Sounds from the bowels of the 1998 ML 320

my 1998 ml320 now has 51k miles on it and it has started making thunking noises that match the turning of the wheels. but then the noises stop fairly quickly and it is quiet. then recently I heard thumping/clanking noises coming from around/or below where the at shift gear knob is inside the cabin-- but not consistently–the noises come and go but seem to be getting more frequent. there is no correlation with vehicle speed, time duration of driving, heat or cold of engine etc. with these noises. Automatic transmission seems to shift fine. Any ideas about the noises?

Possible worn engine or transmission mounts.