Buying a used Mercedes M-class W164 - 2005-2011, Common Issues, Engine types

Buying a used Mercedes-Benz M class W164 - produced from 2005 to 2011
Rady pri kúpe ojazdeného Mercedesu ML W164
Vásárlási tippek használt Mercedes ML W211 vásárlásánál !

What is the best engine, which gearbox should you choose, what are the common problems with these cars? How powerful are the best engines? Watch the video and you will get answers to all these questions!

What to look for when buying a used Mercedes ML W 164 SUV advice / guide

used Mercedes M-class W164 review

But if you have more questions, you can write them into comments!

Mercedes ML 350, ML 500, ML 280 CDI, ML 320 CDI, ML 350 BlueTec, ML 420 CDI

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different car review

[stgotzov]

I think there are big mistakes in this review. V6 ml 350 and v8 500 before facelift are with m112 and m113 engines and doesn't have any issues with balance shaft and chains. Early facelift models with m272 and m273 engines are those with balance shaft problems. But they also being fixed after few years around 2010. You can check serial number of you engine if it is affected or not.

[mpkp]

I bought a 2011 ML350 4matic as my first car just over a 1.5 years ago and good lord was it a great purchase. $18, 000 and 85k miles on it, cloud grey with new wheels, brakes, and fluids. I've already put over 15, 000 miles on it. The performance and ride comfort is unparalleled. It feels like a tank, and rides like a cloud. Only sometimes I wish I had the V8 550, but then the engine hits 3500rpm and I forget such silly thoughts. It looks so sleek and beautiful, my coworkers often envy and my girlfriend loves it just as much as I do (ok, maybe not as much but she still likes it a lot!). Most people ask me if it is a 2015 or 2016 model! They're blown away when I tell them to go back another decade. I feel safe driving it in any environment, and confident taking it to the middle of nowhere, knowing it'll get me back home without breaking a sweat. This car works perfectly for my everyday driving to school and work, but it thrives as a roadtrip king. I can eat up mile after mile in my ML without noticing, and it only gets better mileage as well. A few weeks ago I went on a 650 mile roadtrip roundtrip, and averaged 22mpg and only going through 1.5 tanks of gas.The space is perfect for me, I've taken it on a few camping trips and I'm able to load everything I need very easily, and it's nice knowing that in the future I can add a trailer to it or some nice roof racks as well. I won't lie, I've even been tempted by the ram bars because little kid me saw them in Jurassic Park like that, but I want to keep the clean look instead.


So far I have had only one unexpected issue with the brakelights. Apparently the wiring harness on them is weak and known to fail on many MLs, but the fix was only $150 from the dealer. Since the engineering is so smart too I was still able to drive around as it used the tail lights as a backup brake light. Look up how the repairs look on youtube and you can spot if it has been done to an ML you want to purchase, as it will likely need changing at this point in time. In addition, I had my service A, transmission service, and spark plugs done since I've owned the car. Service A from my SoCal dealership cost $250. The transmission service I was originally quoted at $626. I used an online coupon, and because I made my service guys laugh on a early Saturday morning, they only charged me $300 (that was possibly the luckiest day of my life, next to meeting my girlfriend). The sparks I changed myself from watching YT videos, and only cost about $100 after buying all parts and tools. Dealer was trying to charge $500. It did eat up 6 hours of my time though, but was well worth it. Soon I look at replacing my front rotors, tires, brakes, and replacing the air filters and swapping differential fluids. All costly, but I was aware this will need to be done in time. And it will be well worth it to keep my beast on the road for many years to come.

[elvisancans]

Recently found your channel, seems that reviews are very detailed and useful, especially is it good that you mention which years had which problems.

[francov]

I have been very happy with my '06 ML350, now with 133k miles. Just routine maintenance and oil changes. The power steering did have a leak, I bought a $4 O-ring from Mercedes and changed it myself. It was at the power steering reservoir, very common issue.
I have owned several MB cars through the years but this is my first SUV from them. I love the way it rides, the roominess, and it is one of the safest vehicles on the road.
I plan to upgrade to the updated 2012+ model, just waiting for that model to depreciate a little more😊 before pulling the trigger.

