Now that we know you're talking about the W163, where do we start?

Okay, since it is a 2003, you're better off with one of those. The fit and finish/quality of the 2002 and up is miles ahead of their predecessors. I know this to be a fact because I own a 99 and 2002. The '99 is a little too 'plasticky'. But the 2002 actually rattles a little more in the back gate area. I know my rear bumper cover is loose and I'll try to tighten it but rear lift gate rattles are known in this vehicle. Also, tranny reliability, for some reason or other, took a dive in 03 models from the best year-2002, according to Consumer Reports. Of course, the notorious Mass Air Flow sensors and power steering hoses continue to plague even this model. I am also sure the torsion bars will be as noisy as the miles accumulate. I have had extremely good luck with my '99 but my '02 is plagued with the still, unresolved, rear seat fiasco, even though it is a different design from the '99. It has broken twice since I've had it and I've had it, so to speak. My '99 rear seat has froze up only once and it still works. All in all, I prefer the '99 for reliability but the '02 for fit and finish. The '02 is much more comfortable than the '99 on long rides. I drove from Houston 14 1/2 hours in it. I could not have made it in the '99. If you are looking for a 2003, spring for a ML500. I don't think the fuel savings is worth that much when you can have the power a 500 will give you. Once up to speed, my ML320 is competent enough but it's response when passing is lack luster compared to the 430. Fuel economy is not what I expected from the 320, either. I actually get 1 mpg more on the highway in the ML430 than the 320. I wish they still made the 430.