Provided it works properly -- which is infrequent -- it's pretty fun to drive for a truck.

* Everything previously noted about electrical system seems to be correct.
* If we continue to have problems with the car our dealer's next move is supposedly to replace the entire wiring harness. We really hope this does not happen; but, then again, it is probably inevitable.
* Our ML frequents the dealership so much we have taken to telling our young children that it is having a Spa day, else they burst in tears to think that their car is not well. (We should all be so lucky to experience Spa treatments as frequently as this car.)

I hope that all that read these reviews take into clear account the numerous 'complaints' of this so-called MBZ product. There appears to be RECURRING electrical problems, to which, we too are afflicted with in our ML430. What we have read in earlier reviews posted here is like looking into a mirror with our 'problem' car too.

If you have purchased this vehicle and do not experience the problems encountered and plagued by ourselves and others in this section than consider yourself truly blessed.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have NOT purchased this vehicle, then, "Caveat emptor, Baby!"

Weve spoken with MBZ national, LM's with regional (NEVER called back). They are in classic corporate denial.
We've contacted a number of attorneys that specialize in the lemon laws, and apparently we have learned three noteworthy things:
1. If it does not affect the operating safety of the vehicle then it does not necessarily qualify.
2. MBZ tends to try and leverage their many years of so-called brand reliability as a hedge against prospective lemon settlements.
3. For the most part, noteworthy lenmon law attorneys dont drive MBZ's, because apparent reliability is questionable and recourse is a true pain (why fight an uphill battle?)

I deeply hope that more ML model and MBZ owners read these negative positings and contribute like experiences with their electrical problems from which this body of information could develop into enough evidence that could be brought to bear against MBZ in the manufacture and knowing distribution of a truly inferior/defective product... the MBZ ML class.

FYI...we ordered and not too long after the nightmare with our ML430, canceled before delivery, a CLK430 cabriolet. The CLK430 cabriolet may look very sweet, but we're not taking chances...we'll save our grief, time and money and go with a proven track record in a Japanese model.

Road handling (especially for an SUV, almost a car like ride)
Powertrain
Safety features (stability system, brakes, handling (did I already mention that?)

Broken gizmos. Less than stellar quality control.

I have really enjoyed this vehicle overall. I have had a few problems but the overall driving quality compared to other SUVs (and many sedans) and a decent dealer makes up for M-B's less than stellar quality control. The safety features and general design are superb. Seats and driving position are very comfortable. Sound system is good. Never had the vehicle fail to start or strand me but have had it into the shop for annoying problems (tachyometer needle scratched dial, squeek in rear seat, rub in hand brake line, rusted lug nuts, fuel filler cap retaining strap broke, ?front axle wear...still need to get that checked out).

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Jeep Grand Cherokee (complete pile of crap)
Nissan Pathfinder (very reliable, truck like, not nearly as comfortable to drive)

Performance, comfort, handling, Skytop roof, load space

cup holders, complicated rear seat folding, cheap sun visors, mileage

(1999 Model) - I've owned 3 suv's, including a Trooper and Grand Cherokee, but, overall, the ML430 is the best

Balanced approach, design and engineering, build quality, performance.

Absolutely, positively NONE.

This is an awesome vehicle. It delivers exactly as promised. I would say if you are looking for overall flexibility of use and build quality there is no reason on earth to buy ANY other SUV. It strikes the perfect balance between real world ruggedness and a civilized demeanor. It feels perfectly at home in the city, on the highway, on a winding road (caution --it's not a Porsche), over snow in the middle of nowhere, on a stony country field, etc. I have the third row of seats for occasional use --they work wonderfully, although safety would be a concern if a large truck hit you from behind. Absolutely no problems in the first 10,000 miles. This car is in my opinion way superior to all other SUVs, and feels almost as if it was designed and built by a "higher intelligence". I acknowledge that if your ONLY interest is pure ruggedness this may not be the best SUV --it has more of a well rounded, balanced approach, as opposed to good for one thing only.

This car feels in place at the beginning of the new millenium and will be a tough act to follow or improve upon dramatically.

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Most all other SUVs which I've ridden with friends.

*great accelaration, makes nice roaring noise when you STOMP on the pedal. Nice key mechanism. This car captures alot of attention. With the front and back grills, you've got the ULTIMATE Machine. *SPECTACULAR HANDLING. IT COMES WITH a CD CHANGER in the back and with BOSS sound. talk about BUILT IN sound system.

they should have made the interior a lil more innovative. its almost impossible to burn rubber with these beauties. not that very big on the inside.

my dad gave me this car for when i started College. DAMN DOES THIS CAR capture attention. If your those guys that like to pick up chicks all the time. Trust me, with this beauty you'll be overflowed with them. Everytime i'd drive this car anywhere, people would stare. And ask if it was my dad's car. I'd say "no" its 100 percent mine. Shoot, i sure have my fun with it. As an added plus, i added the front grills and the back grills, and the side steps that came out to like almost $2000. The color of my car is grey, and thats probably the best color that fits it. I've seen other colors, but they dont look as stylish as the gray one does. Forget the Escalade and forget the Denali. This SHOULD BE YOUR CHOICE. remember CADILLAC is only considered luxiorious in the U.S. imagine that?? and what about GMC....HAHAHA, trying to make there SUV look like its all that. GIVE ME A BREAK. MERCEDES IS KNOWN worldwide, and MERCEDES is class, quality and the number one choice if you want THE BEST.