[alexjoseph]

Turbo issues with cdi/bluetek include actuator fail, turbo inlet valves sticking $3-7k, Steering issues including rack and pinion failure - have to remove front transaxle to get steering rack out $2k-3.5k. these are all very expensive to fix. make sure you get one that has these dealt with.

[jask]

if you want w164 you should find ml500 instead of 350 or 550. Very solid car. My mother in law has one, already for 8 years, any problems with it. I love this car

[jorgechiubomberos]

I use to have a 2005 ml. The Last w163, it worked very good. I pushed her to the limit since i used it to go on firefighter runs and carrie my firefightinh, paramedic gear. Now i got a GLS 450 because of the much room needed. In my past car, never had anything mayor, hope this one goes the same, but inhave to tell you, when I switched from the grand cherokee to this ml, the way these car responded to high velocity stop and go and sharp turns was a hughe difference, before the jeep i had explorers of different generations, supper wobbly. These car with 4matic is a different experience when you are speeding on turns. Quality issues were ok, had a problem with the MCS screen, got that replaced from another unit, but i think i was Lucky and also it was the end of a generation were the mayority of bugs were worked out, the video of these car ibhave it here on YouTube.

[Namco_]

outdated? looks like much better than new GLE

[ervisbekteshi]

Any M113 or M113K mercedes equipped engine is very very good.No timing chain issues at all. So the ML500 should actually be first choice.But the mpg on these is poor though.

[daverowlands]

I've got a 2010 ML300 with 111k on clock and it hasn't missed a beat part from rear air bag failure which I did myself and easiest job I've ever done on a car... its a tank and built to last including towing my caravan all over the UK and Europe.... look after it and it will look after you

[cezaris]

you are so wrong... mercedes ml 500 was a great bulletproof engine . first models from 2005 up to 2008 i think had m113 engines and it was a great engine . one camshaft per valve head and very strong double row timing chain without balance shaft. it has a sprocket only without any balancer. models from 2007-2008 had newer engine and it was 5.5 liters engine with 388hp and this first engine had balancer issue. One more thing 2005 model of ml 500 with m113 engine was exactly same engine from mercedes ml w163 but in newer body w164 we had a little bit more of hp and torgue 😉

[michellevdg]

We have it in black, still the best car and comfortable and practical. This is also my hand me down first car I’m so happy! The only thing is I have to update time to time some things, recently I had to replace the trunk mechanism to open n close it and some breaks but I’m fine w it

[wkturbodiesel]

In the video you said the ML500 had a balance shaft issue, and you showed a picture 113 engine. I think you meant the ML550 with a 273 engine. The 113 was not known for having balance shaft issues. The 272 and 273 engine were known for having balance shaft issues. And most of the vehicles equipped with those engine were given a full coverage extended warranty specifically for that issue.

[kristiankumanov]

I agree, your information is wrong about the M113 5.0 V8. This the old V8 engine ( from 1998)which are so good and no issues are knowing for them. The timing chain mechanism is problem to the newer V6 and V8 Generation engines. I RECOMMEND EVERYONE TO BUY a Mercedes with M113 V8 5.0!!!

[stephenmcdowell]

I was going to buy a Mercedes jeep but changed my mind at last minute 'I settled for a Lexus rx instead 'ive never regretted it this vehicle has been flawless the balance shaft problem but me off 'whereas there was no problem s at all with the Lexus rx 'I think I made the right decision '13 years on with almost miles and no oil or water leaks no squeaks or rattles and starts first time every time I would buy another in a heartbeat

[onlyonecannoli]

Your information on the ML500 is not correct. The M273 engine is the one with the problem, but there were ML500's (2006-2007) that were equipped with the older 5.0 M113 E50 engine. Those were not affected by the balance shaft or sprocket issue.

[pyro]

Thank you I found this information very helpful

[averagedev]

Big boss of a company that repairs cars at my place drives ML350CDI the OM642 3.0L diesl in Avangard trim. It has 62000 km and he is the first owner. The airmatic pump died due to the car not beeing driven much (he lives 3km from his office, he likes to take a walk). Other stuff is very very reliable.

[Indian-]

Can u give your expert review for next gen ml, please from 2012 onwards

[noelrussouw]

Thank bud, some very useful information, straight forward and to the point.