Used 2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class Diesel Consumer Reviews
Used M-Class for sale
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Beware of the Repair Virus
dieselman2001, 09/20/2015
2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML320 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
100 of 104 people found this review helpful
If you are interested in a beautiful looking SUV that is comfortable and will cost you more money in repairs than you have ever experienced before; then this is the vehicle for you! Here are the items you need to make sure have been replaced before you purchase one/ if they have not been replaced; plan on saving up because those dark day(s) will come. Oil cooler seals: $2500+ NOX sensor replaced if you do it yourself (1) $450 if the dealer does it over $800; note** there are two NOX sensors Shocks and struts: $2300 Air Mass Flow Sensor: $750 Regular 10k maintenance avg: $350 (always ask what is being performed) Fuel Filter: $240 Seat Belt: $750- Manufacturer defect that mercedes will not own up to. Brakes: Mercedes does not believe in rotating rotors; they replace them with the pads. What does this mean; more $$ There are probably more to come; i may find out or i may wave the white flag and try to get rid of it. I will put it to you the best way i can; i have owned a variety of diesels for over a decade including foreign diesel powered vehicles. Pass on this one; this has been a money pit compared to the 10 diesels i have owned. I have only owned this vehicle for 2 years and look how much i have spent; this is a fun vehicle to drive and has every bell and whistle; but you will pay to have the luxurious Mercedes-Benz named vehicle.
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Worst reliability of any vehicle I have ever owned
Manfred Schropp, 09/14/2015
updated 04/04/2016
2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML320 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
162 of 171 people found this review helpful
The engineers who designed the vehicle did a good job. It is spacious, comfortable, quiet, has a fantastic range on long distance drives - up to 700 miles on one tank 95 liters / 26.5 US gallons. I still love driving it after almost 7 years. You can drive 800 miles in one stretch and exit the car still feeling fresh. The strong torque of the Diesel engine with up to more than 30 mpg, the transmission working seamlessly in the background, the comfortable ride, the quietness of the cabin, the excellent seats make this a wonderful vehicle. BUT THE RELIABILITY IS TERRIBLE! This is hands down the worst vehicle I have ever owned in terms of frequency and cost of repair (see below), and these cars include 2 Jeep Cherokees when they were still made by AMC. While my local dealer is very very good, Mercedes Benz of USA and the folks in Stuttgart were of no help whatsoever. Verbatim from a MBofUSA representative: "Sorry, there is nothing we can do for you. We suggest you negotiate a real good deal with your local dealer when you buy your next Mercedes." Repairs & Parts replaced on my 2009 Mercedes ML-320 Bluetec in 6 years & 10 months and 73,696 miles light duty use. 01. Factory recall: Tail lamps, rear lights, power lift gate module replaced 9cost not known) at 5,176 miles 02. Warranty work: Noise from front end; replace right front wheel bearing at 27,670 miles 03. Warranty work: Replace left strut assembly front and replace buttons on steering wheel at 32,477 miles 04. Warranty work: Removed and lubricated shift paddles on steering wheel to fix squeaky noise at 32,620 miles 05. Warranty work: Replaced defective NOX sensor at 35,866 miles 06. Warranty work: Left rear door lock assembly replaced at 42,541 miles 07. Repair NOT covered by warranty: replaced auxilliary heater in AdBlue tank diagnosed at 49,671 although it is part of the emissions control system but NOT covered by MB emissions control warranty (read the small print); paid out of some slush fund after my vociferous complaints to MBofUSA; cost estimate almost $2,200.-; fixed problem at 50,843 miles 08. Repair: Front passenger door lock assembly (same broken part as above, different door) $833.99 after 15% dealer courtesy discount at 53,277 miles; MBofUSA refuses any consideration. 