X5 or ML?

[GOONERUK]

Whats better of these 2 cars? I have alway been a BM man until last week when I bought my ML320. This is a case of keeping up with the Jones unfortunatly. My neighbour(W**K*R), we had a falling out and dont speak. He bought an X5 about 6months ago, didnt think much of it really, but I bought the ML, I personally think the X5 is a fairly boring looking motor and far too common, where as the ML is a nicer looking car, far more practical(especially with the 7seater version) and less common.
Anyway please vote on your favourite.

Forgot to add, you should also think about value for money, is the X5 overated, a collegue of mine bought a 2003 X5 for £25k, the same ML would cost less than £17k and you can have 7 seats if needed, not even an option on the X5. I just chose the X5 and ML as they are both German and competitors, where as the Cheyenne is another league(price wise), maybe should have added the VW but even though its expensive, VW is the german Ford/Vauxhall

 

[BonzoDog]

Personally I like neither. The Cayenne is even worse imho. The least unacceptable is the Touraeg which I find interesting as most peopel believe that the VW emblem lowers the cachet of particular models. Most notable is the limousine. If anything I would contend that teh VW symbol has no negative impact on the Touraeg.
However I can see why the superior driving position and feeling of security is attractive plus the ability to pull a caravan I would guess is quite good.

 

[fuzzer]

x5

 

[GOONERUK]

x5

Should you be on this forum , the bmw forum is at bmwcarmagazine.com/forum

 

[BTB 500]

As the lesser of two evils, I prefer the X5 - sorry!

 

[MangoMan]

Sorry, but what is a 'X5'? I know what a 'ML' is so I voted for that......

 

[500E]

Prefer the ML, the BMW X5 is far too common - the ML is also cheaper for the same piece of kit. I wouldnt say either of the cars are ugly - they both look OK. ML55 AMG would be nice

 

[gurpz]

ML ofcourse the new ML is a peice of beuty but the new X5 just not my cup of tea really so my vote goes towards the ML

 

[A210AMG]

Hello,


When I changed my last car ( A bmw 330 convertible) I looked at X5's (and even X3's but don't see the point in the X3) and Lexus RX, VW and Jeeps.

All things considered and value for money the ML makes for a great buy. The X5's always seem to have a image with them that the other cars mentioned above don't.

I guess for a drivers car (as thats what all the magazines think BMW's are) it would be better. As I'm no stig I'm more than happy that my ML maybe a few seconds a lap slower round a track.

For our needs at the moment the ML is great,

Value per £ the ML is hard to beat at the moment, I just hope there are some nicely specced new shape ML's when I come round to changing.Then again I could like something completly different by then.


Good job we are all different

 

[janner]

X5, but I agree that the used prices are too high. I think this is because of the stupidly long waiting time on a new one.
Which ever you choose, buy a diesel in the highest spec you can find.

 

[Seamster15]

The X5 is a far better car.........

An ex ML320 Owner.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I guess for a drivers car (as thats what all the magazines think BMW's are) it would be better. As I'm no stig I'm more than happy that my ML maybe a few seconds a lap slower round a track.

Value per £ the ML is hard to beat at the moment, I just hope there are some nicely specced new shape ML's when I come round to changing.Then again I could like something completly different by then.

A210AMG is bob on IMHO.

I can see the appeal in both, and it depends what you want to use it for.

The X5 is very much an on-road tool, and so is dynamically superior - probably better quality too.

The ML is more of an old-school off-road tool, and so is better off-road - and significantly cheaper to buy like for like (assuming you're not talking latest models).

So depending upon circumstances a good case could be put forward for either car.

 

[stats007]

I think you'll find an X5 is better off-road than an ML as well.

MB made a mess of the ML and has been trying to put it right ever since it was first launched.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I think you'll find an X5 is better off-road than an ML as well.

MB made a mess of the ML and has been trying to put it right ever since it was first launched.

The ML certainly wasn't MB's finest hour!!

I based my comments on the conversations I had with the instructors during some off-road tuition at MIRA. They said the W163 ML was superb off-road, and it could tackle with relative ease obstacles that the W164 and GL find more difficult - and which other road orientated SUVs, naming the X5 and Cayenne specifically would have real problems with.

 

[GOONERUK]

I think you'll find an X5 is better off-road than an ML as well.

MB made a mess of the ML and has been trying to put it right ever since it was first launched.

As far as I know the X5 is rear wheel drive unless im mistaken, so the ML being 4x4 must be better off road...

 

[stats007]

As far as I know the X5 is rear wheel drive unless im mistaken, so the ML being 4x4 must be better off road...

Erm.. think you're mistaken .

 

[GOONERUK]

Erm.. think you're mistaken .

so an x5 is 4 wheel drive?

 

[stats007]

The ML certainly wasn't MB's finest hour!!

I based my comments on the conversations I had with the instructors during some off-road tuition at MIRA. They said the W163 ML was superb off-road, and it could tackle with relative ease obstacles that the W164 and GL find more difficult - and which other road orientated SUVs, naming the X5 and Cayenne specifically would have real problems with.

You're right the X5 has a bias towards on-road driving - but realistically you're not going to buy either SUVs as a 4x4 for farm use or regular off-road driving - there are Land Rovers or G-Wagens for that sort of thing.

The Cayenne is very impressive - and the handling quite remarkable considering it's size. Not too sure about the Transsyberia however.

 

[fuzzer]

As far as I know the X5 is rear wheel drive unless im mistaken, so the ML being 4x4 must be better off road...

no no , the x5 is 4 wheel drive.

Oh , i didnt realise we were talking about the old ML . The old ML doesnt even come close to X5.

The old ML W163 is dynamically challenged and is inherantly unstable , thus its appitite for brakes trying to keep it from toppling over. The X5 is perfectly balanced and a joy to drive. There is a very good reason why the ML is so cheap compared to the X5 and once you get inside you realise why.

The facelift in 2001/2 went some way to addressing the build quality issues with it , but it never really got good until the new model was released.

Now , there is a fair challenge. The New ML and the old X5. There is very little in it between those two , but the older model is a joke which only sold because of the mercedes badge on the front.

 

[stats007]

so an x5 is 4 wheel drive?

Give that man a :bannana: .

I believe the early cars had a 60/40 rear bias torque split - xDrive was introduced in 2004 which increased off-road performance.

My neighbour has a 4.4i V8 - very nice sound.