Overview & Reviews
The M-Class' navigation system enters the 21st century by ditching the old CD-ROM-based design for a much more efficient DVD-based setup. This is the lone change as the MLs received numerous updates last year.
- Safe, comfortable, brisk performance, surefooted in bad weather.
- On-road handling eclipsed by newer crossover SUVs, gets pricey fast if buyer gets tempted by too many options.
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 136.00-
Crappiest Mercedes - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
By Ron mashrouteh - July 14 - 2:00 amIll never by another Mercedes-Benz no matter what model.
-
TOTAL NIGHTMARE - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
By KmW - May 27 - 2:00 amPower windows that wouldnt go back up (in a rainstorm)was my first experience. I have had to get new batteries 3x now at $35 a pop. I have had problems with my dashboard lighting up like a Christmas tree. My front brakes (according to the dealership)"went" at 27,000 miles to the tune of $300. Here is a small list of what has broken in the short time I have had this vehicle, water pump, anti theft, cd player, stereo speakers, srs, abs, there was something else but I cant remember those three letters ha ha, and most recently the radiator. Everytime I bring this vehicle in I lose it for a minimum of 3 days, as it would seem parts are hard to get.
-
ML500 - Very Poor Ride - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
By Not Too Happy - April 23 - 3:30 pmI am very unhappy with the ride. MB should be ashamed, no wonder they are loosing market share like anything. What the hell were they thinking when they designed the suspension system for this thing - ML500 with $50,000. The other problem, which my dealer tells me is normal - all tires are feathering a lot, he tells me this is normal. I am supposed to change the tires every 15-20000 miles? My god the ride is just so bad - 10 mins ride and your body is ready to fall a part. never expected a donut size tire either with MB, when others have full size spare. Dont know what to do with this.
-
Not for the long haul....costly repairs - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
By BenzOwner516 - June 8 - 2:10 amI purchased this vehicle in 2003 and currently have 125,000 miles on it. This car has been a NIGHTMARE. The suspension has major issues, my total cost for suspension, control arm and various related issues is well over $7,000. The catylytic converters went at 90k miles,$2,300. Transmission control module, power steering column and pump, calipers froze, transmission mounts, motor mounts, heated seat caught on fire.....the problems are too numerous to name. Overall Ive spent at least $20,000 on repairs. All the mechanics Ive spoken to advise getting rid of this car after 5 years. It is definitely not built for the long haul. First and last Mercedes.
-
Get out while you still can - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
By yogamama - May 20 - 10:00 amThe M-class is a disaster. My car arbitrarily stalls since the day I rolled it off the lot. Unfortunately, the only time it does this is when Im entering a busy road and need pick-up. Repeated trips to the dealership revealed nothing...except a waiting room of other angry M-class owners experiencing the same problem. Computers been updated three times. My friends with C class cars are having similar problems. My guess is that Mercedes tried to make a lower priced vehicle for the "masses," and unfortunately, sacrificed quality. There are many SUVs out there for the same price-without the kinks.
-
Not impressed - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
By ML320 Owner - September 12 - 10:00 amI trusted the quality of Mercedes-Benz, but this vehicle did not meet my expectation. In the past several months, I had a few issues with its brakes, power windows, and transmission. The ride is fine. I did not notice this much when I purchased the vehicle, but the automaker went cheep by using many components made by plasctic. For the price I paid, I couldve found a better-built vehicle in other brands. Just like any other comsumer products, you would be paying premeum for the name, not the quality you should get.
-
Dont buy one - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
By millerp - November 29 - 10:00 amThe build quality and reliabilty is terrible. I have never owned a car or truck this bad.
-
What a disappointment! - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
By Poughkeepsie Family - March 17 - 2:00 amWe bought the Mercedes ML-320 with such excitement and high hopes. What a disappiontment to own a new car that keeps breaking down! Sure the dealer fixed each problem (though not the first time more than once) but the hastle of bringing the car in for repairs was significant. The car is peppy, but this seems to come at the expense of gas milage; we never acheived the EPA estimates even when driving the car gently. Yes, it has a third row of seats, but they are not convenient to use.
-
Chrysler quality- M Benz price - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
By Rocky Mtn Madness - May 24 - 10:00 amThis SUV has been very disappointing.The quality control is lacking. Numerous shop visits without satisfaction and a dealer who cannot get it right. I will never buy a MB product again.
-
More problems than you would expect - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
By rsingr - January 15 - 4:26 pmI purchased 4 Mercedes in 2003, (2) ML500, (1) 500S and (1) E500 The ML500s had fuse box fans that squealed for a half hour in the morning. Serious brake and tire problems. Each ML required new tires at 25,000 miles. Each has had the brakes replaced twice in 46,000 miles. ($1,400 for brakes) At 53,000 miles the brakes squeal so bad they are embarrassing to drive. Each has been in about a dozen times for various repairs. Top dollar, inferior quality, design problems and miserable service. Avoid these automobiles.
