Need some ML250 advice please

[hubblemb]

So a year ago today I posted a picture of my new eclass estate and I haven't been happier

Except that the kids feel travel sick in the back and want to sit higher in the car

Fortunately I only paid a 1k deposit so am not worried about changing it already and my pcp balances to zero

So am thinking about a ML sport with premium and wondered what everyone else's experience was of the car?

Any advice welcome

 

[gIzzE]

How will that help them?
The ML wallows more and the rear seats on the W164 and W166 sit lower than the fronts.


You need to look at a late Discovery 4 for proper 'stadium' seating.
Also, a much nicer family car imho.

And residuals you can only dream of with a Merc.
I enquired about one recently as a company wagon, after a bit of discount we were looking at £32k + vat, and they said they would buy it back in 24 months for £28k.

I nearly bought an HSE back in 2011 new for £37k, but went for the E350 Estate instead, that E350 would now be worth around £14k trade in, the 2011 HSE Disco 4 would still sell for £30+.

 

[flowrider]

How about the new Land Rover Discovery Sport? A great looking 4x4 IMO and a seven seater as well. Release date is end of January 2015 and they appear to be great value.

 

[gIzzE]

Shhhh!

Don't tell everyone about the Disco Sport. I want one.

I have been doing test drive after test drive after test drive over the last few weeks looking to replace my ML.

Everything from 5 series touring, XF Sportbrake, Q5, allroad, X3, Cayenne, W166, C Estate (nice), Evoque, 2010 FFRR (lovely) and others.

The one that really surprised me was the Evoque, but a bit flash for me, so decided on a Disco Sport. Looks a bit more utilitarian but still nice and fresh.
Got to decide whether to order now or wait for the new engine.

Other option is buy one of the last facelift Freelanders for £25k and swap in 18 months for a Disco Sport when the offers kick in.

I didn't realise the last facelift for MY14 made them look so funky and sorted the interior out too, Meridian Sound system too...

I do 25k miles a year +, so going from 25mpg in a RRS to nearer 40mpg in an Evoque or FL2 is appealing.
I decided that £400 a month for a FFRR and then 25mpg doing 25k miles a year would annoy me, especially on a car that is nearly 5 years old already.

C Class is nice, but I will miss the 4x4 ride height and the way it makes you waft everywhere, hence why the Disco Sport appeals.
I was seeing 43mpg from the Evoque, it was really comfy and handled well.
Wish it was a bit quicker, but didn't feel slow.

 

[flowrider]

I have only seen the Sport in pictures and on YT but am already smitten, I will have to go for a test drive. I have been looking at Q5's, X3's, Grand Cherokee's and of course w166 ML's to replace my ML320.