Must Know Info Before Purchasing an ML320 or ML430 Mercedes Benz

I have the AMG version, 2000 ML55 @ 180k. Was my daily driver at 500 miles/wk for over a year but switched to a Mazda cx-3 for the sake of fuel economy.
TC in Annapolis Maryland

i have ML320 200.000 km not a single problem one of the best cars you can buy .

Most common problems with W163 are:
1. Sunroof leaks due blocked drain pipes if bad/wet enough on driverside will trigger short circuit and multiple codes.
2. Around 220K kms, ABS pump motor dies from worn-out carbon brushes.
3. Oil cooler leaks oil after years of cyclic heating/cooling from hardening of rubber seals - 1hr job and $25 for new seal on ebay.
4. Missing oil changes could lead to blockage on breather hole causing sludges on oil cap (not head gasket problem).
The rest is just wear and tearing which we can call it "Aging"

First problem is you need some fuel 😂
W163,W164,W202,W204
Love them all.

Show me the video of hotwire 1998 ml320merc benz

Show me the video how to hotwire 1998 ml 320 merc Benz

I hope you fixed it. I bought a 98 ML320 at an auction sight unseen that needed a transfer case. We put one on for about $600 and now just need to replace the wiper motor that melted as well as the fuse for it. (have to check for other problems that caused this). A rear brake line has rusted out but all in all drives great so far with its only 88,000 kms on it! Its got all the options one could ask for. My pigtail that plugs into the wiper motor is also burnt. Any idea where I can find a new one. I could probably repin it but would rather replace. I also have a connector just hanging by the back firewall. There are no dash lights other than the brakes so not sure where this connects. Ive ordered a service manual but has not come yet. I love your videos. I learn a lot, thank you

C1000 means dead ESP module. $80 used on eBay and it will likely solve all those problems.

The ML163 is a great car, i have owned a few over the years and still nave 4 of them. Like a lot of people/machanics it is common to say that a Mercedes will cost a fortune to fix, and you need a specialist to do it, but i am not a mechanic and i have fixed everything on all of my Mercedes so i say bullshit to your theory.

Mercedes were one of the first auto manufactures to basicly swap out parts rather than fix them, now of course all manufactures just fit a new part rather than fix a faulty or broken one.

With that in the past i have purchased a 2000 Brabus ML for $2,500 in 2005 because it was in LIMP MODE and everywhere the previous owner went he was told it was going to cost him about $15,000 to $25,000 to fix it. I fixed it for $900.00 including replacing the Auto Trans oil, trans filter, and a new control board. Thank you very much i got a $95,000.00 vehicle for about $3,500.00 and i have still got it.

I tried looking at the ML but all I saw was the Honda Prelude 4th gen in white, just chilling, making me nostalgic.

Fix it! I have one 99ML430 and love it brother!

Yea I got a 2003 ML500 121000 miles found the problem I was having the radio was draining the battery

Really good trucks, easy to fix and chip if you buy good used parts, capable off road with its ETS 4WD and low gear

I have a 2004 ml 350. The AAM has gone out. And the dealer said you cannot get a new one and they are VIN specific. You cant buy the part and a used one wont work on this model. So i can only junk or part out with great engine, tranny,tires, body, etc. Iam sick. Any suggestion?

Hi Man how are you? Do you know if its possible put an om617 diesel engine in it?

No one know how to work on a 2000 Ml55 amg

Ebay has used chip parts for the ML vehicles they are the easiest to fix, it's a reliable model from 2000 to 2005, the previous models has a lot of issues from 1997 to 99

Always had a weak spot for the 163

I bought a 2004 ML350 for $900 because it had an ABS, BAS/ES, EST lights on the dash. It also had a “!” Symbol Light on was in limp mode, but hell, for $900 I decided to give it a try. Had to replace a rear right wheel speed sensor for $50… all the lights went away and the car has been working fine since. 😂That was 2 years ago. The car has 199,976 miles now and the engine is smooth and quiet, the transmission shifts like new. That’s crazy!!. I’m hoping it will last me at least more 3 years. So far there’s no indication that it won’t. Can’t believe how good this $900 car turned out.

I can assure you this one has more than 300k miles I’ve owned couple of them with 100-150k miles and they don’t show age at all. Overall bulletproof engine

Great break down of the differences and what to look for. Many years ago I owned a '01 ml320 and took good care of it and never had any issues with her. I'm in the market for another w163 but still can't decide between a 320 or a 430. I guess it would boil down to how well the PO took care of it and has service records. Thanks for posting!

Fix it, it’s a low mileage vehicle. Rack an pinion is a pain in the ass job but not the end of the world. All those codes might be $60 sensor or low battery voltage. These electronics are old but not the most complicated.
That M113 is bulletproof, make sure the gaskets are good and not leaking, all the belts&pulleys are tight. One issue due to age is cables under the hood and some vacuum lines. They get pretty brittle with all that heat cycle. Normal for a 22 year old car.

Tranny is 722. 6, again a very good box. Change fluid&filter&gasket and you are good to go.
Old MLs are awesome for off-roading.
Honestly not that expensive to maintain if you know what you are doing

best suv ever built. The tank I got 2 of this

Lookin like a younger Chino moreno

Have a 320 260k on going well , replaced power steering pump noisy , fuel pump , that’s it , use it for towing . Very reliable, everything works fine all the buttons inside feels like new, seats seem to not wear at all !

