Here Is What Stranded My Mercedes ML320 On The Trail!

( www.TFLcar.com )
My 1999 Mercedes ML left me thoroughly stranded out on the trail! But what exactly went wrong? In this video we examine the failure that left this old Mercedes beached without movement!
Are you interested in buying this old Mercedes, or are you looking for affordable German car repair in Boulder? Given our friends at German Auto a call: 303-449-5543
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#Mercedes #ML320

[@soliloquist]

Prior video Roman said the great thing about off-roading these cheap old vehicles is that if something breaks it is cheap to fix. Moments later they break the ML... then proceed to immediately sell it. LOL!

[@Spike-13]

Right? Lol

[@ATX_Engineer]

*Transfer case* no matter which car it is, is going to be an expensive fix. That's just common sense.

[@logicreversed18t]

Yeah, selling it is the cheap fix.

[@eketony]

When Mercedes breaks you sell it off real quick.

[@stephendee7839]

@@ATX_Engineer If I were to break the xfer case in my Blazer, I literally have a spare sitting on a shelf that I got with a $100 transmission. Old expensive, low-volume cars are always going to be expensive to fix, but cheap plentiful cars are usually really cheap to fix. That's not "common sense;" it's economies of scale.

[@clemente5677]

"We're here at German Auto where they specialize in all german makes. " proceeds to have a conversation on the shop floor surrounded by a Toyota Camry, chevy Nova and Ford Mustang and Toyota Matrix. 🤣🤣🤣

[@BogdanCiprian]

add a bunch of Subarus outside :)

[@aaron___6014]

And Subarus

[@gavinvalentino6002]

GTX

[@samleeroy5638]

That mechanic sound like a realy chill guy. Thx TFL for the tranparency and your good vids.

[@alaindeul1333]

I really like the tfl car fleet because of the different mods on each car. The mods are so tasteful and make each car unique.

[@jonb2139]

Any video with Toby is like a masterclass in mechanics! Love seeing him in your videos! Well spoken and very intellegent!

[@bryanmower2703]

the nerve of this guy "I've ruined the car now it's your chance to own it"

[@galant310]

He crazy

[@aaron___6014]

He's going to fix it

[@poppyneese1811]

Toby is awesome!!! I’d adopt that boy today, like God gave him super mechanic powers, Toby should do a car maintenance segment for TFL!

[@mlhm5]

I took a 21-year-old car and pushed its limits off-roading before doing any maintenance and something broke. Who could have known?

[@Nikephorus]

Yeah you would think that since they knew they were going to be off-roading this thing they would have serviced the transfer case before something broke.

[@Spike-13]

Yep set themselves up for failure

[@GIGABACHI]

@@Nikephorus one of the reasons I watch their videos for entertainment value but don't get much other than that out of it. They are only drivers AND nowhere near mechanically inclined. That's why I watch other specialized channels.

[@mrpw1402]

Ive bought 20 year old Wranglers without trying any maintenance and wheeled them No Problem. It’s just a difference between an off-roader and a soft roader

[@halflife103]

I have a 92 explorer.... I take it to much worse places than these tools

[@manueltobar9149]

Get the white G Class thats on the back in exchange!!!! That would be awesome to watch on TFL!

[@donleamon8653]

And that folks, is why you don't go sticking big off-road meats on these soft-roaders. Too much rotational mass, and too good a grip when the system was designed to slip.

[@SS-du7tr]

I mostly agree. To be fair the ML was billed as the G replacement, body on frame, & debuted in a jurrasic park movie doing unbelievable things so I can understand them wanting to test its true capabilities. The t-case never being maintained didnt help. New fluid when they got it *might* have prevented failure, but who knows. I replaced the 1.5" oversize westlake SL369's on my forester a while back with .75" undersized falcon wildpeaks to go a little easier on the not so robust drivetrain.

[@theo_7212]

Did you not hear what the mechanic said? It had probably never seen an oil change, the oil got too hot and one of the gears broke.

[@3739blog]

@@1QKGLH lack of oil or an expired oil can also make the piston rods blow up.

[@3739blog]

@@1QKGLH not related to oil? But related to friction and heat which the oils protective qualities could.

[@stephendee7839]

@@theo_7212 Their mechanic gives me a bit of the sketch-artist feel. Not the worst, but I probably wouldn't go back to him.

[@kingpin3919]

This mechanic is awesome! Very knowledgeable dude. You guys are lucky to have him.

