which is more reliable?

[sillybobthornton]

Hi all - need to buy a 4x4 snotter to do family chores yadda yadda

for my budget - boiled down to three candidates either an X5, a Q7 or ML350

all would be around 9-10 years old, all with between 80-100k miles on them (I am in the US - miles are a thing here)

given that all could show regular servicing and fixes where necessary - which of the above does the collective think would be most reliable?

happy to look at alternatives - but most of the Japanese and American SUVs of similar vintage leave me a little cold

best

SB

[kiethton]

Assume as you're US they'd be petrol not diesel as that changes a few things:

X5 - 3.0 S6 underpowered and 4.4i V8 may have issues depending which model - also need to watch the change over on the gearbox as the ZF6 can have issues at that age/mileage

Q7 - Again gearbox issues and also some engine issues/coking on the TFSI engines

ML - if petrol they're generally robust mechanically.....electrically however.....

I'd be looking at a Jap 4x4 if just for family duties at that age/mileage - landcruiser/lexus equivalent

[sillybobthornton]

Thanks Keithton - I did look and Land Cruisers but they are way over budget (probably for good reason) the Lexus.....I just cant get over the hideous shape of the RX

and yes, all will be petrol here

[Heaveho]

sillybobthornton said:

Thanks Keithton - I did look and Land Cruisers but they are way over budget (probably for good reason) the Lexus.....I just cant get over the hideous shape of the RX

and yes, all will be petrol here

You can't see the Lexus when you're in it, and the others are more likely to leave you literally cold at the side of the road in the middle of the night........I'd consider reliability over all other priorities if needing to rely on a vehicle, but I'm someone who becomes irrationally annoyed at the idea of a breakdown. We're all different.

[jonny996]

Sorry to tell you but it is a Lexus all day long.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you're in the US then the Infiniti & Lexus are the picks.

[eleveneleven]

Like others have said Lexus is probably your best bet but from the Germans Id probably take my chances with a well looked after Q7 or a VW Touareg

[Heaveho]

eleveneleven said:

Like others have said Lexus is probably your best bet but from the Germans Id probably take my chances with a well looked after Q7 or a VW Touareg

From those Germans I'd take the bus! Unless you are extremely handy on the spanners.

[flying-banana]

We had an X5 V8, bought at 80k, moved on at 230k...basically did 22mpg everywhere, needed oil every couple of weeks, front suspension bushes every 80k, gearbox service (oil & filter) every 80k (ignore what BMW say, it's not 'sealed for life'...ZF who make the box say it needs servicing, and it does make a big difference), never let us down, would have another tomorrow