View Poll Results: ML55 AMG or BMW 4.6is or Lexus LX470
ML55 AMG
50
54.95%
BMW 4.6is
33
36.26%
Lexus LX470
8
8.79%
Voters: 91. You may not vote on this poll
ML55 AMG or BMW 4.6is or Lexus LX470
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From: GMT -8 hours
Mercedes-Benz
LX470 is not even in the same class. It has some pep for its size but no pep compared to the ML55 or BMW. I would take the ML55 because of the AMG nameplate, hand built quality, The wonderful sound of the motor, bi-xenons, and stunning looks for 2002. The BMW 4.6is is nice but I hate the interior and the suede seats. The dashboard materials remind me of a post-it board that you thumbtack notes to. Gimme some thumbtacks!
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From: NC
I also dislike the size of the cargo area in the BMW. Its smaller than the others.
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From: Bloomington, IN
1997 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
I'd take the Lexus, although I'd probably opt for the Toyota Land Cruiser. Same thing, but less money. I don't understand the concept of the ML55 and X5 4.6is. Why buy a sport-utility with sports sedan pretensions? Why not just buy a sports sedan? Instead of the ML55, I'd buy an E55. Instead of the X5, I'd buy an M5. The SUVs are fast, but the ML doesn't handle all that great, and the X5 is small enough on the inside to make me wonder what you're gaining by buying a sport-ute. Just my 2 pesos.
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From: GMT -8 hours
Mercedes-Benz
Well dave, The reason I would buy an ML55 over an E55 is because it IS an SUV and it has a good all wheel drive system. A good plus in the northeast. And it does handle pretty well compared to a lot of cars.
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: San Diego Ca
'00 ML430 & '02 Porsche 996
Anything but an ML
At the risk of being branded a heritic - I have to say after the 2.5 years of nothing but trouble with our '00 ML430 I could never buy another ML or Mercedes vehicle. Thus my vote has to go to a BMW, while not perfect (but what vehicle is ?), I hope a BMW would need far fewer service visits than an ML - still only 10 more months then it's out of warranty and its history!
Tim - sadly one very disappointed ML owner.
No flames please
Tim - sadly one very disappointed ML owner.
No flames please
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2025 G63 AMG China blue on MANUFAKTUR Bengal Red
Hey everyone,
I think all of them are good
honestly speaking though i would go for a Lexus it is an excellent 4x4
The Mercedes is awesome to but it is great in different ways and same with the BMW. These two are more peformance. Especially the BMW. The Mercedes has performance and comfort. But the Lexus has the ultimate of all comfort and is a fine quality vehicle which would never have problems with reliability.
I think all of them are good
honestly speaking though i would go for a Lexus it is an excellent 4x4
The Mercedes is awesome to but it is great in different ways and same with the BMW. These two are more peformance. Especially the BMW. The Mercedes has performance and comfort. But the Lexus has the ultimate of all comfort and is a fine quality vehicle which would never have problems with reliability.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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I've owned many...
And I would strongly suggest the BMW.
I had a 4.4 for a while. It was a friggin rocket... I cannot imagine the 4.6 ( let alone the new 4.8 )... Sweet shifting with the tiptronic, no hesitation....
Now, the X is gone... And I have a LX470. I have had many Landcruisers and LXs in the past ... 93, 96, 98, 2000 LX, and now a 2004 LX. The LX is wonderful, smooth (although i dislike the 2004 nav system, i hear its been fixed in 2005). Perfect for long cruises or jaunts around the city, the ride and handling is firm, yet not sofa-like like a American SUV.
The 4.6 is just a rocket. ...
Try it.
I had a 4.4 for a while. It was a friggin rocket... I cannot imagine the 4.6 ( let alone the new 4.8 )... Sweet shifting with the tiptronic, no hesitation....
