Overview & Reviews
A completely redesigned M-Class debuts for 2006.
- Fresh styling inside and out, comfortable for five, extensive array of safety features, surefooted in bad weather, easy-to-use navigation system
- V6 is short on low-end torque, no third-row seat option, expensive for its class.
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 152.00-
Fine looking piece of junk! - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
By steve - April 2 - 9:20 pmThis cars exceptional styling belies the fact that just about everything that could go wrong with it will! It regularly goes into the shop with the unexpected. Brakes lasted less than 1 year. Transmission dealybop less than 3 months. Many more repairs----all costly. Never buy this car without an extended warranty!
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2006 ML350 - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
By rika01 - December 29 - 4:26 pmI bought the car in May 05 and returned it within a week due to transmission problems at low speed. When in traffic there is a loud bang when upshifting or downshifting between first and second gears. I received the following comments from the dealer: 1. The vehicle is operating within normal limits 2. The vehicle has to adapt to the driving pattern of the particular driver and has a "memory" that can only be reset if the car is driven from 80mph to 0mph without braking and coming to a complete stop. 3. The vehicle needs software updates. After the 6th return I made a huge stink and they replaced the transmission. So far everything seems to be ok but I no longer have confidence in MB.
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"a service nightmare" - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
By dissapointed - July 25 - 10:00 amThe styling and sturdiness of the ML350 is great. The Harmon Kardon sound is very good. The trouble I have experienced has been the worst of any vehicle I have ever owned. I have it in the shop now for balance shaft replacement ( out of warranty and a few grand to fix) plus I was told that the transmission control module needs to be replaced ( another $1700). I have had the temperature controls reprogrammed ($150) parking lamp wiring harness replaced ( $200+) parking brake release handle repaired ( $200) plus normal maintenance service of $1000.00 plus already just this year. Stay away from 2006 MLs - maybe all MB vehicles! My servicing dealer is not good either which compounds the issue.
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Another Mistake - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
By Bill - January 22 - 9:00 pmAfter having numerous problems with an 02 ML-320 we decided to try the new ML and to step up to the 500. Within 2 weeks the car began to "shudder" at lights and the headlights dimmed. The dealer kept the vehicle for another week and changed some electronic component which cured nothing. The car is very powerful and gorgeous.
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Unhappy with 2006 Mercedes ML500 - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
By mseriesqualityproble - August 13 - 10:30 pmAfter 8 days of happy ownership and only 200 miles, our ML500 had serious transmission problems, couldnt be driven and it spent the next 4 days in the dealers shop. All this, after waiting an extra 2 months for delivery so "Mercedes could be sure of no quality problems". This was our departure from 15 years of owning Lexus...and we are going back to Lexus. It is a shame because the car is a beauty and rides incredibly well. Too bad the Germans have forgotten how to design and manufacture a car for reliability. By the way, the Mercedes navigation compared to Lexus is far inferior....Lexus makes it so easy to use. When your emotion grabs you to go for style...think quality/reliability.
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ML350 - Dont touch one! - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
By dutchy01 - June 7 - 12:00 pmIf you research this vehicle you will find they have problems with the balance shaft and this equals expensive repairs. MB will not admit a problem exists but the blogs show this to be untrue. They have also introduced a replacement (read upgrade) kit to address their non existent problems. My experience has been that a cog on the balance shaft has disintegrated causing much internal damage. The engine had to be removed and parts replaced. 30 hours labour. Can you afford the risk? I currently have 2 MBs but will not touch another one.
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Many Problems - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
By Bill - June 2 - 5:16 pmI had to have the whole engine replaced after 5 trips to the dealer for excess oil useage. Exterior lights burn out. Now major problem with transmission which will not upshift and very jerky. Probably been in the shop a total of 30+ days with other problems
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A horriible let down - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
By a horrible let down - January 10 - 4:00 pmWe purchased our car in 10/05. We were absolutely thrilled. Three months later my car broke down in the middle lane on the highway. Every light came on inside and the care died. It was the engine. The dealer replaced the engine after having my car in the shop for two weeks. A month later there was a nick in the transmission which required another stay in the shop. 3 months later two recalls were fixed. This car was a horrible let down. You can hear and feel the car shift gears. We are actually looking for another car to buy. I have two kids and it does not offer the reliability that a mom would feel comfortable driving. It was truly a let down.
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Not Recommended - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
By ChicagoScott - October 6 - 3:10 amI have had this vehicle in to the service department for jerking transmission problems six times at two different dealerships. They claim it is a known problem and that there is a "software upgrade" coming from MB Corporate. The service experience and the lack of solution makes this my first and last Mercedes purchase. Too bad because we really liked the vehicle. Also, the check coolant light is on constantly. They told us it was an "electrical problem" and didnt fix it. The sunroof will not close unless you hit button two to three times due to a sensor problem.
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Not for this BMW lover - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
By boop - November 9 - 12:43 pmFirst: sloppy tranny. The gear changes are very jumpy and noticable by passengers. On hill, I can floor the accelerator and get little to no power. The dealership, saw it twice, & states the tranny is fine. Take your foot off the gas and it downshifts noticibly, all by itself. It does not hold tight curves or the road on bumpy surfaces, very scary. Drives like an expensive Blazer! The Nav system is one of the most complicated I have seen. This is no X5I Question the skills of anyone calling him/herself an avid driver, if they say they like this vehicle. There is one positive, It is sending me right back to the wonderful skilled machinery of BMW for the rest of my life
