Pre-Delivery Inspection

[kullenberg]

I did a fairly comprehensive pre-delivery inspection of my 2004 V8 4X4 Sport today. I have to say, what an awesome vehicle. There was absolutely nothing to write up. The tire preas. was even correct. There was no drive line vibration. The dealer is even going to loosen the lug nuts and torque them to spec. The 4Runner is replacing a ML430, and the 4runner is a better vehicle by a huge margin. More power, better mpg, handles better, and presumably, will be more reliable (it's a Toyota!). This vehicle was a special order, as I wanted a basic Sport model, with the side curtain air bags, and no sunroof. That's how it came. Can't wait to take delivery. :bigok:

 

[Mark86]

You are giving up an ML430 for a 4Runner. Smart move. My parents had one of those when they first came out. What a piece of junk. It was in the shop at least once a week. From random squeeks, to check engine lights frequently coming on, to A/C problems, transmission problems, and just other annoying problems. I am not sure if you had a good experience with your ML, but the 4Runner is a very reliable vehicle. It also has more power than the ML430. The only thing is you may be losing some of those luxury features (leather, power seats). I would take a Toyota over a Mercedes any day.

 

[kullenberg]

Experience with ML

My experience with the ML was sort of a mixed bag. It is a great snow machine; that being said, it was a pain when things went wrong, as the dealer is a 1.5 hours away. I had the usual thing go bad; power steering, fuel pump, transfer case, mass flow sensor, serpintine belt, and so on. It had to be flat bedded twice. I guess what I generally tell people is that as cars go, it's not too bad, but it's a terrible Mercedes. I would never have another one.:cursin:

 

[sharp4runr]

Congrats on the new ride man! What color did you get? Post some pics when you can and think about getting yourself a T4R.ORG sticker :

 

[EXTEX]

Kullenberg

Congrats on the new ride! That's some very interesting reading coming from an actual owner / driver of a ML 430.

You mention the 'usual things' going bad on the 430, transfer case, power steering, fuel pump, MAS, etc. Holy Smoke! You're making a whole lot o' ex-jeep owners around here feel better about their previous rides! Makes me wonder how MB feels about the merger now, with that ole' Chrysler "quality" bleeding up into their vaunted marque....

 

[kullenberg]

ML 430 Problems

In defense of MB, the servicing dealer (Hendrick Motors, in Hickory, NC) could not have been for helpful or cooperative. They never questioned the need for warranty work, and they were not even the selling dealer. Mine was a 99 model, and I guess the newer ones are somewhat more reliable, but they are still not worth the money, particularly when you consider what you get in a 4Runner!