Now, the X is gone... And I have a LX470. I have had many Landcruisers and LXs in the past ... 93, 96, 98, 2000 LX, and now a 2004 LX. The LX is wonderful, smooth (although i dislike the 2004 nav system, i hear its been fixed in 2005). Perfect for long cruises or jaunts around the city, the ride and handling is firm, yet not sofa-like like a American SUV.
The 4.6 is just a rocket. ...
Try it.
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From: California
MBs
Originally Posted by mbtech208
I'd probably opt for the Toyota Land Cruiser
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04 S55 ////AMG, 04 Yukon XL Denali, 02 BMW X5 4.4i, SL65 ////AMG
Originally Posted by mbtech208
The SUVs are fast, but the ML doesn't handle all that great, and the X5 is small enough on the inside to make me wonder what you're gaining by buying a sport-ute. Just my 2 pesos.
Have you ever been in an X5? It for one is not that small inside, 2, the interior is better than the ML, 3 both the ML and X5 have great handling, and 4- you buy a SUV not only for the power, it's just the whole look. I could care less about the mpg, and I got the S55 for my sedan. The Denali however- now that's another story
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From: California
MBs
Originally Posted by BrabusS55AMG
The Denali however- now that's another story
What are Rick and Dieter up to? Time will tell
Last edited by ml320; Jan 19, 2005 at 11:43 PM.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 28,933
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Caption that picture!
Okay, so when I turn the engine on, this thing will make me coffee?
haha
Okay, now on topic. Get neither. I think the LX470, although a great work horse, is outdated and nothing compared to the sheer size of the QX56. Quality goes to the Lexus though.
The ML55 is just.. another ML.
And the X5 4.6is doesn't 'feel' the power of even the 2004+ 4.4i. Try the 4.8is!
Okay, so when I turn the engine on, this thing will make me coffee?
haha
Okay, now on topic. Get neither. I think the LX470, although a great work horse, is outdated and nothing compared to the sheer size of the QX56. Quality goes to the Lexus though.
The ML55 is just.. another ML.
And the X5 4.6is doesn't 'feel' the power of even the 2004+ 4.4i. Try the 4.8is!
Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 108
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From: Houston
Hard question. I drove a GS400 for several years and the quality was outstanding. Not to mention the dealer actually treats you with respect and doesn't play games with you.
Having said that, the LX seems to be the safe bet and the ML55 should be much more entertaining. I'll pass on the BringMyWallet X.
Having said that, the LX seems to be the safe bet and the ML55 should be much more entertaining. I'll pass on the BringMyWallet X.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 433
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From: Phoenix, AZ
2007 CL600
MLs are crap compared to the BMW. I drove an X5 4.4 for several years and it was like driving a vault. Solid, fast and great handling.
I had an '05 ML as a loaner over a weekend and drove it from San Diego to Phoenix. I was exhausted by the time I arrived. The seats just weren;t that great. Bimmer all the way for comfort, style and handling. .
I had an '05 ML as a loaner over a weekend and drove it from San Diego to Phoenix. I was exhausted by the time I arrived. The seats just weren;t that great. Bimmer all the way for comfort, style and handling. .
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The BMW is no way cramped. Trust me, it may lack a lot in cargo space, but it eats up the W163 quality wise.
The LX is another beast. Very different cars. Very very very different.
Don't get the 4.6is though. Make sure you get a 2004 or newer due to a refresh.
The LX is another beast. Very different cars. Very very very different.
Don't get the 4.6is though. Make sure you get a 2004 or newer due to a refresh.
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: New York City
95 Audi urS6 Quattro
Originally Posted by ricky.agrawal
The BMW is no way cramped. Trust me, it may lack a lot in cargo space, but it eats up the W163 quality wise.
The LX is another beast. Very different cars. Very very very different.
Don't get the 4.6is though. Make sure you get a 2004 or newer due to a refresh.
The LX is another beast. Very different cars. Very very very different.
Don't get the 4.6is though. Make sure you get a 2004 or newer due to a refresh.
