Which 2005-10 SUV is easier to work on? X5, ML, Touareg?

[nsa]

I'd be happy with either an X5 (E70), ML (W164), or Touareg (7L facelift) but when things do go wrong which is going to be the easiest for me to attempt to fix? I do all my own work on a Toyota Hilux Surf now and that has been a doddle. I fancy something a bit more luxurious. The LC Prado is also in the mix. I can't imagine this is going to be much harder than what I have now.

Has to be petrol, and very likely the six cylinder 3.0, 3.2, and 3.6 variants of the above. I suppose parts availability should be factored in.

[sbk1972]

I work on my own cars so this question does pop up when Im seeking a new ride. All trucks have issues so its all about being prepared and aware of common issues for each make / model . None of the models / makes you have suggested will be without fault or issues. All have many ECUs, tons of wiring, CAN buses and weak areas. Ive played around with all those makes and all have tight access spots, endless vaccum pipes, difficult nuts / parts that only Jesus himself can remove.

In fact I would say the life the truck has had will influence how easy they are to work on. If they've been off road, no underseal or poor maintenance then nuts / bolts will be rusty and regardless of make a rusty nut can be painful. EGRs will be blocked, diffs will need flushing as no doubt gearboxes.

I used to feel that Toyota was a more reliable make, the `best not to have an issue in the first place than working out which one when broken is the easiest to work on` way of thinking :-) However modern day Toyota's aren't as reliable as the older 2000 models.

So all of those makes / models have issues so join several model forums, start to ask questions about the common faults and where Iyou can get parts. A good code reader is a must have as all models now have endless number of ECUS and it helps diagnose issues. A good set of ratchet spanners, jack, axle standards and some form of electric gun.

[PhilF329]

I had a slightly younger Touareg (2013) but diesel and its probably the best car I have ever owned and I have had lots and lots of cars. I chose it over the other two you mention. Some parts are very expensive, but on the upside, not much went wrong. The VW badge is under the radar, which you may or may not like.

I have been tempted by an earlier W12 a few times and if you can get a good one, that’s a keeper IMHO!

[nsa]

The Touareg is actually my first choice, even the air suspension model.

[PhilF329]

Air suspension would actually be my choice. I believe all of these cars have a lot more electronics than your current vehicle so be careful if you’re not good with a multimeter, just in case!

[Smint]

Prado, not up to speed on the 4.0 litre petrol but the 3.0 litre Diesel is a gem, yes it's got a cambelt but it's the easiet one you'll ever change, 1 hour tops first time, kit around £100, don't even need to remove the auxilliary belt(s), set of Allens Sockets, 10/12/13mm normal sockets and one large one to fit the crank pulley to align the...yes really...timing marks, simple because the belt only drives the camshaft(s) via one pulley, second cam geared off the first inside rocker.

Rest of vehicle a doddle to work on, manual parking brake drum inside disc type, 2004 onwards 5 speed auto box is a bit more fiddly changing transmission oil because no dipstick, but simple enough once you find the instructions online for level checking.
I'm well into my 60's a still do all the servicing work on my LC5 Prado, seldom any repair work these rarely go wrong.

Note separate chassis can rust so be prepared to do some rustproofing if the first owners neglected it, new injectors likely required around 120/150k miles.