ML Vs X5 anyone driven both?

[bobbersmill]

We have 59 plate BMW X5 30d m sport and whilst I love the looks the tech Im starting to get a little irritated by quality issues. the wheel arch extensions are now pepperred with stone chips and look awful, the hubs have surface corrosion on and Im not happy about the way the whole thing is screwed together, we previously had a 2006 e53 X5 that felt like it was made from iron.
I like the look of the MLs but wondered if any owners have driven both or if they have not driven the X5 just general comments on how the ML fares in everyday life.

 

[clegsr]

I haven't driven the ML but have just bought a 10 plate X5 3.0 M sport and love it! - funnily enough I also had problems with stone chips after 3,000 miles and a long trip up to the Outer Hebrides on rubbish roads didn't go well with the shiny painted arches and sills...

But when I complained to BMW they agreed to pay to respray the sills and rear wheel arches and I have since had some film protection put on (which they wouldn't pay for).

The stone chipping is a design fault due to the wider arches on the M- Sport which are colour coded and also stick out more (if you have 20 inch wheels).

BMW now produce a stone guard package including mud guards and paint film protection for the M- Sport to try and counter the problem.

What I do like about the X5 is the telematics - you can send an address from google maps direct to the car, and in fact you can plan a whole route with mutiple stops and specifying exactly which road you want and send to car - very slick!

 

[gkerr4]

Hmm - I'll get flamed for this but...

If you are disapointed with the BMW build then the ML (in my, (granted, limited) experience) isn't going to be please you any better!

Worse still - the residuals on the ML are awful - look at the used values! - not a patch on the X5 which is a strong re-seller.

range rover sport?

 

[bobbersmill]

Ohh thats a shame.
Clegsr is your X5 the facelifted MY10 and who is your dealer? Mine have already been painted but predictably they have gone the same way as they couldnt offer a coating. I have seen the BMW protection kit and am going to get them done and coated.
Like you I love all the tech but find the M sport suspension a little too hard, it really does throw you around on uneven roads. We have a spare set of 19s with winter tyres on (ordinary non run flats) and the ride is far nicer. I think come tyre time I may ditch the run flats.

 

[clegsr]

re the X5, I agree about the ride, I test drove the new model lexus hybrid but thought it had a worse ride than the X5.

My car is 2010 but not the facelift so probably identical to yours - I suggest you ring BMW direct on 0870 5050 195 to ask/complain about the chipping and see what they say.

My dealer was quite unhelpful, implying somehow that the chipping was my fault "where have you been driving it sir?" and couldn't believe it when BMW agreed to pay. Actualy credit to BMW they coughed up immediately so the telephone call wasn't stressfull.

I actually had the paint film put on by an independent because I didn't trust the dealer to put it on right (you need to wait a week after re-painting whereas BMW were going to do it right away), and also the independent film coverage was much better than the BMW kit.

 

[Alfie]

You need to speak to Richard. He has fairly new models of both cars.

 

[gtvlusso]

I have an old ML 270 cdi and had a new'ish X5 recently. The X5 3.0D was quick, but felt more of a road car than the ML 270 cdi which feels like more of a workhorse and useable veehicle - merc feels bigger too!

As we have small kids and dogs, I am reluctant to replace the 2002 ML.....Although am tempted by the AMG 63 version

However, wet dog, kid sick and melted boiled sweet mess does make me think it is £75k I just wasted!

 

[MarriedBlonde]

My wife has an ml320cdi sport (2007/57 model) I wanted her to get the x5 as it is faster but she is not a bm fan. Having driven both, the x5 is a little harder riding, but slightly more car like to drive. But the ML is not bad at all.

Regarding build quality ours has covered around 30K miles and it is still going strong. It's holding up well to my 3.5 year old son trying to pull the interior part. It doesn't rattle or squeak and no bits of trim have fallen off. It seems to be very well put together.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one (although I told my Mrs I wouldn't replace it with the same model ml and bought my self an e-class cab instead...)

 

[crockers]

Have you tried the lastest V6 3.0 Discovery? Gets good writeups..

 

[bobbersmill]

Have you tried the lastest V6 3.0 Discovery? Gets good writeups..

I shall have a look. I think I got a friday afternoon car as I had a few initial problems. Its been okay since but I am pretty disgusted that the wheel hubs have surface corrosion on (BMW will not entertain a claim), they have also refused to repaint the wheel arch extensions after I contacted customer service last week. Its funny how they suddenly bring out a protection pack specifically for the wheel arch extensions.