ND103

Hello everyone. I'm new to the ML section having hung out at the W210 section for over a year now. Ever since I bought my 2001 E430, my wife has been hinting at replacing her Ford SUV with an ML. Her parents have an '02 ML500, which has given them nothing but problems since they bought it. Also, after reading through the ML forum, I'm a bit disturbed by the number of complaints that there are about the MLs.

So we're now in the position to replace my wife's SUV. She is still pushing for the ML. I have been told that if we are considering an ML, we should only consider a 2003+. We test-drove both the 350 and the 500 at the dealership (new ones, but only to compare power output), and determined that with both kids in the car, 2 adults, and a full load, the 350 didn't have enough power.

We then test-drove the Cayenne S. I LOVED that car (I also have a 944 Turbo), but my iwfe felt that it was a bit too much car for her to drive on a daily basis. Besides, it's a bit out of our price-range.

So our choices are now either a used 2003+ ML500, or a used Cayenne V6. I realize that these are 2 very different vehicles given the power differences, etc. But both seem to fall right into our targeted price range.

The independent Porsche mechanic that I used for the 944T told me that I'd be disappointed with the lack of power of the V6. We haven't driven one yet to compare.

So what do you all think? V6 Cayenne or ML500?

sosh

Auto analysts have declared the Cayenne a "commercial failure". All or almost all dealers have a very large supply. There are lots of deals to be had and they can be purchased for less than a comparable ML even though the MSRP is higher. They are smaller, and more prone to problems. It is believed that Porsche is going to have to take "drastic" corrective action to stop the bleeding.Depreciation will be worse than the ML which is not great. All of the same holds true for the Tourig.

bigcatny

Just a thought. If you felt the 350 was weak then the V6 porsche will definitely feel underpowered also. Also the porsche is a smaller yet equally heavy truck so if space is important to you that may be a factor. One other thought is that if the car's cost is an issue for you the ML500 will not be a cheap car to feed (gas that is).

Good luck with your choice. Maybe there are some deals on the toureg diesel.

MBML320

ML500 any-day !! I have driven them all from the ML320-ML55 and the V6 Cayenne to the Cayenne Turbo. STAY AWAY from the V6 Cayenne.... UBER slow. The ML500 is a great vehicle. Buy it and dont look back !!

GregW / Oregon

Was it 2006 MLs you test drove? The new 268 hp V6 has plenty of power, IMO. If you drove the 2005s, then do yourself a favor and check the 2006s just now arriving at dealers. Quality SHOULD be much better as well as most everything else on the vehicle (cargo room excepted). Go to the W164 board for more info.

EvilllEmpirE

there is no debate...Cayenne V6 over an ML500 anyday...ML is a sluggish sloppy boat with no handling and an aging design/platform (since he's looking 03'+ ML's). Go with the Porsche...hands down. That's what I'm getting the wifey to replace our ML, a Cayenne S

Darkmann

You're obviously not serious. The ML350 is no Ferrari but it has plenty of pulling power. The ML500 (his preference), my friend is a rocket SUV, whether from dead stop or accelerating at mid rpm. And as for the aging platform thing, I really think that depends on use (though the market seems to be pushing us all in one direction) - I prefer the body-on-frame truck platform as opposed to the car-like unibody MY06 platform. And, as for the aging design, the W163 is not the prettiest but, man, the Cayenne, is one of the ugliest SUVs on the road today, as a matter of fact, other than the Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer edition, the Cayenne is one of the ugliesd design ever to hit these shores!!!

EvilllEmpirE

"Rocket SUV?!!!" Puleeeeze...let's not go calling the ML500 a "rocket SUV"...that is an overexageration and a silly statement
Rocket SUV would be an X5 4.8, a G55 AMG, or even a "Cayenne Turbo"...anything at around 5 secs 0-60...the ML is closer to 8 secs. Also...Cayenne being ugly, well thats you opinion...(the old ML will certainly not win any beauty contests) but I think the Cayenne is the best looking SUV out there today :p :p And yes...the ML has some sloppy *ss handling compared to many of the newer SUVs out there.....a Cayenne is one of many that eats it alive in that department (FX and X5 are among the many others). Cayenne even in V6 form > 03 ML ANYDAY!!! :p

