Well, FX45 lease is up. Put 36,000 very happy, trouble free miles on her. Even had her off road on several occasions hunting (and I don't mean fire road trails either! I even sent photos to Infiniti/Nissan and got a nice letter back :)
Narrowed down to a ML500, fully loaded or a 4.8is. Had a fleeting thought about the upcoming SRT-8 (you can tell my priorities with my vehicle selections), but production does not even start until Nov 8.
Did not like the previous ML when I test drove 3 years ago. Have always liked driving the X5, but it is getting a little long in the tooth. The ML500 is very classy inside, but I prefer a very sporty ride/power. Gas mileage be damned. My test drive in a 500 was terrible, limited and didn't help much (I'll spare you the details).
Questions for other 500 owners: power adequate? (I mean compared to your sports cars you likely also own - me too). Torque seems great. Handling good (yes, I'd get the air suspension)? Why no Bluetooth? Anyone have an older 4.6is and go to the ML. I REALLY loved driving the 4.8is, but it is quite $$$ at 73K (about 10K more than a loaded ML500). Any discussion as to a new V8 engine (i.e. 4-valve) in the near future?
Thanks in advance - looking forward to possibly hanging out here soon! [:D]
Wow, maybe I won't "hang out" here. Over 150 views, but only 1 reply? (very cool G-wagen BTW). I would love to wait for the AMG version, but this is mainly just my winter car (have 2 others) and the significant other would kill me if she knew how much the AMG version cost (actually I have no idea, but I would guess at least 85K?) and it would probably not be very good in the snow/offroad that I actually do anyway, so ...
And yes, I have had the FX off road a lot. I know the 4.8is would not likely do well off-road, but neither was the FX suppose to be any good, and it was not bad at all. Only got stuck once (pulled out by a Suburban) and only because I knew other "trucks" were around to help (or else I would have never went through that God forsaken mud pit from hell).
Well, I think I'm going with the ML500, fully loaded. Any other ML sites (no offense meant, just a newbie looking for good info).
I was waiting for the other senior members to chime in, but here are my 2c:
The new ML is completely different from its predecessor. All of my own research showed that MB threw a LOT of money into a completely redesigned, reliable SUV, that would live up to the MB Star. I believe the overwhelming experience so far has been (way) more than positive.
I did not consider the BMW, mostly because my comparison was only between the ML 350 and the X3, where the ML wins hands down (newer design, more space, more luxurious interior etc).
Well, FX45 lease is up. Put 36,000 very happy, trouble free miles on her. Even had her off road on several occasions hunting (and I don't mean fire road trails either! I even sent photos to Infiniti/Nissan and got a nice letter back :)
Narrowed down to a ML500, fully loaded or a 4.8is. Had a fleeting thought about the upcoming SRT-8 (you can tell my priorities with my vehicle selections), but production does not even start until Nov 8.
Did not like the previous ML when I test drove 3 years ago. Have always liked driving the X5, but it is getting a little long in the tooth. The ML500 is very classy inside, but I prefer a very sporty ride/power. Gas mileage be damned. My test drive in a 500 was terrible, limited and didn't help much (I'll spare you the details).
Questions for other 500 owners: power adequate? (I mean compared to your sports cars you likely also own - me too). Torque seems great. Handling good (yes, I'd get the air suspension)? Why no Bluetooth? Anyone have an older 4.6is and go to the ML. I REALLY loved driving the 4.8is, but it is quite $$$ at 73K (about 10K more than a loaded ML500). Any discussion as to a new V8 engine (i.e. 4-valve) in the near future?
Thanks in advance - looking forward to possibly hanging out here soon! [:D]
I didn't get the V8 because my wife is the main driver and the V6 was brand new, compared to the carryover 3-valve V8. There will be two new 4-valve V8s next year, not including the AMG 6.3 (4.6 of about 330 hp, 5.5 at 380+/-), but it sounds like you don't have time to wait (unless you buy our your lease or do something else in the interim). Try another test drive at a different dealer, if possible-only you can say if the performance is adequate for your needs.
Questions for other 500 owners: power adequate? (I mean compared to your sports cars you likely also own - me too). Torque seems great. Handling good (yes, I'd get the air suspension)? Why no Bluetooth? Anyone have an older 4.6is and go to the ML. I REALLY loved driving the 4.8is, but it is quite $$$ at 73K (about 10K more than a loaded ML500). Any discussion as to a new V8 engine (i.e. 4-valve) in the near future?
rroof, welcome aboard! Why don't you fill out your profile so that we can know more about you?
I wanted to write, but you made it clear that you were only interested in talking to ML500 owners (not G500 owners) on this post. [;)]
Since you probably want everyone's input, I'll tell you that the BMW X5 is set on an aging platform (a redesign is in the works) - if you can imagine a 1999 BMW 5-series wagon or sedan, raised to a height and slightly bigger, you'll get a decent idea of what the X5 is really about.
The BMW is mostly sport and has limited offroad capabilities (especially the 4.8).
My advice? Test drive the ML and BMW and see what fits you better.
That 5.5 litre sounds fun. Where are you reading about this?
A few places (links follow). The 5.5 will debut next Fall in the new S-Class, but should go into the ML at the same time. It's listed at 388hp (closer to 380 SAE) and 390 lb. ft. with excellent mileage.
rroof, welcome aboard! Why don't you fill out your profile so that we can know more about you?
I wanted to write, but you made it clear that you were only interested in talking to ML500 owners (not G500 owners) on this post. [;)]
Since you probably want everyone's input, I'll tell you that the BMW X5 is set on an aging platform (a redesign is in the works) - if you can imagine a 1999 BMW 5-series wagon or sedan, raised to a height and slightly bigger, you'll get a decent idea of what the X5 is really about.
The BMW is mostly sport and has limited offroad capabilities (especially the 4.8).
My advice? Test drive the ML and BMW and see what fits you better.[/quote]
OK - I'll update my profile.
I did test drive both, but I mentioned, my test drive in the ML500 was was limited and not very informative. My practice partner has an X5 4.4 that I have driven on several occasions. I know the X5 (especially the 4.8is) has "limited" off-road capabilities, but so does my FX45, yet I have had it in some God awful places (through fields, water, mud, etc.[^] No doubt the ML would suit my off-road needs just fine.
It is hard to have your cake and eat it too [:D]
The Cayenne is probably the vehicle that suits my needs best - I just couldn't stand looking at the beast in my garage for any length of time [xx(]
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