Merc ML350 or Audi Q5 3L
Discussion
I'm considering getting one of these two cars next year.
I've test driven both already – so I have a few opinions of my own.
But, I'd be interested in any other opinions from the PH crowd.
I'll probably be getting a 3-4 year old one when the time comes, with a budget of 25-35k depending on exact spec and what happens to the used car market next year.
Does anyone have any first hand experience of one or both, and can you share it with me.
I know the merc has £400 tax rather than the Audi £200 – but I'm not going to let an extra annual £200 running costs effect the decision too much.
It'll be used for a daily drive, for several camping trips to the lakes, and also a couple of drives to the alps in the winter.
I've also considered ;
Forester - seems underpowered with the 2l engine.
Range Rover – They wallow too much for my liking.
I've test driven both already – so I have a few opinions of my own.
But, I'd be interested in any other opinions from the PH crowd.
I'll probably be getting a 3-4 year old one when the time comes, with a budget of 25-35k depending on exact spec and what happens to the used car market next year.
Does anyone have any first hand experience of one or both, and can you share it with me.
I know the merc has £400 tax rather than the Audi £200 – but I'm not going to let an extra annual £200 running costs effect the decision too much.
It'll be used for a daily drive, for several camping trips to the lakes, and also a couple of drives to the alps in the winter.
I've also considered ;
Forester - seems underpowered with the 2l engine.
Range Rover – They wallow too much for my liking.
Echo the ML suggestions. Aside from it being a proper SUV rather than a little/pretend/gay/soft/womans/whatever version, it is far more capable, far more practical and far bigger.
I was staggered how small a Q5 feels.
With the ML - worth looking at the 300 rather than 350. Can be quite a bit cheaper but not really noticable difference on the road.
I was staggered how small a Q5 feels.
With the ML - worth looking at the 300 rather than 350. Can be quite a bit cheaper but not really noticable difference on the road.
Friend with an ML is horrified by the economy - he is really struggling to get anything over 20-25mpg.
Q5 is a bit small and rides like a skateboard.
Dare I mention an X3?
For your budget the facelift 3.0d is a valid competitor for these and much better than the early ones. I'm seeing 35mpg on a quick cruise, tax is £260 not £450, the handling is very good etc, etc.....
Q5 is a bit small and rides like a skateboard.
Dare I mention an X3?
For your budget the facelift 3.0d is a valid competitor for these and much better than the early ones. I'm seeing 35mpg on a quick cruise, tax is £260 not £450, the handling is very good etc, etc.....
I've looked at the X3 and X5.
And, for some reason, that I can't really explain, I just don't like them.
With a new model ML coming out next year I might find the current model ML has a big price drop.
And the expensive tax might make the price drop a lot more too.
I'm more than happy to pay an extra 1k in tax over 5 years if I get the car for 8k less in the first place.
(assuming the Gov't don't increase the tax bands again)
I'll have to give the 300 a try.
I thought the 350 was excellent in performance (well, a 320 actually) so I'd be loath to get anything with significantly less power.
As for MPG – it's a big car, big cars don't as a rule have good MPG.
It's just something to be expected.
And, for some reason, that I can't really explain, I just don't like them.
With a new model ML coming out next year I might find the current model ML has a big price drop.
And the expensive tax might make the price drop a lot more too.
I'm more than happy to pay an extra 1k in tax over 5 years if I get the car for 8k less in the first place.
(assuming the Gov't don't increase the tax bands again)
I'll have to give the 300 a try.
I thought the 350 was excellent in performance (well, a 320 actually) so I'd be loath to get anything with significantly less power.
As for MPG – it's a big car, big cars don't as a rule have good MPG.
It's just something to be expected.
You really should consider the new X3 if you can get one in budget:
http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/index/popups/X3-compare...
[edit] or the 3.0d
http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/pricesandspecifications...
http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/index/popups/X3-compare...
[edit] or the 3.0d
http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/pricesandspecifications...
Edited by margerison on Tuesday 4th October 10:04
Snowboy said:
I've looked at the X3 and X5.
And, for some reason, that I can't really explain, I just don't like them.
....
As for MPG – it's a big car, big cars don't as a rule have good MPG.
It's just something to be expected.
Fair enough And, for some reason, that I can't really explain, I just don't like them.
....
As for MPG – it's a big car, big cars don't as a rule have good MPG.
It's just something to be expected.
I'd definitely go for the more powerful version, things this big need the power otherwise things get very strained and noisy. Have you looked for a 420 CDI - they're rocket ships
DJRC said:
Just done this exact thing.
Picked up an ML420 last week. Great truck, s
t Mercedes customer care.
They're not as expensive as I thought...Picked up an ML420 last week. Great truck, s
t Mercedes customer care.Autotrader Add
£19,000 for a 57 plate ML420... Hmmm...
DJRC said:
Just done this exact thing.
Picked up an ML420 last week. Great truck, st Mercedes customer care.
They're not as expensive as I thought...Picked up an ML420 last week. Great truck, s
t Mercedes customer care.Autotrader Add
£19,000 for a 57 plate ML420... Hmmm...
[quote]Have you considered an XC-60/90 or a Mazda CX-7? [\quote]
[quote]RRS or Q7 ?[\quote]
XC90 and Q7 are too big and feel like boats to drive.
XC60 has (IMO) a badly designed passenger footwell that both me and the other half hate. (the wheelarch inner forces the feet into the middle, which makes for a twisted spine).
Mazda cx7 – it's just not right for me.
I also tried the Nissan models – they just felt a bit cheap on the interior, and even the biggest engine was underpowered.
What's an RRS?
[quote]RRS or Q7 ?[\quote]
XC90 and Q7 are too big and feel like boats to drive.
XC60 has (IMO) a badly designed passenger footwell that both me and the other half hate. (the wheelarch inner forces the feet into the middle, which makes for a twisted spine).
Mazda cx7 – it's just not right for me.
I also tried the Nissan models – they just felt a bit cheap on the interior, and even the biggest engine was underpowered.
What's an RRS?
Snowboy said:
I've looked at the X3 and X5.
And, for some reason, that I can't really explain, I just don't like them.
Out of interest, have you driven the X5? i would suggest the 3.0D is a better car all round than either the ML or Q5.And, for some reason, that I can't really explain, I just don't like them.
Not convinced by the X3 though, had a brand new sport model for a week when our 5 was in for work. Lack of space, plasticky interior and abysmal ride quality from memory.
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