It's been fun, but...

[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.

[TheJimbo]

Post back from time to time with your impressions of the ML. I had an ML350 that I traded for the X. I initially loved the ML until all the problems started.....every month back to the dealer.

I sincerely hope this doesn't happen to you and that you enjoy your new ride. Other than reliability, I did enjoy the ML. But now I've come to enjoy the X more.

[sgtglok]

Using my best Austrian accent:

"Hasta la vista, baby!"

...and "He'll be back!"

On a serious note, enjoy your ML. It's a nice 5-seater SUV, with a status.
IMO, it's too pricey for what you get when compared to competitors, but not everything is measured in $$.

For me, the column mounted shifter was a deal breaker, otherwise may have considered GL.

[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.

[phins2rt]

Let us know what kind of mileage you get with that. Does the BlueTec still use the urea packs?

[skw]

I'll be sure to post back from time to time. As for hts: no suv/sav is going to feel like your e39 (I had a '98 5er). The MDX and X5 however will allow you to have some fun but it won't be the same. Even now, an off ramp that I could take doing about 40 in the MDX, I can't in the ML. One of the deciding factors was that I would not be driving this vehicle most of the time so the driving excitement I want will have to be saved for when i do eventually get another 5er. The GL's are being given away like hotcakes as the '13 is a totally new model and should be in showrooms in the next few months. I'm not sure of your timeframe but both the X5 and MDX are both in the final year or so of their current models.

[hts]

I haven't driven the GL350 yet, but do plan to this week/end. I'm only looking at used right now, as my budget is $40k tops. Not sure I can get there from here with the MB if I like it. As for my e39, I'm definitely keeping it (did I mention it's an '03 540iA M-sport?). ;-)

May I ask (PM me if you prefer) what sort of deal you got on your '12 GL350? Both the MDX and the GL are due for an all-new replacement in the next 9 months, so I do think there are excellent deals to be had on the last of the remaining model years, especially as the new ones start hitting the dealer lots--thanks!

[evo-r]

Diesel rocks! Luckily I get to use my wife's TDI as my commuter

[skw]

Originally Posted by phins2rt

Let us know what kind of mileage you get with that. Does the BlueTec still use the urea packs?

They call it AdBlue fluid. It's about a 7 gallon tank that lasts 10-15,000 miles. Refilling is part of the service every 10,000 miles. When you open the fuel filler door there's two caps. A green one for diesel fuel and a blue one for the AdBlue fluid. I'm not sure what the dealer charges but I'm sure it's a lot more than the $13-$15 that you can get it for at a truck stop or even a VW dealer, can't be any simpler to fill it yourself. So the question/joke of the day was, would it do the same thing if you were to just take a leak into the tank every few days?

[MnMDXDave]

Enjoy your new ride. Would love to hear your experiences. Always nice to hear about other SUVs. I have not driven the current generation ML but did like the previous model. I was a BMW guy at the time, so I never seriously considered the ML. But when I drove the ML, it was a very luxury type of experience.

[hts]

Oops--you guys are right--I am confused. SKW purchased an ML350--I've only just begun considering a used GL350 (I need 3 rows). Sorry for my worthless contributions to this thread--please disregard. :-(

[AC_MDX]

I came from 10 years owning two ML's, a 2001 ML 320 and a 2005 ML 500. I bought them brand new and put around 100k miles on each one.

They were the biggest nightmare I ever had. Love my ML's but reliability was horrible and the dealers rip their customers left and right.

Though, the diesel has a very nice engine.

I truely wish you a lot of luck.. I spent 10 years in the Mercedes forum, and in all that time there was a small handful that said they didn't have any major problems...

AC

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.

[SusnaWit]

I'll be sure to post back from time to time

[phins2rt]

Originally Posted by skw

They call it AdBlue fluid. It's about a 7 gallon tank that lasts 10-15,000 miles. Refilling is part of the service every 10,000 miles. When you open the fuel filler door there's two caps. A green one for diesel fuel and a blue one for the AdBlue fluid. I'm not sure what the dealer charges but I'm sure it's a lot more than the $13-$15 that you can get it for at a truck stop or even a VW dealer, can't be any simpler to fill it yourself. So the question/joke of the day was, would it do the same thing if you were to just take a leak into the tank every few days?

Good to know they got rid of the packs. Again, good luck with everything.

[sigp228]

Originally Posted by skw

They call it AdBlue fluid. It's about a 7 gallon tank that lasts 10-15,000 miles. Refilling is part of the service every 10,000 miles. When you open the fuel filler door there's two caps. A green one for diesel fuel and a blue one for the AdBlue fluid. I'm not sure what the dealer charges but I'm sure it's a lot more than the $13-$15 that you can get it for at a truck stop or even a VW dealer, can't be any simpler to fill it yourself. So the question/joke of the day was, would it do the same thing if you were to just take a leak into the tank every few days?

As long as you have not consumed fresh asparagus, you can pee in your tank!!! LOL