ML 55amg question
Discussion
First post in the Mercedes forum, thanks to any replies!
I've just purchased (placed a small deposit) a 2001 (X reg) ML 55 AMG and due to pick it up on Wednesday. Any problems I should be aware of?
I've test drove it for about 5 miles only but it ran fine. I've been told by the salesman (small independant) that the Sat Nav doesn't work, sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. This wouldn't be the start of something more serious eg electrical/board problems could it? It doesn't bother me that the Sat Nav isn't working, it's any other potential issues that may arise as there's only a 1 month warranty supplied.
Sorry if it seems a dumb question but I'm not very technically minded.
Great looking car though!
ps: not that it matters but what kind of miles per gallon am I looking at in the real world?
Thanks!
I've just purchased (placed a small deposit) a 2001 (X reg) ML 55 AMG and due to pick it up on Wednesday. Any problems I should be aware of?
I've test drove it for about 5 miles only but it ran fine. I've been told by the salesman (small independant) that the Sat Nav doesn't work, sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. This wouldn't be the start of something more serious eg electrical/board problems could it? It doesn't bother me that the Sat Nav isn't working, it's any other potential issues that may arise as there's only a 1 month warranty supplied.
Sorry if it seems a dumb question but I'm not very technically minded.
Great looking car though!
ps: not that it matters but what kind of miles per gallon am I looking at in the real world?
Thanks!
Sorry to be the bearer of potentially bad news - but I think that these are widely regarded as being amongst the worst cars that MB ever made.
My next door neighbour had one (a 55 AMG) and it was an absolute money pit. Suspension,brakes, electrics, gearbox - you name it - he replaced it.
My next door neighbour had one (a 55 AMG) and it was an absolute money pit. Suspension,brakes, electrics, gearbox - you name it - he replaced it.
Why are you even considering a car (especially a Merc AMG) with a satnav that doesn't work? Its like spending your life savings on a 3 legged mule and expecting it to win the Grand National. I'd pull out now and find one that works. Then I'd purchase a warranty to cover your back when it does go wrong. A warranty won't cover the one your looking at as its already a duffer!
Mr Gearchange said:
Sorry to be the bearer of potentially bad news - but I think that these are widely regarded as being amongst the worst cars that MB ever made.
My next door neighbour had one (a 55 AMG) and it was an absolute money pit. Suspension,brakes, electrics, gearbox - you name it - he replaced it.
The build quality of MLs of that vintage was dire by MB standards, as said expect as above. The engines are good, though.My next door neighbour had one (a 55 AMG) and it was an absolute money pit. Suspension,brakes, electrics, gearbox - you name it - he replaced it.
Don't buy with dodgy Comand. Replacement units are expensive and scarce, and lots of Lithuanians will try and sell you dodgy ones one ebay...
Get if fixed before you part with your money.
Low teens mpg.
ecain63 read my initial post about the fuel where it states
"Not that it matters"
And no it's not top of my budget, it's a cheap performance 4x4 for plodding around in this coming winter. My only concerns are the reliability/possible problems.
"Not that it matters"
And no it's not top of my budget, it's a cheap performance 4x4 for plodding around in this coming winter. My only concerns are the reliability/possible problems.
Edited by Mark777 on Monday 27th September 18:39
Mark777 said:
Thanks for the replies.
I'll look into the Nav and possibly get a 12 month AA warranty that was mentioned, £300 for 12 months.
£300 for 12 months... fI'll look into the Nav and possibly get a 12 month AA warranty that was mentioned, £300 for 12 months.
k me bandy with a bargepole. ( They are taking your pants down )What garage only gives you a 1 month warranty?
Replacement nav unit can be had for about £250 off ebay and is plug and play ( get them to sort it )
paoloh said:
Mark777 said:
Thanks for the replies.
I'll look into the Nav and possibly get a 12 month AA warranty that was mentioned, £300 for 12 months.
£300 for 12 months... fI'll look into the Nav and possibly get a 12 month AA warranty that was mentioned, £300 for 12 months.
k me bandy with a bargepole. ( They are taking your pants down )What garage only gives you a 1 month warranty?
Replacement nav unit can be had for about £250 off ebay and is plug and play ( get them to sort it )
I thought the minimum by law was now 3 months warranty from an independant dealer, although a good will 12 months from a main dealer is pretty normal.
ecain63 said:
paoloh said:
Mark777 said:
Thanks for the replies.
I'll look into the Nav and possibly get a 12 month AA warranty that was mentioned, £300 for 12 months.
