New ML320 Owner

kristoff

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Hey guys, just thought I'd say hi.

I've just bought my first Merc, an early Ml320. I'm loving it! I'll probably have loads of questions over the next few weeks. I'm not looking to do too much to it, but the car needs some DVD style in car entertainment and some big wheels sharpish. So if anyone has any advice I'd love to hear from them!

This is the car......

benzside.jpg
 

psmart

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Hello, and welcome! Im very suprised no one has yet greeted you, perhaps the ML boys are too busy off having fun :D

Nice tidy example, it looks like a pre-facelift W163. The earlier ones suffered a few problems, but towards the end of the run in late 2001/2002 a lot of things had been sorted (at least according to Mercedes parts catalogue).

This guys site is great for info on the ML:- www.whnet.com/4x4/index.html

20" wheels! You could look on ebay, specifically ebay Germany where quite a few are being sold at the moment. Will make the ride harsher than it already is, but will look cool.
 

television

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I am sorry too that your post was not answered. Welcome to the forum and that ML looks so nice.

There were problems yesterday when not all new post came up on my screen,,so sorry about that
 

Alex M Grieve

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B Class d200 Sport Premium Plus (66)
Hello and welcome to the Forum. Nice car.

As for psmart, I would stick with the original wheels/tyres. A separate thread here recently showed that the standard tyres do very well when towing off road.

You would need to be doing more extreme things to warrant changing for more functional tyres. The originals give good ride quality.

Unless you want a better cosmetic effect?
 

Torque

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C230 K
Nice car, I am hoping to get the ML 270 CDI soon too...... once I find one that rocks my boat....
 

kebo57

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ml270
Hi and welcome to the forum, nice picture especially the chimney and what looks like a tower in the back ground

Kevin
 
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kristoff

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Thanks for the warm welcome guys.

The car is an March 1999 model. So I'm braced for any problems that may occur. Fingers crossed they have all been fixed by now though as its done 106k and has a full dealer history and a stack or recipts. I've put a bit of money aside in order to give myself a 'warrenty' should the worst happen.

Prepare for the worst, hope for the best as they say.

I must say though, that this is my first Merc, my first nice car in general really and I can't quite believe how nice it is to drive compared to the Fords and Citroens I've had in the past. I can't stop similing, well maybe when I catch a glimse of the the fuel computer. ;)

I'd like 20" wheels purely for the looks, I'm not in any rush really but I've seen a few near me on Brabus replicas, black centres with polished rims and they look great.

After spending a bit of time listening to the bose system in it too, I think I will leave that as it is for now too, it sounds great.

First question, how often do you guys change the oil? At this milage is every 10K enough or should it be more often. I'm planning on keeping it a while!
 

Parrot of Doom

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Depends what oil you use. If its fully synthetic you can let it go as long as 15k before changing. Cheaper oil, shorter intervals.

I recommend Mobil 1.
 
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kristoff

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Ahh cool.

Well its not due a service for another 7k miles but I'll have the oil and filters changed now anyway. It can only be good for it.

My next question is a bit daft but I need to ask it anyway....

This is my first auto, always had manauals. Now, when I'm waiting at the lights should I keep the car in 'drive' with my foot on the brake? Or shift it to neutral, then back into drive when the lights change?

If the answer is keep it in drive, what sort of time is appropriate to shift it in to neutral? Say if I kow I'll be waiting in a que for a few mins? Just asking I as want to minimise wear on the gearbox/clutch/drivetrain and I'm not sure what the best way to drive an auto is.

Cheers!
 

Alex M Grieve

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Ahh cool.

Well its not due a service for another 7k miles but I'll have the oil and filters changed now anyway. It can only be good for it.

My next question is a bit daft but I need to ask it anyway....

This is my first auto, always had manuals. Now, when I'm waiting at the lights should I keep the car in 'drive' with my foot on the brake? Or shift it to neutral, then back into drive when the lights change?

If the answer is keep it in drive, what sort of time is appropriate to shift it in to neutral? Say if I KO I'll be waiting in a Que for a few Min's? Just asking I as want to minimize wear on the gearbox/clutch/drive train and I'm not sure what the best way to drive an auto is.

Cheers!

I believe the correct technique is to leave it in drive, with foot on the brake.

Apparently changing from drive to neutral or park and back causes more wear, and saves nothing.

If you are going to be stationary for a while (Motorway blockage), turning off the engine is a good idea.
 
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kristoff

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Ahh good, thats what I've been doing anyway. Just wanted to check.

Many thanks.
 

television

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As Alex above,, no wear takes place leaving the car in D at traffic lights, moving to N or P does put wear on all the drive components
 
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kristoff

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Great stuff.


Jut fitted my new black grill with chome star. Looks way better than the silver plastic one that was on before.

Off to the alloy wheels shop now. Decisions, decisions.....
 

Torque

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I have turned a light shade of green. Have fun!

Cant wait till i get mine and can add bits to it ;)
 

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