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Author Topic: 2000+ M-Class vs X5  (Read 2309 times)

A4_tom

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2000+ M-Class vs X5
« on: May 15, 2005, 01:32:01 pm »
Which are better purchase if both are from Mercedes and BMW Canada's CPO. I know both have suffered from quality issues. But which is the better of the worse?

XC90, Touareg and Cayenne are too new to buy lease return CPOs.

(Message edited by A4 Tom on May 15, 2005)
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Offline ovr50

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2000+ M-Class vs X5
« Reply #1 on: May 15, 2005, 02:27:00 pm »
I have absolutely no facts to back this up, but I would take the BMW over the Merc. Did not the early MLs have many problems and quality issues? I have an acquaintence who had a 2000 ML350 (IIRC) and he had no end of trouble with it. In the first year he had it, it was in the shop more than in his hands (and that's not an exageration). I don't think the X5 was quite so troublesome. I would also prefer the driving dynamics of the BMW over the ML.
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Offline Snowman

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2000+ M-Class vs X5
« Reply #2 on: May 15, 2005, 06:12:54 pm »
The X5 has a -185% rating for reliability with Consumer reports….My buddies boss has one and is off to Toronto 2-3 times a month for warranty work….Its a POS. The MB is slightly better…..I would find a used Lexus.
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Offline ovr50

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2000+ M-Class vs X5
« Reply #3 on: May 15, 2005, 06:25:12 pm »
Snowy, the CR SUVs mag from this Spring (white cover with new silver Pathy on it) shows slightly better for the BMW, BUT the fact remains that neither of them has been very good in the reliability dept. You're right  - maybe look elsewhere.
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Offline hondasalesguy

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2000+ M-Class vs X5
« Reply #4 on: May 15, 2005, 06:26:57 pm »
yeah a used Lexus RX300/330 would be problem free. The 1st generation supposedly has a smoother powerplant than the newer one with the 3.3L engine.
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Offline johngenx

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2000+ M-Class vs X5
« Reply #5 on: May 15, 2005, 08:26:02 pm »
ML's got improved in 2000, but weren't the most trouble free vehicle by a long shot.  An RX300 is a better bet, but the ML's are cheap thanks to their poor rep.

The X5 is long on looks (for an SUV) and short on build quality.  They are plagued with electrical gremlins and an out-of-warranty X5 would be something that would keep me up nights worrying about "bankruptcy" and things like that.
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Offline barrie1

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2000+ M-Class vs X5
« Reply #6 on: May 15, 2005, 11:04:08 pm »
Then there's the Cadi CTSV which is up in the same price range and definitely a drivers car. It comes with a very high rating as well, possibly even higher then some of the others at the moment.
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A4_tom

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2000+ M-Class vs X5
« Reply #7 on: May 15, 2005, 11:40:24 pm »
SRX is a good buy if there is anything off leased at the moment. My friend's mom wants to stay European since she is driving an E38 740i.  The intangible European feel is what makes her stay with German, even if her 7-Series is a money :censor:. She won't touch Japanese and American for a 3 foot pole.

Aren't too early for XC90, Touareg and Cayenne off-lease?
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Offline initial_D

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2000+ M-Class vs X5
« Reply #8 on: May 16, 2005, 12:00:21 am »
Touareg and Cayenne aren't trouble free either, they are available, though not in big number. I was very suprized that a number of VW dealers had used Touareg on their lots. A Touareg with a 6 is relly sloooooooooow. Definitely stay away from 1st year models.  

I know a few people with X5s, they aren't that bad. A 3.0 I6 X5 isn't exactly fast either.
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Offline beluga

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2000+ M-Class vs X5
« Reply #9 on: May 16, 2005, 08:40:15 am »
I bought a model year 2000 ML320 elegance with the skyview roof a couple of weeks ago.  You are going to have to expect both the M-class and the X5 to need repairs.  Which one is going to need more will be a factor of how the truck was taken care of by the previous owner/mechanic more than anything else.