£300 for 12 months... fI'll look into the Nav and possibly get a 12 month AA warranty that was mentioned, £300 for 12 months.
k me bandy with a bargepole. ( They are taking your pants down )What garage only gives you a 1 month warranty?
Replacement nav unit can be had for about £250 off ebay and is plug and play ( get them to sort it )
I thought the minimum by law was now 3 months warranty from an independant dealer, although a good will 12 months from a main dealer is pretty normal.
There is NO legal need to offer a warranty.
The dealer has to warrant the goods for up to 6 months.
Listen to the people on here, look at the MB forums.
That series of ML is the very worst, of the shocking cars, that MB were building at the time.
And that warranty - I would love to see what it excludes.
Unless it has about £15,000 in receipts (I am not kidding - I only bought a 2001 S600L because it had documented repairs over £30,000...yes...£30,000 which was not under warranty and was effectively an updated model as a result) run away.
Utter
Utter
Rubbish
If you want an ML, get 2003 onwards.
That series of ML is the very worst, of the shocking cars, that MB were building at the time.
And that warranty - I would love to see what it excludes.
Unless it has about £15,000 in receipts (I am not kidding - I only bought a 2001 S600L because it had documented repairs over £30,000...yes...£30,000 which was not under warranty and was effectively an updated model as a result) run away.
Utter
Utter
Rubbish
If you want an ML, get 2003 onwards.
That gen of ML was the american version, so sorry to break it to you but you aren't getting a German car, or the build quality you may expect.
Expect rust, trim rattles, gaps, electrical failures, all sorts.
If the car has been serviced according to the schedule at approved Mercedes dealer then there's a good chance it's still covered by "Mobilelife" - the Mercedes bodywork guarantee...although I have read that this may have changed slightly since I have moved away from Mercedes vehicles. You can ask the dealer if it's still covered after you've done some research on it to understand what you're getting.
The AMG 55 engine was solid enough though, but fuel economy is not it's strong point. Not hugely fast considering its size or potential - more of a lazy V8 rather than out and out performance.
Expect rust, trim rattles, gaps, electrical failures, all sorts.
If the car has been serviced according to the schedule at approved Mercedes dealer then there's a good chance it's still covered by "Mobilelife" - the Mercedes bodywork guarantee...although I have read that this may have changed slightly since I have moved away from Mercedes vehicles. You can ask the dealer if it's still covered after you've done some research on it to understand what you're getting.
The AMG 55 engine was solid enough though, but fuel economy is not it's strong point. Not hugely fast considering its size or potential - more of a lazy V8 rather than out and out performance.
funny how all the replies not one of them has said they owned one!
we bought a 42k miles 52 plate 4 years ago from MB Grimsby.
its been a fantastic car; no problems whatsoever, hence why we still have it 4 years later.
fuel economy isn't great, but you buy a 5.4ltr 4x4, you know what you are in for.
it does seem as though there are bad ones out there, but with some common sense, they can be avoided.
condition is paramount along with history and the amount of owners; same with every car out there.
never buy a car from a dealer with faults even if they offer 'discount' to cover the faults. if they wont fix it, walk away; they probably know exactly how much it will cost, or that the problem is more serious than it seems.
we currently have 2 other amgs (5 doors and 2 doors) and we have been lucky as ALL have been perfectly reliable and are still serviced by our outstanding local main dealer ( john.r.weir ).
they also took care of the paint warranty issues due to minor corrosion on the bottom door edges and whipped of the wheel arch extension to inspect for hidden corrosion there only to find none!
finally, it was great fun in the bad snow last year; never found any depth of snow a problem, and you could drive like a hooligan when permitting and have fantastic 4 wheel drifts...
we bought a 42k miles 52 plate 4 years ago from MB Grimsby.
its been a fantastic car; no problems whatsoever, hence why we still have it 4 years later.
fuel economy isn't great, but you buy a 5.4ltr 4x4, you know what you are in for.
it does seem as though there are bad ones out there, but with some common sense, they can be avoided.
condition is paramount along with history and the amount of owners; same with every car out there.
never buy a car from a dealer with faults even if they offer 'discount' to cover the faults. if they wont fix it, walk away; they probably know exactly how much it will cost, or that the problem is more serious than it seems.
we currently have 2 other amgs (5 doors and 2 doors) and we have been lucky as ALL have been perfectly reliable and are still serviced by our outstanding local main dealer ( john.r.weir ).
they also took care of the paint warranty issues due to minor corrosion on the bottom door edges and whipped of the wheel arch extension to inspect for hidden corrosion there only to find none!
finally, it was great fun in the bad snow last year; never found any depth of snow a problem, and you could drive like a hooligan when permitting and have fantastic 4 wheel drifts...
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