Video Documentary: Mercedes-Benz W163 (1st generation M-Class)

[@tracya.schneider7698]

My husband and I purchased a 1999 gorgeous teal green ML320 used from a Manhattan M.BENZ dealer...we still have her and she has ALWAYS been a miraculous vehicle for us. I still trust her after 289,000 miles! Things definitely go wrong but she is not electronically heavy so things can be more simple to fix.

[@GalimotoMedia]

Thanks for your wonderful comment, we wish you many (hundreds of thousands of) miles more!

[@bekabeka71]

I also have the prefacelift 320 an absolute beast 💪🏼 and fuel economy is good too, I have another ml w166 2012 model now that’s another level of comfort and looks but in terms of off-road capability the first generation wins

[@ranat5526]

I have a 2002 Ml 2.7 diesel . Brilliant vehicle that has 128k miles on the clock . I have removed the swirl flaps and done some other engine modifications that has made the vehicle run better.

[@Leo70780]

Do they have a turbo , & are the swirl Flaps easy to remove

[@fernandosegura5183]

I bought a 2003 ML 320, just a month. Ago it turned 250,000 kilómetros. It is the Best vehícule I've owned.

[@GalimotoMedia]

Glad to hear it, we wish you many happy travels!

[@onderdastan6963]

Hi there. One of the best w163 videos I have seen on youtube. Thank you guys . I have a fece-lifted 2002 7 seater ML320, with manually adjustable cloth-vinyl seats. Without sunroof, xenon lights or the Bose sound system it is the lower spec I guess. But I'm very happy with it since it has less things to break down and the cloth seats are very comfortable for both low and high temperatures and they are doing this crib movement. Once again, great video but let me just add a couple of things. These are very well built cars in terms of safety. Very good crash test results for a 20+ year old car and curtain airbags for the face lifted ones make them nearly unique. I would definitely choose the face lifted ones also for the larger disc brakes and Brembo calipers, BEHR automatic climate controls and much improved and nearly re-designed some electronic systems. Its been three years since I bought it as a second car and it served us very well. Taking 6, 7 persons to a snowy mountain or to a deserted beach . For the price I paid, İts a no match. Greetigs from Turkiye.

[@GalimotoMedia]

Hello there, many thanks for your kind and informative comment! 😊 We hope your ML320 gives you many years of happy motoring.

[@markfikaris9368]

I bought a 2001 320 with 36k miles for $7k this last August. Phenomenal truck. Couldn't be happier. The first thing I did was put in a double din kenwood. You're not going to believe this but Amazon sells a fiber optic converter for the bose system. It's like a modern car, Bluetooth phone and tunes, backup camera and GPS. The sound quality with of the kenwood bose combo is amazing.

[@GalimotoMedia]

Many thanks for this insightful comment, we'd like to upgrade this car's system as well but didn't know where to start! Was the fiber optic converter only for the Bose audio system (amp, etc.) and/or the US-spec Bose radio too?

[@markfikaris9368]

@GalimotoMedia the converter allows any stereo with RCA outputs to connect to the amp. It converts from the left right cables to fiber optic. You splice the +- to the head unit wires, connect the left right plugs and connect the fiber optic cable to the matching female socket. Also you have to power up the stock CD player(brown wire). The only issue is the time it takes for the amp to wake up.

[@jochenbaum996]

What a fun and interesting video to watch! I'm living in Rio de Janeiro and as an old MB fan (old models before they became ridiculous like all other "modern" cars) I'm interested in a very well maintained 1999 W163 ML 320 in silver, grey leather, AMG pack, and (hope this counts as the interesting option you asked to share) bulletproof. After your video I'm even more convinced that I'm going to pull the trigger on that one. I also always found them kind of not so sexy but hey, they're among the last ones designed by the legendary Bruno Sacco (who died this year in September), so for me (as a designer myself), this is also a bit me remembering him. Hope it's not too underpowered considered the bulletproofing adds considerably weight to an already heavy car. Well see. Thanks for the video!

[@GalimotoMedia]

Many thanks for your kind comment, wishing you lots of happy travels with that special 320!

[@patb5266]

Thanks guys. I've been watching MB's training for video for sales staff and other MB produced vehicles. They recommended turning off the traction control during offroad and using low range where required and turning it back on when back on road.

[@GalimotoMedia]

Our pleasure, thanks for your comment!

[@tomstone3771]

Love my ML270 CDI, have it raised with larger tires and it does well on all the Australian Beaches and most 4x4 tracks

[@GalimotoMedia]

Excellent, hope you have plenty of 4x4 adventures!

[@gbpegasus46]

I have from new a ML500. Top motor and gearbox, car is fantastic for my dogs and hauling trailers. Very comfy. Car needs maintenance but is very realible overall. Of course expensive for fuel and repairs. Car better than reputation.

[@GalimotoMedia]

Thank you for your comment, we are experiencing the same with this ML500. Lots of maintenance and fuel but a pretty reliable family hauler!

