| jello |
| Hello folks. I need your honest opinion/s here. I was offered a good deal for an 04 touring mdx ($300 less invoice) for my 04 ml 350. I love my truck but my family hated the trucky ride. This ML is lightyears away from the old ML models. No apparent problem as of yet on my 9 months ownership. The problems you hear were for the older model MLs. Now, since I'm opting for an 04 MDX, what will be my concerns, and I already know its tranny issues. Thanks. |
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| renov8r |
...of folks with 03 or 04 transmissions being replaced, it hardly seems widespread enough to worry about.
Heck, even the the earlier model MDXs and Pilots (with the older transmission design) only a FRACTION of owners report problems.
I have not driven an ML 350, but my coworker goes crazy when we drive together in my 03 MDX -- the MPG of his ML 500 is almost 50% worse, and the acceleration is not all that different in most situations... |
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| Northern_MDX |
ML350 beats MDX in adverse road condition, like snowy/icy days.
MDX does ride better and easier to drive
in most conditions.
ML350 is made of better materials, despite
inferior QA during assembling.
MDX will give you better re-sale value, in a few years.
MDX has bigger interior space, and better ergonomics.
Passengers in a MDX are happier.
....... |
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| Northern_MDX |
| Go for it :2: |
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| sushix |
I am not sure about ML350 but MDX can handle snow better than ML320 and X5. See the review here
quote:
The design goal was "beat winter." Thus, the MDX has a type of four-wheel drive aimed at snowy, icy roads. In a comparison test, a prototype MDX kicked the goobers out of rivals on snow and slush in the Rocky Mountains.
quote:
Mercedes-Benz ML320 and BMW X5 fell on their faces in the slick stuff. Their traction-control systems tried to halt the vehicles by applying the brakes when wheels spun, instead of keeping them going through the tough stuff. Lexus RX 300 wound up bouncing off snowbanks. The rear-wheel-drive portion of its four-wheel drive doesn't kick in until the front wheels lose traction. By then, the Lexus was irretrievably headed for the ditch.
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| JeffK |
Dear Norther MDX:
Just my $.02:
ML350 beats MDX in adverse road condition, like snowy/icy days.
Only in very, very deep snow. Once on the road, the dynamics of the MDX are far superior to the ML.
MDX does ride better and easier to drive
in most conditions.
Agree
ML350 is made of better materials, despite
inferior QA during assembling.
Have looked long and hard at both. I think the contrary is true.
MDX will give you better re-sale value, in a few years.
Agree
MDX has bigger interior space, and better ergonomics.
Agree
Passengers in a MDX are happier.
Agree
JeffK |
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| Northern_MDX |
[QUOTE]Originally posted by JeffK
Dear Norther MDX:
Just my $.02:
ML350 beats MDX in adverse road condition, like snowy/icy days.
Only in very, very deep snow. Once on the road, the dynamics of the MDX are far superior to the ML.
ML350 is made of better materials, despite
inferior QA during assembling.
Have looked long and hard at both. I think the contrary is true.
Dear JeffK, my $.02, too :)
Based on my driving experience with ML320/ML350/MDX at a ski resort, I found ML's AWD system could hold a more predictable line than MDX's "realtime 4WD", on icy or snowy (say 5-20 cm) roads. Braking is also more balanced and predictable. Overall I was more confident in the ML on those backcountry roads.
Regarding the material used, I was mainly referring to leather seats, some interior plastic components (you would be surprised how easy it is to break through, say the panel on the rear swing hatch.), brake/suspension components, (http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/show...&threadid=15772) , cheap but over-prized plastic "wood" accessories.
I think for older ML the problems are mainly poor assembling and quality control, rather than poor material.;) |
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| wmquan |
quote:
Originally posted by sushix
I am not sure about ML350 but MDX can handle snow better than ML320 and X5. See the review here
I was interested in that Healey review when it first came out in 2001, but his opinions haven't really been corroborated by other auto journalists. So I no longer place much stock in that opinion.
In Healey's reviews, he has a pattern of clearly disliking traction control systems and stability control systems.
The theory on the M-class forums is that Healey pushed an ML and an X5 too hard in some icy conditions, and their systems corrected his overaggressive driving. The MDX of that time didn't have stability control, and just let him go -- perhaps in a precarious position. Sure, he made it out okay, but it doesn't mean that he would in all circumstances.
Ironically, later MDX models added forms of stability control. They too would apply the braking that he complains so vociferously about.
Plenty of my friends have ML's and they do extremely well in snow and ice. All four wheels are being driven all the time so there's no issue of waiting for the rears to get power (when not under one of the VTM-4 scenarios that proactively send power to the rears). |
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| JL889 |
ML-Made in Tuscaloosa, AL <- I watch them go through(factory tour)
MDX-Made in Canada :) |
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