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I spent quite a bit of time in a few ML63's while deciding what to buy after getting rid of my E53 4.8is. THe first one I drove, impressed me greatly with its performance, and I liked the idea of a hand built engine considering the reliability issues I'd gone through with the 4.8.
Got hold of a ML63 for a day or two on extended test which is great without the saleman around. Took it around the city in traffic, out on the freeway for a blast, a special twisty bit of road in Melbourne where you can really find a car out etc.
Was almost hooked BUT.......
1. could not get my head around the indicator stalk being so low
2. foot parking brakes in a $160k car? no thanks
3. handling was very mushy regardless of suspension setting
so went away and thought some more. Organized another day in another demo and what a POS it was. The engine did not have the same pick up, the radio/nav fascia was so badly fitted that you could see 2mm gaps around it in places, and a few other things more visible in the lighter trim that I had not seen in the balck car I'd driven previously.
It boiled down to the fact that obviously the quality and power varies and I decided that without the power, it wasn't that nice a vehicle.
Driving experience, BMW hands down, handling, poise, comfort, ergonomics also cleans up.
I actually thought the Cayenne out performed the ML63 for handling, although I'm sure once the 5.4 E70 comes out then BMW will up the ante even more and puill ahead further IMO.
Cheers
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2006 E53 X5 3.0D
2004 E53 X5 4.8is
2004 E53 X5 4.4 Sport
2011 E70 X5 3.0D with Aero kit
2009 E71 X6 50i Sport
2009 E70 X5 50i Sport
2007 E60 540 M Sport LCI (All time favourite car)
2007 E70 X5 4.8i Sport
2005 E53 4.8is
2003 E53 3.0 Sport
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