I looked at EVERY SUV on the market.. I am one of the most anal people when it comes to build quality, and interior appointments. I am also (or at least was) a loyal Mercedes Benz owner for said reasons.
I vetod the GL and ML because I found their interior build qualities, and choices of materials to be sub standard for Mercedes. I think those cars are designed for US consumption where the average American is dumbed down by the likes of Cadillac and Toyota.
The BMW was the ONLY car I've been able to live with in terms of interior build that also didn't cost north of $100,000.. There are "some" areas where I would have used a better plastic, but for the most part, even the hard plastics are of a better grade than found in most cars for under $100K..
For plastic heaven, see this clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5GlDagXfy4