M class - bad news
Discussion
I'm getting rid of my ML270; it's been a disaster from day one.
Bits falling off, computer problems, gearbox problems, headlights filling up with water, air con problems, brakes and tyres like they're going out of fashion, suspension bushes, the list goes on and on. It's cost me thousands.
I had it from new in 02 and it got nearly 60K on the clock, I don't see me getting another Merc.
Has any one else had any similar problems?
Regards
Bill Bob
Bits falling off, computer problems, gearbox problems, headlights filling up with water, air con problems, brakes and tyres like they're going out of fashion, suspension bushes, the list goes on and on. It's cost me thousands.
I had it from new in 02 and it got nearly 60K on the clock, I don't see me getting another Merc.
Has any one else had any similar problems?
Regards
Bill Bob
The later the build date the better seems to be the recieved wisdom. My brother had one ( Y reg from 6 months old), and it broke down about every six months and had to be recovered to a dealer, plus routine servicing seldom was. His experience was not uncommon.
Mainly electrical, ecu/injection, suspension and random bits falling off. Being a sucker for punishment he replaced it with an ML320, which has so far proved faultless
Mainly electrical, ecu/injection, suspension and random bits falling off. Being a sucker for punishment he replaced it with an ML320, which has so far proved faultless
bill bob said:
I'm getting rid of my ML270; it's been a disaster from day one.
I had it from new in 02 and it got nearly 60K on the clock, I don't see me getting another Merc.
Has any one else had any similar problems?
Regards
Bill Bob
Let me get my head round this?? You bought an ML270 and from the moment you got it it has been a disaster?? You bought it new in 2002?? It is now 2009?? I had it from new in 02 and it got nearly 60K on the clock, I don't see me getting another Merc.
Has any one else had any similar problems?
Regards
Bill Bob
I bought mine in March 2003, had problems and sold it in June 2003, I gave it 3 months.
You have given yours 7 years??
I would give it another 2 - 3 years and see if things improve.
Let me get my head round this?? You bought an ML270 and from the moment you got it it has been a disaster?? You bought it new in 2002?? It is now 2009??
I bought mine in March 2003, had problems and sold it in June 2003, I gave it 3 months.
You have given yours 7 years??
I would give it another 2 - 3 years and see if things improve.
Well that's me; forever the optimist. I just kept hoping that every problem would be the last, because it's a lovely motor when it's going OK. But even I have my limits and eventually reached the point where I stopped throwing money at it.
Anyway the question was "has anyone else had similar experiences?" not hands up eveyone who think I'm am mug.
regards
Bill bob
I bought mine in March 2003, had problems and sold it in June 2003, I gave it 3 months.
You have given yours 7 years??
I would give it another 2 - 3 years and see if things improve.
Well that's me; forever the optimist. I just kept hoping that every problem would be the last, because it's a lovely motor when it's going OK. But even I have my limits and eventually reached the point where I stopped throwing money at it.
Anyway the question was "has anyone else had similar experiences?" not hands up eveyone who think I'm am mug.
regards
Bill bob
marc.l said:
My old ml 270 cdi has been one of the most reliable cars I have ever owned, sorry to hear you have had so much trouble with yours.
Mine too! 2004, only problem I ever had was power steering hose failure but trouble free before and ever since - except when I pranged a metal post last week and the quote is £4.5k.... 163 ML... Awful cars.
The 164 is in an absolute different league, class all together to previous 163s. 163 was manufactured in the US... so that's half the reason they're so unreliable, with poor build quality lol.
I wouldn't keep it much longer thou mate... not with the trouble as they get worse with age unfortunately. Next service it'll probably want 4 ball joints, set of rear STRUTS (broken spring, can't get them separately so need 2 struts £800?) & whatever else comes up.
Between the 163 ML and the even worse 168 A class... they single handedly put a huge dent in prestigious reputation Mercedes Benz have built up for so long. The justification is that there predecessors are much, much better in every aspect and have gained back some of the lost reputation.
IMO of course....
The 164 is in an absolute different league, class all together to previous 163s. 163 was manufactured in the US... so that's half the reason they're so unreliable, with poor build quality lol.
I wouldn't keep it much longer thou mate... not with the trouble as they get worse with age unfortunately. Next service it'll probably want 4 ball joints, set of rear STRUTS (broken spring, can't get them separately so need 2 struts £800?) & whatever else comes up.
Between the 163 ML and the even worse 168 A class... they single handedly put a huge dent in prestigious reputation Mercedes Benz have built up for so long. The justification is that there predecessors are much, much better in every aspect and have gained back some of the lost reputation.
IMO of course....
paoloh said:
164's are still dreadful.
Interior is awful, cheap plastics that creak and rattle.
Gearbox is wk
Electrical gremlins
Engine is awesome is though.
Interior... Disagree.. can't really argue with a Merc interior, certainly better on 164 than 163.Interior is awful, cheap plastics that creak and rattle.
Gearbox is wk
Electrical gremlins
Engine is awesome is though.
Gearbox...LOL.. 7Gs have had their fair share of problems, however with all new concepts/designs there are A LOT of initial problems.. don't seem to be having to many now - compared to recent years any way.
Electrical... Kinda, Considering the sheer amount of control units electrics they will never go away.
