| MDX350 |
Hello everyone,
great forum!
I am in the market for an SUV, and have narrowed it down to the MDX or the ML320. I know there are many threads comparing the two, and lots has been written about their official pros and cons - but,
What were the reasons that YOU opted for one or the other, and are you satisfied with your decision?
I want to know what affected each individual's own decision, rather than the specs etc, which we all know. Hopefully, this will help me understand the differences better.
Thanks a lot. |
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| voltes |
| Here's what made me go with the MDX. When I checked the options for the ML320, it turns out that it will cost more than what I'm getting with the MDX. Next is the reliability. I bought tons of magazines just to check every specs and most of them mention that the ML320 has poor reliability. The folding third row is much better design. That's pretty much the major reasons. I know there's still some small ones but this is the deal breaker for us. :) |
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| msu79gt82 |
| ... to price and the fact that it is Dog Meat Ugly:rolleyes: |
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| MDXtrous |
1) MDX more roomy
2) MDX has better 3rd row design
3) MDX has better navigation (bigger 7 inch screen and DVD based)
4) ML looks more like a minivan (my brother thinks it looks like a roller skate, he got the MDX also)
5) Reliability and build problems of the ML
6) Too many MLs (at the time) on the road
7) No steering wheel controls on the ML
quote:
Originally posted by MDX350
Hello everyone,
great forum!
I am in the market for an SUV, and have narrowed it down to the MDX or the ML320. I know there are many threads comparing the two, and lots has been written about their official pros and cons - but,
What were the reasons that YOU opted for one or the other, and are you satisfied with your decision?
I want to know what affected each individual's own decision, rather than the specs etc, which we all know. Hopefully, this will help me understand the differences better.
Thanks a lot.
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| rwx |
I am sure you will see a lot positive replies for MDX from others X members here.
For me, the reasons are:
- quality (this throws out the ML320, ...)
- the 3rd row seat that can fold flat completely.
- good price given the features I want (this throws out the X5)
- uniqueness (my neighbors have all sort of BMW, Mercedes,
Lexus. I just can't stand seeing 2 X5 within 10 feets). |
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| MDXtrous |
quote:
Originally posted by rwx
- uniqueness (my neighbors have all sort of BMW, Mercedes,
Lexus. I just can't stand seeing 2 X5 within 10 feets).
Don't be surprised however, once you get the MDX, that they will pop up all over you. It happened with my brother. He got his early 2001, and now his next door neighbor has one and the neighbor accross the street. So, it's really becoming an MDX block. (Don't let them see it, or they'll fall in love with it!!!) |
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| rwx |
quote:
Originally posted by MDXtrous
Don't be surprised however, once you get the MDX, that they will pop up all over you. It happened with my brother. He got his early 2001, and now his next door neighbor has one and the neighbor accross the street. So, it's really becoming an MDX block. (Don't let them see it, or they'll fall in love with it!!!)
Oh well, this is the Bay Area so I don't expect much. Now I see 3 MDX (if not more) within 150 feets. But still better than 2 within 10 feets as I know my neighbor pretty well.
I plan to add some accessories and in no time, I will have an unique MDX again (I don't think they are on this forum, are they?). |
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| mdxxxx |
quote:
Originally posted by rwx
Oh well, this is the Bay Area so I don't expect much. Now I see 3 MDX (if not more) within 150 feets. But still better than 2 within 10 feets as I know my neighbor pretty well.
I plan to add some accessories and in no time, I will have an unique MDX again (I don't think they are on this forum, are they?).
You may have to alter your expectations. It seems the number of MDX's seem to be increasing exponentially in the Bay Area. especially the East Bay, from Richmond thru Milpitas. |
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| vip9 |
For me, it was handling.
ML felt like a tank. I actually nearly got into an accident when the steering wheel did not "return" by itself after a turn. I know a few people who swear by it. I am just not used to it.
To me, the entire ML test-drive experience can be compared to trying out a car with manual transmission for the first time in my life.
Price was not an issue (with heavy discounts on ML at the time)
Opinions on appearance are subjective.
Would love to have all the safety features of MB in my MDX, though.
Know at least 1 person who needed a safe - option on ML, n/a in the MDX. Interestingly enough, although ML is more expensive than MDX, he managed to get a lease on comparably equipped ML (+ M1 and M2 package, safe, etc...) for about $60 less a month
Dealer attitude was BETTER in MB showroom, but that is the entirely different topic |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by mdxxxx
You may have to alter your expectations. It seems the number of MDX's seem to be increasing exponentially in the Bay Area. especially the East Bay, from Richmond thru Milpitas.
You can say that again! |
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| stumpie |
| :2: ....have had an '00 ML320 for 2 yrs...time to move on...lots fit/finish break-fixes...brake job upcoming for around $1K...don't take it offroad...MDX has a much better blend of capacity, low cost upkeep and overall reliability. |
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| MrPrescott |
I never seriously considered the Mercedes, for the following reasons.
1) MDX size, width and length
2) 3rd row design
3) Styling
4) Reliability
5) Image (like uniqueness of MDX)
6) Image (not wanting Mercedes snobbery)
7) Car and Driver reviews
8) Price and Value |
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| frostyra |
| I never drove an ML, but have ridden extensively in one. The front passenger seat has ZERO lower back (lumbar) support, and it kills my back. The MDX, OTOH, has no lumbar adjustment (base model) but is very comfortable. Rear compartment room, especially width, was another deciding factor. Oh, yeah -- the sound of that VTEC engine! :2: |
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| wmquan |
When I bought my 2001 MDX, the 2000 ML320 was a close second.
What prompted the MDX decision --
Major factors:
1) More comfortable ride (subjective; the ML320 felt harsher than our old Integra and we weren't ready for another six-seven years of pounding).
2) Concerns about local MB service department support, which doesn't have a good reputation, while our local Acura dealer's service department has been excellent.
3) Concerns about M-class quality, which made (2) above harder.
4) While I felt at the time that the M-class was, overall, somewhat safer than the MDX (and I still think this way), I think the MDX is very safe (especially now that crash tests have come out). I decided that I was comfortable with the high safety level the MDX offered (even if the ML320 exceeded it somewhat), though this was one of the toughest parts of the decision.
5) Some value issues, e.g. legal foglights costing extra on the 2000 ML320 (they're now standard).
6) Ugly styling (subjective opinion).
Am I satisfied with that decision? Yes, the MDX has been very enjoyable. With my luck, I would have been one of those people with a chronically faulty 2000 ML320 that the dealership can't fix after five visits.
But all vehicle buying decisions are made at a point in time. I do understand that the 2002 ML320's ride has improved thanks to different tires. Quality has improved somewhat too. There's been a mild facelift (but it's still ugly). And it has even more great features since the 2000 (side curtain airbags, bi-xenon headlamps). Unfortunately the weight has gone up too, and I don't think the local dealerships are any better. I think the decision today would be much tougher for me if factor 1 got reduced.
As I always say, it comes down to your priorities in your vehicle purchase. Good luck! |
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