[@ivordripatmenose8252]

Australians say if you want to go into the outback take a land cruiser or a Land Rover but if you want to come back again take the land cruiser

[@thefamilyrobbo]

Ivor Dripatmenose. But in this case the Landy not only made it back; it towed the ML. Toyota not required 🙂

[@halflife103]

If theres any people i will listen to about offroading its the Australians.

[@IanSR1970]

@@thefamilyrobbo The Landy didn't have to travel thousands of kilometres in some of the harshest terrain on earth 😉🇦🇺✌🏻

[@IanSR1970]

@@halflife103 Smart man!! 👌😉 Toyota has done their 4WD testing in the Australian outback for decades. They bring new models down here & beat the hell out of 'em in the name of research & development. When Aussies "go bush" we prefer to do it in diesel Toyotas (& definitely not Land Rovers)!! 🤣🇦🇺✌🏻

[@thefamilyrobbo]

@@IanSR1970 I've no idea who first said it but the comment about taking a Toyota if you want to come back is typical Aussie humour. But it's now used to imply a Landrover won't make it off a garage forecourt without breaking down - which is obviously crap. My remark was simply a dig at all those negative comments and not intended to be taken too literally. 😀 If I lived in Australia or Africa, Toyota would probably be my first choice also but here in the UK there are thousands of Landrovers that get to their destination .... And back. Love your off-road channels on KZbin and your stunning country. I watch them for hours 🙂 PS. Scott H and Defender90Orkney do ok 😉 And no, I don't own a Landy. Can't afford the maintenance!!! 😀😀

[@mbrunocondello]

That is one of my favourite 4x4s - can’t wait to see what happens

[@fabulousoffroaddesigns5080]

You should have kept it. You could have replaced the transfer case with one that has a center diff lock. That would have been an interesting bunch of vids.

[@jironmeister]

Seems that an previous owner had driven the ML with the High Button pressed on in normal driving conditions. That wear causes struggles on the transfer case.

[@3739blog]

Im waiting for the Touareg to break, and sold. Poor ML.

[@scotturich]

I think everyone is waiting for the Treg to break and it soldiers on 😝. Love the Treg!!

[@dzelpwr]

I think the Touareg has endured more abuse and has been on more trails than any other TFL fleet car at this point... And it never seems to let them down, usually ends up surprising everyone how good it goes.

[@lbnewell23]

dzelpwr idk their old lr2 did a lot considering it was always the camera car and the recovery car so I think that it has endured at least the same amount of abuse and it also never broke

[@3739blog]

Rule when buying a used 4x4. Change and service all the oil. 👍

[@stephendee7839]

@@lbnewell23 The LR2 had a blown head gasket the whole time they owned it. It just wasn't bad enough to bother replacing it.

[@LukeEdward]

Heck with the ML. WHAT ABOUT THE CORVAIR IN THE BACKGROUND???? ‘66? ‘67??

[@donleamon8653]

'65 or '66. If I recall correctly, '67's and up had side markers.

[@Mcmerc01]

Tommy the ML's 4ets doesn't look like it was working properly to begin with, i've wheeled dozens of them, even looking at the net you can see they drive far different to what you encountered

[@melmelcorvette]

I Agree I have one

[@melmelcorvette]

Didn’t look like it was in its low range either

[@neilmurphy845]

@@melmelcorvette yeah I was thinking the traction control was doing a garbage job

[@R.Nelson]

Damn...that's no good..I still remember the first video of this van at the truck stop.. Sorry it broke down Tommy 😕..I enjoyed the ML!!!☺️

[@ZoneTelevision]

98’ - 2000 we’re not good years for the ML in general .also, the V8 is a much better motor for that vehicle. Mercedes spent .5 Billion to reengineer the ML 2001-2005 are much better years for the W163

[@reneefariasphoto40]

I have a 2002 ML320 I love mechanically. I hate the marriage with crappy Chrysler tho. The interior stuff breaks easily but over all happy with my 20 year old car

[@uberNerdStatus]

What are the odds it’s just stuck in neutral between 4 wheel high and low? I pulled my selector motor apart, and the grease was hardened. I cleaned it up, re-greased it, and it works great again.

[@josephwhiskeybeale]

The Mercedes in it is probably the culprit.

[@keithreeder]

The shitty American build quality is DEFINITELY the culprit.

[@007Knightjp]

I've always been a fan of the 1st gen ML; especially after watching them on the second Jurassic Park movie.

[@JimBob-vb8oz]

For sale. ML 320. Good cons, One owner, never been off-road

[@josiaevans]

it's a 22 year old car so...

[@peterroy6801]

W163s are amazing beasts. I have around 600,000 miles on them. Ran one from 0 to 350K miles, then gave it to a homeless buddy and he lived in it and drove it for another couple of years. Super easy to work on. I have abused the crap out of them and enjoyed every minute! Allowing them to overheat very badly (warping heads) is the only thing that kills them. I drove one 10 miles back and forth to work for a week when I didn't have time to fix the water pump; with only bags of ice on top of the manifold, with no cooling system the temperature never got above normal. Beasts!

[@cintocrunch]

I remember on one of your early posts for this vehicle mentioning this was a known issue with these early MLS and the 50/50 split, the later ones were updated to provide a slight rear bias and prevent the binding.

[@SPW812]

They changed the split to 49/51 in 2000.

[@larionpolacsek2695]

@@SPW812 Actually they did it sooner and it is 48/52

[@bekabeka71]

@@larionpolacsek2695which year they changed it?

[@lukasvass681]

Interesting G500 SWB he has there. It’s one of the most capable offroaders out of the box and also very rare, less than 300 were built (worldwide!).

[@GATORADDAM]

It's about time you broke something! Haha.

[@allanbaisley1898]

Thanks for doing a follow up video.

[@joshwisma3936]

I would love to hear more about that 2 door g-wagon in the background.

[@skywalker2852]

Thanks for the follow-up on what happened Tommy - I look forward to maybe one more video confirming the diagnosis (though your mechanic is great! - so he's likely right - would like to know the cost though). On the offer to "become the new owner of the ML", I'll pass - but I might go looking for a Touareg or Disco3! These old import trucks are great and capable - but then something breaks and you toss it. Not sure if that's the message you're trying to leave us with. Think I'll take a truck like Gunsmoke 1st.

[@telomiandoge2735]

Godspeed ML

[@BitterCarGuy]

So update pls - what actually broke?? Could it have been prevented with a fluid change or did the car get pushed beyond it's limits?? I'm looking into buy an ML320 to softroad and want to know what i'm getting in to.

[@SPW812]

Used ML t-cases are $275 shipped all day. Takes a newbie 1 day to install. You’ll be back out wheeling in no time. Now ya just need some off road driving lessons...

[@lalitkishore2979]

Good to know

[@HelloWorld-ns7gt]

I paid $500 for crank shaft sensor.

[@jeepcollector91]

Buy an '06 Jeep Liberty 4x4 with the 3.7L and see how it compares. You can easily find a good one for under $5,000. Install BFG KO2's in the stock size and the factory skid plates if you can't find one already optioned with the skid plates. If you find one with 17" wheels, swap on the more common 16's to give you a bit more sidewall for offroad.

[@zoefaith120]

Awww. She had a awesome life. Next chapter the ml did good. Somebody give her a new beginning to be the most fanciest 4x4 truck around.

[@F6HemiCharger]

So are we going to ignore the Daffodil yellow 1967 Mopar in the shop?

[@Welcometofacsistube]

66 coronet

[@GeoZeppelin1979]

the mechanic reminds me of that character from the movie Commando u know the one with Arnie? the short guy sulley :D

[@Bumblebee4788]

Warriors too

[@bonkbonk92]

So I'm a little lost as to what actually happened to the transfer case. Any more details? I was guessing the chain/belt broke until he said it wasn't. I'm about to get a used transfer case to rebuild and put in my ML and is certainly like to avoid breaking whatever broke in that one... lol

[@rickwhitmire7933]

nice!

[@Jonesec1]

Tommy do you have an update on that Benze i just bought a 2001 ml320 for 1000 bucks. Needed a serpentine belt and a water pump and some cosmetic stuff. All going well a future Baja xl car in 2023.

[@catcabbageiheartballs8285]

Well I’m sad to see this go. Like to see what the ml is capable of

[@michaelparra8719]

i dont think the transfercase failed. i belive it to th be the transfercase motor motor broke ( shifts between high and low) and its nowin the neutral psotion.

[@MannyScoot]

That's a cheap fix !

[@felipeiturreyes3385]

Maybe it's not a major flaw, just fix it and keep it👍👍

[@shaunmeldrum4302]

I'm sad we didn't get to see more of this ML because I'm pretty sure it's in the movie 'The Lost World'. It looked pretty cool in that movie.

[@natewagner3165]

not only was it in the movie it was specifically in it to be product placement before the ML was officially released and the ones in the Lost World were stick shift and 4x4

[@angrymuffinsb]

Jeff Goldblum was given one for an ad he did when the film was released. He still drives it today

[@frederickevans4113]

I thought it was a film in the Jurassic Park franchise. I also remember Jeep Wranglers and Ford Exploders (with Plexiglass roofs).