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although to me personally the CADILLAC ESCALADE and the YUKON DENALI design was more appealing than the Mercedes ML320, Mercedes is stil my choice. if you have any questions about this car, feel free to email me.

highway ride and handling
good driver interface
drivetrain/transmission v. good
reasonable handling/ride
good gas mileage

poor quality radio and plastics trim
poor quality paintjob (chips easily)
lots of small problems require a lot of time at dealership
dealer usually does not have the parts and have to make 2 trips
fuel injection failed
headlights failed, and no warning lights (you see a lot of them on the highway here with 1 or no lights)
rear hatch is to heavy to close without abnormal force
very poor heat and ac system, cant warm up in winter and cool in summer

poor heating/ac and ventilation system
windows operate extremely slowly
no storage space, all trays are really to small/awkward
hard armrests
brakes are soggy/not firm
steering lock to lock makes turning require lots of wheel twirling

Overall, it is not up to MB quality standards, thought recently these have fallen also. The basic car is built well, but the assembly and the parts espectially in the car body are very poor quality. Obviously MB saved a lot of money on the interior, radio, dash, hvac, etc.

It has also been in the service shop a lot, almost every 2 or 3 months since new..... my wifes bmw 740 goes in 2 times a year only, as have all my previous cars.

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many bmw and mb cars, toyota landcruiser

Saftey. Beautiful SUV inside and out. Ride is smooth.

The back door is sooooo heavy.
CD player is in the trunk.

Impression. I am blowed away by this veichle! I love it. I bought it used and it was like buying it new. I traded my 88 Cady Deville with only 61,000. miles on it.That was hard to do. But the ride of the ML is very smooth and enjoyable. My husband who has a Navi is very impressed with it. Lots of room for me and the 2 kids. Sound system is great. I do not think I could be any happier with anything else.

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None

Drives nicely and has reasonable gas mileage
Does reasonably well in the snow
7 seat option(this was one of the key features that clinched my purchase over its only other competitor in the class at time of purchase...the LexusRX300)

Rapid wear of brakes(despite relativley gentle driving)
Has the vehicle for 50000km and already has to replace front pads twice(the last one only after 16000km which I personally find apalling); and the rear pads once. Previously owned at least 8-9 vehicles of various weights and have never had anything approaching that wear rate...GOSH!!!(will appreciate to know if anyone else has had the same experience with the M320)
Interior material is not befitting of a MBZ
Minor flaws which I attributed to teething problems forementioned:
(in no specific order)
Rusting wheel bolts
Delatched sunroof mechanism and debonded sunroof rubber seal
Power window on driver side got jammed and would not come up
Check engine lights kept flickering on and off since 35000k but have turned off since the last scheduled service(crossing my finger)
Couple of recall items(which unfortunately I have forgotten the specifics)
Front interior dormer light would not turn off

Outside of the brakes, I would rate the rest minor because compared to the total shut down experience (due to electrical problems) that my friend experienced while driving his ML430, my problems could be rated insignificant. Sad to say, the intermittent electrical problems with his vehicle were never satisfactorily resolved by the dealership up to the day he traded his vehicle in out of desperation.

Generally, I have had a reasonably satisfactory experience with this vehicle. The quality, however, is subpar in terms of the supposed MBZ tradition. The interior, despite the woodgrain accents and certain Mercedes-resque features, is even more austere than the 190 which I owned at one time. I also agree with previous reviews on this forum that this product has been underengineered. It has many little flaws that obviously were teething problems exacerbated by an apparent rush of the product into the market place. I have had a bad experience with brake wear and am wondering if this is a generic problem. The last replacement of the front pads was only after just over 10 months and 15,000km(approximately 10,000miles). The dealer told me to write MBZ so I would reserve judgement until(and if) they reply to see what their explanations could be.(Probably tell me it's my driving habit...even most of my driving has been on freeway and I would rate my driving personally as being "gentle").
*I would really appreciate if anyone else with excessive brake wear problems on this vehicle to post.
Would I buy another ML320? Probably, if they have ironed out the bugs.
I certainly hope that I have seen the last of them on my own vehicle.
The price point on this vehicle really is extremely attractive for a MBZ since even a E320 would set you back another 10 grand or so. However, I think MBZ had to compromise somewhat on quality to fit the vehicle into that price point. The three point star alone gives it a recognizable prestige factor that similar SUV's in similar price range cannot boast and compare to. So in defense of the vehicle, for the price you have to pay, the value is there despite all the niggling problems.

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None

Unique styling, everything!

nada

i was at my local driving range and i saw a 600. itwas truely beautiful. the styling on that truck was so unique. makes me want to get rid o my 55 for one. i cant wait to track one down and test drive it.

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LR Discovery II SE7, LR Defender 90 & 110, LR Range Rover HSE, MB S 600, MB E 55, Saab 95 Aero, BMW X5, Jag S - Type, Lexus SC 430, Lexus LS 430, AMG Hummer, Lam Diablo, Ferrari Spyder...just to name a few...

Comfortable ride, predictable handling, smooth drive train. Flexible service - oil change and routine service every 10K or so.

Electrical, trim, dealer service. Repeated problems with same parts suggests several design flaws.

Dreadful experience. Frequent and repeated problems with door locks, remote lock/unlock, alarm, and electrical system. Replaced entire instrument panel. In shop more than a dozen times for warranty repairs in 21 months. Often dealer(s) did not properly make repair the first time necessitating repeated visits and prolonged periods with loaner car. The only thing I'm confident about this vehicle is that there will be another problem soon! I don't have the time to continue dealing with it, but waited too long to take advantage of lemon laws. Sold it back to a dealer, who was supported by MBUSA, who paid a bit less than blue book retail. An expensive lesson - don't get to like your car too much! Recommend looking at Lexus or BMW competitors.

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Recommend looking at Lexus or BMW competitors that are likely to be more reliable.