.
Repairs from 105k to 140k odd in 6 years (wife’s baby wagon). I spent 2 weeks (maternity leave.. the wife still has not forgiven me) under the car 6 years ago to get the rust out (this was a London/Midland/Wales car so not really bad). The drainage on the battery needs watching if you are working on car; my old battery charger killed the battery after 2 sessions of trying to fix the parking sensors; use a trickle charger while you do this. Parking sensors die but I find only MB ones work; if a front sensor is broken then the whole system stops, the rears will only stop the rear working. The Bose Command radio is an odd fibre optic systems so to replace it you need new amps as well; if you pull it out then make sure you get the plugs back in as a break in the fibre optics “loop” will stop the amps starting up. You can easily piggy back in an aux in at the back; it is standard. Tyres are expensive as stock but again I went cheap with some 18" OEM but a little narrow but taller. Fitted new MB rims/tyres to get back to something decent as it came with Brabus copy rims that are hard to find and had rock hard ditch finding van tyres fitted to them. Handling is pretty poor .. it would not see which way a G wagon went (but then neither would a Range Rover of the same age) .. think USA suspension. Brakes are fine but need to derust under the stainless pads the brakes pads rub on as the alloy bubbles up and jams the pads on (common with alloy 2 or 4 pot calipers). Suspension needs ARB bushes every 40k miles. Watch out if doing rear struts - likely you have to part lift body off chassis and then the springs are very strong; I ended up getting stitches in my hand after the 1.5t ebay hydraulic spring press launched the spring cap through my hand so best get a garage to do that bit. ABS pump needs brushes. Rear ABS sensor needed drilled out. Front upper wishbone with ball joint. Battery; note the aftermarket listing is too small so you need an adapter kit or get a type 019 – really only the MB ones fit correctly but a Bosch S5013 is a performance match. Radiator reservoir split. Power steering reservoir O ring and a pipe to the steering rack due to corrosion; still need to replace reservoir as it blows out a little filter in the bottom if you get air in the fluid so it needs bleed by rowing steering from lock to lock 20 times! Water/oil cooler O rings on engine. Gearbox O ring. Front serpentine belt and tensioner. One front cat and 4 lambdas (and it is an aftermarket ML55 cat as it is the same as an ML500); exhaust is getting on now but still original. Never did replace the driver’s mirror with the auto dimming OEM part; MB wanted about £280 just for the glass.. ebay gave me a used non dimming but heated one for £20. Xenon bulb and ignitor. So parts can be very silly but there is a huge amount of info on keeping them running USA forums (benzworld) where 300k miles is not unheard of.
I considered replacing it with a GL420 but seems a lot a money when the ML tramps on and the interior can be abused by 5 year olds and exterior by wife. Last of the proper V8 with proper old school torque converter auto box so something to remember. Hoofing it up dual carriageway hills is fun as it looks like a ML270 diesel. Towing 1200-1500 kg is effortless and does little to the mpg. Rowing it cross country is embarrassing as corners need slowed for but usually you end up behind some slow coach .. and then you can overtake with your trailer. Xenons lights on dip beam are great and ordinary main beam are good – I think the best lights I have ever had. Safety record for crash survival is very good according to government stats but things will have moved on in 20 years. It is basically a German kit of mechanics with poor USA interior and exterior (ZF axles, Brembo brakes, MB engine/box).
As for MX-5 (I have first FM2 mk1 in Europe) .. the M113is a 4 cam engine so probably needs a flip front a la Bullet. I would like to put it in the G wagon.. but G brakes are a 1980 for that and officially you need to tilt the front spring tower to do it right.
The ML55 has the AMG bodykit which covers the wheelarches and hence the rust.. and I think it is stuck on so who knows what they hide! The paintwork is poor MB water based junk so it needs TLC at door bottoms, rear boot around number plate, bonnet at front edge plus underneath can be not pretty. Currently the car is half painted down one side but mud covers that all the time..
I have a iCarsoft code reader which is fair for £120 odd but now have a full MB STAR reader and that does so much more if you can find one cheap - they are about £700 otherwise.. the cheap reader works but is cranky sometimes; tracking a duff ABS sensor kept crashing it. The ABS/Traction system is woeful if a sensor goes down - a duff rear sensor made it think that the rear wheels had locked and so it started pulsing the ABS at about a 0.2g stop which when your car basically fails to stop at anything beyond a light stop is a little concerning (pull the ABS fuse to get your brakes to work..).
