2004 ML 350 vs 2005 Acura MDX

[pointman]

Originally Posted by busoptr

mrpointman, pls dont start your hateful mood again.

Keep trolling with your sideways comments on the ML. Facts are facts, you piss and moan about a truck you bought used. You ain't got the capital to sell and move onto something else. Facts are facts.

[Porschescum]

Originally Posted by UncAl

For on-road driving, the MDX feels like a luxury sports car. The ride is near perfection, and it the twisties, cornering ability gets a steriod shot from the SH-AWD. Overall, much less roll than the W163, and much more centered and planted. Road feedback is excellent.

I would never doubt that the MDX is better on the road. The ML feels more truck(ish), no doubt there. But then again, that is one of the reasons I bought the ML.

LOL! Now we're talking about soul? Can you define that for me? Does it involve a huge three-pointed star on the grill?

This is going to sound like a really bad movie line, but if I have to explain it to you, you simply will not understand. I choose to Drive a MB over a MDX for many reasons, and soul is one of them. I think my 944 has more soul than an RX-7, my 914 more than a Miata, my Triumph more than a Suzuki, etc. It is a way that European cars "talk" to me when I drive them. No American or Asian car has ever done that. It is something that can not be explained. A corvette may have stellar performance, but it feels like a plastic GM inside. A Ferrari, or Porsche have a passion, a soul that GM has never been able to produce. Ok, enough on that.

While you're working on that, let me just mention the engine for a second. My MDX has a 3.7 V-6 VTEC, which is an adaptive engine. At low RPMs, the engine is quiet and economical. Once RPMs rise above 4500, though, the dual-stage intake manifold changes the air pathway, rushing more air to the engine, and the variable-flow exhaust valves open further to allow greater flow, all working to produce 300HP (the most of any naturally-aspirated V-6 currently available), 275 ft. lb. of torque, and an induction howl that sounds fantastic. The MDX will beat the W164 in 0-60 7.0 seconds vs. 7.9, and will absolutely leave a V-6 W163 for dead.

But, can I get 285k miles out of the MDX engine? Time will tell.

With proper care, you probably will. In the long haul you will probably spend less on the MDX for repairs as well.

OK, here's the bottom line. For off-road use, the MDX probably isn't for you. Frankly, there are better off-roaders than the ML, IMHO. But for on-road, the MDX out-performs the ML, period. Add to that my expectations of lower repair costs, and the decision for me, given my intended use, was a no-brainer.

Ding ding ding, your last sentence sums it all up. For me, the ML is the best for what I plan on using for. I do go off road and often. I do often carry heavy loads on trailers, I often stuff it to the gills with crap. Basically, I treat it like a truck.

[UncAl]

Originally Posted by Porschescum

This is going to sound like a really bad movie line, but if I have to explain it to you, you simply will not understand.

Oh, not at all! It sounds like a very GOOD movie line!

I choose to Drive a MB over a MDX for many reasons, and soul is one of them. I think my 944 has more soul than an RX-7, my 914 more than a Miata, my Triumph more than a Suzuki, etc. It is a way that European cars "talk" to me when I drive them. No American or Asian car has ever done that. It is something that can not be explained. A corvette may have stellar performance, but it feels like a plastic GM inside. A Ferrari, or Porsche have a passion, a soul that GM has never been able to produce.

When I rode a Honda ST1300, I had many discussions with BMW RT owners comparing bikes. They used to talk about "soul" also. They also struggled to define exactly what they were talking about. For them, from what I gather, it meant the vibration they felt thru the bars because of the boxer twin, as opposed to the silky smoothness of the STs V-4. It meant the sound of the engine - the STs sound was somewhere between a turkey gobble and George Jetson's car (until you got up around 5k RPM). I think it also had something to do with them paying several thousand dollars more than I did. Meanwhile, the ST, with 125 hp worth of ruthlessly efficient thrust from near-idle to redline, left the BMW for dead everytime, was a blast in the twisties, and was less expensive to buy and maintain in the process.

Sorry, your explanation of "soul" sounds more like marketing spin than anything else. But, hey, as long as you're happy, I'm happy! Group hug, everyone! You too, busoptr and pointman!

I went out of my way to qualify my opinions regarding off-road because I don't have experience there with either model. Moreover, I beleive the vast majority of ML and MDX owners never off-road. Also, I would note that both the W163 and the MDX are rated for 5,000 lbs towing capacity, and that my ML felt winded with much less weight than that. Once I actually tow something, I'll report back on the MDX.

Thanks for your response! I thought it was complete crap, but you were very civil, and you get points for that!

