It's been fun, but...

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by skw

My days w/ the MDX are over. Traded it in yesterday for a '12 Mercedes ML350 BlueTec. The MDX is a wonderful vehicle and a whole different driving experience from the Mercedes, can't even compare the two as far as features goes, price tag aside. The MDX is fun and makes you want to keep driving similar to the X5 35d we also considered. In the ML you're more relaxed and just in your own world. My wife even had to comment on what you "give up" in order "to gain" in the new car. What do I mean? In the ML there's a lot of behind the scenes safety technology. It measures your body mass when you buckle the seatbelt, attention assist driver drowsiness detection, pre-safe braking, brake drying, keyless-go, interior ambient lighting, etc. But you give up what were basics in the MDX such as leather seating (comes w/ a synthetic called MB-Tex, leather is a $1600 option), xenon headlights (part of an optional lighting package), rear climate control (have to order rear heated seats). However, for our driving at the moment, the diesel is a better option. I've heard the countless stories of MB reliability which is on the total opposite of the spectrum from Honda/Acura, although our MDX was not problem free by any means. But it did start each and every morning. So we'll see how this goes for the next few years.

I'll still be here lurking contributing where possible. And if there's anyone in the Boston area looking for all season mats or a rear cargo cover, I have them in my garage. Should've taken off the trailer hitch and running boards that I put on as well but too late now.

Interesting.

The ML Bluetec is a top choice for our MDX replacement. Luckily we're not in a hurry so we can wait for the new MDX, the new XC90 and the new X5 as well. We don't need three rows so the ML will work. My wife does not want a GL, too big, she says.

But we notice that even in a new vehicle, there are a lot of compromises made coming from the Acura. And I'm not talking about features for your $$, that goes without saying. IMO, the only one that comes close to combining the features with the althletecism and the overall packaging is the current X5, and that vehicle's tech is just really abysmal. It debuted the same year as the X (2007 MY) but somehow feels even older.

The MDX is a great package. It's got a ton of space inside for not much size outside. The only gripes I've had in 5 years and 80k miles are:

1) Console bottons - just too damn many of them. Even 5 years later.
2) 5 speed auto is one ratio too short
3) Brakes - constantly require attention to combat pulsing issues, every 10k to 20k miles.

Other carpings are that the nav display is looking really old, although it works great. And I've never liked the thickness or feel of the wheel, but my wife wouldn't let me spend the $500 to swap it with the wood one, which is thicker.

The MDX has been great so far. Glad we can keep it around a while!

[DB22]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Interesting.



The MDX is a great package. It's got a ton of space inside for not much size outside. The only gripes I've had in 5 years and 80k miles are:

1) Console bottons - just too damn many of them. Even 5 years later.
2) 5 speed auto is one ratio too short
3) Brakes - constantly require attention to combat pulsing issues, every 10k to 20k miles.

Other carpings are that the nav display is looking really old, although it works great. And I've never liked the thickness or feel of the wheel, but my wife wouldn't let me spend the $500 to swap it with the wood one, which is thicker.

The MDX has been great so far. Glad we can keep it around a while!

1 buy a 12 Adv/ENT - it has even more buttons!
2 a 12 has the extra gear.
3 I have never had a problem with the brakes.
12 has the HDD Nav and screen.
12 has a thicker steering wheel.

Acura has you covered!

[sgtglok]

Originally Posted by DB22

1 buy a 12 Adv/ENT - it has even more buttons!
2 a 12 has the extra gear.
3 I have never had a problem with the brakes.
12 has the HDD Nav and screen.
12 has a thicker steering wheel.

Acura has you covered!

12 Adv without/ENV has less buttons

IMO, the only things the current MDX is missing are:

- push button start
- hands-free entry
- higher-res NAV
- higher-res backup camera (w/night vision)
- better 3rd row entry/exit w/reclining back seats and sliding 2nd row - take cues from JX35

Otherwise, it's still more technologically advanced (from 2010) compared to most current offerings in this segment.

[islandbeef]

We've been through 4 European brand cars before the MDX and we're never going back. If panache and snob appeal is your thing, go for it. Otherwise, it's not a better choice for reliability or resale value.

It's your money. Enjoy!

[cl_spdhax1]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

........
3) Brakes - constantly require attention to combat pulsing issues, every 10k to 20k miles.

Lol, I think you need to take it to another shop or stop hard braking.
Brake pulsation could be from a few things, one of the few; to include bad installation (not bedding properly, etc.). Another could be that you are (not intentional) re-bedding in them by doing hard complete stops.