[@IanSR1970]

@@natewagner3165 You're correct, but all W163 MLs had 4x4 (full-time all wheel drive) & high/low range transfer case. 5-speed manual gearboxes were available in some European markets, as was a 2.3 litre 4 cylinder petrol engine (ML230) & a 4 litre V8 turbodiesel (ML400 CDI) 🇦🇺✌🏻

[@hutchison82]

new Transfer case easy fix But no ML sorry its what got me watching

[@marclazarusgriffith]

Its possible he will just swap/repair the electric motor that changes from low to high. You can take the motor off and change it from high to low with a spanner if stuck in the bush.

[@Wilt8v92]

I put 80 Gulf tractor trans oil in my ML TC and i change it often,and it gets used offrd often...

[@Menga213]

I think you were stuck in the limp mode a 70 fix. The gears are internal they don't break that easy. Your torsion bar needs better bushings.

[@hamzainvests]

I’m interested in the ML, how do I get in touch with Toby?

[@TFLclassics]

Phone # in the description!

[@hamzainvests]

Can’t believe I missed that, Thanks!

[@revolutionday1]

seems legit.......

[@hamzainvests]

tried calling the shop multiple times, please reach out to me if the ML is still available

[@ponderinggeek7861]

The ML gave a valiant effort. But this was inevitable.

[@GIGABACHI]

I knew that garden variety ML320 wouldn't be around for long. Hope it goes to a nice and loving household that will change ALL it's fluids on time and some TLC (dream on, I know).🙄😞

[@roamwashington2230]

Changing the T-case fluid is stupidly easy and cheap,that might have been prevented...though it is before they updated it,future reference for any w163 owners don't neglect the transfer case its a simple drain and fill...

[@jacobnel1880]

I bet those oversized tyres didn't help the case either.

[@ianbeale2527]

Now you know what Barry Kripke does for a living now that the BBT is over.

[@jaysalas2558]

Let me know the price

[@videowsatcher]

Watch out for creeks or deep puddles. Batteries hang underneath the vehicle. Wrote off my GL that way.

[@frederickevans4113]

I recently acquired and repaired a less than pristine 1999 ML320 for my wife. It is mostly in good shape but I had to fix a transmission issue and an EGR issue. I do all my own repairs (and maintenance). Battery is up high, by the right side hood (bonnet) hinge, not underneath like your GL. Not a stranger to German vehicles. 5 VWs previously and this is our 2nd 'Benz, sequentially. It is not shifting down to 4-low, but my wife is a city girl. Her idea of "roughing it" is a hotel without room service. I'm an Assistant Scoutmaster and my idea of a good weekend involves unzipping my tent and watching (& maybe photographing) the sunrise many, many miles away from any mall. I will fix the transfer case issue at some point...

[@catcabbageiheartballs8285]

I just had this happen on mine.

[@jonardalejo9687]

Same year and model ?

[@christianholmstedt8770]

I thought of Monty Python's Life of Brian "biggus dickus" scene watching this.

[@beastbee0118]

Meth mouth

[@romanbeletsky6988]

After this video, mechanic will never sell that ML..

[@robertyoung8289]

Don't need anymore headaches. Already have a wife.

[@zenjix77]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@jorgecussa3918]

I want the old X5

[@jorgecussa3918]

@Linkavich Chamofskee I know! There's videos in Hoovies Garage... But I still like the X models. But Mercedes is a better car.

[@stig120212]

everything german and not one german car in the shop! hey a good mechanic is a good mechanic

[@Welcometofacsistube]

No!! A mercrap craping out? Shock and awe!!

[@raymings1323]

ill take it for parts?

[@johnlatsch9720]

So what broke???

[@coreyking5135]

Gave up after a 150 dollar transfer case?

[@G55STEYR]

You broke the center diff, because maintenance doesn't mean just oil change. Planetary gears run on small bushings that wear and load goes to only one of the 3 gears and this happens. You should have welded it at the beginning as I told you

[@michaelryan1620]

3rd gen 4runner is the best route to go:)

[@GTFORDMAN]

buy the Convertible Corvair in the back ground!

[@donwon7484]

Maybe y’all can try a Porsche Cayenne

[@stephendee7839]

Awww .. you sold that ml320 pile of crap before getting video of the carnage. I was looking forward to seeing a mangled mercedes. I guess it's just a matter of time before the terrible tuareg engine explodes. I'm really looking forward to that one, too. The thing is incredibly capable, but has such horrid reliability that it was a good roadkill purchase.

