New Mercedes W163 ML Owner.. loads of questions..

[blackml350]

Hello... nervous smile.. :? Long post .. lots of questions.. newbie etc etc... please be patient !!!


I bought my first Merc 2 weeks ago after i had done some reading on here and several other places first .. Irrespective of some bad press i bought a september 2004 ML350 Auto, one owner, full MB service history and in great condition with a sparkling interior trim. 29k miles..

It is the second 4x4 we have owned (previous one was a Honda so not quite the same game and definately a different league !!!). We tried the usual suspects first but really liked the ML..

As it is a second car in mileage terms so diesel was not a requirement..

I have some questions at the end and would appreciate any answers !

Following is the spec i got from the Merc Benz Club of Russia when i punched my ViN in -

Interior leather saffron or java (264)
Paint 197 obsidian black metallic (с 1978 )

Options
M37 Unknown code
U40 cargo net behind front seats (с 26.09.1996)
U49 Unknown code
U61 luxury package (с 05.06.1997)
241 left front seat electrically adjustable with memory feature.
242 right front seat electrically adjustable with memory feature.
249 automatically dipping inside rear view mirror (с 01.06.1990)
280 steering wheel (400 mm dia.) and gearshift lever in leather trim
423 5 speed automatic transmission / nag (с 01.03.1994)
461 instrument with mileage reading and english lettering (с 01.04.1990)
472 electronic stability program (esp) (с 01.10.1993)dynamic handling control system
500 outside rear view mirror left and right, folding (с 01.10.1993)
524 paintcoat preservation (с 01.01.1964)
551 anti-theft/anti-break-in warning system with anti-towing system
580 air conditioner/Tempmatic (с 01.11.1982)
613 lamp unit, asymmetrical, l.h. traffic (с 01.02.1963)
723 trunk covering (с 01.06.1996)
731 wood trim, burred walnut root (с 01.08.1980)
753 radio MB Audio 10 cc with traffic news decoder and RDS (с 31.10.1996)
791 AMG light alloy wheels 8,0 x 18 et 31 AMG light alloy wheels 8,0 x 18 et 31 1-piece 7.5 x 16 et37 225/45, 1-piece (с 01.10.1994)
805 Change of year of model, last figure shows new model year
873 seat heater for left and right front seats (с 01.02.1984)
983 Unknown code

Additional Kit
(maybe covered by the unknown codes)
Limousine tinted rear door, rear side and rear passengers windows
Command 2.0 with 2005 DX tele atlas dvd
AMG Body mouldings (wheel arch extensions, front and rear bumpers)
AMG exhaust system
Nokia CK7w car phone kit integrated into car speaker system
6 stack cd player mounted in rear cargo area side panel
Mercedes luggage net (the one that roof mounts behind rear passenger seats and belts to the floor .. intended to stop "cargo" hitting passengers if it all goes a bit wrong !!!!
Rubber boot liner
Locking wheel nuts
285x18x50 Dunlop tyres (nice tread pattern)
Park distance radars (rear only)


Ok Questions..... lots of em .:Oops: . please be patient.. i have searched the forum and got some bits of answers but maybe i am not searching too welll.... so...
______________________________________________________________

Anyone know what the unknown codes are in the options list above ?.. i guess some are the additional kit i list ?

Anyone got any good side step / bar recommendations ? prefer chrome tubes to be honest but there seems to be so many manufacturers.. any recommendations ?

Anyone know if there is a 2007 UK and ireland tele atlas navigation cd for the blaupunkt DX ?

Ok.. i have no intention of putting this car into a main stealer unless i absolutely have to... so can anyone recommend a good Merc indie around the Stockport area ?

I saw a post about the fuel econometer / compass that mounts above the rear view mirror.. Ours does not have one but i would like to get the part and retro fit it... anyone know if these can be retrofitted (is the wiring there already) and if so anyone got part numbers / prices ?

Although i have the command unit i do not have the roof mounted stubby aeriel i have seen on some others..i figure the command is retrofit because the car std stereo listed above is not command..... i have a black rubber plug in the middle rear of the roof above the tailgate.. any ideas if there should be a roof mounted aeriel for this car and if so is it retro fit compatible (is the wiring loom in place ) ?

