Well, I used to own a 2000 ML320. Now I am looking into either a ML350 or Touareg. The Touareg has new technology, great off-road capabilities, still handles like a car, but is not tired and ture, and the V6 is SLOW as molassas. The ML350 rides more like a truck, but is indisturctible! It offers the same price tag and it's still a Mercedes that offers 3-row seating.
Here's what is comes down to;
2004 Touareg V6, Premium Package II, $37,500 (sticker of 39K)
Some of the VW products are really nice but I've heard too many horror stories on back order parts (e.g take too long, not in stock) and service dept not par with the rest.
MB has its own service problems, but I don't think it's chronic like VW dealers (my observation). I would recommend talking to other VW owners regarding their experiences at service dept.
Don't forget that ONLY Mercedes offer lifetime roadside assistance.
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"de gustibus non est disputandem" ~ No accounting for taste
I am not sure about your numbers. I went to Edmunds and found the following.
The 2004 ML 350 with Inspiration Edition, Sunroof, and Audio packages has an MSRP of $44,940 and an invoice of about $41,000. They indicate that there are currently not incentives or rebates and that the average price that people are currently paying is about $43,000.
The V8 Touareg, similarly equiped to the ML described above has an MSRP of $43,265 and an invoice of $39,226.
With numbers like these, you can get the Touareg and add a 100,000 mile warranty. The Touareg offers: a V8, new technology, and better all around vehicle. While a three pointed star has a certain amount of bling bling, it is hard to beat the VW.
Vehicle: MBENZ ML320, AUDI A4 SPORT, MBENZ C230K SS (current)
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 1,730
RE: What to buy 04 Touareg or 04 ML350?
it all comes down to which dealer can give you a better SERVICE. and treat you as a good customer. With my experience with benz i rather not go back. There service department is horrible and the technicians are always making up stupid excuses.
its really hard to say the quality and reliability of the TOuren its still to early to find any problems while the ML i HOPE have already cleared out all the engine and nosie problems.
SERVICE SERVICE SERVICE is the key.!!!
that's how your run a successful business.
Touareg 04.. It will not devalorize in value. Check the table inside for other brands..
Touareg 04.. It will not devalorize in value as much. Personally, I will get a V8 or the new Diesel. More than %90 percent of the parts are from Porche and all the parts are well designed and "designed to last".. Great on-road or off-road capabilities..
The ML will loose 1/2 to 2/3 of it's trading value in around 3 years.. unless you don't use it, but then what is the point.. Compare the devaluation numbers for ML's to other SUV vehicles(reputation catches up quickly)... My 2001 ML is a perfect example.. Has 75,000 highway miles, was bought at $45,000 and currently trades at any MB dealer for $16,000..
Compare to other brand trade values for same year 2001 with 75,0000 miles at edmunds.com which shows very optimistic prices for the ML..
25,816 - Lexus RX300
37,808 - Lexus RX470
25,782 - Acura MDX
27,131 - BMW X5 3.0
30,838 - Toyota LandCruiser
21,298 - Mercedes Benz ML 320
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2005 ML 500
Black, 18" AMG Wheels, 285/60R18 Falken Ziex ST/Z + Bi-Xenons(+ Drew's e-code mod), Yakima roof bars. Former vehicle 2001 ML 320 with 108K miles, when traded, and a large repair/defect history. After 3 years of owning my current 2005 ML 500, it has become another unreiliable vehicle with a very large/expensive repair/defect history..
A truck-like as opposed to a car-like ride? I.e., do you think the VW's ride is better than the an '04 ML and that is what you really want?
You've compared the ride of the latest MLs to the ride of the older 2000s, so you already know the ride is improved. But it's not like driving a C-class. For me, it's not an issue: I like the ride of the ML (my experience is with with the larger 275s).
The responsiveness of the trans is improved and to me, more power improves the riding characteristics of any car. Plus, there are other improvements that hat MB has made.
For instance, I was surprised that the more expensive Porche didn't have auto-up windows like the latest MLs. Lacking that feature was not a problem in our '00 ML but of more interest to me was that MB has continued to improve MLs since '00 when they already were much improved over earlier models. [8D]
I accompanied my mother on the test drives of a VW Touareg V6 and with the purchase of our current ML350. My mother wanted another SUV since she has to haul people and stuff all over the place, plus the all weather security when driving to the other side of the Island, and my occasional offroad jaunt [8D]. Personally, we both cant deny that the Touraeg's interior is nice, but that's about it. The cargo area is smaller, it rode ok... much like the new ML. The biggest gripe on my end is that the Touareg is SLOW!! It makes the ML320 I drive seem like a rocket-ship (well, not that different). Since my parents purchased the ML350 out of dealer stock, and they have purchased several cars from the dealer in the past... we got a "discount" plus the 1000 dollar rebate for suffering with the old ML320. So far, theyre happy with the purchase. As for service, everything in Kona has to be special ordered... which means multiple visits to the dealer for either the VW or ML but so far so good on the ML350 [:)]
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