My wife has finally decided to replace her SUV (2008 Honda CRV) which I completely hate btw. This time she has asked me to find her next SUV. Similar use, grocery getter, 10K miles per year driving around town mainly.

The used market is what I am looking at, $50K is the budget. Here is where what I found;
09 ML63, Silver with 44K miles dealer asking $45,990.00 US dollars.
09 Cayenne Turbo, Silver 38K miles and dealer is asking $49K.

I have owned an 03 ML500 previously and loved it! No Porsche ownership experience though. I currently have a C63 sedan and freaking love that car!!

Opinions please from owners of the ML63 and or Cayenne Turbo???

Thanks!

 

I've had a new 07ML500, put 75K trouble free miles on it. Great Truck.
Just upgraded to 11ML63, and it is the perfect SUV for ME....... great power, handling, braking, road feel, sound system, towing capability, style, etc.... it's like a muscle car mated with an SUV and a sport touring in a nasty 3 way....... end result is perfection.

No experience with the p-car suv.......

GL>

OH BTW - get the ext warr on the ML...... new front struts.... $2K..... my buddy went through 2 sets in a matter of months due to his rough roads, and wife driving.

 

I smoked a brand new Cayenne turbo with paper plates with my minor mods. I'm sure he felt stupid trying to challenge me after the fact lol.

ML63 is the perfect daily in my opinion

 

http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invento...sting=67562156

 

I had the same dilemma six months ago (not that I'm complaining about it) but I compared and test drove a 2010 ML63 with (23Kmiles) and a 2006 Cayenne Turbo S with only 19K miles.

The S was a beast, but I was extremely disappointed with the quality of materials used on the interior. Buttons looked like they were melting and armrests would peel if you scratched them with your nails. All plastic pieces were brittle and started to fall apart. It seemed to have the same issues Ferrari cars go through. I understand it was not a brand new car, but with so little miles on it, I would expect more from Porsche.

On the same day, I test drove the 2010 ML63 (mind you, I also come from a C63 so I know exactly what you're talking about) and there was no comparison in my opinion. The ML is solid as a rock, as fast as any Cayenne and has that exhaust note that everyone loves (the real "63" engine on the w164 at least....not much experience with the w165). I pulled the trigger on the Merc and have not regretted it.

I could be slightly biased towards Mercedes as I have been driving them since I was a kid but I must say I was honestly hoping, almost wanting to like the Porsche ... but you know what they say ... "you don't want to meet your hero in person".

 

I am just going to buy an ML63...that part has been determined, just a matter of which one. 75007 home base, not a lot of selection. Houston better than Dallas. Local is Black 2011 41K miles priced at 54K. I say 50K straight up or no deal. Just doing what you all did...buying another MB and my 2nd ML!

 

Good choice!

Between $49k and $55k sounds reasonable depending on condition, service records yada yada....

 

Here are two final contestants.

One is in Houston area and other is in Dallas area. Better value here guys? Opinions?

1.) http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invento...sting=69915849

2.) http://www.hoppermotorplex.com/vehic...EndPrice=60000

This is fun, jump in and help me pick an ML 63!!

 

Unless I missed something, both are equally equipped.

No 1: 2009, 23k miles, $50K (asking price).
No 2: 2011, 47K miles, $54K (asking price).

I would go for No 1 due to the LOWWW mileage. Just make sure you get extended warranty as it will expire soon (if it has not expired already). If you factor the cost of the EW, the price would come to what you would pay for the newer one, with similar warranty and half the mileage

 

Okay I am a complete liar I guess? We drove both types yesterday, in the rain on nice curvy back roads and highway. The Porsche Cayenne 2011 and a 2012, V6 and a diesel version. The ML we drove a 2011 AMG 63.

It PAINS me to say this because I am a very biased MB guy. The Cayenne went thru a redesign in 2011. It's fit, finish, comfort, drivability, handing, response, cornering, braking...basically everything was totally superior.

It was like the final decision I made on my C63. That was between an M6 2010 and the C63. Hands down no contest the AMG wins on back to back drives. Same here, these can not be compared, I am sorry. The Porsche wins, AND I didn't even drive a V-8 model Cayenne.

Today I am test driving back to back a GTS Cayenne (2009), Cayenne S (2011) and a ML 63 (2011) all at the same dealer. This is just to reconfirm what I experienced yesterday.

 

Okay I will report on this until final purchase is made. At this point after test drivg several vehicles here is what I have.

2009 Cayenne GTS = POS, anything prior to the 2011 redesign is crap not worth buying.

2011 Cayenne S - excellent vehicle all the way around. Drivability, interior design, superior in every way to the others driven.
Cons- weak exhaust note, no rear camera only sensors, no telescopic steering wheel but adjustable, that's about it.

ML63 AMG - excellent ride, larger cabin, all possible options already included. Acceleration is better in the ML 63. (or I am just more confident hammering that engine??)
Cons - you can not say this drives bad or handles poorly it just does not do nearly as well as the Porsche. The braking and handling are good but on the Porsche they are great.

 

It is a done deal. Nobody wants to hear it but I got the Porsche.
Test drove three SUV's literally back to back AGAIN on Friday.
2009 ML63, 2011 Porsche Cayenne S, 2010 Land Rover LR4 Lux.
Land Rover was eliminated immediately. This is the third test drive of Cayenne vs. ML63 I did, and this time I had them lined up for immediate back to back drives. Both are well engineered machines. Bottom line is personal preference. For me the Porsche just drove better period. You give up interior space, the HP from an AMG, some of the "luxury" feel a MB provides. You get a very well engineered SUV with the Cayenne S. The driving experience is hard to match. I think this tested the two best mid-size SUV's in the used vehicle market at a $50K price range. I would not recommend to anyone going for a pre-2011 Cayenne, that is a different vehicle. The 2011 and newer should definitely be considered if your in the market!

 

Track test a Turbo vs ML63...you decide?

 

(Sorry, I have not logged in for a while)

Congratulations! Porsche Cayenne is an awesome car. It is funny that after driving them back to back (I tested a CPO 2012 S when I was sniffing around) in my case I stuck to the Benz.

You are very right as it is personal preference and what makes YOU feel good at the end of the day.

With that being said.... Wanna race??!! :-D

 

Umm I will race my C63 against your ML63? The Cayenne will handle better than an ML on the track but I don't know about HP/weight ratio comparison. Look at the video I posted up above earlier.
Honestly I still question myself over it sometimes. I already put cat delete on Cayenne and sending ECU for a tune next week. Still no way it can match up to the 6.3 AMG motor.

 

You would kick heavy, staggered derriere all day long with your C63. I owned one and it was a beast...best car I've ever owned.