3rd row
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 345
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From: NY
2010 E550 4matic, 2008 MDX, 2011 335i Vert
3rd row
We are debating ML v X5 right now. Key question is that we are wondering how much we would really miss having a third row. We have 2 young children and barely use our existing third row today (we have an MDX), although it is a "nice to have" on rare occasion.
We simply dont like the size, handling and dash layout of the GL.
Would love the view of others on the board that might have thought about this.
We simply dont like the size, handling and dash layout of the GL.
Would love the view of others on the board that might have thought about this.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67
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From: Boston
2011 M3, 2012 ML63
I went from a X5 with a small third row to the ML. I used the third row about once a year (had the X5 for 5 years). It was good in a pinch but not so much as to be a must have for me. In addition, I like having a spare tire on board (can't have one in the X5 with the third row seat).
The GL was just too big for me. It's a personal decision but it really comes down to how much you use the third row.
The GL was just too big for me. It's a personal decision but it really comes down to how much you use the third row.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 262
Likes: 2
Mercedes-Benz ML350
We are debating ML v X5 right now. Key question is that we are wondering how much we would really miss having a third row. We have 2 young children and barely use our existing third row today (we have an MDX), although it is a "nice to have" on rare occasion.
We simply dont like the size, handling and dash layout of the GL.
Would love the view of others on the board that might have thought about this.
We simply dont like the size, handling and dash layout of the GL.
Would love the view of others on the board that might have thought about this.
If you need the third row look at a different car. If you only three or less kids get the ML - it is a very useful SUV. Not a crossover like the MDX and X5, YES CROSSOVERS!
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 72
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335i
M-Class is a crossover. Heck, I wouldnt buy one if it weren't (I dont like driving trucks)
We have a 3rd row vehicle, so our bases are covered. We have two young kids and that is where they go when we have other passengers (often, because we have a 3rd row). Without the 3rd row, we be taking two cars often and missing out on the fellowship, so its a 'must' to have one in our garage
We have a 3rd row vehicle, so our bases are covered. We have two young kids and that is where they go when we have other passengers (often, because we have a 3rd row). Without the 3rd row, we be taking two cars often and missing out on the fellowship, so its a 'must' to have one in our garage
Last edited by rush1169; Apr 3, 2012 at 08:53 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 262
Likes: 2
Mercedes-Benz ML350
M-Class is a crossover. Heck, I wouldnt buy one if it weren't (I dont like driving trucks)
We have a 3rd row vehicle, so our bases are covered. We have two young kids and that is where they go when we have other passengers (often, because we have a 3rd row). Without the 3rd row, we be taking two cars often and missing out on the fellowship, so its a 'must' to have one in our garage
We have a 3rd row vehicle, so our bases are covered. We have two young kids and that is where they go when we have other passengers (often, because we have a 3rd row). Without the 3rd row, we be taking two cars often and missing out on the fellowship, so its a 'must' to have one in our garage
I am looking to get into off-roading – not mudding or anything like that. I like to fish and sometimes you have to drive to get to the best fishing areas (some don’t have roads) – we would also like to camp and get to hiking areas. Or just site seeing off road. Something I would not dare do in a X5 – which the major drawback for that is summer tires.
MDX derives from a Honda Accord - In other countries it’s actually known as the Honda MDX.
X5 also shares its frame with a 5-series. It doesn’t even come with off-road tires which is the most important aspects of a true SUV. They come with run flat that if you had a BMW know that although it’s great get home or have the safety of a run flat. You also know that they suck and are very expensive to replace. Would Chevy make a Corvette and put Toyota Prius tires on it? NO…if you know anything about racing or even driving. Regardless of your suspension, axles, coil-overs, and rims. If you don’t have tires to fit the right application give up. BMW did not build the X5 for what the ML is. The suspension is stiffer, tires are sticky on dry pavement – this is on road performance SUV. Would you take Jeep Cherokee SRT8 off roading? NO, its made for on road performance.
Lexus RX derives from the ES platform which we all know comes from the Toyota Camry - Which some the lowest tow rating of only 1,500 lbs. 3,500 with an additional optional package.
The explorer which I would buy over the MDX and Lexus and X5 is built on a Taurus platform. If you looking for on road CUV on price you would get the most for your money here. May not be as luxury as a X5 however you get a lot more for a lot less.
Why so many companies switch to crossovers? Because mainly it’s cheaper to make, I don’t care what no one says it saves the company millions in research. Crossovers also have the ability to be a little bit more arrow dynamic (streamline) Mostly because of the room saved by not having a tall or large frame. Crossovers are also lighter. The high strength frames are usually heavier, the company could make a lighter high strength aluminum or steel – however that would defeat the purpose of saving money by using a car platform in the first place; the drawback is usually strength is lost.
One of the drawbacks of the ML is the cost; however I took that into account when I bought the ML. It cost more to build and revised frame and setup.
I guess some would say, well most people don’t take their SUVs/CUVs off road. Which is true, however Benz is capitalizing on the fact it has a balance between on road performance and off-road performance. This is why the ML is a very successful SUV in the market. It is very popular in its native land for this feature.
Most importantly, it’s built right here in the U.S (with the exception of the engine)
Last edited by jweezy; Apr 3, 2012 at 11:36 AM.
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Joined: Sep 2007
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335i
I suppose it depends on your definition of "crossover". Mine depends on if it's a unibody design or a body-on-frame. Your's seems to depend on if there is also a sedan using the same unibody design. The M-Class is a unibody design, ergo in my world it is a crossover (which, in my world, is synonomous with unibody). If the M-Class were body-on-frame, I'd look elsewhere. Wikipedia, while subject to errors of course, does list the M-Class as a "Mid-Sized CUV".
Anyway, it's certainly not a truck. Maybe a car chassis with stronger pieces. 4Runner and Land Rover are trucks, complete with truck chassis and associated equipment.
Anyway, it's certainly not a truck. Maybe a car chassis with stronger pieces. 4Runner and Land Rover are trucks, complete with truck chassis and associated equipment.
Last edited by rush1169; Apr 3, 2012 at 01:00 PM.
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Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 158
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From: Charlotte, NC
'15 GL350 Bluetec
I'm not sure you are correct. I know the W163 was body on frame, 'cause I watched them bolt the body to the frame (with something like only 6 or 8 bolts), while touring Vance years ago. But from w164 on, the ML became unibody, did it not?
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 262
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Mercedes-Benz ML350
So I guess some would refer to a SUV as to how a chassis is designed and purpose built. Yes, the ML is now a unibody construction I believe, to save weight and built overall strengh.
So if a car chassis of a prius is used as the base, then a body is bolted on top does that mean its a SUV?
I guess we need to figure out what makes a SUV a SUV, although some articles say chassis this and chassis that, other do mention the body on frame construction. In the same articles however I found that it also depends one where the chassis came from a car or a truck. Is it truck-like? or was the frame used directly from a car in the lineup.
If I am not mistaken the frame is the same from when it was based in the late 90s. Which was a truck - only throughout the years it has been altered to be ligher and stronger. Unibody has been incorporated yet the frame is the more strong than when it originated.