Bedding in brake pads mean several hard braking at a high-speed, but not doing a complete stop. BUT, by doing a few hard braking, and a few complete stops right afterwards, you will imprint part of the pads on there--causing (uneven) pulsations/vibration on even light braking afterwards. This phenomena happens to all automobile, from cheap cars to mega-million dollars super-cars. Blah blah, anyway, if you drive like that, and I do not know personally how you drive, you need to change your habits, or this will also happen on your MB also.

But there could be also an odd problem with your former MDX. Who knows, but congrats on the new SUV--it all comes down to what you like, and best suit you and your family--not other ppl business anyway.

[delirium330]

Originally Posted by hts

Interesting. I'm a BMW guy ('03 540i M-sport), former Porsche guy (Boxster S) and former Acura guy ('97 Integra GSR).

I'm actively looking for a 7-seat SUV and have narrowed it down to either a '10/'11 Advance or '10 GL350. I've eliminated all variants of X5/Q7. At this point in my life, I'm not sure the perceived benefits of an MB outweigh those of the GL for me. One of my biggest concerns is reliability of the MB.

Good luck with yours and please post back frequently on your experiences.

mini-thread hijack, but have to shake hands with other bimmer owners right?! nice ride by the way, those e39 m sports are hard to come by these days, i've got a E46 ZHP right now and dont know if i'll ever part with it. not sure if you've driven the MDX yet, but i picked up an '10 Advance last month (love the adjustable suspension). highly recommend it over the GL (we shopped it too).

[jordon]

skw-
any updates on the ML vs the MDX? very curious to hear

[skw]

Originally Posted by jordon

skw-
any updates on the ML vs the MDX? very curious to hear

How's everyone doing? I still have this site as a saved bookmark in my phone's browser! It's been just about 7 months and 13,000 miles w/ the new truck and can now say that I'm used to it. Can't really compare the two, only thing in common is that they're both suv's. To an extent i do miss all the buttons in the MDX as certain functions it was easier to press a single key rather than go through the COMAND system. The Mercedes NAV does start up faster than Acura's, voice recognition is better, and rear view camera is also better. However, the MDX was 10x more fun to drive. Not like a sports car, but it was more agile/athletic. The MDX's engine you can put your foot into and you can feel it pulling. The ML has 455 ft/lbs of torque but you don't feel it. It just moves/pulls and you notice yourself going faster, speedometer quickly climbing, but you don't feel it. Even when coasting then getting into it a bit to pass someone, most of the time it doesn't even downshift. I'd attribute that aspect to being a diesel. Both have paddle shifters but the MDX's would actually do something. Not to say that the ML's paddles don't work, but the transmission still decides if it wants to change gears or not. As if the transmission's computer says "I know what you want to do, but I know better."

The ride is soft and almost isolated but has a heavier feel to it than the Acura. We can chaulk that up to it weighing almost 5,000 lbs and being on a truck platform as the MDX is a crossover. The Acura still gives you more in some ways for your money. The leather seats and 3 zone climate control are the 1st two things that come to mind. I have the MB-tex which is a synthetic material and w/ a 4y/o, works for now. Everything just wipes up and I no longer even worry about keys in my pocket. My preferance though at this price point would be to have leather interior but it will do for now. Something else that annoys me is w/ the sunroof, to go from tilted open to full retracted open, or vice versa, you have to close it, then press the button to open again in the other position. In the MDX, I only had to press the button once. You might think it's minor but 7 months later, it still bothers me. Another annoyance is the dealership. I like the dealer being 20mins away as the Acura one was about an hour. At Acura, I had more livelier (sp?) conversations w/ the service advisors and techs who acknowledged that I had more than just a basic understanding of my car. When I said I only wanted them to do x, y, and z, that was it, end of discussion. At Mercedes, I do enjoy basically being guaranteed a loaner each time I go in but they expect you to just hand over your keys, take their word for what needs to be done, and you come back and swipe your credit card, no questions asked. Not sure if it's just the individuals I've delt with or if it's the different clientele each brand attracts.

As for maintence, I've only had one service at 10,000 miles so far which was an oil change along w/ check this, that, and the other. They wanted almost $300 and I almost chocked. I can check my own seatbelts, door engines, and make sure my lights are all working. I changed my own oil, used a vacuum extractor through the dipstick tube. This thing takes about 9 quarts! Filter is on top of the engine so that was a plus as well. The diesel's fuel filter has to be changed every 20,000 miles so that I will be taking it in for them to do. I was quoted parts and labor $250.

