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Used 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class SUV Consumer Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
137 reviews

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1.88 out of 5 stars

Chrysler quality- M Benz price

Rocky Mtn Madness, 08/08/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML500 AWD 4dr SUV (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This SUV has been very disappointing.The quality control is lacking. Numerous shop visits without satisfaction and a dealer who cannot get it right. I will never buy a MB product again.

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5 out of 5 stars

Review of M-class

M-class reviewer, 08/06/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML320 AWD 4dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This car is fun to drive and very reliable. It is a perfect size; it is not too large as some are, and not too small as many are.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

owner

javier cubas, 09/19/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML320 AWD 4dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

excellent suv very nice drive

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3 out of 5 stars

I'll stick to Lincolns

jskeens, 09/20/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML350 AWD 4dr SUV (3.7L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

The car is fine but nothing sets it apart from other luxury SUVs. My exp w/ the sales process was the only piece that went smoothly. Due to Linc, I am accustomed to receiving the model of loaner veh that I am having serviced. Mercs' loaner car program consists of using the co-resident Enterprise office. That blows. The warranty has a couple nice perks but nothing worth dealing w/ their Service dept. After purchase, I received a letter for a recall that went out six months prior. Should've been fixed prior to sell of vehicle. Mercs' Customer Service and Service depts could learn a lesson from Linc.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Great Car!

S600SEL, 09/21/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML500 AWD 4dr SUV (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I purchased the ML500 12 months old and got a great deal, nearly half off and with a 100,000 8 year warranty. I can't believe I lived without GPS for so long. It is not as smooth as my S- class but now I can haul stuff. I would not want to be in another car after a serious accident last year. I will take poor milage for the safety trade-off.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

It is good one

YZ, 09/29/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML350 AWD 4dr SUV (3.7L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Trade my 00ML320 to 03ML350. Love this car. Had no problem with my ML320. ML350 rides even better, improved lighting, air-conditioning, etc. Best in the class for the price, great off- road capability(beats almost all SUV in snow conditions), nice looking interior.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

99 vs 2003

OBIE, 10/22/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML500 AWD 4dr SUV (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

We traded in a 1999 ML 320. We did have some problems with it. Fuel pump, Power Steering hose and Transponder. We really like this one much better.

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3.75 out of 5 stars

350

res, 10/28/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML350 AWD 4dr SUV (3.7L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

nice ride, a few maintenance issues no real complaints

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3.88 out of 5 stars

A Very Strong Capable Vehicle

Tough on Cars , 03/02/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML500 AWD 4dr SUV (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

The ML500 is a rock solid SUV. It is fast as hell and can hold up well against very bad roads. I was very impressed by the traction in the snow and rain. I was driving more cautiously than I should have. The SUV is built extremely well, I feel safe and secure in this care. It is very fun to drive and a head turner.

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2.63 out of 5 stars

Gas Hog

Madman, 11/26/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML350 AWD 4dr SUV (3.7L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

The gas mileage on this vehicle has been awful. The sticker states it gets 15 city 18 hwy. I have yet to get 13 on the highway and I am lucky to get 11 around town. It is a noisy vehicle and really needs steering wheel audio controls. My GMC Yukon is overall a much better vehicle. The third row is even smaller than expected. It is pretty much useless.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

a beuty and a beast

jhonny, 11/22/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML500 AWD 4dr SUV (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

the power is awsome. the car is a beuty ive had mb suvs for a long time the only thing that this suv needs is more comfort for the driver and passenger that is the only thig that lacks .........

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4.88 out of 5 stars

nic says

nicl, 12/20/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML320 AWD 4dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Love the look, the feeling of safety and luxury combined, which is crutial in my work of selling real estate. Chose it hands down over a Lexus SUV, even though ride is rougher and am so thrilled that I did.

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5 out of 5 stars

best and safest suv on the road

jojo A., 03/20/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML350 AWD 4dr SUV (3.7L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Be ready for heads turning and lot of your friends want to test drive your car! with the package I got makes the car stands out with the other competitor. I have the inspiration package that adds a lot of sportiness inside, with the engine and transmission upgrade I never had problem in trying to go around on the freeway. Very easy to maneuver even in the most zigzag road. The most important is the peace of mind about the safety of the vehicle 10 airbags with 24 tele assistance which comes with 1 year from the manufacturer. Overall happy with my decision of getting rid of my old suv and bought this car. Makes me enjoy driving again!