Militant-Grunt

Yeah, he makes a very good point, the Cayenne is perfect, but.. it is an atrocity. They tried to make it look like a 911.. and failed. The front lower grills look just horible.. the rear isnt too bad, but still =/. For an SuV 8 seconds is really not bad. I am currently an owner of a Land Rover Discovery I. You know what that is? 11 seconds to 60. ( on a good day lol )

Darkmann

Of course I'm exagerrating. The ML500 is no slouch eitherway. And, believe me, the ugliness of the cayenne is not a matter of personal taste, the thing is just plain ugly. I agree that the turbo version is the one to really talk about, but then you can't leave the ML55 out once you start down that road. The FX and X5 are good trucks but they are limited also in what they can do as far as utility goes.

GregW / Oregon

Agree with you on the looks--BMW is trying real hard with their cars (7 & 5-series) but hasn't quite matched it. And utility? It had very little cargo room. It is a sports car (at least in V8 form) that can go offroad, but for day-to-day use it falls short.

vraa

V8 > V6.

elbimmer

Take the ML500. If it has to be the Cayenne, then only S or Turbo with sport package. Cayenne V6 is ugly *** car.....
Its slow 9-10sec to 60
Its very slow 125mph max. speed
ML500
6.8 sec to 60
max. speed 150mph

IMHO ML is so much prettier than the Cayenne V6! I like only the Turbo one or S with sport package....

BTW, ML is better than an X5, faster than an X5, prettier than an X5.

Militant-Grunt

Ml 500 0-60 in 6.8? err... the 06 yes, 04/05 0-60 in 7.3

EvilllEmpirE

"Prettier"?!!! what are you...ghey?!!!

amb9800

ML500 - no question about it. The ML is a far better-looking SUV than Porsche's feeble attempt at a mid-range luxury SUV - the Cayenne V6, which is disgraceful for a Porsche.

The ML500 is no slouch, certainly compared to the base Cayenne, which is slower than a W163 ML350...

sideways60

I love my ML500.

Nearly as much fun as my WRX. It has beaten a WRX in a motorkhana, it will do 240 km/h(150 mph) and I recently timed it on a G-Tech Pro meter at 6.9 to 100 km/h (62.5 mph).

I have had a few warranty issues but not as many as my colleague with a Cayanne S.

beemaze

Since I own both an ML and Cayenne turbo (my Father has a Cayenne S), I say look closely at the Cayenne S with the similar options as the ML you are looking at. You should be able to get a $5-7k discount off sticker, possibly even more, that may bring the Cayenne price towards the sticker of the W163 ML 500 you are looking at. Of course, I'm sure they are now giving substantial discounts on the W163 MLs.

From a pure driving standpoint, the Cayenne S beats any stock W163 ML. The ML500 may have slightly better 0-60 acceleration, but the Cayenne S "feels" and handles so much better. Cayenne's interior quality is higher as well.

The V6 Cayenne, may be a disappointment in the acceleration department, however.

My turbo has been way more reliable than my ML in ALL respects.

Looks are subjective. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

amb9800

Yes, but note that he is looking at an ML500 from around MY03, which is about the price of a new Cayenne V6 or less. An S would be quite a bit more.

ND103

I thank everyone for thier opinions (and have loved following the debate). We've basically decided on an '03 or '04 ML500 as opposed to the Cayenne. Our budget for the car is about $35K-$38K, which is why I was looking at used versions of both cars. (Any more and I'd be cutting into other budgets - such as the upcoming upgrade for my 944T!). The W164 would be nice, but out of the price range, and I'd feel more comfortable waiting a year or two for MB to work out any bugs that come up. Besides, we'd have to go with the 350 if we went with the W164.

The Cayenne V6 is just too slow for the money. Don't get me wrong, I'd much rather park another Porsche in my garage than another MB, but I've fallen in love with the torque of a V8 (after driving my E430 for over a year). Besides, I don't think my wife has ever not owned a V8 in her life (went from Mustangs to a Grand Cherokee to an Expedition).

Any other comments are appreciated, but I have a feeling that we'll be acquiring the ML500 this weekend.

Thanks again,
Antony