Fuel prices are all over the place. In the fall, diesel was the same price as mid-grade gas, about 10 cents less than premium. Now, it all depends on the station. I have one station where today it was $4.09/gallon but another station, it is $4.55/gallon. And both are near highway off ramps. Go figure.

I should be attending the NY Auto Show at the end of this month and Acura should have the 2014 MDX there. Push button start and keyless entry w/o use the remotes buttons are two features I hope to see. On my MDX I was getting about 18mpg which I think is decent for a suv. I'm getting about 24 on the ML but that's because it's a diesel. I'd hate to see Acura tinker w/ things to get better fuel economy and sacrifice the MDX's engine response and suspension feel in the process.

[NewMDXOwner]

I have a 2005 ML350 and it's the biggest POS I have ever owned. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemies. Every week something would go wrong with it. It has stranded me on the freeway twice within a one month period. Once for a bad Crank Position Sensor and once of a lousy Alternator. A lousy Alternator, mind you. It's overcharging, so the car computer shuts down according to some twisted stupid logic by idiotic MB engineers, leaving me trying to coast from the carpool lane to the emergency lane on momentum alone!

It's not like the car was abused or anything. Spends most of its time parked inside a garage and only has 58K miles on it. What a POS! I can't say it enough.

God! I need to stay off the caffeine!

[AC_MDX]

I loved my 2005 ML 500 V8 and my 2001 ML 320, but they were a POS.. I will never buy a Mercedes again after what I learned over my 10 years experience with Mercedes.

I remember my brake pads/rotors squealing and having only an expected life of 20, 000 miles, or less, and the dealer charging $1600.00 for replacing them. All my services were between $700.00 and $1800.00.

I know the diesel engine is nice, but don't care about the cash cow treatment and the low quality part components.. But Mercedes makes a lot of profit from repairs and parts sells so it is not a surprise..

Best of luck though.. some very few people were very lucky repair wise.. but maintenance cost will always get you..

Originally Posted by NewMDXOwner

I have a 2005 ML350 and it's the biggest POS I have ever owned. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemies. Every week something would go wrong with it. It has stranded me on the freeway twice within a one month period. Once for a bad Crank Position Sensor and once of a lousy Alternator. A lousy Alternator, mind you. It's overcharging, so the car computer shuts down according to some twisted stupid logic by idiotic MB engineers, leaving me trying to coast from the carpool lane to the emergency lane on momentum alone!

It's not like the car was abused or anything. Spends most of its time parked inside a garage and only has 58K miles on it. What a POS! I can't say it enough.

God! I need to stay off the caffeine!

[TheJimbo]

Same with the last two guys. My 2008 ML350 was the biggest POS. In 15 months of ownership I had to go to the dealer 11 times for stuff to be fixed. And of those 11 times, 3 of those times required overnight stays. It got to the point that I was afraid to drive the thing in case it would just break. So I traded it for the MDX and it's been awesome. A few minor things, but no need for a single dealer visit in 9 months of ownership

[NewMDXOwner]

Originally Posted by TheJimbo

Same with the last two guys. My 2008 ML350 was the biggest POS. In 15 months of ownership I had to go to the dealer 11 times for stuff to be fixed. And of those 11 times, 3 of those times required overnight stays. It got to the point that I was afraid to drive the thing in case it would just break. So I traded it for the MDX and it's been awesome. A few minor things, but no need for a single dealer visit in 9 months of ownership

That's exactly my feeling after the engine quits on me twice within a month in the carpool lane without any warning at all! I was very lucky to escape without an accident and my carpool members are not happy!

Also, a teaspoon of water spill on the gear shift handle shorted out the gear position indicator and threw the car into "limp home mode." $800 to replace! I later found out that this failure is sort of a baptize event for most Mercedes owners with a floor shifter. Wow! German engineering indeed! Is Germany a China province now?

[tolson37]

Sounds like the real fun is about to begin. Good luck to the op.


Sent from AutoGuide.com App

[skw]

Seems like you guys have had some horrible experiences. Well I hope that these new w166's are an improvement over the previous generations.

[matt03acura]

skw, did you not need the 3rd row anymore? I appreciate the review of the ML. I will be in the market for another 3 row suv in 12 to 18 months and since the ML doesn't have a 3rd row....it is out of the running. GL way too large. Good luck with your new ride. Hope it gives you worry free time in the seat.