[@osmaks1518]

What are you guys talking about? The OM612 2.7 CDI is a million kilometers motor. It's also in the sprinters, which is the most reliable sprinter by far! Even AMG took this engine and put it in a c class. The only diesel AMG till date. That tells you something.. You can't compare cr diesels with naturally aspirated dinosaur tech gassers, it's just a different animal.. The ML270 are twice as expensive as the ML320 in Europe.. 7.5 L/100km on country roads, that's a winner for me! Btw the 400cdi is to cramped and too complicated to work on, also many additional parts/systems which makes them too expensive to run.

[@GalimotoMedia]

Thanks for your insightful comment, much appreciated! Here in southern Africa, you can pick up an ML270 CDI for absolute peanuts because nobody wants to deal with the costly repairs. It's also worth noting that we have inferior fuels in our region (our BEST diesel has 50ppm, the regular is 500) so that favours dinosaur tech. Also, at the moment, MB has run out of parts/spares/service items for all vehicles... and the aftermarket suppliers aren't far behind. 😕

[@osmaks1518]

@@GalimotoMedia in Europe diesel is still king, to the extent of almost no gassers on the used market. I would love to get a ML500, but I would need to import it because in my region they are extremely rare because of the fuel economy and insurance is based on KW of the engine(more powerful more costly to insure) Here and there you can find a ML320 for 3-4000€, the ML270 goes between 5-9000€. The diesel is more costly to repair, no doubt, but the majority of that goes to the turbo and cr injection system, which the gassers just don't have. If you keep up with the regular on time maintenance, it's going to serve you well. But if you neglect it, it will become a nightmare with cost exceeding the value of the vehicle.

[@GalimotoMedia]

Once again, thanks for your European insights. 👍 In most southern African countries, cars are taxed & licensed according to their weight, and insurance usually works off a trade- and retail-based database. And then it pains us to tell you that most people here have an "only fix when broken" attitude towards car maintenance, meaning it's unbelievably rare to find a vehicle that's been properly maintained!

[@osmaks1518]

@@GalimotoMedia that's very interesting regarding the difference in insurance. Then I would drive a ML500 too, makes sense. In my region (balkans), people have the same attitude regarding maintenance and the mechanic gets mad at you when you bring him a car that is not broken 😆 I always laugh at used car ads when they mention "no further maintenance required", as they got no clue what proper maintenance is.. Cheers!

[@DanielMegistos]

@@GalimotoMediatrue fact. Many parts suppliers are located in Ukraine. All of us MB owners are struggling with parts supply from the dealer. Fortunately there are very reliable parts suppliers in Greece, UK, etc..

[@joshuak8009]

Great video. Thanks guys! I'm thinking about getting my first ml. There are a few 98-99 320s, and 2003-2005 350s available in my area. Which do you think would be the better choice? cheers

[@GalimotoMedia]

Thanks for your kind comment! If they're in similar condition, we'd certainly recommend the newer and more powerful 350.

[@simonjoone9346]

I have a relatively rare 2005 ML350 Special Edition in gold. It came out with the AMG "double bubble" bonnet

[@GalimotoMedia]

Very cool, that must be one of the last ones built!

[@simonjoone9346]

@@GalimotoMedia I reckon so

[@tinaauf59]

that is exactly what I'm buying in a couple days only white. what is the mileage on yours?

[@bekabeka71]

@@tinaauf59they are bulletproof even 320 petrol ones are very very reliable

[@ghxstlxrd191]

The old MLs really do magically fix themselves lol

[@GalimotoMedia]

They do indeed! 😁

[@clemensklosterer1342]

I got an austrian made ml270 cdi from 2002 that actually looks quiet different having many of the litle details you guys pointed out

[@GalimotoMedia]

It's our pleasure!

[@cindesetiawan9175]

4:25 Yes, All W163 have "Low Range" it attached to the transmission output shaft.

[@GalimotoMedia]

Thanks for the confirmation! 👍

[@markfikaris9368]

And if it doesn't work just bang the low range motor, not the engine and not to hard

[@simonjoone9346]

I've seen a pre-facelift 2000 ML320 with AMG Package. Also has the spare wheel on the rear. Namibia, local vehicle.

[@GalimotoMedia]

Cool, thanks for sharing and regards to the motherland! 🌞

[@simonjoone9346]

@@GalimotoMedia thanks a million!

[@crabhman]

Hi. The instruments for turnsignal , lights and windshieldwiper are the same in Mercedes Sprinter vans. I anyway agree that the lights should be a turnknob instead. Not original mercedes like this, and I do not like the feel of them either. Feels cheap, like it gonna brake or fall apart.

[@GalimotoMedia]

Yup, thanks for your comment!

[@highlightedcomment]

I paid $700 for a trashed 2000 ML 320 with 168.558 km & am working on its flaws... Daily driver. On a side note were you two afraid to engage low range & 4x4...

[@GalimotoMedia]

That sounds great, happy travels with your new daily! Nope, we are just sedan and coupé guys stuck in an AWD documentary... 😂

[@Sayhun10875]

CaCo³ - dangerous