As a snow car.. hum. Without traction control (ABS pump needed new brushes) and Pirellis cross-climate type tyres I had to rock it out of a rut on ice. With 4 snow chains it is great .. but I have never had such poor windscreen wipers. Basically you hit a drift and it goes over the bonnet as expected but the wipers stop so you have to actually stop to pull the snow off the windscreen to even see.. so first see how long the drift is before you hit it so you know when to stop to clear the wipers! The G wagon maybe 14 years older but it has wipers that work in snow drifts (but it lacks the power (300GD) so you get stuck in the long drifts especially if the engine is not warmed up properly.
Repairs from 105k to 140k odd in 6 years (wife’s baby wagon). I spent 2 weeks (maternity leave.. the wife still has not forgiven me) under the car 6 years ago to get the rust out (this was a London/Midland/Wales car so not really bad). The drainage on the battery needs watching if you are working on car; my old battery charger killed the battery after 2 sessions of trying to fix the parking sensors; use a trickle charger while you do this. Parking sensors die but I find only MB ones work; if a front sensor is broken then the whole system stops, the rears will only stop the rear working. The Bose Command radio is an odd fibre optic systems so to replace it you need new amps as well; if you pull it out then make sure you get the plugs back in as a break in the fibre optics “loop” will stop the amps starting up. You can easily piggy back in an aux in at the back; it is standard. Tyres are expensive as stock but again I went cheap with some 18" OEM but a little narrow but taller. Fitted new MB rims/tyres to get back to something decent as it came with Brabus copy rims that are hard to find and had rock hard ditch finding van tyres fitted to them. Handling is pretty poor .. it would not see which way a G wagon went (but then neither would a Range Rover of the same age) .. think USA suspension. Brakes are fine but need to derust under the stainless pads the brakes pads rub on as the alloy bubbles up and jams the pads on (common with alloy 2 or 4 pot calipers). Suspension needs ARB bushes every 40k miles. Watch out if doing rear struts - likely you have to part lift body off chassis and then the springs are very strong; I ended up getting stitches in my hand after the 1.5t ebay hydraulic spring press launched the spring cap through my hand so best get a garage to do that bit. ABS pump needs brushes. Rear ABS sensor needed drilled out. Front upper wishbone with ball joint. Battery; note the aftermarket listing is too small so you need an adapter kit or get a type 019 – really only the MB ones fit correctly but a Bosch S5013 is a performance match. Radiator reservoir split. Power steering reservoir O ring and a pipe to the steering rack due to corrosion; still need to replace reservoir as it blows out a little filter in the bottom if you get air in the fluid so it needs bleed by rowing steering from lock to lock 20 times! Water/oil cooler O rings on engine. Gearbox O ring. Front serpentine belt and tensioner. One front cat and 4 lambdas (and it is an aftermarket ML55 cat as it is the same as an ML500); exhaust is getting on now but still original. Never did replace the driver’s mirror with the auto dimming OEM part; MB wanted about £280 just for the glass.. ebay gave me a used non dimming but heated one for £20. Xenon bulb and ignitor. So parts can be very silly but there is a huge amount of info on keeping them running USA forums (benzworld) where 300k miles is not unheard of.
I considered replacing it with a GL420 but seems a lot a money when the ML tramps on and the interior can be abused by 5 year olds and exterior by wife. Last of the proper V8 with proper old school torque converter auto box so something to remember. Hoofing it up dual carriageway hills is fun as it looks like a ML270 diesel. Towing 1200-1500 kg is effortless and does little to the mpg. Rowing it cross country is embarrassing as corners need slowed for but usually you end up behind some slow coach .. and then you can overtake with your trailer. Xenons lights on dip beam are great and ordinary main beam are good – I think the best lights I have ever had. Safety record for crash survival is very good according to government stats but things will have moved on in 20 years. It is basically a German kit of mechanics with poor USA interior and exterior (ZF axles, Brembo brakes, MB engine/box).
As for MX-5 (I have first FM2 mk1 in Europe) .. the M113is a 4 cam engine so probably needs a flip front a la Bullet. I would like to put it in the G wagon.. but G brakes are a 1980 for that and officially you need to tilt the front spring tower to do it right.
sbk1972 said:
Hi,
Youre right, its more dark grey than black. The scanner I brought was Autel OBD2 Code Reader - Maxidiag Elite. Got it from Amazon
Im also part of the BenzWorlds US Forum - https://www.benzworld.org/forums/w163-m-class.35/
Tremendous amount of help.
Thanks, found the scanner on E bay. I use that forum too and have had some good help with a couple of things.Youre right, its more dark grey than black. The scanner I brought was Autel OBD2 Code Reader - Maxidiag Elite. Got it from Amazon
Im also part of the BenzWorlds US Forum - https://www.benzworld.org/forums/w163-m-class.35/
Tremendous amount of help.