[Porschescum]

Originally Posted by UncAl

Sorry, your explanation of "soul" sounds more like marketing spin than anything else. But, hey, as long as you're happy, I'm happy! Group hug, everyone! You too, busoptr and pointman!

I know it sounds cheesy, but something I have always felt about certain vehicles. The way it feels, it fits, sounds, and responds to my input. The way it communicates to me what the road surface is doing.

I went out of my way to qualify my opinions regarding off-road because I don't have experience there with either model. Moreover, I beleive the vast majority of ML and MDX owners never off-road. Also, I would note that both the W163 and the MDX are rated for 5,000 lbs towing capacity, and that my ML felt winded with much less weight than that. Once I actually tow something, I'll report back on the MDX.

I am one that does. I surprise the jeep guys by where I will take my ML. There are a few of us, but I agree, not many.

Thanks for your response! I thought it was complete crap, but you were very civil, and you get points for that!

We dont have to agree to get along and be friends.

[bocabenz]

These are my observations, not directed at anyone, only at topics brought up here.

1. Quality: Unless you bought your ML in 1998 or even 1999, you have no reasonable expectation of quality. You should have done your homework.

2. Quite frankly, I don't care what Road & Track and C&D say. I've never encountered a slalom or a skidpad on my way to work. My indicator of "soul" comes from a test drive. What I look for in the drive of a car is unique to my background, driving style, and driving patterns. Yes, cars can have "soul", its definition just varies by driver.

3. And in reality, a lot boils down to aesthetics. Who buys a car they can't stand the looks of? Just because I can't stand the techno look of the Acura doesn't mean it looks bad, it just means I won't buy it. To each his own.

4. People need to have a less inflated view of themselves. Of course if I ruled the world everyone would be forced to drive ML63's. But that's not really the point now is it.

[ML430-OFFROAD]

PERSPECTIVE!!

I love my ML because i feel a connection with it. I feel like it is one of the best balanced (truck vs. Car) vehicle ever. I can do over a 100 mph without flishing on mountain roads on the way to passes that would scare the shit out of most people, and not even have really tapped the potential of the ML. In the snow, the ML is superb, maybe not the best, but when our Colorado Blizzards roled in this last winter, i went on a cruise during everyone, with my tire in the powder on the side of the road, then weaved down a highway with 4 jack knifed semis, and at least 10 cars on and off the road in the way. I have often thought that i would sell the ML because i am very competetive, but no matter what i were to sell it for, i would lose something and not really gain anything else. IMHO the FJ cruiser, which i feel is the closest competitor to the ML offroad, just caught it, but it sure as hell can't compete with the ML on road. I do not know enough about the Porsche to make a statement, but you think an ML is rare to see offroad, i highly doubt you will ever see a Cayenne off road. Anyway, srry for the long winded response...

I have few problems with my ML and thanks to this forums, it has cost me much less. i have 119,000 miles on it... it was at 87,000 June 2006. I love the ML because it does the job best for me... although if a G-wagon was a little less expesive, i might go for that... although i am not a huge fan of boxes on wheels. The only way you know is to mesh with the car, listen to it, play with it, see what response it gives... and choose the one you like more...

Stats are nice, but when is the 1 second faster 0 - 60 time in the SUV world going to matter? or the extra 20 hp ( except when carrying loads, where torque really is what matters).

My ML makes me happy, it makes bad days better just because i get to drive it! It has seen me through a lot of scary shit...

On the MDX, i have driven an older one, and hated it, especially pulling 2500 lb jetskis. and it wasn't a sort trip. 9 hrs. each way. I really did NOT enjoy it and because i am used to the power of the ML, i put myself in some tricky situations... but, that is an old one, 02 i believe.

But as said before by man people. to each his own!

[neilmegh]

i have 2 ml320's now, and i had an acura mdx like 2 weeks ago, the mdx is a peice of junk. really, i never had to replace a broken part in teh benz (except like oil changes and recalls). The acura was really had a bunch of problems. the battery died one year after i got it (new btw), headlights died out, electrically wirings was faulty, sunroof died. i would take the benz

[busoptr]

Originally Posted by pointman

Keep trolling with your sideways comments on the ML. Facts are facts, you piss and moan about a truck you bought used. You ain't got the capital to sell and move onto something else. Facts are facts.

pointgal remember? Ladies and gentlemen, he actually owns stock in mbz so he will never say anything bad about his ML. He even has a flawless ML.

[busoptr]

stuck up 27 year old.

[busoptr]

pointman, who are you calling a troll, you stupid redneck. When I buy my next car I'll send you the pic and the receipt. No capital. Youre really stupid and you look like a neanderthal . YOu should be driving a tahoe.