Mercedes or Lexus
 

I still need more info whether or not to go ahead and order the 2010 Mercedes ML350. I read a bunch of consumer reviews online and most suggest Mercedes in general quality has gone downhill and not being reliable. Any one owns or know someone that drives a MB? Any suggestions will be great. My other possible option is the Lexus RX 350 or 450 Thanks :)

with the experience of owning a MB, i would much prefer you get a lexus...more bang for the buck...

my mb experience has been nothing but problems for the first 2 yrs to sort out all the defects.

edit: but after all the electrical problems and malfunctioning parts are replaced, the car is such a nice piece of art..:)...sexy to say the least.

Thanks for the reply, It just too bad to hear a brand like MB have problems for the money you pay for these vehicles. I do agree with you they do look sexy. I will do more research on the Lexus, if I cant find anything I just keep my BMW. I just need something more spacious and reliable as I got a new born this year. Thanks

First of all its "whether" and second of all I would prefer a Lexus too if those were my only two choices. But I kinda like the X5 more....maybe because of the look of the car and those wide motherfucking rims + tires. =)

ML 350 bluetec > lexus RX 450 hybrid... diesel is the future, hybrid is a waste of time... that motor REQUIRES premium fuel, so you really arent saving any money by having a hybrid. Lexus is always going to be more reliable than any german car, but it all depends on what you're looking for... if all you care about is reliability, Lexus is your choice... if you want to drive a MB, well then get the ML 350 bluetec

Lexus is better in terms of reliability. Personally I prefer Lexus interior as well.

The new RX350's interior is so damn ugly!!! i hate the center console (looks like the Toyota venza-> ugly as sin as well)

Have you considered the Audi Q5, and LR3 V6 as well?

Didn't the RX300/330 have oil sluding problems (same with the ES300/330) ?

rather buy a toyota camry than a lexus es, and the toyota suv than lexus rx350..

benz would be my pick

Value wise, I would probably pick the RX 350, its pretty good for it's costing you, and probably least maintenance/problems than the ML in the long run. But the RX does feel kinda boring, which is probably normal in most Lexus vehicles.

the rx300 did, because of owners who tried to stretch out their oil service intervals. if you followed the schedule, this will never happen to you.

the 330 did not have the same problem (different engine/head design).

i love the ML, but all the reliability horror stories about them.... read:

http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/mercedes-benz/m-class/

and then there is the resale value. the old ML is almost worthless on the used car market compared to when it was new. i worry that the new one won't fare any better.

ML350, cause i just love look compare to the lexus

get a lexus if u dont want ur car to fall apart and a billion electronic problems

ML, if you can afford a ML u better be able to afford the maintenance

The problem with reliability statistics is it is very much based on the model and years.

Mercedes has improved drastically ever since the current ML. The first gen was crap, but this generation is pretty good.

Lexus has "billion electronic problems" like Mercedes. All modern cars have tons of electronics in them. That's why it is very important to buy extra service / warranty since they are not standard., so you get the latest service packs and bug fixes..

rx is the boreset suv money can buy.

ML is everywhere, go for X5, or just go for fx50s beats all the the suv you mentioned for less, just as luxurious

you can't look at those old reviews of the first gen ML, the 2nd gen is a completely different animal

If you're buying a $60K SUV does it matter? I doubt you'll keep it past the first 4 years, people with that kinda money don't keep cars long. So buy whatever you like and enjoy the warranty period.

um.... what problems? :confused:

the first few years for the rx330 were not good. at some point production was shifted from japan to canada, and during that transistion there were problems. later models and then the rx350 were generally okay after that.

my mom drives a 2000 rx300, and it's only had one warranty claim since new (blown speaker). everything else has been scheduled maintenance (and one stupid mouse we won't talk about)... i'm not sure if any MB owner can match that. i know lexus is boring as hell, but it's no fun either if the car is busted and always sitting at the shop :(

you're right... there is only one review for the 2nd gen:

http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/mer...class/r122906/

it's ironic to see that that the owner used to have a lexus :rolleyes:

don't get me wrong... i think the ML looks way better than the current RX:

http://www.dragtimes.com/images/1136...z-ML63-AMG.jpg
http://www.tunedautos.com/wp-content...Lexus-RX-1.jpg

The Lexus looks like a cross between a IS250 and Pontiac Vibe? Ick. Yeah I admit I'm biased.

The 2nd gen ML is nice. Yeah, the 1st gen had a ton of electrical problems. I blame Chrysler. All of MB's cars between 1999-2007 had a ton of problems. Thank goodness they've cleaned up for 2008+.

BMW isn't bad though. How about the X6?

1st Gen ML was finalised way before Chrysler got involved. The MB problems were attributed to communication (or lack there of) between MB and its primary OE, ie Bosch.

In fact the current new gen Grand Cherokee, and ML are the only Mercedes / Chrysler offspring that shares development. They are both doing well. No 300 doesn't count because, it was Chrysler reusing previous Mercedes E class.

you're being nice... i've heard some say aztec, not vibe :o

That SUV is a ticking timebomb. My roommate had one, blew up the transmission. Look it up online, most of the early RX300s are dead in junkyards cause the transmission blew after 100K kms.

If she wants to keep it in good shape, get the tranny serviced. That includes a flush and changing the filter.

I hope you meant X5. The X6 is UGLY.

http://www.tunedautos.com/wp-content...Lexus-RX-1.jpg

That's pretty neat. We don't have those headlights here though....