09. Repair: Noise from engine department - loose NOX sensor - tightened - no charge at 56,633 miles 10. Repair: Replace 2nd NOX sensor and EGR temperature sensor and air cleaner turbo seal at 60,028 miles; this NOX sensor lasted 24,162 miles; cost of repair $1,350.92 11. Repair Turbocharger intake shut-off motor, seals, gaskets, pipes (almost left me stranded) at 66,241 miles; cost $1,675.89 12. Repair: Bad Glow Plug Control Module at 68,9921 miles; cost $503.64 13. Repair: Oil leak in front engine area. Turbo Pipe Gree O-Ring Seal and seal on oil breather assembly black o-ring seal; oil squirted on V-belt; replaced free of charge by dealer as it was possibly related to repair #11 not performed 100%; dealer otherwise very good and VERY HONEST. Same mileage as Repair #12 done at same time. 14. Replace 3 engine mounts / support struts. They were leaking fluids; at 73,696 miles; $1,774.38 15. Replace temperature sensor upstream of turbo at 73,696 miles (as in #14); cost 737.98 Estimated cost of warranty repairs $5,000+; repairs paid by owner $6,876.80 (does NOT include windshield replacement caused by stone from passing truck or self inflicted body damage); additional regular maintenance cost incl. tire replacement $8,391.98 (does NOT include registration, SMOG check, insurance, fuel); total estimated cost for all repairs, incl. warranty work, and regular maintenance ~ $20,268.78; Days in service 2491; average number of days between repairs (does not include regular maintenance trips) 166; average number of miles between repairs 4,913. UPDATE 1: The car now has 80,750 miles on it and nothing has broken since my original review. That is about 7,000 miles without something breaking, although I did have a brief scare at about 76,000 miles when the car lost power on a long uphill portion on the freeway and slowed down to about 35 mph. I managed to pull off the road [slow trucks were using the emergency lane], turned off the car, and after about 5 minutes restarted it. It has been running fine ever since. A visit to the dealer did not show any recorded error code. About 30 miles earlier I had added fuel when the tank was still half full. Maybe the fuel was dirty and caused a momentary clogging. I still love the design and how it drives very much, it is just the reliability that I hate. But I may have gotten a particularly bad one-off example. UPDATE 2: At 80,915 m replaced defective 2 front air suspension struts & air compressor & 4 new tires as a result, new turbo inlet pipe seals, new transfer case input shaft seal, incl. C-Service $7,303. 15 unscheduled stops so far not counting light bulbs. Repl. backup camera (warranty), est. $2,400 incl. module.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class for sale near you
Showing 3 of 62 listings
- ML350 4MATIC 4dr SUVMSRP: $5,20042 mi away
- ML350 4MATIC 4dr SUVMSRP: $6,90052 mi away
- ML350 4dr SUVMSRP: $7,588104 mi away
See all 62 listings
Buyer beware
Carguy93, 05/08/2020
2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML320 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
27 of 30 people found this review helpful
Do not buy this model. There are way too many issues with the bluetec system. I thought I was buying reliability when I bought a diesel. I was sadly mistaken. Avoid the ml320 bluetec at all costs. I’ve spent so much money in repairs. Including a check engine light that no one can find out what’s wrong with it. Prone to leaks. Interior is great and overall style of the suv is fairly modern even in today’s standards. But, it is just not worth the reliability. Let this car die everyone so that no one else needs to make the same mistake I did.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Piece of Junk
dickaca@gmail.com, 03/01/2017
2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML320 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
30 of 35 people found this review helpful
Never buy a Mercedes. They are not reliable mechanically. The SUV spent more time in the shop than on the road. Diesels are not the way to go because you will have to replace the DPF filter at a cost of 4500 to 6500 dollars. Short trips the kill the DPF filter faster. That is almost half the value of the SUV. Mercedes should be sued for allowing this piece of junk on the road. I will never own another Mercedes again. The diesel engine which you can Google and read about is junk. The engine is an OM642. The engine oil is 10 dollars a quart and it drinks it at a rate of 1 quart every 1500 miles. Do the math on that one. The urea tank heater will fail which is 1500 dollars. I think it is also a bad great idea to not have a spare tire either and no place to put one.