The M-class was updated in 2000 with a lot of changes.  Do not get anything older.  Get a 2001 if you can.  I've had two little problems in 1000+ km so far.  The CD changer occassionally gives and error on homemade CD's and the check engine light came on cause a sensor got wet.  I reset it myself.

The ML320 and the X5 3.0 are both "not fast" (the X5 is slightly better).  The X5 4.4 is a rocket.  Way faster than the ML430.  The 6's like to drink gas; the 8's guzzle gas like no tomorrow.

The M-class is body on frame.  The X5 is unibody.  I would say for most people if you are going to buy fairly new and drop $30k+ the X5 is better.  If you are going to tow or go off-road the M-class is better.
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Offline sirAQUAMAN64

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2000+ M-Class vs X5
« Reply #10 on: May 16, 2005, 12:06:34 pm »
Between the two, I'd pick the X5.

I've talked to too many people with issues on their early ML's, and I just hate the way they look inside and out. I think they're kinda cheap.

I remain impressed by the X5's looks, and if she's into how the SUV drives and she already has a BMW I'd stay to stick with it.

The early Touaregs had lots of issues. Most have now been solved, so I've been led to believe. Early issues to do with the tire pressure warning system going off all the time, wood cracking, electrical gremlins, etc. I would think the electrical issues would be shared by Cayenne. The V6 has as power boost in '05, and a new FSI V6 with 280hp will come this fall.  

The SRX looks neat from the outside, but the golf-ball like dimples of the dash inside ruins that for me.

The RX 330 is a niiiiiiiiiiiice vehicle. Drove one for quite some time and I'm always impressed with it. Very capable, nice (but rather unexciting) to drive, perfectly sized for most people's needs, very smooth, has a distintive look to me, and they're ultra reliable compared to the European stuff. I still think it's the standout, as it offers so much in one complete package.

The CPO programs are interesting though. Pretty attractive deals to be had.
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Mdxtasy

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2000+ M-Class vs X5
« Reply #11 on: May 17, 2005, 12:07:39 am »
Perhaps an Audi Allroad?  

If you must stay Euro, the X5 is probably better than the Mercedes.  We didn't even consider the MB when we were shopping.  Too small and the ergonomics weren't there when we saw it at the car show.  Crossed off the list right then and there.  

The X5 drove really nicely.  Decent interior and good handling for an SUV.  I think what needed to be said about the X5 has already been stated.  

We also tested the XC90 and it was a little underpowered for the heft of such a big vehicle.  The turbo motor may have reliability issues (if the turbo went south) if it wasn't maintained properly.

The Japanese really has the reliability thing down.  You do give up some driving feel but if you don't want to :censor: money away on keeping it running...this is the way to go.  There's probably a lot few FX's, RX's, MDX's out there.
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Offline Bullet Blue

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2000+ M-Class vs X5
« Reply #12 on: May 17, 2005, 03:57:30 pm »
Allraod is a good suggestion, as is the XC70 from Volvo. They are both "jacked up" wagons.

But if i HAD to choose between the two I'd take an X5 for the reasons mentioned. Is the X3 too small to be considered?
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A4_tom

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2000+ M-Class vs X5
« Reply #13 on: May 17, 2005, 05:33:25 pm »
She won't even considered an X3 because it just feels so cheap inside.
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Offline Shnak

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2000+ M-Class vs X5
« Reply #14 on: May 17, 2005, 05:37:04 pm »
That's what I heard a few places too... That's too bad because the X3 seems to be otherwise an excellent vehicle. Is the X5 really that much better than the X3 for its interior though?
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Mdxtasy

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2000+ M-Class vs X5
« Reply #15 on: May 17, 2005, 05:40:42 pm »
Yes.  The X3 is a nice small ute, but when it's got the BMW badge on it, the expectations grow too.  The interior was not impressive at all in my opinion.  Drives nice.
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Offline Bullet Blue

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2000+ M-Class vs X5
« Reply #16 on: May 17, 2005, 06:11:56 pm »
Mercedes-Benz B Class?
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