Mercedes-Benz M-Class (1998 - 2004) ML350 5d Tip Auto (02) Owner Review

good engine and gearbox 3.7 petrol. Brakes are very wooden with no feel! powerful enough but the pedal is dead at first then brakes come on suddenly!. Steering is dreadful- extremely slow to return to the centre position, steering pump noise VERY intrusive in-cabin even when not turning the wheel, a constant whining all the time+two many turns lock two lock makes aiming the car in the right direction difficult and tiresome! by far the worst aspect of the car ( i am told it was designed this way as the car was first built for the American market and was expected to be taken off-road )steering was made unresponsive with a lot of slow turns lock to lock so if Mr Average American hit a bump or a ridge the wheel would not be ripped out of his hand and injure him! shame it made the car poor on the road!. The pump noise remains after having the pump, reservoir and filter and belt changed! and rack checked!, there are a thousand different theories on the owner's forums but no one appears to have a definitive answer. These cars are still prone to rust post-2002 facelift and supposed improvements, check wings, rear door by the latch, petrol cap, wheel arches!. Interior plastic trim breaks all the time, seat switch panels the worst but any catch, latch, or button could be next!. The American build quality is rubbish! fit and finish not up to the standard expected no better than a Jeep of the same era! in my opinion, built down to a price rather than up to a standard