- Performance
Awesome new ride
Texas Lawyer, 04/22/2009
2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML320 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
9 of 14 people found this review helpful
I buy a new car about every two years and just traded in a Jeep Commander Limited with a Hemi in for this new oil burning Benz. All I can say is: WOW. This truck is the bomb, I have only driven it about 1,000 miles so far but am averaging 30mpg on the highway and about 22mpg in town. I got nearly every option, including prem packages 1 and 2 (keyless entry) and leather, etc. The ML320 is like an S class in overshoes, the ride is first rate and the gas mileage is simply amazing for such a large vehicle. The only complaint I have is that from 0-10 mph it is a little herky jerky until the turbo kicks in then it flies. The fit and finish is typical MB and is my #1 choice in a luxury SUV.
If you never thought an SUV was for you:
GreenDiesel, 03/14/2009
2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML320 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
If you never thought an SUV was for you, add the 2009 MB 320 BlueTech diesel to your list because it handles very well, has lots of room inside, is safe, lots of TORQUE and is economical mileage-wise. I have observed 22 MPG city stop/go driving.With the most conservative driving style I've observed 30 MPG highway driving in an SUV not in an economy car! Be gentle on the throttle when pulling away from stop lights and use cruise control on the highway. The turning circle radius is good and the steering for tight parking is very easy to maneuver. The front and rear parktronic option is a must. The styling of the redesigned model is a huge improvement. Very masculine. Highly recommended
The powerful ML320 Bluetec
The environmentalist, 05/09/2009
2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML320 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Since I do a lot of highway driving, at times in bad weather conditions, I feel I need a SUV. This MB beat my previous luxury Japanese SUV hands down, in terms of ride, braking, offroad (something the previous SUV just couldn't handle)and mileage. It sure cost more but the extra cost is worth it. Mileage is very good and one can't tell that it's a diesel engine. Using the cruise control significantly enhances mileage on highways. The transmission and engine deliver power smoothly. Diesel engines beat out hybrids when hauling heavy stuff and the ML320 has class-leading towing capacity. So far, no problems with reliability. Looks like MB has fixed the problems of the previous generation.
Best car yet!
Arnold, 08/11/2009
2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML320 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
5 of 8 people found this review helpful
This has been a wonderful driving experience .The Diesel is very smooth and quiet and the highway milage is regularly over 28 mpg with average usually around 25 including city. The interior systems are fun and easy. The lift gate is great and at the right height to the ground and the space is more than ample.
Dandy Diesel
skevinb, 11/07/2017
2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML320 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
3 of 5 people found this review helpful
My wife and I loved this car!! It was primarily my wife's everyday ride. The diesel was peppy and economical, although Mercedes-Benz has had some oil and turbo issues with its Bluetec engines due to engineering compromises made to meet unrealistic California emissions rules. This car would haul 13 bales of pine straw in the morning and, after a quick sweep, be an elegant ride to a dressy dinner that evening. Great on long road trips or around town, and the 115V outlet meant the blender went with us on tailgating Saturdays. Very comfortable for me, a 5'6" geezer, but equally so for my considerably taller and decades-younger wife.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Garbage disposal
BigD, 02/18/2022
2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML320 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
Worst truck that I ever owned constantly in shop. Money pit will never own one again period.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Clean, efficient, large
MS, 06/28/2009
2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML320 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Purchase this since we needed something relatively large - but were very concerned about getting a gas guzzler SUV. So far, so good - this SUV is a great solution. Getting 24+ on the highway and plenty of room and comfort. No quality issues so far, but it hasn't been long - initial build quality seems outstanding.
Best ML Yet
Hank, 11/16/2009
2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML320 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
We bought this to replace the 1998 ML320 we had for eleven years. The old one was great and gave outstanding reliability, but it was time to replace. This ML320 BlueTec is a great replacement and it has lived up to it's advertising. Great mileage and comfort with all the gadgets you would want. Very solid feel on the road with plenty of room for storage. We have other diesels in the family and this is one of the best. It is quiet and soot free with good mileage for the weight of the vehicle. On the road you don't even know it's a diesel. Fantastic improvement over the older diesels.
