Neighbor has a 99 Mercedes ML430 that's been sitting in their yard for probably a year. Stopped by and asked about it the other week and it's stuck in my head for some reason. I stuck a battery in it and it started right up with no noises or issues. Has around 205k miles, needs all 4 tires replaced. Blower fan works on a couple settings, AC is inop, I'm sure it could use some maintenance things. Oh, the driver door panel is in about 3 different pieces. They have owned it since it was a couple years old.
She said $1500 as an initial price, I'm thinking closer to $800. Part of me wants to take the doors off and make it a Gambler type rig but there isn't a Gambler event around here.
So, who can give me some info on this? Are the cats worth $$ in case I buy it and it turns all German on me and the dash looks like a Christmas tree?
Offer her $500
I finally convinced my buddy to get rid of his 99 after it kicked his ass for 2 years.
Yes the cats will be worth hundreds of dollars in scrap; sold to a scrap buyer online or eBay for the most $$.
I suspect it would cost you more than the thing is worth to get it up to perfect resellable condition but you'll never lose your money if you just fix a couple things, drive it for a while, then sell of the most valuable parts once it breaks for good.
Tk8398
HalfDork
10/4/21 10:18 p.m.
Don't loose the keys, it's junk if you do, they are NLA and cost $375 back when you could still get them. They are badly made but the drivetrain parts are decently reliable, I would avoid too much hacking (like removing doors) because the electronics are likely to get mad though.
There are a few YouTube video series on the ML class, week points, problem fixes etc.
Our 99 W210 wouldn't run with the rear window regulators unplugged. Watch out for goofy wiring stuff like that.
MLs make decent tow vehicles and are pretty comfy for a cruiser.
The M113 sounds really good uncorked.
I really hate MLs after working at a MB dealer as a porter in college. I must have driven 100s of them. I remember hating the throttle and brake as being overly touchy, almost impossible to drive smoothly. That's not even bringing in the high maintenance a neglected one will require.
I would never pay $1500 for one. That's a $500 car, and even then I'm not sure it's worth it.
