Overview & Reviews

Mercedes enters the sport-ute fray with the introduction of the ML320. Designed from a clean sheet of paper, the ML320 offers the best of the car and truck worlds.

• Capable sport ute with Mercedes-Benz levels of refinement.

• Looks like the Mercury Villager minivan from the rear.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 63.00

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  Engine light on & works fine? Read this - 1998 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By James - July 24 - 7:23 pm

  Living in the heart of the Colorado Rockies I am surprised at how my ML320 performed in unforseen conditions on back forest roads, however I wish at times it had a bit better off-road capabilities (ML has the same clearance as LR Disco). My driver window regulator too went bad, a $200 repair. Also the check engine light has came on, if you get your codes read and it says fuel trim malfunction, there is a 95% chance your Mass Airflow Sensor needs replaced (located on the air intake hose just after the filter going to the motor)This will cost anywhere from $180-300 depending on where you get your parts but is an easy DIY when you have the part. Good overall SUV if you can afford well mantaince

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  1998 ML-320 may not be worth the money - 1998 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By B. C. Brown - February 6 - 10:00 am

  The most unreliable vehicle I have ever owned has been my 1998 ML-320. This truck has had numerous problems with the electrical system and the engine. The engine was replaced with a new one in January 2002. From December 1999 to January 2002, this truck was in the "shop" about 15 times for various problems. MB North America paid for the new engine, as the manufacturers warranty had just expired. Lucky for me, as I would have never had the means or desire to purchase a new engine for this truck. The best that I can say about this truck is that it hasnt returned for repairs since the new engine was installed.

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  Love It or Sell It - 1998 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Perplexed Owner - November 7 - 10:00 am

  A few minor annoying problems for first 3 yrs (23000 miles)-- glove box, front seat adjustment handle, etc. Fuel pump failed in 3rd year. Faulty work on fuel pump resulted in a second replacement in the 4th year (28000 miles). The 4 year warranty is definitely valuable.

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  Time To Trade - 1998 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By bsdl1 - October 16 - 12:26 pm

  After waiting a year to receive my ML I was thrilled to pick it up. The handling in bad road conditions is exceptional. The handling and ride are all I hoped for. Build quality is horrific. The original paint chipped in over 200 places on the hood, MB repainted the front end under warranty. Electrical problems persist. The trip computer has gone out, my wipers no longer work, the clock works intermittently. MB wants $145 to look at the wipers - no repair. The arrogance of the dealership is incredible as they make me wait 11 days to schedule an oil change.

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  Great but not perfectly reliable - 1998 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By MLPerson - September 7 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is great with the exception of subpar reliability. I bought it new after being on a list for a while, instead of an Expedition (~ same price). I cant think of an SUV currently on sale that I would rather own. It drives wonderfully, has an exceptionally smooth and quick shifting transmission, returns 18-24 mpg in varying conditions...Interior is very spacious and it tows a 4000 lb. boat without breaking a sweat while getting 16 or 17 mpg in the process!! The closest M-B dealership is fantastic.

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  Mixed Review - 1998 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By FrostyPaw - March 20 - 2:00 am

  Drives wonderfully, but in 1 year weve replaced the wiper motors twice, had the driver window fail, the electrical system short out and had a rupture to the power steering fluid hose. Starmark doesnt cover much of anything and the service department is second class compared to BMW, Audi & Acura.

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  Its been a good car. - 1998 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By DI - October 12 - 9:23 pm

  We bought the car used with 64,000 miles on it. Its been a very good car, fairly reliable, but routine maintenance at the dealer has been expensive. Good gas mileage for its size, good cargo area for my needs. Now has 112,000 miles and motor still great. Never left me stranded, but my clock stopped working last year and instrument panel would have to replaced at a cost of $1,000, so not doing that. Comfortable for me, but not my husband who is tall... he doesnt have near enough leg room, and even getting into the vehicle is a tight fit for him. It needs about another 6-8" of leg room for people over 6 ft. Back window wiper is loud. I still have the original radio which is pretty useless.

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  One Great SUV - 1998 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Mr. ML - July 13 - 12:26 pm

  The 1998 ML320 was a ground-breaking vehicle when it was first introduced and I had to have one. The early production models did have a few minor annoyances(transfer case, various squeeks and rattles) but reliability was never a concern. Overall this is one of the best vehicles I have ever owned. I highly recommend it to anyone in the market for a rugged yet elegant SUV.

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  Worst benz ever - 1998 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By MLHater - January 24 - 10:00 am

  When this vehicle came out, I was intrigued by its unique skin and the cache of the three pointed star. After being on a waiting list for almost a month, I bought the dealers demo vehicle for a reasonable price. The car performed well except for an annoying driveline rattle. I took it to the dealer, but they could not fix it. Annoyed and late for a meeting, I merged onto the interstate only to find that the car would not shift out of second gear. IT NEEDED A NEW transmission with less than 10000 miles, this was unacceptable. I traded it for an RX300 and have had no problems.

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  ml 320 - 1998 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By ptomlin - December 14 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive, this first year model was not fully sorted out and has some small reliability issues. Once sorted out, it performs fine. Later years of the ML 320 were reputed to be better. It does do OK as a 4WD well and is nimble.