[@einfelder8262]

Why was the car put back on the trailer after being on the lift? Doesn't make any sense. I'm tipping the mechanic already knew what was broken before he even heard the evidence.

[@budfox711]

Why are you beating on old trucks /SUVs without at least changing the fluids first?

[@knightride9635]

German workshop but not a single German car, only Subarus and Toyota

[@christianbarros1580]

Seems like you missed that white SWB G class

[@nkoeppen]

I was thinking it was a axle shaft.

[@wolfsburg4x4]

Maybe they should be called Disposable off roaders. Quick $5K loss, but still less than anything new depreciates

[@frankangermann6460]

There is „German Auto“ an that workshop and in that workshop there is none.... good sing or bad sign?

[@wesshepard]

Aw... it’s kind of sad

[@buzzpedrotti5401]

The lesson is inappropriate hard use of an old unreliable vehicle leads to breakdowns. Most of us use this on the first old beater we drive.

[@lyndenjeffries2735]

Call me when the VW is up for sale.

[@savoryflan]

The lost world jurassic park

[@balikci035]

you never put a big off road tire on all wheel drive mercedes you will kill your transfer case this car you have to put normal tire that what’s comes with it!

[@HelloWorld-ns7gt]

Mine has oversized.

[@MaxBrandenberger]

Not a single German auto in the garage and only one BMW in the parking lot. LOL! You guys should have kept the ML. No way any of those cars were going up that first bump with the root without front lockers, and then probably not because the tires aren't big enough for it.

[@ljames6452]

TWA-reg is the preferred pronunciation of the desert people (Tuareg) native to after whom the car is named. (The Tuareg people are a large Berber ethnic confederation. They principally inhabit the Sahara in a vast area stretching from far southwestern Libya to southern Algeria, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. Traditionally nomadic pastoralists, small groups of Tuareg are also found in northern Nigeria. Wikipedia)

[@bryanlatimer-davies1222]

If you own the car it is a toe rag!

[@MrRmga420]

What a shame. The twansfa case bwoke. Weally disappointed in the Mewcedes. I sewiously thought it would have done betta.

[@Rohan_Martin]

the mechanic sounds like hes been out hunting that rascally rabbit

[@TheGreazmonky]

Be waiting to see what he wants for it...

[@jacobfleming565]

Yooo im pretty sure I've seen that car rolling around

[@stephendee7839]

Roof - tires - roof - tires -roof - tires .. yep, that's the ML rolling around alright.

[@edgy21]

I see Toyotas and Subarus at the German car repair shop. Why?

[@willworthoberg6818]

My wife has a 99ML320. 370K on it. Lots and lots of high dollar maintenance. That being said, it is one of the best cars in the snow ever! Easily making it through both Colorado high country and Ohio ice country weather.

[@frederickevans4113]

I just acquired a 1999 ML320 for my wife. It didn't move under its own power when I first saw it. I am my own mechanic and I've fixed several things, including a transmission issue or two (I normally avoid transmission problems like the Plague). Now my better half daily drives it to/from work. Maintenance and repair costs don't scare me - well, at least the labor doesn't scare me. We don't get snow and ice very much here in Texas, but when we do, everything shuts down (often with good reason). Good to know that, well maintained, the ML320 will be boss in the snow and ice. Maybe a little bit less so, since we don't get enough snow/ice to justify a 2nd set of tires, so we'll be on all-seasons instead of snow/ice tires. Some years there is no hard freeze, some years just a day or two. Once in a blue moon it is white for an entire week.

[@Gene1969]

I'd rather buy the silver, bug-eye, WRX.

[@anthonynicholich9654]

If the transfer case fluid was changed along with a transmission fluid every 25.000 miles that would have never happened Even at 500.000 miles.

[@AHMEDMOOSAJI]

Where's the Porsche cayyene

[@authenthuse5165]

It was inevitable. The only redeeming feature these first gen ML has is longevity, since they don't have much to offer in the looks, or interior comfort, or performance or, or fuel economy or desirability!!

[@buzzpedrotti5401]

Could own... A vehicle that breaks on an easy trail.

[@HelloWorld-ns7gt]

You can't drive up a vertical wall.😀

[@frank09busa]

I would never take my ML to a shop called German Auto that is filled with classic muscles and bunch of Subaru.

[@HoosierDaddy_]

That sissy run at 2:58 was fun! Toby seems to be a great mechanic. I'm interested to see the damage.

[@jamesbeaman6337]

Why try to denigrate someone because they have mannerisms that don’t conform to your view of what a man or woman should be? Come on, you are better than that!

[@clemnewton9995]

Mercedes-Benz BMW no warranty no way