I'm considering a move out of my E500 to possibly a ML500 or other SUV. Anyone strongly consider the Cayenne S, Range Rover Sport or others?

 

Check this out:

https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w164/132708-what-replace-ml500.html

I remember a Range rover fan.

 

I did, I went from a Saab 93 to the ML350, once I got used to the size difference, it is a pleasure to drive.

 

The ML has a nice ride. Going from sedan to that type of SUV is not so hard. Going from an E500 to an ML500 is a personal choice. You planning on a loaded one? You can get many of the E toys on the ML. The nav head unit is not a command and does not have nearly all the features, but that is about it.

 

Gee, I could swear that the Command unit in the ML had all of the same buttons as in my E500.

 

Actually, its not a command. i forget what they call it, but isn't command. The buttons are similar, but the screen quality, etc is different.

 

PUZZ1: I eat my words. Guess that is something else that is changed since mine came out. Sorry. It is called command now. I'll see if I can figure out what the hell I was thinking.

 

Depending on your budget (the Porsche), the Range Rover HSE (not the Sport) and the Cayenne S or Turbo would be I think valid vehicles to consider.

An SUV might just fit the bill perfectly for you, especially in CT.

All three vehicles are going to present an entirely different driving dynamic - with the ML perhaps being the most similar to your E500 - so I would strongly suggest that you line up some test driving to get a better idea of what you want -- and what you don't want. Now that it is still winter would be a good time to get an appreciation for what 4WD or AWD adds to winter road conditions driving.

You might also want to consider the Volvo V70R and XC90; and as much as I hate to say it, take a look at what BMW and Audi have to offer in both their AWD sedans and in their SUV's. There are a lot of nice cars out there....

 

OK, i got a refresher in Comand. I guess Mercedes is now calling them all Comands. The one in the "new" ML is called MCS2 for some reason. It is different than the one in the E. i am seeing that there are 2 DVDs for the Nav. One that fits with the traditional Comand units (i.e. E and S class) and the one that goes in the new ML, R, C, etc. class. Check them both out and see if you care.

 

i went from a Lexus IS300 to the ML350. I still have the IS too.

 

I had a totally custom VW Passat before my new ML.

 

I went from E55 to ML350 and you know what, keep your E500 or get E500 4matic.

 

BoB: you didn't, did you? Why not at least an ML500? Hehe.

I agree the E is just sooo much more refined, but he wants an SUV.

 

I don't know if I mentioned this but the 90% reason for the move is to gain some versatility with a kid on the way. The other 10% is that I feel the e-class caters to an older crowd and I sometimes feel out of my element when I drive it. This wouldn't apply to the E55 but for the others I think this is true. I'm 37 and I just don't see many guys in their 30's driving e-class cars. I know that I won't likely see a lot of 30 year old guys driving the M-Class either, but I could be wrong.

 

After reading my last post, it's more like 50/50 vs. 90/10.

 

Haha!! PUZZ1, I am 38. You must not live in SoCal, cause we have young guys driving the new E all over the place. Funny thing is you'll see the "older" crowd in the 320/350s (like my Pops). I had an '04 E500 that I upgraded to the E55 (which I wanted in the first place). You can always make the E500 look sportier? Some tint, a fin? I kind of like getting out of a Benz looking all scruffy! Also, if that's your thought get an E55!! Hehe, we can always use another memeber in that forum. By the way, you would be amazed at who the target market is for the W211. It is you!!