Its smaller, annoying position. IT just feels soo small and cramped. I didnt like it, you are also wrong on quality. I even have leather upholstery on the doors. It feels very well made, the steering wheel is a joy to hold, with a really nice feel to it. Maybe its just the AMG touches, because ive never been in a Ml500 or lower.
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From: Boston, MA
00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
ok folks one thing you are not taking in to consideration here is that you are comparing X5s and Lexos to the MLs. I have been in ML320s and 430s, no 500s... the 55 is a different beast all together, seats are more comfortable. I dunno if its because the seats are wrapped in Bull's hide and not some other leather or what, seats are comfortable yet supportive. The ML may not handle as well as an x5, but its far beyond what most people's ability can reach. If you take it to its potential trust me you are happy with it.
The lexus' trucks are not nicer toyotas, I think they are available with different engines then the toyotas. Only thing with lexus vehicles with the exception of the GS, the cars lack that s3x appeal which makes them kind of bland. They certainly have better build quality and will run much longer then our german cars... but who cares. We didnt buy german for the reliability.
Here is my take on the topic... Lexus, buy it if you want a super comfortable ride and do long road trips.
X5 4.6 or 4.8, buy it if you want a straight up performance SUV, seats can sometimes get a little uncomfortable. Although 4.4 seems fast it lacks speed and power above 40, these are where 4.6, 4.8 and ml55 shine
ML55, has all but identical speed times to the 4.6, faster 0-60 and 0-100 but somehow slower in the quarter. I would buy this if you are looking for something in between the lexus and the BMWs. Although the ride comfort in an ML55 can get a little jaw shaking on an bumpy road, its the same for any perf suv with the stiffer suspension. The ML55 still offers a low end transfer case should you want to off road in it or even get yourself out of large amounts of snow.
good luck shopping
The lexus' trucks are not nicer toyotas, I think they are available with different engines then the toyotas. Only thing with lexus vehicles with the exception of the GS, the cars lack that s3x appeal which makes them kind of bland. They certainly have better build quality and will run much longer then our german cars... but who cares. We didnt buy german for the reliability.
Here is my take on the topic... Lexus, buy it if you want a super comfortable ride and do long road trips.
X5 4.6 or 4.8, buy it if you want a straight up performance SUV, seats can sometimes get a little uncomfortable. Although 4.4 seems fast it lacks speed and power above 40, these are where 4.6, 4.8 and ml55 shine
ML55, has all but identical speed times to the 4.6, faster 0-60 and 0-100 but somehow slower in the quarter. I would buy this if you are looking for something in between the lexus and the BMWs. Although the ride comfort in an ML55 can get a little jaw shaking on an bumpy road, its the same for any perf suv with the stiffer suspension. The ML55 still offers a low end transfer case should you want to off road in it or even get yourself out of large amounts of snow.
good luck shopping
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From: Boston, MA
00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
Originally Posted by Militant-Grunt
You are very wrong. We nearly bought a 2001 4.4 X5 w/ sports package
Its smaller, annoying position. IT just feels soo small and cramped. I didnt like it, you are also wrong on quality. I even have leather upholstery on the doors. It feels very well made, the steering wheel is a joy to hold, with a really nice feel to it. Maybe its just the AMG touches, because ive never been in a Ml500 or lower.
Its smaller, annoying position. IT just feels soo small and cramped. I didnt like it, you are also wrong on quality. I even have leather upholstery on the doors. It feels very well made, the steering wheel is a joy to hold, with a really nice feel to it. Maybe its just the AMG touches, because ive never been in a Ml500 or lower.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,212
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From: Boston, MA
00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
Originally Posted by 55fanatic
Yes it is the AMG touches, such as the sport steering wheel with the huge buldges on it so you can grip it better, simmilar to an M3 steering wheel. ML55 steering wheel is leather wrapped as well. As I mentioned above, the seats have a bulls hide on them and not regular leather. I believe the seats are a little different too, the have more support to keep you snug when you wanna play. And as Matt said, our door panels have leather inserts where other MLs have plastic and sometimes a cheaper vinyl(more in the older MLs)