I will look and confirm exhuast on the weekend. If I remember it's power something. It's been welded into the origin rear section, original box removed though.
I did look at buying Star as I have a few things I want to configure. My console switch lights only come on when it's dark and not when the headlights are switched on or on auto. Annoying.
The list above is incredibly accurate and I've pretty much done most lol. The rear suspension did required the body bolts removed and body jacked up to help access to nuts. Another painful area is the fuel filter which was redesigned. So when I replaced mine I had to buy all the new pipes.
I'm not for one moment saying these trucks don't come with issues but nearly all are common and have easy cheap, fixes. I did a lot of preventative fixes too.
I went out to spend £18k on a ml63 so saved myself 14k.
One mod I did which made it more 'modern' was replacing my front driving lights for 3.5inch spot lights with circular DRL leds on them. I wired these up and my truck looks far more modern. I also installed a secondary cooling fan that push air through the rads via a probe and dual relay. This has saved my engine twice due to iffy connector in the wire loom.
I plan to do my connector plate and gearbox connector in the new year, water pump and idlers, drain diffs and sort the rust out.
Sbk
I did look at buying Star as I have a few things I want to configure. My console switch lights only come on when it's dark and not when the headlights are switched on or on auto. Annoying.
The list above is incredibly accurate and I've pretty much done most lol. The rear suspension did required the body bolts removed and body jacked up to help access to nuts. Another painful area is the fuel filter which was redesigned. So when I replaced mine I had to buy all the new pipes.
I'm not for one moment saying these trucks don't come with issues but nearly all are common and have easy cheap, fixes. I did a lot of preventative fixes too.
I went out to spend £18k on a ml63 so saved myself 14k.
One mod I did which made it more 'modern' was replacing my front driving lights for 3.5inch spot lights with circular DRL leds on them. I wired these up and my truck looks far more modern. I also installed a secondary cooling fan that push air through the rads via a probe and dual relay. This has saved my engine twice due to iffy connector in the wire loom.
I plan to do my connector plate and gearbox connector in the new year, water pump and idlers, drain diffs and sort the rust out.
Sbk
sbk1972 said:
One mod I did which made it more 'modern' was replacing my front driving lights for 3.5inch spot lights with circular DRL leds on them. I wired these up and my truck looks far more modern.
Sbk
Interested to know what lights you fitted as I would like to change mine for something else? Mine do not seem to fit flush with the bumper and are kind of set back into it. They must be the original ones. Actually, looking at the pictures of the car for sale here, at the top of the thread, the fog lights look the same as mine.Sbk
Edited by el romeral on Tuesday 3rd December 22:24
Hi,
i brought these.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B074XVLS7K/ref...
The front driving lights have a bumper covers over them, this needs removing. Careful with the clips as they break. There is a circular round frame on the fog lights which needs removing to get the bulb out. To fit these led lights you then need to make a hole in the back of the light unit as the new lights are deeper than the bulbs. Then wire up to exisitng wires. you will need an additional `postive on engine started` wire to the LED.
Freshes the front of the car dramatically.
i brought these.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B074XVLS7K/ref...
The front driving lights have a bumper covers over them, this needs removing. Careful with the clips as they break. There is a circular round frame on the fog lights which needs removing to get the bulb out. To fit these led lights you then need to make a hole in the back of the light unit as the new lights are deeper than the bulbs. Then wire up to exisitng wires. you will need an additional `postive on engine started` wire to the LED.
Freshes the front of the car dramatically.
sbk1972 said:
Hi,
i brought these.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B074XVLS7K/ref...
The front driving lights have a bumper covers over them, this needs removing. Careful with the clips as they break. There is a circular round frame on the fog lights which needs removing to get the bulb out. To fit these led lights you then need to make a hole in the back of the light unit as the new lights are deeper than the bulbs. Then wire up to exisitng wires. you will need an additional `postive on engine started` wire to the LED.
Freshes the front of the car dramatically.
Will take a look thanks. I wonder if the covers you mention are actually missing from my car?i brought these.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B074XVLS7K/ref...
The front driving lights have a bumper covers over them, this needs removing. Careful with the clips as they break. There is a circular round frame on the fog lights which needs removing to get the bulb out. To fit these led lights you then need to make a hole in the back of the light unit as the new lights are deeper than the bulbs. Then wire up to exisitng wires. you will need an additional `postive on engine started` wire to the LED.
Freshes the front of the car dramatically.
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