Down to ML350 and RX330
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Atlanta, GA
Lexus GS 450h
lol. I've driven both extensively and the bias here is ridiculous. The previous ML was so bad, they SWITCHED to a car based platform, which the RX has been since day one, the first luxury SUV being car based.
The ML is a Benz so of course people buy for prestige. Nevermind the SUV is built in Alabama, real prestigous! The interior is a step above the ML but IMO not as luxurious as the RX. Nor is fit and finish as good as the RX. THe ML is roomier to me. And there is more feedback in steering in the ML but this is not a sports car, so I prefer the isolation of the RX. You might not though.
Both cars have good powertrains, the ML 350 and RX 330 feel even in acceleration and passing. The RX 400h has acceleration on par or better than teh V-8 ML 500, while providing twice as much fuel economy. And the passing power of the 400h trumps the powerful ML 500.
Build quality is not close, the ML will fall apart in a year or two while the RX can be driven with 150,000 miles and you wouldn't know it.
Not to mention the RX is cheaper, the ML, is overpriced for what you get.
Neither SUV is sporty, I don't know who anyone is fooling here. Both feel awful in corners and manuvering at speeds over 80mph. No Porsche Cayennes here.
I've seen tons of woman in both but if you think your manly and your SUV is tougher than the RX, lol
Different strokes for different folks.
The ML is a Benz so of course people buy for prestige. Nevermind the SUV is built in Alabama, real prestigous! The interior is a step above the ML but IMO not as luxurious as the RX. Nor is fit and finish as good as the RX. THe ML is roomier to me. And there is more feedback in steering in the ML but this is not a sports car, so I prefer the isolation of the RX. You might not though.
Both cars have good powertrains, the ML 350 and RX 330 feel even in acceleration and passing. The RX 400h has acceleration on par or better than teh V-8 ML 500, while providing twice as much fuel economy. And the passing power of the 400h trumps the powerful ML 500.
Build quality is not close, the ML will fall apart in a year or two while the RX can be driven with 150,000 miles and you wouldn't know it.
Not to mention the RX is cheaper, the ML, is overpriced for what you get.
Neither SUV is sporty, I don't know who anyone is fooling here. Both feel awful in corners and manuvering at speeds over 80mph. No Porsche Cayennes here.
I've seen tons of woman in both but if you think your manly and your SUV is tougher than the RX, lol
Different strokes for different folks.
Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 92
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From: British Columbia Canada, Elko Nevada USA
2002 ML500,2005 Toyota 4Runner, 2006 F150 King Ranch, Kawasaki ZX1400 Ninja, 1978 Jeep CJ7
Just remember....... A Mercedes IS a Mercedes, and a Lexus will always be a Toyota! 
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 627
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From: The Earth
Mercedes all the way!
"Build quality is not close, the ML will fall apart in a year or two while the RX can be driven with 150,000 miles and you wouldn't know it."
once again, i have to disagree. as i said i've close family members with the RX, and it only looks nice on the surface. go touch those fancy trim bits and they're all hollow. the misalignment (especially along the bottom half of the centre console) is glaring in many examples i've seen. so i'm not at all confident about the RX's build quality. whereas on the ML it all is solid.
and a lot of the "luxury" feel comes from the colour as well - nice, rich tones really bring out the "luxury" look no matter what the material, or what the car.
and lets not even start on the technological superiority of the ML.
once again, i have to disagree. as i said i've close family members with the RX, and it only looks nice on the surface. go touch those fancy trim bits and they're all hollow. the misalignment (especially along the bottom half of the centre console) is glaring in many examples i've seen. so i'm not at all confident about the RX's build quality. whereas on the ML it all is solid.
and a lot of the "luxury" feel comes from the colour as well - nice, rich tones really bring out the "luxury" look no matter what the material, or what the car.
and lets not even start on the technological superiority of the ML.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 653
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From: Twin Cities
Too many to list
Originally Posted by ruykava
so i'm not at all confident about the RX's build quality. whereas on the ML it all is solid.
and a lot of the "luxury" feel comes from the colour as well - nice, rich tones really bring out the "luxury" look no matter what the material, or what the car.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
From: The Earth
Mercedes all the way!
since no ML has gone to 50k miles, i've no idea how you can spew out such an observation so confidently. and if, as i've observed, the RX never felt solid when brand new, how can it feel solid at 50k miles?
as for colour, we all have our bias but for me, yellow leather and brown wood gives a very different, and very luxurious, feel compared to black on black - or blue and grey. i've sat in S-classes in blue, and those in yellow, and the blue ones just look cheap although the materials are the same.
well, i shall not dissent more here - these are my own opinions which you can take or leave
as for colour, we all have our bias but for me, yellow leather and brown wood gives a very different, and very luxurious, feel compared to black on black - or blue and grey. i've sat in S-classes in blue, and those in yellow, and the blue ones just look cheap although the materials are the same.
well, i shall not dissent more here - these are my own opinions which you can take or leave
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 337
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From: Hong Kong
2013 G63, 2015 S500, 2016 C63 coupe
I use to have the RX330 and i must say the interior is absolutely stunning. The seats are comfortable and the accessories are well equipped. The only negative comment is the engine. It's way too underpowered for my liking. Thus I've changed to a Cayenne S.
