Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG W164 Inspection Checklist

2006-2011 · 9 things to check before you buy, taken from this car's known problems.

This car

highBrake booster corrosion (recall)

Look for: ML 63 (VIN prefix WDC164, 2005-2011) is listed in Australian recall REC-005438: the brake booster seal can corrode and leak, reducing braking performance. The notice says to stop driving the vehicle and have it inspected.

If you find it: Check the VIN against the recall and confirm in writing that the inspection was done and the booster replaced if it failed. The fix is free at an authorised Mercedes-Benz service centre.

Any · Recall fix

highCylinder head bolt failure

Look for: The M156 head bolts can break, letting coolant reach the combustion chamber. Symptoms are a low coolant warning, misfires and a check engine light. An Australian review of this model lists it, and a parts retailer states it applies to engines up to engine serial 60-060658 (revised bolts after that), though other sources only say 'up to MY2012', so we cannot give an exact cut-off for an ML63 engine.

If you find it: Ask whether the bolts have been replaced with the later part, with invoice. Do a cold compression/leak-down and coolant pressure test before buying. Replace all bolts on any engine still on the old part.

Any

highCamshaft and hydraulic lifter wear

Look for: Premature wear of the intake camshaft lobes and hydraulic lifters is the best-known M156 fault; the lobe can wear through the lifter. A cold-start ticking is the early sign. Frequent oil changes with the right viscosity are the main prevention.

If you find it: Listen for ticking at a cold start (insist the car has sat overnight). Check oil change history. Budget for camshafts, lifters and adjusters together if ticking is present.

Often around 160k km (one source) (unverified)

mediumAIRMATIC air suspension leaks and compressor wear

Look for: The ML63 uses AIRMATIC air springs with adaptive dampers (confirmed for the W164 ML63 in an Australian review). Air springs perish and leak, the compressor then runs constantly to compensate and wears out, and the car sags at one corner overnight or throws a suspension warning. Owner-reported: valve block leaks are also common, and a new compressor fails quickly if the leak that killed the old one is not fixed.

If you find it: Check ride height after the car has sat overnight and look for a suspension warning. Soapy-water test the bags and lines before replacing the compressor. Replace failed bags as a pair on that axle and fit a new compressor relay with a new compressor.

Any, more likely over 10 years of age

medium4MATIC transfer case chain stretch

Look for: Owner-reported: the W164 4MATIC transfer case uses a chain that can stretch with age and use, causing whine that rises with road speed and clicking or popping under hard take-off. The ML63's 2.3 tonne mass and torque make it harder on the chain than the lesser W164s. We found no Australian cost source.

If you find it: Listen on a road test for whine, and for clicks accelerating from a standstill with the wheel on lock. Ask for transfer case service history. An independent Mercedes specialist can often repair the chain and sprockets rather than replace the whole case.

Any, worse on cars that have towed or worked hard

medium7G-Tronic 722.9 electronic conductor plate / limp mode

Look for: Owner-reported (thin evidence): the 722.9 7G-Tronic is reported to suffer conductor plate (electronic control module) faults that cause limp mode and harsh or missed shifts. We found only a general problems list for the M-Class, not an ML63-specific report, so treat this as a thing to check rather than a known certainty.

If you find it: Test drive from cold and hot, checking for harsh or delayed shifts and any gearbox warning. Scan for stored transmission faults. Ask for a record of any conductor plate work and fluid service history.

Any

mediumCamshaft adjuster rattle

Look for: A cold-start rattle that can progress to noise at all revs, mostly from the intake adjusters. Reported by an independent parts retailer.

If you find it: Cold-start inspection; replace the adjusters if the rattle persists, ideally with any cam work.

Any

mediumIntake manifold centre plate deterioration

Look for: Reported by a parts retailer: the centre mounting plate that holds the twin throttle bodies in the magnesium intake manifold deteriorates, causing a rough idle. A full genuine manifold is expensive and can be back-ordered.

If you find it: Check for a rough idle and throttle fault codes. An aftermarket centre-plate repair kit exists as an alternative to a new manifold.

Any

mediumDrive belt pulley failure

Look for: Reported by a parts retailer: the plastic drive belt pulleys with pressed-in bearings fail and can damage the belt, and the belt can in turn damage the thermostat's coolant breather port.

If you find it: Spin the pulleys by hand and listen for bearing noise at each service. Replace pulleys and the belt together.

Any

From FlamingCars' Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG guide. It's a checklist of known problems, not a replacement for a professional pre-purchase inspection. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.

ML63 AMG W164 inspection checklist

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