jangy

I'm killing this bug and soon. In the mean time, the wife needs a new ride. I bought a Jeep Commander a few months back that she can drive for now (to stay out of my E55), but I need to get her something.

Given the $65K range, what would any of you suggest??
I love the ML (sans the problems which I assume are out of the new ones), except for the "small" rear leg room. With two kids, I'd like something bigger. But, the wife likes the car-like drive of the ML. Its a catch 22.

Help out folks: What other models? If you still recommend the ML, what features options??

ClayJ

With a budget $65K you probably have alot of options -
So, some clarifying questions:
What did your wife like about the Jeep?
What did she not like about it?
What do you think she has in mind? An SUV?
How old are your kids?
How many other kids would frequently be in the car as well?
Jeep and ML - is AWD/4WD desired, and why?
For how long do you anticipate owning the car?
What other vehicles have you and/or she already considered, even if only briefly?

MB Fanatic

R class. Its the only thing that comes to mind.

sosh

The W164 seems to have quite a bit more rear seat room than the W163.

carpersn

just introduced yesterday in Detroit.

SHOE

06 Lexus LX 470 and enjoy

jangy

Just to clarify. The '06 ML500 is my wife's car. The Jeep is my DD. I love the Jeep, not her. It drives too much like a truck for her, plus I want to lift it.
She wants an SUV. Just does. At the same time, she is more comfy in the car-like drivers over the HUGE trucks.
I have two kids (0 and 3 years old). Their baby seats are a pretty snug fit (leg room) in my E55, the Jeep, and the ML500.
Now that I am getting rid of the ML, I was hoping to find something with more secomd row leg room. Just don't see how the ML fills any role in my "stable". She says she hates the "minivan" looks of the R, but I do like the room. I do like the GL, but there are two issues. First is when can I get one? And second is will she like it. It looks a lot like the ML to me, so it may be a possibility. BUT WHEN!!???!?!

How is the Lexus?? She loves LEXUS, but I am an MB man. I am not a big fan of the 4.7 liter, either. No disrespect (and I understand brands), but the LX470 is a lot like the Jeep Commander. So, again, it is not MY favorite.

More ideas??

Bigdot

BMW X5

my mother has gone through 3 of them, she loves them bz they feel like a car!

mark

ClayJ

New ML for now. It's a new car and an update for her, the kids are small enough that the leg room in the backseat will be more than adequate (two 6 foot adults can ride back there all day long I have it on good authority from more than one owner). the access should be good for doing the in-and-out-of-the-car-seat routine, and the ride will be even bette than she's used to from the ML500. When the new GL comes out late Summer or early Fall, you can take her down for a gander at one of those.

First Pic - 6' 4" man in backseat new ML
Second Pic - 6' 4" man 2nd seat in new GL

MB Fanatic

I think I am going to go for a GL63 or GL550 when they come out. Im a AMG guy as you can tell lol.

The R is still coming to my stable for sure though. It just is a must have replacement for my Odyssey.

jangy

The knee space seems the same on the Ml as the GL, is that so??
I am reaching a dead end with this. i can't believe that there is not an SUV out there that has a comparable wheelbase with more interior room?? I checked out an R last night, but not toooo close. Does the 2nd row seats move back on it? If not, its no bigger than the ML, either!

ClayJ

The GL was designed I believe with an ML-sized second seat, and an even tighter third row seating area. The R supposedly has full-size second row seating with an ML-sized third row seating area.
The new GL isn't going to be accessible until this Spring at the earliest....
Why not do an R350 for now? She won't go for, and appreciate, that? Beautiful ride, beautiful interior space -- if a little large in size. I think that it is time to ratchet up the courage and take a closer look-see at an R my friend.
Have you considered/looked at a G500? I don't know if there is that much more knee room in the backseat, but the seating positions are a true three-wide. 'Truck-like ride' (and looks) are what might nix it, but the design of that truck has alot of liveability to it (ex. rear cargo door is full-size). Alot of people are turned-off by the idea of a G until they actually take a test drive...and decide that they like it.

sosh

Thats because it is a car, built on the 5 series platform.

Curious George

The X5 has no more room than an ML.
I hate to recommend this but the Acura MDX is slightly larger than an ML. It has a thrid row seat for a couple of four year olds. The middle seat is much more comfortable than the ML in terms of room and it reclines slightly. I put 150k on one before I bought my ML and I think my wife wishes she still had it sometimes.
From a driver's experience they are no ML but they aren't a bad vehicle.

SHOE

The Volvo XC-90 has the most room for the buck! Wife has driven one for over a year and loves it. Her past cars were a 98 ML320 and a 2000 ML320. We had a ton of problems is why we didnt consider the new ML. I have driven two Landcruisers and now a 06 Lexus LX470 and I can honestly say they are the best built cars/truck/suv on the road and second place is not close. I will look at the GL but Mercedes has got to prove to me they can make a quality suv before I'll leave Lexus.

deltadude388

Range Rover Sport, enuff said!

jangy

R350/R500: Actually I have looked at it. The minivan feel is what she does not like. We may revisit it IF I can verify that the second row seats can be moved. if not, they are no roomier than an ML.

G500: I love it, BUT the Truck aspect kills the idea. I considered it when I bought my Jeep, but i went with the Jeep, since I had 2 MBs.

Acura MDX: Is it really bigger? My only concern is 2nd row knee space. If it is really bigger, I'll look into it, since it costs half of the ML.

Range Rover Sport: Actually, not nuff said. It ain't all that. I will look into it more, but not very impressed as of yet. It is about the only option that is bigger than the ML and smaller than the larger series trucks, though.

Any other ideas?? I am starting to lean towards a larger sedan. i know she wants an SUV, but maybe I just say NO? If we do that, how about a new S550??

Keep the SUV ideas coming......

juank350

I think you should go with the range rover sport. it has the best looks for any suv around there..I love it and will trade it in for my ml in around one year...also it is not at all expensive compared to the ml500. it has many standard equipment the ml does not have.

I like it alot

ClayJ

Range Rover Sport is too small IMO - do the Range Rover HSE (Supercharged?) if you're going to do a Land Rover....

ClayJ

Range Rover Sport is too small IMO - do the Range Rover HSE (Supercharged?) if you're going to do a Land Rover....

Have you ruled out the GMC Envoy Denali and GMC Yukon Denali?

jjl12

I have heard that the RR Sport is a POS, squeeks and rattles everywhere in a demo car with only 4k miles on it, according to a friend of mine. RR's reputation for reliability, quality, and resale leave a lot to desire.

akbro93704

Range Rover!(not sport)

AutoSaurus

ClayJ where did you find the photos of the guy in the seats of the ML and GL? I'd like to see more of the GL "real life" photos such as what you have already posted above.

ClayJ

Automobile mag? German car fans? European car web? Auto week? Automotive news europe? Edmunds? Intellichoice? I don't know. Know that it wasn't in an american car mag...
These guys came over from Germany and drove from San Francisco to Los Angeles on an extended test drive I think was the story....

Here're more -

ClayJ

and more: