narcan55

Hey fellas, just had kid number 4 so I no longer can use the beast as my "family" car but, of course, remain my daily driver. We are now in search of a new SUV for my wife as her daily driver, that can carry 4 small kids, and be fun for me to drive on the weekends while the beast takes a rest.

Over sized SUV's are out of the question and have come down to possibly the R500/350 or the X5 4.8/3.0 . We have been quite disappointed with our XC90 the past few years which let to the decision to replace it. We don't mind the smaller 3rd row since the boys are all under 5 but def need the extra row which took one of my faves (MBZ station wagons) out of consideration. Any advice or similar experiences would be appreciated. Have already looked into both X5/Rclass forums but decided seek some additional advice

MBspdfrk

I am getting a GL 320 CDI. You should consider it.

CynCarvin32

If you want to stay with the MB name plate you only really have one pick. The GL-Class cars. The R-Class while a great car, has a very small storage space behind the third row of seats. Since you will need that row of seats raised to carry your kids you will have nearly NO space for a stroller and supplies. My sister has an R350 as her mommy mobile and it works great but she only has one child.

Other than that I seriously think the suburban XL is the best thing ever made for a mother. I know its not as classy but they have come so far as far as quality and it hold everything you will ever need to shove in the car. If you want something more upscale you can look at the long wheel base Navigator or the Escalade based on the Suburban XL.

Good luck and congrats with the 4th child.

BlownV8

I too was looking at the GL 320 CDI. It's a very nice truck.

TopGun32

GL550

or wait for the Lexus LX 570 should be out soon.

RobertG

I dont think that the r class will be a good idea because of the car seats, in order for you to put somebody in the back you will have to remove the car seat to fold and alow entry to the back.
I decided on an GMC Envoy xl, I have three kids and it suits my need just right.

Ohio E55

E55 wagon, you can have it all.

MercedesFTW

Yea, I was going to say I've seen an E55 wagon and it did have a third row...

narcan55

Thanks for the relies so far. For some reason, the GL didn't even cross my mind initially probably due to the fact that its a fairly new model and I wasn't a huge fan of the ML. We test drove the GL 450 over the weekend and were pleased with the ride and the space it offered... def a possibility.
I was also told that the GL 320CDI will not be avail in CA anytime soon. Is this true ?

I like the R Class with the 4 spacious seats it offers but had some concern with the longer doors and the wife preferred the look of the GL and X5 better.

I used to have a lexus before and been a fan of the lx 470 but the Gx still seems kind of too narrow and high for our tastes.

I also think the surburban XL and GMC envoy XL would serve us well but they're just a tad bit big for my wife's comfort plus she wants a SUV that handles well.

E55 stationwagon would be sweet as I've always been a huge fan of station wagons....but with the 4 seats taken, we would have no space left.


We are probably going to check out the X5 this week and go from there....looks like it might come down to the X5 or GL..

Thanks guys.

joemoney415

I am eyeballing an new model Acura MDX in charcoal grey. Really like the looks, interior finish is top notch and really cant beat the Japanese when it comes to technology as far as Nav and bluetooth. Love MB but think I am about to go a different route as far as daily driver SUV.

BlownV8

You can't buy a new one in California but I was told you can import a used one.

Ben

I'm thinkin' Land Rover LR3. That third row is spacious and the length of the vehicle is just a tad shorter than the W211.

enzom

My wife has a GL450 and LOVES it. To be honest, I love driving it also. It is a great truck. With two kids, we got to the point where a real third row seat was a must have, and we also needed a trunk big enough to hold strollers, etc. even with the third row in use.

The most important aspect of this truck is that it is spacious but not huge. It drives smaller because it is externally smaller than its competitors (Escalade, etc.)

I tried to convince my wife to get an R-class, as MB was practically giving them away. But she couldn't stand to look at it.

The X5 is a nice truck, but I don't know how much room you'll get out of it or how comfortable the third row really is.

You can always go with a Jeep Commander. Jeep is giving their trucks away. Case in point - picked up a 2007 base Cherokee Laredo as a knock-around truck Saturday. 27 months, 10.5 k miles/yr. Zero down, Zero inception fees - 26 payments of $297 (all in). How can you beat that??

psk145

narcan55, do you live in Ladera Ranch? I could have sworn I've seen a car just like yours around

BenzoManNY

My best friend just got an MDX Sport its a nice truck but to be honest its a soccer mom SUV. I think all Import SUV are overgrown mini vans. Can you believe he turned down the BMW 335CI for the MDX because his girl wouldnt let him have a sports car. Talk about control issues huh


My top picks.

Range Rover HSE Supercharged, drives ok but is more of a status thing
Jeep SRT8 just because its a blast and cheap to buy.
Escalade is very cool but kinda gives you the pimp image but for the money you get some nice luxury and style.
Drove the R and ML not crazy never drove the new GL but it looks roomy

New X5 4.8 Sport is awesome, not sure if this would have enough interior room for you.

MercedesFTW

Whoa..."a must have" I was crammed in the back of a corrola with my sister when I was younger, seemed to fine to me!

narcan55, check out the new Escalade. Fam friend has one and tells me it's loads better than the old one in terms of...everything! Also I think it's quite comparable to the GL.

narcan55

Thanks for the comments. These are all great choices. I looked at the Acura MDX and the Escalade ESV a few years back but it again came down to the looks and being too small or just too big and bling. I've always considered having a range and a turbo in my garage the ultimate but that was before I had a family. Unfortunately, the range does not offer a 3rd row and I still have concerns over their reliability in general. Nice to hear some more positive reinforcement for the GL.
PSK145, yes I do live in Ladera... both my neighbor I have silver E55s so you might have seen either one of us around town though I have the darker wheels.
I do recall seeing another silver e55 before I got mine a few years back and around town here and there....do you live here too ? I recall one passing by me a while back on CVP and making a left on Marguerite, that must have been you since I sure heard you

psk145

I remember seeing your car at the b of a. I was checking out the front lip on my way in. I think I saw you (wearing scrubs?) on the way out. There's a fake silver one that's always parked at infusion. I always see it on my way to visit the eye doctor. Might have been me you saw, Im always driving my car like I stole it, unless the wife and kids are in, then I have to chill.

oh, to your question. We have an 06 infiniti qx 56, and its great. Third row seat is pretty nice sized, but the second row leg room is awesome. I would highly recommend that, but its pretty big

tscales

I don't understand your problem with the E55 wagon. It's a 7-passenger car.

The R is only 6!

In fact the entire reason I bought my E55 was for the third seat -- it replaced a supercharged 540 that was pretty cool.

I'd go look at an E before I decided. At least sit in the E350 or something similar first.

The E55 is the best of both worlds!

narcan55

no problem at all with the e55 wagon if I had one less kid and its prob out
of my budget with the extra kid we used to have a bmw 525 stationwagon which we really liked and prob ended up preventing major injuries a few years back when my wife was in an accident.. but with the station wagon, once I use the 2nd row and the rear facing 3rd row seats I will have no cargo space whatsoever and with 4 kids 4 and under, its much needed... also, long rides, the safety vs front facing 3rd row seats, and the need of an entertainment system for the rear facing seats are all issues...
I did mention the e55 wagon a few kids ago but that was shot down pretty quick though my wife is somewhat of a "driver"...but maybe I will take a look

narcan55

psk145,
that was probably me you saw then as I'm usually at the BOA 1x week.
I hope that wasn't my car you were referring to at Infusion
I go there for lunch sometimes and dinner once in a while. Foods decent though I wish we had more places to eat in the area.
I will check the Infinity SUV, also one I haven't thought about it and its right down the street. Thanks for the tip.

psk145

nope definitely wasnt your car. This car was obviously fake if you take a second look at it. I think the guy works around there or something, its always there.

Never been to Infusion. Id be intimidated to eat there with 2 small kids. Although i met the owner Lonnie at a Roy's Island Hop a few weeks ago, and he said they have a kids menu. Id probably get a lot of looks like this

Hope to see you around sometime!

Hazy1

Whatever vehicle you chose, make sure they are giving away a free vasectomy with the purchase, or you will soon be driving a 10 passenger Econoline van. 4 under 4 must keep you very, very busy.

narcan55

I've had the procedure planned for months, just gotta say when....
I had twins first but yes, its quite busy.. at least the 4 year olds know that daddy's car is the fastest and thats its an "AMG"

PSK145, actually I've never taken the kids to Infusion but sure its not a problem, if you've got kids Im sure I'll see you around town..just a matter of time..

m52e55

volvo xc90/v8