peacemf

Im currently running around in a 2002 X5, nice car/SAV , but it isnt very smooth in terms of its ride and doesnt make you feel relaxed at all......
but that said i've been spoilt with my mum's S-Class

Now i was thinking of getting a CLK instead, but my parents believe that i will just floor it and crash somewhere, so only 4x4!

Im just browsing right now, and my choices are:

The new X5
Range Rover
M-Class.

So whats you view? (build, ride quality, sound, etc) anybody able to compare the M-Class to any of the above mentioned cars?

thanks

nantucketsleigh

I owned a 2003 X5 4.4. Test drove 2007 ML and GL along with X5 4.8. Bought the GL for my wife but thought the X5 was best handling and by far most fun to drive of the 3. If passenger comfort not a top priority I'd go for the X5.

peacemf

that was a quick reply!

so you are saying that the M-Class has a better ride, smoother.....
But you are saying the x5 handles better, how exactly? like is it harder to turn the car around, steering is lighter (so you only need a finger to turn the wheel), etc

Beltfed

The X5 is definitely as said the sportiest of the bunch, as with most BMW products. You just have to drive both to really appreciate the difference.

If you don't go with the air suspension on the ML, it will be closer in ride to the X5.

The ML has a nice interior, but the X5 with the optional Nappa leather/comfort seats I find to be tops.

If leasing, the X5 has better numbers...due to a higher residual.

You can't go wrong with either, both nice vehicles.

I'm not a big fan of the RR Sport, heavy and underpowered for what the engine has to lug around....even the $70k SC'd model. I do like the full size RR though.

lkchris

Only Mercedes currently has a diesel. You'll love it.

Brian_74

By 'new X5' do you mean 2008 or the upcoming X6? The 2008 X5 has changed very little from 2007. The X6 will be a totally different beast.

I compared and drove both X5 4.8i and ML550 before deciding on the ML. The ML has a ton more cargo room than the X5. To me, the ML interior seemed more refined than the X5, though both have a lot of plastic. The X5 4.8i didn't seem to have as much pep as the 550. Both have silky smooth trannies.

I think you can get a better deal on a ML than X5. It seems the BMW dealers are only willing to negotiate about 2-3% below MSRP and most Mercedes dealers will go very close to invoice.

As said before, both very nice vehicles. You just have to drive both and see which you like!

Beltfed

Someone I know just got a 4.8 for 500 or so over invoice.....but you need a big discount on the ML to make up for that difference in the residual (assuming both vehicles have a similar MSRP).

Brian_74

Was it a 2007 X5 or 2008 X5? $500 over invoice is a good deal for the X5, at least in my area! BTW, I got 60% residual for 33 mo 12k/yr on my ML550. What is the X5 running?

Beltfed

New 2008, they located it...didn't have that many options.

Not sure if BMW offers a 33 month term.

The buy rate is higher on the BMW.....

24 months ML550 - 64% 12k miles (.00210 buy rate)
24 months X5 4.8 - 70% 12k miles (.00270 buy rate)

36 months ML550 - 55% 12k miles (.00240 buy rate)
36 months X5 4.8 - 60% 12k miles (.00270 buy rate)

CK530

Hey Brian_7,

What is your Money Factor on your ML550?
Did you get it at invoice or how much above invoice?

The 2 biggest dealers in New Jersey have over 100 ML350 in their inventory but only 3 ML550.

Currently, I looking at the ML350 ($2000 lease cash with 61% residual for 33 mo 10K). At first, I was looking at the 2008 ML550, but the residual was so low 56% (36 mo 10K/yr) and the MF @5.76%. With the ML550, I was planning to put down 10 Multiple Security Deposits to reduce the interest rate to 3.36%. MB did not advertise the ML550 as 33 month. If I can get 61% residual for the ML550, I may revisit that option.

Thanks

chilledbenz

Actually the X5 got a complete redesign from the ground up in 2007...although you have to really look close to notice it from the outside. Inside got cleaned up with a whole new interior and an option of a third row seat, along with a new engine choice and a transmission gear selector simliar to that of the ML. Also keep in mind it comes with a 4year 50k mile warranty that covers everything from oil changes and wiper blades to wear and tire items such as brakes.

Sounds like I'm a fan of the X5 but I'm not. I don't like the fact that to get a nicely equipped car you have to add thousands of dollars worth of options. I also don't like the new interior layout and I don't even have to say anything about that damn idrive!

I like my ML, its been a great go anywhere do anything truck. But thats just it..its a truck and the ride is rough at times. Interior layout is great, but it could really use some extra room for rear seat passengers. Price wise you can't really beat it, with a P1 package it comes in cheaper than the X5 with the same options (be warned that the Xenon lights are not a stand alone option on the ML anymore and are standard on an X5) Plus if you really get a hankering for some power you can opt for the ML63.

Brian_74

I got a really good MF of 0.00165 (good for current market), paid nothing but acq fee and license at signing, and paid invoice for the car. When I was looking at the breakpoints in residual, 33 mo was the sweet spot (this was back in November). Ask them about 33 mo, it is an option and you might be surprised what the residual is compared to 36mo. It drops off a TON for those 3 little months. You can also add 2% going from 12k to 10k/yr so 61% might be feasible!

medici78

Sounds like this is your first car, peacemf, so you are quite fortunate to have such choices. I find the ML to be much more comfortable than the X5's if it's equipped with the air suspension. However, the BMW has a sportier feel and the Range Rover falls in the middle. They're all great cars, but I went with the ML320 CDI as only the ML had a diesel option. Having spent much time in Europe, I felt the diesel would be ideal for the amount of miles we put on our vehicles. Where are you located? What engine size are you allowed to get?

peacemf

hi
and thanks to all the responses

im currently running around in a 2002 X5.
The thing that i dont like about it , is the ride......you feel you are going fast, when in fact you are doing 20MPH

Im in the UK

I've always liked mercs, so i am biased
The range seems a bit too big, but is supposed to be comfortable....

AlpineM3Vert

To make a long story short..Im a BMW guy...have had a dozen of them..every variation you can imagine. It was time to dump my 06 x5 4.4 and I narrowed my search to the 08 x5 4.8 and the 08 ML550. The ML 550 pluses are better comfort in front seats (softer and more comfortable on long trips), quieter on freeway, a little more acceleration, more cargo space, more elegant look inside and out, price difference amounts to 6500 less than comparably equipped x5 4.8. BMW x5 4.8 pluses are handling (ML is MUCH softer in corners), sporty flair and appearance, some free maintainance. That is about it. For me and the wife...the ML550 just came out way ahead on the comfort level and that combined with the much lower sticker price made up my mind (not to mention I got it for invoice - ordered to my specs from the factory with 3 miles on the clock). I miss the BMW handling, but I still have the M3 vert to satisfy my handling cravings and the ML is just so much more comfortable when in the car for long trips (when the BMW was not comfortable on long trips). Once I realized that the ML will not drive like an x5, I learned to love the ML for what it is....a luxury ride...not a sport/luxury ride. It is hard to find one car that does everything well and I have found that the Merc truck is best for what I use it for and the BMW cars are best for what I use them for.