Ml 55 AMG

[Militant-Grunt]

Hey there guys,

Im planning on purchasing an Ml 55 AMG, could you possibly tell me how realible they are, and if there any common problems. I ask because I heard truly horrid things about the Ml 320.. Im just hoping that the guys at AMG changed that. Any info on this 5.4L monster would be greately appreciated..

-Militant Grunt

 

[Tony M]

We have had ML's for a few years now, with no real problems. The only fault we had was the gearbox stuck in 'Park'. The Mobilo man arrived and poked a biro down a little trap door by the selector lever and released something. The dealer then fitted a new thingey.

The current one is just back from it's first service,at 17,000 miles. What surprised me was that the front brake pads still had an estimated 2000 miles wear left, but the discs had worn out. An unexpected and high bill was the result.The dealer also found a gearbox oil leak which was fixed under warranty.The former ML was sold at 22,000 miles and had been serviced at 15,000 miles but no disc problems on that one, or any other problems.

Last year,I had a blast in a ML55, on an AMG day at the MIRA proving ground. It was quite quick and took the bends at high speed without too much body roll. I am on the waiting list for the new shape ML and will specify a 55 as it makes it such a different beast from the rest.

 

[Alfie]

Hey there guys,

Im planning on purchasing an Ml 55 AMG, could you possibly tell me how realible they are, and if there any common problems. I ask because I heard truly horrid things about the Ml 320.. Im just hoping that the guys at AMG changed that. Any info on this 5.4L monster would be greately appreciated..

-Militant Grunt

What horrid things did you hear about the 320?

Mine has been fine so far.

 

[fuzzer]

From what i can gather , you need very deep pockets to be able to afford to run an ML 55.

 

[Militant-Grunt]

From what i can gather , you need very deep pockets to be able to afford to run an ML 55.

Why?!?

And the horrid things I heard were that there are constant techincal problems with the car and its a financial nightmare..

 

[alboogiee]

i had a 99 ml430, stateside model, kept it for 4 months, over $300 to do a brake job, private mechanic, no rotors, just pads and labor, and needed a new battery also, $150... i took a $5000 negative hit on it and bought the wife a ford... not to hate on the ML but it is a beautiful truck i just dont have the patience or deep of a pocket to afford that kind of constant maintenance, maybe i just had a lemon, but i would never buy a ML again!

PS i heard the facelift models, 2001 and up do alot better, since the ML was released in the states in early 98, they decided to workout the bugs in the 01 model year

 

[Howard]

Originally Posted by fuzzer
From what i can gather , you need very deep pockets to be able to afford to run an ML 55.



Why?!?

And the horrid things I heard were that there are constant techincal problems with the car and its a financial nightmare..

I think you've just answered your own question .........

 

[glojo]

Our neighbour has a gold coloured ML55AMG, beautiful looking beast that makes a terrific throaty noise as it devours copious amounts of 'liquid gold'.

They have certainly never complained of unreliability, but at the moment are on holiday.

Brabus also do a chipped version of the 270CDI which is bound to be more economical, but I have no idea of the figures.

Regards,
John

 

[Billy]

My wife has run our ML55 from new in October 2001 till now. It has covered 38,000 miles & has suffered from NOTHING!!!!!

Yes it has had discs & pads & it has had the odd rattle but the fun factor totaly outways any moan you may have.

We swapped her ML320 for this car & although I must admit an average of 14 MPG might seem heavy, the car only realy goes on the school run or to the shops. But when we do load it up with three kids, prams, cots & luggage for a trip away you can't beat it for getting large families and loads from A to B quickly & comfortably.

So IMHO buy one now before you can't!!

PS make sure you get a facelift model 2001 (51) on.

 

[Alfie]

My wife has run our ML55 from new in October 2001 till now. It has covered 38,000 miles & has suffered from NOTHING!!!!!

Yes it has had discs & pads & it has had the odd rattle but the fun factor totaly outways any moan you may have.

We swapped her ML320 for this car & although I must admit an average of 14 MPG might seem heavy, the car only realy goes on the school run or to the shops. But when we do load it up with three kids, prams, cots & luggage for a trip away you can't beat it for getting large families and loads from A to B quickly & comfortably.

So IMHO buy one now before you can't!!

PS make sure you get a facelift model 2001 (51) on.

Totally agree.

 

[Billy]

A friend of mine recently borrowed the ML to collect his childs birthday present from Toys R Us, because he couldn't get the box in the back of his 4.5is BMW X5.

With the back seats folded into the floor he couldn't believe how big the rear load space was.

Mercedes ML practicality wins again.

 

[Militant-Grunt]

A friend of mine recently borrowed the ML to collect his childs birthday present from Toys R Us, because he couldn't get the box in the back of his 4.5is BMW X5.

With the back seats folded into the floor he couldn't believe how big the rear load space was.

Mercedes ML practicality wins again.

4.6is =D, , I was planning on getting a used X5 4.4 but thats out of my price range. Mileage doesnt really bother me, we currently have a 1995 land rover discovery, and thats like 12mpg, im pretty sure the Ml 55 can do way better than that. The land rover is a really nice car for its age, but repair bills = Very unrealible car.. Thats why i am hoping that a hand built AMG engine by the Mad scientist engineers at AMG in germany wont fail me. Im also looking foward to the 6.4 seconds to 60 =D.. Compared to my rovers 11sec

Thanks for the warm welcome to the boards, Im a BMW Enthusiast, ( http://www.bmwboard.com/ ) and now im trying to be open minded to mercedes a bit =D.

 

[Big Ed]

Im a BMW Enthusiast, ( http://www.bmwboard.com/ ) and now im trying to be open minded to mercedes a bit =D.

Don't worry - there's actually a few of us outcast BMW drivers lurking around here as well!!! Hope you find what you are looking for - these fast 4x4's can be rather good fun!!