Also have a 270 diesel ML W163 - 340k on .. a bit noisy on cold start then warms up running smooth also light on fuel , everything works perfectly. Both 22 years old ..

Great cars will always have one around.
The new cars just don’t last ..

Can you show radiator replacement for this car?

it is far from a parts car. certainly worth some upgrades. i would enjoy more videos.

Looking at getting a 320. Thanks for the info

Do you think the ml430 has more power? than advertised.

My friend's just gave me a 2001 ML 430 to repair and sell. Many of the lights had burned out, it had a massive power steering leak and the window control panel was broken. I've managed to fix all those issues and its been super easy to work on.

However now I have a new problem. All the windows are working with the new window control panel switch, but its blowing F30. Initially it instantly blew, but each time I've put a new fuse in to test function it lasts longer. The windows sound extremely dirty and rough during travel, probably because the were unused for years and they lived down a dirt road and its full of grit.

I'm going to pop all the door panels off and clean everything and see if that helps. I didn't see any concerning areas on the wiring harness so far, so nothing that indicates a short. But maybe once I open up the doors I'll see something.

I'll probably be back to check more possibilities if cleaning everything doesn't fix the problem. I may try switching the window motor from front to back to see if that might be the issue. The other fuse for the DR front and PS rear is not blowing, so there doesn't seem to be an issue with that wiring or the motors.

It seems like a great little SUV, the motor sounds great, no concerning sounds or issues with operation.

When you replace the battery on a w163 turn the steering wheel lock to lock and the light will shut off. Also don’t overfill gas tank because the fuel gauge will get all wonky if that happens remove the cluster gauge fuse I believe is a 15 amp fuse located on the front passenger side kick panel the fuse is the top second one from right to left you can check some of my old vids

Inn be love my 2002 ML320 one of the easiest Mercedes.

I have a 2001 ML320, with about 210,000 miles. It's been my daily driver since around 2005. I live in the New York area (with all its snow and road salt issues) and about 6 months ago I drove it from there through Mexico to Central America, where we are now working on our retirement house. I would not have done that trip, with my family, unless I absolutely trusted that car/truck. It got us there with no issues, and other than ordinary wear and tear it is doing great in a tropic environment. Best vehicle I have ever owned. It has its electronic quirks, but they are something that can be figured out, and are relatively inexpensive to repair. It is built like a tank, and I expect it to last at least another 20 years.

Love my 163 02

Keep it fix it! I have and love it!!!

I've owned 4 Benzes until now and I got my ML 320 for the longest time now. I had a few problems with it but they were surprisingly easy fixed. Note: When your ML beeps while driving and has BAS ESP ETS ABS and the parking brake on it's your ESP control unit
Soon I'll switch to an ML 430

Buy them parts at the junk yard.
Prices are cheap !!!

ML500 here, plastic bits inside intake manifold go brittle. I'll bet it's been replaced closer to 100,000k, or it'll be going out soon. Usually needs to be replaced 1-2x in it's lifetime. Replace cabin air filter annually, and your climate control will thank you. I've found, once you understand how the Germans do it, they're 'easy' to work on.

Where is your shop located? I'm at Orange county

Worth fixing ! Please post any videos of you doing so PLEASE!

Fix it, there are some good suggestions in the comments already. Plus - it's not rusted out like ones in the rust belt :)

My daily driver is a 2001 ML 320. I have a full sized, 4x4 Dodge ram pick up for doing the dirty work from time to time, but my ML does just fine on it's own doing smaller jobs. It's at 230k miles, just now replaced the usual stuff that cars normally require at 130k. In the event of a bug out, and Apocalypse, I will be taking my ML, just knowing it's got the best of all worlds in one package, and it's super cheap and easy to work on. Mine is throwing zero codes as well.

Watching this Gave me a headache not because of the guy but because of this car and Mercedes. Over engineering at it finest

First issue he said about the anti theft system and key itself will be under 200$ I have a ml430 I used to have a 320 and my wife has a 05 350 best suv I ever had you can run them up to 500k and more and all parts are cheap and labor is easy and cheap also… so the key is 30$ and the labor most likly 200$ 2nd issue CPS but easy fix and under 100$ for labor super common issue tho too the brake light switch also is a common issue but it’s an easy fix and it’s not like it keeps happening this is super easy to do you self and the sensor is 20$ 15$ then he said rack and pinion I never had an issue with that but seen on forums some people did but it’s 200 for the part he then said about the stability control and control module and he said thers a lot of problems with that , def not true imo these are great suv and last forever tranny is impeccable motor as well

Your steering rack leak is most likely coming from two VERY small o-rings in the very top of the "tower" portion of the rack. The whole thing must be removed to replace them!

I've owned several ML's over the years, and I currently have a 2000 ML55 AMG which i have owned for about 6 years now. They are GREAT cars, underrated offroad, and I definitely think it's worth fixing.

This is one of the best SUVs out there
Not the most fuel efficient but it's great under pressure. I have one 320. The chopped off V8...

I own 1999 ml320 much less complex the earlier model, bulletproof! Never let me down. But i fixed 1001 leaks and now it's good. Bought 2 years ago at 184k km and now it's at 198k km. I will never sell it!

Let's fix it!

209000 on my 1999 ML runs like a top.

Have 270 CDI, still regret i did not take 320 with LPG. Bulletproof engine and overall extremly tough and capable ...