The squeaks and rattle in my Cayenne is everywhere.
Lexus wins hands down on quality car, and if you guys are to say it's a Toyota, then let's say the Toyota wins on quality!
The new ML, i've only sat in at the dealership, and i think the interior is nice, although the seats are still not as comfy as the RX330. Might take the ML500 for a test drive as it's a relatively well priced SUV. But would the new merc have quality issues? That we'd have to see.
The squeaks and rattle in my Cayenne is everywhere.
Lexus wins hands down on quality car, and if you guys are to say it's a Toyota, then let's say the Toyota wins on quality!
The new ML, i've only sat in at the dealership, and i think the interior is nice, although the seats are still not as comfy as the RX330. Might take the ML500 for a test drive as it's a relatively well priced SUV. But would the new merc have quality issues? That we'd have to see.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Frederick, MD
'72 Suburban
Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
Build quality is not close, the ML will fall apart in a year or two while the RX can be driven with 150,000 miles and you wouldn't know it.
Not to mention the RX is cheaper, the ML, is overpriced for what you get.
Not to mention the RX is cheaper, the ML, is overpriced for what you get.
Bias? Hello? This is a Mercedes Benz ML forum, last I checked
Originally Posted by 1sicklex
I've seen tons of woman in both but if you think your manly and your SUV is tougher than the RX, lol
I agree. Both the RX and ML are mostly driven by women, based on my completely unscientific observations here in the DC area. Men don't drive mini-SUVs
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 113
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From: Antioch, CA
2006 ML350
C'mon now...you mean to tell me in DC your manhood is determined by the size of your vehicle? Some would say your manhood is determined by the size of your pocket. It means you did good in life. Of course I don't totally agree with it. Like they say, you are what you drive. Since the ML is one of the most sophisticated and advanced SUV in the world, well, that says a lot about the owner (IMO).
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From: Frederick, MD
'72 Suburban
To the ML driving men out there, it was a joke!!! (notice the big smiley!?) I have plenty of small cars, Flip. If the size of the vehicle determined my manhood, I'd be in trouble
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Twin Cities
Too many to list
Originally Posted by WienerWater
Just remember....... A Mercedes IS a Mercedes, and a Lexus will always be a Toyota!
Last edited by diamondblak05; Nov 24, 2005 at 03:00 PM.
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Posts: 167
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From: Russellville, AR
1996 - C220/2001 - ML430/ 2005 RX-330
I have a new '05 RX330 and a 2001 ML-430. I love them both. The RX rides better and drives much smoother than the ML, although not sure about the new 06 models of ML. The ML feels sporty and has a much stiffer ride. Of course the RX only goes to the dealer for oil changes, whereas the ML goes all the time for repairs. I tend to agree on the ML = Chrysler. I also have a C220 mercedes with zero problems, while it seems the ML is more Chrysler quality than Mercedes quality. I figure that's why they have no quality signature decal on the dash like true German made Mercs. That decal is symbolic of when Diamler personally signed off on every car to certify its quality. He wouldnt be signing off on the ML. Don't get me wrong, I do love it, it's just high maintenance while the RX so far has been zero maintenance.
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1967 Morris Cooper "S", 1983 911SC, 1997 Toyota Tacoma, 1999 HD FXSTB, 1998 C43
Originally Posted by diamondblak05
Since Lexus is a Toyota, wouldn't that make Mercedes a Chrysler?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2002
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Originally Posted by diamondblak05
Since Lexus is a Toyota, wouldn't that make Mercedes a Chrysler?
All Mercedes' are not Chryslers.
All squares are rectangles, but not all rectangles are squares.
Plus, why is it a bad thing to be a Toyota, unless of course, you have ego problems.
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Twin Cities
Too many to list
Originally Posted by ricky.agrawal
Plus, why is it a bad thing to be a Toyota, unless of course, you have ego problems.
It certainly isn't a bad thing being a Toyota. I love Toyotas. Dependability, reliability, high resale value...what more could I ask for in a everyday car? As a matter of fact, I have 2 sitting in the garage (RX330 and Avalon). I wish I can say the same thing for MB. Ego problems? I drive both brands and love both of them. However, not many MB enthusiats feel the same way since Lexus is only a Toyota.