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5 out of 5 stars

10

guest, 03/22/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML500 AWD 4dr SUV (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

solid, fast and reliable...

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Safest among SUVs

FBgreatfalls, 04/10/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML350 AWD 4dr SUV (3.7L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Great SUV to drive around the town and on Hwy. Very easy to handle and park while fun to drive. ML350 has a good pick up and power delivery due to its higher and smoother torque delivery. It is kind of heavy (about 4800 lb) for its size but it is built solid and feels like a full size SUV. A bit tight in the back seat but still comfortable with proper air flow. If you get this car, try to get it with GPS and Bose audio system.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Outstanding ML500

Patrick, 10/03/2007
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML500 AWD 4dr SUV (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

By far the very best SUV I have ever owned. After over 70,000 miles it still runs like a dream. No mechanical or electrical problems. A definite keeper!

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4.88 out of 5 stars

great suv for a great price

shariar, 05/11/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML350 AWD 4dr SUV (3.7L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This is one great suv. It is very comortable and beautiful inside and out. I opted for the inspiration edition which gives you alot of options for a great value. I highly recommend the car to people who want a comfortable car but still want to arrive to the local country club with style.

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4.25 out of 5 stars

It's an acquired taste

MB&Caddy, 03/05/2008
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML500 AWD 4dr SUV (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I've owned my ML500 for 5 months now. Coming from my 01 Seville STS, was a change of course. Overall I think the vehicle hits the mark. Not perfect, but what vehicle is. Gas mileage is decent, but this is my 2nd V8 in 5 yrs so I'm used to the gas guzzling. Off the line snap is good enough to put you back in your seat. First trip was to Gatlinburg, TN and the MB was nothing but solid. Had to dial down the cruise in the mountains, it kept accelerating. Solid, comfortable, great view in traffic and a huge sunroof. Slips in and out of traffic and parking is a breeze, waiting for first real experience w/ bad weather. This thing shrugs off rain and wind like it's nothing.

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5 out of 5 stars

m-class

ml500, 05/19/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML500 AWD 4dr SUV (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Best car I have ever driven.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Excellent Family SUV

willy_t, 05/08/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML350 AWD 4dr SUV (3.7L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Excellent family SUV with plenty of space, comfort and safety features. DVD navigation, inspiration package and Bose audio are excellent upgrades.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

GREAT SUV

Nathaniel, 12/17/2002
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML320 AWD 4dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Best value, everything great about this SUV except gas consumption.

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3.5 out of 5 stars

ML 500 slightly disappointing

hairydog, 04/30/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML500 AWD 4dr SUV (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Excellent vehicle overall, however a number of minor defects take away from the overall positive impression we have. Defects include: window trim that is fading extremely quickly/unevenly; rear windows which watermark w/o remediation possible; climate control fan system which randomly sends air to areas of its own choosing (noisy as well). Dealer resists repairing despite informing me these are "common problems" on ML 500's.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

2002 ML 320

rousseau, 01/19/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML320 AWD 4dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This is my 3rd ML, improvements over the '98 and '00 models were needed. Rear a/c and heat, rear air bags (safety concern for my children); better stereo system; turn signal lights on the side mirrors; Tele-aid

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4 out of 5 stars

A Few Flaws

ErikVB, 05/27/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML350 AWD 4dr SUV (3.7L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Got an ML 350 with 3rd row seating. Great option for those with children under 12 as they fold out of the way sideways and can be removed entirely pretty easily. Car is beautiful with Inspiration pkg and upgraded sound system is a must. I knew mpg wasn't going to be good, but faulty gas gauge sensor has made it worse (Could only go 200 miles on a tank, as sensor wasn't reading final 7 gallons or so). Also the moonroof didn't open properly at first and after getting it fixed, the weatherstripping around it is now falling off. I am hopeful dealer will be able to fix permanently. All in all, fun car to drive with a few production defects.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

great ride

fuji, 05/28/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML350 AWD 4dr SUV (3.7L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

handles like a dream and solid as a rock!! gas mileage could be better but a lot of truck. bose sounds great but needs controls on steering wheel. third seats are really jumper seats but if you have small children they work.