Diesel turbo engine, cost too high
Wayne's World, 10/24/2016
2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML320 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
6 of 19 people found this review helpful
Do not buy a 320 Blue Tec
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Not for family of 4 with kids
MIBluetec, 01/21/2010
2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML320 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
3 of 9 people found this review helpful
We bought the Bluetec for the fuel economy and the exterior styling. Little did we know that it is not designed for tall or larger people. I weigh 210lbs and 5'11" tall so I am not big. It is very uncomfortable to come in and out of the driver's seat. With the seat back, my kid does not have leg room from his car seat. I move the seat forward and have to drive uncomfortably. The rear entertainment is mounted very poorly in the back that my 4 year old has bumped his head hard 3-4 times. I do not recommend it for family of 4 with kids. With the 2 car seats, it is very difficult to seat 5. THe fuel economy is averaging around 24mpg which is not bad. Diesel is sufficient for daily drive.
The 2009 MB Blue-Tech screams!
VegasGoesBlue, 07/29/2009
2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML320 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have had this truck for around a month now and I am very impressed. It flat moves and is stable doing so. I purchased it to replace a 2002 C class MB that I loved but missed having room to haul anything. So far it's two thumbs up! Anxious to take a road trip in the next 2 months. Vegas to Denver should be a good test. Maybe a bit of off road testing hopefully. The gas millage isn't anything to write about at this point but it's only got 1000 miles on it. It feels like a Benz... That's the best part!
Diesel Mercedes ML320
MBsearcher, 01/31/2022
2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML320 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Following 10 years of ownership I can definitely say it is a tale of two cars. Power and comfort are superb... cost to maintain not so great. Expensive to maintain through MB dealership. The 642 engine could be outstanding but it is choked down with anti-pollution equipment. But despite this it averages 28 mpg and 33 hwy.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
This is not a Toyota Tacoma SR5 or a Camry Hybrid.
Daemeon, 03/15/2023
2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML320 BlueTEC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 7A)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
I own a 2016 Camry Hybrid, a 2012 4x2 Tacoma, a 2012 Benz GL Bluetec, and selling after 5 years a 2009 Benz ML bluetecs, and a 2000 CLK. Have owned benz's for 50 years. The new ones are not like the old ones, lots of bells and whistles that add to comfort, luxury, and repair costs. But then my friends with Jeeps have a lot of garage time so ... Both Toyotas are reliable, boring, handle poorly, not much power, and get way worse fuel economy on a trip, even the hybrid. The Toyotas run reliably, the Benz's? If you pay attention for leaks and unusual noises. Costs: One thing for sure, go to a dealer and pay 2x what a good private shop charges for the Benz, only 1.5x for the Toyota. Drive 900 miles to Death Valley or to LA? No problem in the ML and heaven in the GL. 80 miles to Sacramento in either Toyota and I am done. And the Camry is an XLE Hybrid! What is the actual safest car in a broad range of (non-idiot rollover) accidents, and headons? Ask your State Farm Agent, check the NHTS "accident analysis" reporting. What the reports tell you is a current model ML (too few GL's) is the safest car to be in based on actual accident injuries: I saw an ML hit a Lexus: both totalled, ML occupants were fine, not the Lexus'. But the Lexus LOOKED total'ed, ML had a corner badly scrunched. A few years ago an internationally know modern dancer was hit head on on the Golden Gate Bridge. She was driving an ML and survived. The other driver did not. Have you checked the specs to see how heavy a Tesla or eMustang is? Or a eLighting Ford? With my ML/GL I get safety, good mileage, great power, and super handling. Real parts costs and service. AC out on both the Tacoma and the ML and the GL. $1500 for the GL (garage, OEM parts), $3800 for the ML (Dealer) and $4300 for the Tacoma (dealer). Air shocks: good after market shocks are CHEAPER then after market "conventional" shocks for either the Camry or my ML. Yes to those darned oil cooler seals on