Car Decision...SUV...X5/X3/RX350/ML350

[nowstime]

Hi~

Does anybody have an experience with BMW X5/X3, MB ML350 or Lexus RX350.

Looking to spend around $45,000~$55,000.

I like the new BMW X5 but haven't seen it in person...and heard good things about the new BMW X3...now it has 260hp...a lot for a small SUV...Also I like BMW's full coverage.

MB ML350...I like the ride and comfort but worried about future repair costs and maintenance cost...

Lexus RX350...A friend of mine loves his RX...I also love the RX but I can't erase the feel of a Wife's car!!!...I love the reliability...but a model change in the near future worries me...

Is there any other SUV I should consider?


Looking forward to your personal experiences...

[dsigma6]

If you go for the X5, the 4.4i is bare minimum! Granted the 4.6/4.8is are costly, it's probably just overkill anyway.

I recommend the X3 if you like wasting money on an overpriced grocery getter, or it's for a 20-something girl.

I've never been a fan of the ML- maybe things have changed (on the inside) since the previous model, but I find the seats to be completely uncomfortable...kind of like cardboard.

Have you seen the new MDX? I'm not a fan of Acura at all, but the new look is much improved over the cookie cutter version out now.

edit: Just looked at the new X5...looks more like an X3. It lost the aggressiveness.

[christopher_wolf]

I would recommend the Lexus RX350, it has stellar performance and is rather low maintenance compared to the Benz and the BMW SUVs. It also does have a better ride at both lower and higher speeds than either of the other ones I have driven or rode in. A friend of mine recently got a RX350 to replace an older Benz ML, which broke down alot, and has had no trouble with it since.

As for the interior, well, let's just say I like the insides of an actual Benz or BMW *car* better than those of the X5 and the X3.

[RUSH2112]

I own a W163 ML500, and its a great car (despite the 100k mile problems popping up). I can only imagine that teh W164 is better, no experience with the V6 though.
The X3 is basically a wagon, just a tad bigger, not my jig but if you like it...
The current X5 is in its last throws. Id wait for the new one if you go that route.
The RX is good if you want a car that will be cheap to maintain and last forever, not as nice as the german cars imo.

If I were you, I'd get either the ML320CDI (diesel - now available in the US) or an ML500. Worth a few extra bucks to get the diesel (30mpg i think - and almost 400lb ft torque) or the nice V8.

If you want to have an unbelievable looking car too, spend $4000 on the AMG sports package. Makes the thing look almost like the ML63.

A decently equipped ML500 is around 55-60k. If you can stretch your budget by 5k, go for the V8. You wont be disapointed. Plus, you'll stick out more. In the 2 years I've had my ML500, ive only seen a handful of other 500's, most are 320's / 350s

I've never been a fan of the ML- maybe things have changed (on the inside) since the previous model, but I find the seats to be completely uncomfortable...kind of like cardboard.

Well, sort of. The BMW definately has more comfortable seats, but my W163 is very comfortable. Not "cardboard" at all. I think it is still better than the Lexus (never been a fan of their new interiors).

I briefly looked at the W164's, and the interior is more comfortable still. Puts up a fight with the X5.

And, yes, do not get the 3.0i if you go with the bimmer. The MB's V6 is decent, but the bimmer's is weak. Either way, try for the V8 (or the diesel as i've said - never driven a new diesel though cause they're not available in Mass)

If you want to find out some more user opinions on the Benz, I love the BenzWorld Forums at www.benzworld.org/forums

[skitty4gzus]

Honestly, this seems to be about par for these 3 brands anyways
1) BMW= always costly to repair and always in the shop. I have seen this countless times. Balanced performance between weight and power, nobody does it better than BMW. If you like performance and handling go for it, but beware that BMW might not have too many x5's for loaner cars, be prepared to be spending time in their loaner 323's
2) MB= just plain expensive, bland styling, subtle performance. Supple interior, comfy ride. ML's are the Cadillac of SUV's!!!!
3) Lexus RX= well I have an IS300 and lets just say they are built pretty tough, but get it fixed under warranty. I have had nothing but problems since its been out of warranty. They have a miserable service department in my opinion, even though I have heard they are better. Nonetheless, Lexus' are all heavy vehicles. Soft cornering, mediocre performance.

TO SUM IT UP!! If you are performance minded, go with BMW. If you want a nice fat ride, not looking to cut up the streets, get the RX. But, never leave out the possibility of the MDX and the VW Touraeg. Both nice vehicles and I love the new direction VW is going.

[FredFromNYC]

Get a Hyundai Veracruz. With the money you save you can buy a new notebook.

[Manarius]

Get a Subaru Legacy Wagon. GT Wagons have 250 HP, get better mpg than SUV's and have the same or more inside space. Plus you get Subaru reliability, which will kill any BMW, Lexus, MB, or Hyundai.

[skitty4gzus]

A legacy wagon is no competition for the vehicles on the list, neither is the hyudai. Hyundai is cheap gaudy plastic interior, uncomfortable rock seats. Subaru may have reliability but why did they de-tune the sti 2.5 liter and put it in a tank of a wagon. Poor braking, heavy in the corners, underpowered for its weight. You can't de-tune an awesome motor setup like that, throw it into a heavier vehicle with a higher center of gravity and expect it bo competitive. No low-end power like it needs to get that thing up and going.

[underclocker]

I'm thinking the Touareg Diesel will do it. V10 and good mileage.

Give it a try.

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2007/volkswa ... index.html

http://www.vw.com/touareg/

[nowstime]

I hear the new BMW X5 3.0 has the improved in-line 6V engine that produces 260hp...

Is the new engine still under powering for the X5?

[skitty4gzus]

how does this sound? 300hp, v10, diesel. All that in 1 hot looking vehicle. Wrap this around your head. Being is that a Cayenne is a Touraeg with some fancy plastic and fancy badges. Granted Porsche does do a few things different, ala ride height adjustment, but the Touraeg is a wolf in sheeps clothing. You could check out the Volvo XC90, but man Volvo resale is just plain pathetic. I drove a S80 T6 a lil while ago and man that thing pulled pretty hard for being front wheel drive and pretty heavy. XC90 is im sure a pretty decent machine though, maybe have yourself a lil test drive weekend or something. Most places will let you take 1 home for the night, I would do that for all reasonable choices before you make a $50,000 commitment.

[christopher_wolf]

I too was suprised the last time I drove a Volvo, it was quite perky. The Cayenne and Touareg are fairly impressive; get the Cayenne if you want to drive a Porsche, or get the Touareg if you want a VW.

[jdhurst]

<snip> but man Volvo resale is just plain pathetic. <snip>

I'll take this thread off topic for a bit and say that I purchased two 10-year old Volvo's (sedan and wagon), refurbished the front ends in both with top of line gas shocks and all the rest of the parts including all new triple tread tires (treadwear rating = 700) and brakes.

All purchase and refurb costs in, both cars, under $25,000 total and they drive just grand. The sedan has gone far enough that if I junked it now (running perfectly) it still has cost less per kilometer than I am allowed to write off for renting it to my business (all costs in, including gasoline).

Sweet deal economically - Cars do not turn me on.
... JD Hurst

[Turbo Audi]

Get the Cayenne if you want a VW. Get the Touareg if you want a VW as well.

[nowstime]

I'm leaning toward the sport car like X3...Thanks for the input guys...