 I bought my '04 ML350 in june '05 with 18,000 miles on it.  I commute about 50 miles per day.  I've taken it on about 6 long-distance road trips too. 107,000 miles as of March '10  It is the most comfortable vehicle I've ever owned. Poor MPG (avg. 17.5).  Wears out tires every 25,000 mi. Best mechanical reliability I've ever had, despite chronic "clunking" tranny on downshift from day one. I spent $1500 and many dealer visits trying to get that fixed to no avail. Interior plastic skirts around front seats broke early on from pressure of sitting. Coating on all dark exterior metal rapidly deteriorated.  I would buy another one if they still made them.