Can of Worms - 2011 X5 vs 2010/2011/2012 ML?

[BMWREXPENSIVE]

I am sure many of you have done this comparison. Unfortunately, my wife seems to be leaning towards the ML - she thinks it looks more sophisticated where as the X5 is more sporty/manly. I have concerns abuot ML reliability; however, a RWD ML is about $6k less than an X5. Here is what I come up with:

2011 X5 -
Advantages/Disadvantages
4 year maintenance included
Better reliability?
Better gas mileage
New model year with new engine and tranny. Won't be updated for several years
Rougher ride
Premium Price

2010/2011 ML
Last year before major overhaul with new engine and tranny for 2012
No maintenance included and higher overall maintenance costs due to MB required service intervals (A, B, C, etc. etc.).
Worse reliability?
Worse gas mileage (this may change with 2012 model year)
Softer/plusher ride
Less expensive initial cost

If my wife is set on an ML, I may make her wait another 9-12 months until the 2012's come out with refined bodies, interior and new engine and tranny. Apparently, the interior of the ML for 2012 is going to be on par with this years E-class.

Who else has done this comparison and why did you go with the BMW. My wife currently has a 2001 325Ci with 80,000 miles and continues to run strong, but at about 70,000 miles we started having to spend about $600 every other month on it because of sensors going out, door handle breaking, brakes needing replaced, cooling pump leaking, reservoir leaking, thermostat failing, etc. etc. I guess this is typical for any car with 70,000+ miles, just that it is more to fix with a BMW.

[nyranger74]

I think women are more drawn to MB because they think it looks classier. I definitely agree that the X5 is more manly than the ML. I dislike Mercedes with a passion, so I would always recommend BMW over Mercedes.

[mtech8]

Yeah. If she's really wants a ML, definitely wait for the 2012's to come out. This way you can get a much better deal on a <2012 ML if the 2012's don't meet expectations. Usually love picking up last year run models when the new models come out. Typically savings of at least an extra $5K-$10K more than what you can get regularly.

Though this could back fire on you if she then wants only a 2012. Hard to get good deals on 1st year run models (typically for most people). But at least you'd have a first year run model. Have to weigh what you really want. To spend money on newer technology or get the most out of your money.

To convince her to wait, you can always point out that you've already spent quite a bit on the 2001 325ci. It should last long enough for the wait. Afterall, what else can break, you've practically fixed it all (my mentality on our 2004 325ci that we've had repaired numerous times around 70K miles too). Kind of a waste to spend the money on the repairs and then just get rid of it.

In regards to reliability between the ML and the X5. Think they are pretty similar.

X5 definitely has a nicer drive. Maybe 3rd row seats (that most will find a waste of money) can be convincing argument for the X5. It was for me

[BMWREXPENSIVE]

Thanks...I agree waiting till the 2012 ML's come out would be ideal - then we would have a choice of a new 2011 ML (reduced due to new 2012 design), a new style 2012 ML, AND probably a CPO 2011 X5. We would have all the choices. The hard part is the wait!! Right now I would not consider a 2010 X5 due to new engine and tranny on 2011.

[bimmer_buachaill]

Same engine/tranny in 2010 35d if interested...

[CarsRmyVICE]

If it is her vehicle then get her what she wants and don't think twice. If you will be driving it then get the bmw. The benz is a boring drive. Either way if shes happy you are. Some women prefer benz and that is that. Thankfully all the ones I am around are bimmer lovers!

[2thdr]

I am awaiting arrival of a 2011 X5 35d after having just dispensed with a 2010 MB GL350. I was in the exact same situation last November, as I wanted to pick up a 2010 X5 but my wife wanted the MB. Seeing that it was her vehicle to drive, we purchased the GL.

Fast forward to July, 2010. My wife's impressions of the GL:

i) drives like a boat with lots of body roll (yes, I know the ML is smaller, but the suspension DNA is from the same engineers). Make no mistake, this is an important trait when you consider an emergency lane change to avoid an animal/other driver/debris on the road. A ML or GL has too much roll and a higher center of gravity, which would arguably make such a move less stable and potentially more catastrophic. Try the same move in an X5 with the sport package, or 19's for that matter, and let us know what you think.

ii) the braking is not as surefooted as the BMW with lots of nose dive. Again, I know that the ML is smaller, but the nose dive underscores a comparatively and inherently poorer suspension design

iii) the COMAND system is utter junk. Seriously, are you telling me they could not refresh these ML and GL mid-cycle in the same manner that BMW did their vehicles with the new iDrive system? Having to enter things by pushing a cursor control to move right,left, up, and down to menu selections is not only archaic, but unsafe if making an adjustment while driving. Irrespective of the fact that you can access these controls through the steering wheel buttons and dash display, it would still have been better to have adopted the new COMAND system from the present C class and other models.

iv) world's crappiest transmission. This thing shifts slooooowww. Go take one for a test drive and reverse out of a parking stall and apply the brake as per usual before shifting to drive. Take a note of how laborious it is.

v) My personal favorite. Now I am not sure as to why this bugs me so much, but the vehicle's speed in reverse is limited. If I remember correctly, it was limited to 25km/h. Why? Suppose, for the sake of argument, that you had to accelerate rapidly out of a situation in reverse. Who is Mercedes Benz to tell you that you should only be allowed to drive 25km/h in reverse. Retarded.

vi) Although I never had to pay for it, paying for service at Mercedes for Service A and B every 13,0000KM at an average of $350-400 for each visit really seems unnecessary when you consider how BMW covers you for 4yrs/50K miles. Keep in mind I had the diesel.

OK, those were a few of our beefs. I would honestly suggest to you to do the following. Go pick an ML up from your dealer and take it on an unaccompanied test drive and go straight to your BMW dealer of choice and do a thorough side by side comparison. I urge you to try an emergency avoidance scenario in both vehicles on an isolated stretch of road. At the end of the day, you are not just buying a vehicle based on looks...you're entrusting it to carry your family, whether your wife alone or kids as well. While both are great in terms of impact safety, I would argue that a better vehicle would help you to avoid such situations as well. In that regards, better brakes and a better suspension are key elements.

I hated the GL from the day we picked it up. My wife waited about a week before saying she thought we had made the wrong decision. It simply took the LCI upgrade to the X5 to get us to trade it in.

Make sure you do your homework!!!