Any killer faults to watch for on the ML (apart from brake wear rates) ?


For comparison i drive a BMW as a daily driver and have to say that i automatically went to test an X5 for my family car .. after driving and sitting in a bland 2003 x5 4.4 i got into the ML and felt refreshed.. so much brighter, quieter and more luxurious feeling.. ok not as tight on the road but lets be honest neither of them are intended for track day use !!!!


So .. thanks for reading.. sorry if a bored you.. any help appreciated !

Regards
David

 

[A210AMG]

Hello,

Souds like a nice car, I swapped a BMW 330 convertible for mine (also a 350) and love it. Build quality looks and feele great, very nice to drive and has a bit of vrrooom which I thought I would miss. Big test coming up as taking it to Europe for a couple of thousand miles.

Not sure on many of your questions but others should be able to help, I lke the tube bars without the steps and have seen these on e-bay?

I would like to retro fit the compass / trip computer so any information on this would be great.

I think the only thing is brake wear, its seems with the facelifted models they did get a lot better.

Have you posted any pictures..

Cheers

 

[psmart]

Hi & Welcome,

The rear GPS/Phone antenna is a doddle to fit, see www.mercupgrades.com for info. For general ML info, see Wolfgangs page at http://www.whnet.com/4x4/

Lots of ML owners now in this Club, so someone will be able to chip-in (when there not enjoying their steed )

 

[Andy Wr]

We should have a ML only section, I am glad that they are becoming popular, what a cracking motor for the money, I too would be interested in the overhead computer if anyone is able to source them, I keep checking e bay Germany & USA but no luck.

 

[blackml350]

Hello .. Again

Thanks for your posts guys. some comments -

A210amg - i was pleasantly surprised by the cars acceleration.. i expected it to be a bit sluggish but for it's size it is pretty nippy really. I am sure it will be good for your trip, let us know how you get on ! We have done nearly 2k miles in just short of 3 weeks and can report nothing other than a slighly noisy drive belt...

I am going to replace the front and rear pads as a matter of course anyway in the next week or two .. i like good brakes .

As for photo's i will post some next weekend, i have ordered some 3" chrome side bars on the way from direct4x4.co.uk and will take pics once they are fitted. Bars look good, quite chunky and they wrap under the car like the Merc original parts... i will apologise now as my photo skills really suck.. i have a reasonable camera but do not have an eye for a photo at all !!

A210amg and AndyWR - I found an american site the other night that had the overhead unit at 200usd. It is the whole thing, lights, computer etc.. just can't find it now.. will re-post when i do.. anyone got any ideas how much from a UK main dealer for the part only and would you reckon the US part would be the same ? I think i will ring my local dealer next week and get a price .. (deep intake of breath !!)

Psmart - Thanks for the links they are brilliant !! , i will be getting an antenna so will post info when fitted.

Andywr - I have been trawling the posts for ML's and this is a healthy forum ! plenty of experts and guru types which is really good.. I am a mercedes virgin as this is the first one we have bought but do like to get stuck in and work on a car with mods and upgrades (all tasteful ones.. no 22" wheels with spinners i promise !!!) ..

My current mod list =
side tubes
phone / satnav antenna
upgrade or replace the nokia ck7w kit so it will work properly with my wife's phone

And my niggle list.....

The dealer (i think) fit AMG body styling isn't the best fit i have ever seen.. there are some less than perfect gaps around the front and rear lights... which i was worried about untill i saw an identical car on an 03 plate with the same gaps.. I checked the bumpers for branding and the amg stamp is on them.. so i am going to take them off and see if i can't re-mount them better or modify the carriers.

A dent on the passenger front door... small but on a black car looks huge !

A noisy belt that i need to trackdown and change (or possibly a noisy water pump bearing ?) is noisy when cold and settles back once it has warmed up.

So far very pleased.. let me know if you have any snippets of info or things to watch for.

Oh and as for the price of the car i was very pleased.. i had seen one at Mercedes Chester, a silver ml350 with lux pack, no command, no bluetooth phone kit, std 17" wheels, no ML exhaust or body styling and +3000 miles for £3k more.. so i am happy..

Cheers
David