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5 out of 5 stars

great car

trip, 06/06/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML320 AWD 4dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Had this car for a while now, enjoy it thouroughly. We did have a couple of issues, such as, power window switch going bad, power streering hose coming off. However, got an immediate first class service to address the issue.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

ML350 Inspiration

mattfo, 06/14/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML350 AWD 4dr SUV (3.7L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This is a great vehicle - we owned a 2000 320ML and this is an improvement. The Inspiration edition is worth the extra bucks - we paid only $350 more for it and it's great!

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4.38 out of 5 stars

MY ML 500

BUDDY, 06/29/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML500 AWD 4dr SUV (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

FUN CAR TO DRIVE, IT IS VERY FAST AND A VERY GOOD RIDE. THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH MY ML500 IS NOISY BRAKES, REAR TIRES WEARING OUT PREMATURLY AND BAD CUP HOLDERS. DEALERSHIP STATES THERE ARE NO CURRENT FIX FOR ABOVE PROBLEMS BUT THEY ARE VERY AWARE OF THEM. ALSO IT SEEMS THE PAINT IS VERY THIN. IT CHIPS VERY EASY.

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4.25 out of 5 stars

Good truck

indeed, 07/04/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML320 AWD 4dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

The M-Class is now reaching five years old. As Edmunds.com has said, it was a great handling truck back then-- but now everything is car-based and the M is being left behind. As a truck, great. As a crossover, forget it.

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3 out of 5 stars

Great SUV, when it's working.

Patrick, 02/28/2022
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML350 AWD 4dr SUV (3.7L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This is a great SUV. Super comfortable, great 4WD system, super capable off-roader (even beyond it's class), and excellent sound system with the Bose premium sound system. However, my 2003 ML350 has been ridiculously unreliable. I bought it with 105k miles and I'm not at 144k miles. It almost religiously needs some sort of repair or maintenance every 4 to 8 weeks. It has gotten ridiculous. So much so that after 2 years, I'm finally considering getting rid of it just because I've had enough with the unreliability. And this is coming from a wrench who has done ALL of the repairs myself. If someone owned this car and didn't have any car repair/maintenance skills, this vehicle would be dead in the dirt or put them in the poor house.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

Quality vehicle.

LT, 03/14/2022
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML500 AWD 4dr SUV (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I have recently purchased this vehicle in 2022. It is 19 years old and it runs very well, it is very strong, the suspension is good and transmission is good. Of coarse, I had to do some small repairs and maintenance on the vehicle but, the vehicle is very good for 230,000 miles. I am impressed with the quality of the vehicle. I expect this vehicle to last more years. As long as parts are found somewhere then the car can be kept running well.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

Best car ever

drew cooke, 10/30/2002
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML500 AWD 4dr SUV (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful

very fun to drive and a very stylish exterior and of course its a mercedes and that means it will have great reliability

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4.5 out of 5 stars

MERCEDES M-350 SUV

BSK, 02/02/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML350 AWD 4dr SUV (3.7L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful

WE CERTAINLY LIKED BUYING THE VEHICLE AT RUSNAK. IT WAS A NON-STRESS EXPERIENCE. THEY WERE WILLING TO DEAL BELOW INVOICE. THE VEHICLE NEEDS A LITTLE MORE HEADROOM. I AM 6-4 AND IT IS A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE. IT IS MY WIFE'S CAR AND SHE LOVES IT. IT HAS A LOT OF SAFETY FEATURES THAT SOLE US ON BUYING IT.

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5 out of 5 stars

merciless

merciless, 07/25/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML350 AWD 4dr SUV (3.7L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful

Superior to MDX and Volvo XC90

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Love the 2003 ML 350

Cldntsleep, 09/17/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML350 AWD 4dr SUV (3.7L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful

It's a luxury SUV and very classy and easy to drive/maneuver. There are no blind spots, you have the option of obtaining a 3rd row, sports package, running boards, Bose sound system, tinted windows, and much more.

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5 out of 5 stars

best suv ever

mer her, 11/30/2003
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML500 AWD 4dr SUV (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful

this was the best suv ever tested

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4 out of 5 stars

Great suv

John conley, 06/12/2019
2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML350 AWD 4dr SUV (3.7L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful

I haven't had any problems with this suv since I've had it ...

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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