W164 CDI >< Lexus RX400h in Coast-to-Coast-Marathon

[Birger]

Hi,

Popular German auto weekly "AutoBild" is currently driving two ML320CDI's and a Lexus RX400h from NYC to LA, Progress stories (so far eight) can be found here: http://www.autobild.de/suche/suche.p...er=0&x=19&y=12

It's all in German, but run the URL's through the Altavista translator: http://world.altavista.com, and you'll get the idea.

Not exactly glorious for the Lexus [;)][;)]

There's a lot of quite nice photos attached, and I'll put them in the W164 section of the gallery later.

Cheers,
Birger

[Wolfgang]

Here's a paragraph from the salt lake, translated by google:

"The direct maximum speed comparison between ML 320 CDI and RX 400h is particularly interesting - to 170 km/h the Lexus lies in front with the acceleration duel. Then the Mercedes sovereign pulls past. Reason: The hybrid SUV is limited electronically with speed 200; according to Tacho readings already at 190. And those are not a problem for the Diesel. The digital Tachoanzeige moves even on 218 km/h - clear victory thus for the Mercedes.

Same applies to the handling attempts. The Mercedes rudder offers more feedback and responds more sensitivly. In the Lexus against it the steering element hardens with abrupt direction changes. The ESP must make overtime. But I am glad that it in series on board is. Because without the electronic rescue anchor the Lexus with security would put malicious reactions such as an overriding to the day, and that is in a car everything else heavy over two tons as pleasant.

With consumption the Diesel shows completely clearly its strength. After 60 test kilometers on the salt lake it lies with 15 litres clearly before the Lexus, which allowed itself full 24.5 litres. Clearly, on full load conditions the hybrid does not have a chance."

# # # end of google translated Autobild paragraph

[Birger]

Sure, Wolfgang

- Altavista Babelfish is good for a few laughs. But in a pinch it can give you a rough idea of what a text is about. For refinement, consult a professional translator [:)][:)][:)]

Cheers to the Mercedesfahrer of the world [;)][;)]

Birger

BTW: I've had a spot of trouble uploading the photos to the gallery, but they'll be there some day....

[jjl1]

what do you know, a German mag. likes the Benz more than a Lexus...[:)]

all kidding aside, thought about the RX, and it's a nice car, but too common, and wasn't impressed by the drive at all, too soft and Camry-like...

[ansan]

Good thing you changed your mind about the Lexus then, Birger[;)][;)][;)]

Thanks also for your superb report from the ML testday. I guess we would not have the plasure of the testreport either if you have ended up buying a Lexus[:)][:)]

Best regards,

[Birger]

here:

http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/sho...e=W164_M_Class

(there's five dozen [;)][;)])



Enjoy!
Birger

[Wolfgang]

<B>Overall results</B>

ML320DI driven 5229 kilometers
RX400h driven 5126 kilometers

ML320CDI 127.4 gallons fuel
RX400h 139.3 gallons fuel

ML320CDI consumption 9.2 liters/100km (25.5 MPG)
RX400h consumption 10.2 liters/100km (23 MPG)

[3-Star]

Thanks for posting the pics Birger. As a past owner of the RX330 and current owner of 2006 ML350, the MB is hands down the more stylish and aggressive of the 2. Whoever quoted this in the past was/is dead-on, "Lexus' is for passengers and MB's are for driver's"!

[W208Cab]

Appluase for Diesel.

But the problem is, who knows when or if ML-CDI would ever be sold in U.S. with all the f$%^*() restrictions.

[BrentG500]

A diesel ML320CDI is slated for the next model year here in the USA. This might be slightly off topic, but I've never seen any men driving the current generation Lexus RX330. It always seems to be a snooty lady with her nose up in the air, escorting her prissy poodle in the front seat.

But I've seen tons of men and women enjoying the new W164 ML350. [8D]

Well hey now, there's that sweet sweet semi chrome grill! [:D] Nice pics Wolfgang and Birger! The link to Autobild doesn't seem to working; I'll try again later.