RBP

I'm looking seriously at the X5 vs the ML550 and am having a tough time. I prefer the ride of the ML as I think wanting an SUV to act like a sports car is a little silly -- get a sports car but there are things I prefer with the X5. The iDrive system is way better than MB Command, I like the electroic parking brake (why does benz have one where I want to rest my left foot ?), the A-Pillar on the ML is pretty big. I do like the towing capacity of the benz better and it has more cargo room. The ML63 is too harsh on the planet for my taste and I don't need the extra power. I've heard mixed reviews on quality of both and JD Power seems to put them pretty close.

Anyone go through this decision process ? What did you come up with?

nantucketsleigh

I went through the process about 6 months ago. I had just given my daughter my 2003 X5 4.4i. Took a 2007 X5 4.8i on a rigorous test drive. Was unimpressed. Incremental handling of BMW vs MB was more than offset by flinty ride. Drove an ML 500 was not really impressed either it felt tippy to me. In fairness it did not have ADSII which the car mags said was a necessary option on the ML. Drove a GL450 with standard suspension and bought it.

jasonrhcastle

I am in the same situation as you. I was looking really hard at the X5 3.0 or 4.8. I just feel as if the 3.0 is tooooooo slow and the power just isn't there. The price, with the options we want, was $58000. The 4.8 had the power, but the interior is not impressive overall, and the price tag was $70000.

The ML550 has a much smoother ride, is quieter, and more luxurios in my opinion. Price, with the options we want is $59000 (MSRP). I just got a local dealer to agree to $1000 over invoice on the model (not a bad deal I think) to order the following:

Premium II
Heated Seats
iPod
Bluetooth
Pewter w/ Macadamia

PS: My qoute on the 33 months with zero down was $750/month with 12000 miles...

Overall I am happy. He is pretty sure the rates will be much better when it arrives first of December (when the winter sales event starts).

Anyhow, I think you can't go wrong with the ML550. The power is so addictive.

J

gordongl450

I thought the seats on the X5 were terrible. It seems like, BMW to claim adequate leg room in their specifications, does so by making the seats small and short.

I am 6'2" tall and I did not think the BMW seats are long enough to give support under my thighs. I drove a X3 with that stupid sport seat with the manual thigh section that you pull out to give thigh support. Boy was that cheap looking and feeling.

I ended up buying a2007 GL450 with multicontour seats. I think the seats in the ML's and the Gl's are much mor comfortable the the X3 and the X5 seats.

Stoneseller

I had a 2003 X5 4.4i as well. It was a terrific vehicle. Very fun to drive, handled pretty much like a sports car, to me anyway. In 2004 I bought my wife a 2005 ML500. I thought her car drove very spongey, for lack of a better word. It did not give me the feel of being connected to the road. We still have the ML500, and my wife still loves loves it.

I sold my X5 and bought an E550 in December. Now I have a sport sedan, and I'm very pleased with the choice. In February my business partner & I both leased GL450's. I had checked out the new X5 4.8, and was very underwhelmed. The 3rd row seats are a joke. In my 2003 X5, I had ordered "Comfort Seats". Although they were better than the standard seats, I could never be comfortable for more than an hour. I'm 6'4", and had lots of room, but something about the beemer seats just never felt right. OTOH, the seats in all 3 of our MB's are wonderful. Long drives are no problem. We don't have upgraded seats in any of the 3, and all of them put BMW's "premium" seats to shame.

We test drove the ML550 a few weeks ago. It felt very nice. Most likely we will trade in the '05 on one later this year. My wife is holding out for the "Edition 10" package to become available. The engine / tranny combo in the 550's is a dream.

IS300

same situation, same equipped car and the X5 was around 7K more and didnt think it was worth so i picked up a ML550

AR.Shah

I regret that I didnt get the airmatic, I had the car lowered for better looks and now comfort is now lacking.

AGV1

Tell me please. First, as far as i know it goes standart with front heated seats.
And i dont understand, many things it counts in configurator two times. Like iPod,cd changer. First time in Accessories and second in Options. Why?

X5 vs Ml? = ML.
Because i 6.4 foot and when i sit in parents new x5 i fell not comfortable. It is not enough space for legs and head.
Fairly to tell I in ml did not sit but if to judge in comparison of the specification of an interior that it more space for driver and passengers. (haha. The best translator from Russian)

Stoneseller

You might want to look at the GL550. I'm also 6'4". I recently sold an X5, and was considered buying an ML500. After seeing all the room in a GL, I was sold. I ended up with a GL450, purchased in February. Given the choice again today, it would be a GL550.

Your translation looks pretty good

AGV1

GL costs more. And i dont like that it long. Like universal.
According to specification of an interior they have аbout identical space for the driver and passengers.
cargo space more in GL.
Essentially I do not consider it from for the prices and not the real sum for a customs clearance in Ukraine.

your too.

I and so was left from a limit not much.
To bring and clear ml which costs 65 $, at us in Ukraine with the unreal price for a customs clearance it will be costs 100 thousand.
I not against gl but it cost more.
It at us so such exorbitant prices on import auto support the national manufacturer - Daewoo, Opel, Chevrolet . To be exact guy which these factory hold oligarch. Fools.

milsons200

in terms of handling factor, i guess the ML class still behind BMW, it doesn't have the adaptive drive from BMW or Porsche PDCC.

Below is brief summary as how i compare X5 4.8 V.S ML550:

reliability ==> ML ; since it has been on the market for few yrs
straight line acceleration ==> ML550 ; 285KW
handling ==> BMW X5 4.8 with ADS
braking performance ==> BMW better
fuel consumption ==> BMW better


Still can't decide at this point ....

srknutson

Milsons200, you may want to revise your conparison. The ML550 can be ordered with the optional ADSII! This would give you the same suspension as the ML63! As far as gas mileage, I would give the edge to the MB! Every MB V8 I've ever owned has gotten better gas mileage than my BMW I6 or V8's!