280/320 is a fantastic engine, 63 ... even more so!!
JRM said:
Interesting that they seem so chalk and cheese as was looking at a '03 270 over the weekend.
Rather like them, especially as a bit of bargain, but anyone willing to recommend I get one, or are they best steered clear of?
A solid lot of car for the money, lugs an incredible amount of gear, feels pretty stable and mine has had few problems - see my previous post. Engine pulls well, not too noisy, gearbox is fine but they EAT rear brake pads due to stability control. Easy replaced though without removing calipers - pads insert from front of caliper. Check the paintwork, was water-based. Check for crack in front bumber above number plate and check ALL electrics work.Rather like them, especially as a bit of bargain, but anyone willing to recommend I get one, or are they best steered clear of?
'03 is facelift model like mine so better QC methinks.
Mmmmm Merc ML's, my favorite love/hate car.
We bought a 2002 ML320 with 42K miles for Mrs Whatty in 2006, now done 56K - she has a very short commute.
The GOOD thing:
Within six months of getting it she was hit by a Ford cargo truck who ran a red light.
The Ford was a write off - I'm convinced that if my Mrs had been driving a smaller car/SUV then she wouldn't have walked away unharmed as she did. The Merc was repaired at no small expense and subsequently drives straight and true with no rattles/creaks. The 320 engine is smooth but a little underpowered given the car's bulk.
The BAD things:
Despite a recall on the power steering hose in 2002, ours started to leak fluid before the accident, had our local indy fix it only to get another official MB recall in February of THIS year for the same thing! Repaired again and MB even refunded the cost of repairs carried out by the local guy.
Subsequently in the last six months its had a new water pump, ABS pump thingy, brake light switch, 60K service with new back brakes and the tailgate lifters need replacing so its now reached the stage of becoming a liabilty. Buy another? Nope.
We bought a 2002 ML320 with 42K miles for Mrs Whatty in 2006, now done 56K - she has a very short commute.
The GOOD thing:
Within six months of getting it she was hit by a Ford cargo truck who ran a red light.
The Ford was a write off - I'm convinced that if my Mrs had been driving a smaller car/SUV then she wouldn't have walked away unharmed as she did. The Merc was repaired at no small expense and subsequently drives straight and true with no rattles/creaks. The 320 engine is smooth but a little underpowered given the car's bulk.
The BAD things:
Despite a recall on the power steering hose in 2002, ours started to leak fluid before the accident, had our local indy fix it only to get another official MB recall in February of THIS year for the same thing! Repaired again and MB even refunded the cost of repairs carried out by the local guy.
Subsequently in the last six months its had a new water pump, ABS pump thingy, brake light switch, 60K service with new back brakes and the tailgate lifters need replacing so its now reached the stage of becoming a liabilty. Buy another? Nope.
I have a 2003 merc SL and can relate to a lot of the issues seen with the ML including pumps, sensors, ecu, etc. I only had to press the electric window switch a bit firmer once for it to fall right off! This seems to be a general merc issue in the so-called 'bad years' which ended in 2003 apparently. Merc were skimping on costs so build quality was poor before then. A lot of the independent merc specialists can confirm this.
However build quality has improved markedly since. JD Power Survey suggests merc were in bottom ten before 2002 but in 2005 (21st), 2007 (11th) and last year they were the fourth best performing manufacturer. I have a few friends with newer mercs (05 onwards) with no where near the same amount of issues as I had with the 03 car.
However build quality has improved markedly since. JD Power Survey suggests merc were in bottom ten before 2002 but in 2005 (21st), 2007 (11th) and last year they were the fourth best performing manufacturer. I have a few friends with newer mercs (05 onwards) with no where near the same amount of issues as I had with the 03 car.
My parents own a Mercedes ML270 CDI 2005 we bought the car in 2012 now 2017 the car still runs like new
has 200K miles on it and the only problems we have had with it
-Fuel injectors (actually not the fault in them but the poor diesel quality in my country)
-Turbo (the turbo snapped out about 3-4 times but not that it broke it just went loose had to assemble it back to the manifold.) not a big issue it didn't even cost us money
-The low range sensor can have issues but thats not really common
-had to service the Auto gear box once it was about 200-300 Dollars with the work and the replacement part
thats it and had a little oil leak from the differencial (front one) just bushing 100 dollars each they were never replaced since 2005 so its pretty normal
once the prop shaft snaped but it didn't brake too just had to put it back to the car so yes they are reliable they're only fault is fuel economy and taxes
i get 10-12 liters per 100km when i drive in in the city
has 200K miles on it and the only problems we have had with it
-Fuel injectors (actually not the fault in them but the poor diesel quality in my country)
-Turbo (the turbo snapped out about 3-4 times but not that it broke it just went loose had to assemble it back to the manifold.) not a big issue it didn't even cost us money
-The low range sensor can have issues but thats not really common
-had to service the Auto gear box once it was about 200-300 Dollars with the work and the replacement part
thats it and had a little oil leak from the differencial (front one) just bushing 100 dollars each they were never replaced since 2005 so its pretty normal
once the prop shaft snaped but it didn't brake too just had to put it back to the car so yes they are reliable they're only fault is fuel economy and taxes
i get 10-12 liters per 100km when i drive in in the city
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