[peterg1965]

Time is approaching to change our other car, a Discovery 3. It is on a lease which ends in May and I am beginning to look at possible replacements. The current favourite is the Merc ML 280 CDI, on the basis that it has a 'one piece' tailgate. The other possibles don't; LR Disco 3, X5 and XC90. The one piece tailgate is needed because a wheelchair hoist has to be fitted in the boot space. The overridding requirement is a 'big' 4x4 as the thought of an MPV fills us with complete dread!

Anyone had any experience of the new ML?

[Oli]

I have sold a few ML's and done an offroad course in one, a great vehicle, so much better than the old one. Its a shame you cant go for the X5 3.0sd, it has the same engine as yours and is under the 4x4 tax level of 225g/km - I have one on order, an M sport 7 seater. They are a great drive, and go like stink, plus can come as a 7 seater, if specc'd - It is a complete no brainer!!! - However it has a two piece tailgate - so a no no for you. I would just be worried buying a 4x4 at the moment as they are being hit values wise, touaregs for example are dropping up to £800 a month!!!!! Saying that though you can pick up a year old touareg top of the range - £40k new for under £30k so an absolute bargain, and a single piece tailgate, lesser models are obviuosly a lot cheaper

[scotw]

Much as though I hate the damn things, if I had to have one:X5

Volvo quality is not that great (according to a friend that had one), Merc not my cup of tea and Landrover can't seem to put the (very nice looking) Disco3 together that well.

X5 3.0D it would be for me.

[peterg1965]

The VED thing isn't an issue, it will be zero rated I will also be buying at zero rated VAT so there will be something like £9-£10K off list, hopefully with a healthy discount. I would definately go for the X5 if I could but the tailgate precludes that. Also not bothered about 7 seats, I don't think we have ever used the rear two seats in the Disco. The Touareg is another contender but the ML looks better to me.

[Oli]

I think the best thing for you to do is go and borrow each one for a day, you will certainly get more for your money with the VW, but I think the Mercedes is a nicer environment to be in. Let us know how you get on

Im presuming the zero VAT thing is motibility??

[peterg1965]

Originally Posted by OliH

I think the best thing for you to do is go and borrow each one for a day, you will certainly get more for your money with the VW, but I think the Mercedes is a nicer environment to be in. Let us know how you get on

Im presuming the zero VAT thing is motibility??

Will do Oli. The zero VAT thing is applicable to any car which is adapted for a disabled person. In my case this is my son, and the Wheelchair hoist, which is bolted to the boot of the car is classified as a disabled adaption, and so qualifies. Any individual who qualifies can purchase such a car so long as it is used for the direct benefit of the disabled person (which it is in our case!) We are breaking away from the Motability deals (Disco is on Motability) as they don't offer what we want.

We love the Disco, it has been a great, if slightly fragile, car. Shame the tailgate is split, because I can get a 13% discount on a new one and the VAT off!

[RichardM]

I really like the ML, I was thinking of getting one before I decided on the 335d. I would go for the 320CDi rather than the 280CDi. If you are leasing it again there are some really good deals on the 420CDi! I was tempted, it comes with lots of extra kit as standard too.

[RichardM]

Oh and if you need more info on the ML www.mbclub.co.uk/forums is an excellent site, they are a really friendly bunch.

[peterg1965]

Originally Posted by RichardM

Oh and if you need more info on the ML www.mbclub.co.uk/forums is an excellent site, they are a really friendly bunch.

Cheers Richard

[Z4 Beemer]

I know this won't help but my money would also go on a new X5, not the M Sport as I don't think the bumpers look good entirely in body colour, but certainly with the 20" rims and Dynamic pack. Is there really no way to get the X5 modified for a hoist? Or could the Audi Q7 be an option?

[peterg1965]

Originally Posted by Z4 Beemer

I know this won't help but my money would also go on a new X5, not the M Sport as I don't think the bumpers look good entirely in body colour, but certainly with the 20" rims and Dynamic pack. Is there really no way to get the X5 modified for a hoist? Or could the Audi Q7 be an option?

Thanks Gordon, thought of the Q7, I found out the other day fom the Audi website and calling Audi UK, that they have discontinued the 3.0TDI engine and now only sell the 4.2TDI (£50K!+). I was v surprised at that. The Q7 would otherwise have been a strong contender, I particularly like it and it is a HUGE car!

Audi may well have a few 3.0TDI cars at dealers but I doubt whether they will still be around in Apr/May next year.

[harpalb]

My vote goes to the ML. I'm a little biased as I picked up a 420 CDI sport 7 weeks ago!! Much better build quality, looks good and goes like absolute stink!! It was on the current financial offer on PCP and is considerably cheaper than other cars. No one in their right mind would by a 4.0 V8 twin turbo diesel at this moment in time..... except me

Seriously thoug, if it was my my own money then it would have to be the X5 3.0sd but if on finance then the ML in any form it comes in. Go for the 420, 0-60 in 6.5 and 700nM torque. You know you want to..............

[scooba0010]

Have you spoken to bmw uk motability advisor ?? maybe they could discuss the mods you require and help come up with a suitable solution /mod .I had a x5 3.0d and couldnt fault it another site called www.x5world.com is fabulous so informative maybe if you go on there and ask what people have done or can be done ? .I had a ml 320 for 3 years and was so dissapointed with loose trim etc etc IMHO it would always be a bmw x5 ,good luck whatever you decide

[Z4 Beemer]

There you go Pete, we are all pretty much in favour of the X5 despite what you said in your original post. That'll teach you to ask for advice on here!

More importantly, as the car is for your son, what is his opinion?

[Oli]

How about a Hummer?

[scooba0010]

I have posted a thread asking our american buddies for advise with this issue .I am sure the ml is a super car but lets be honest it wont be the beast that the new e70 x5d is the new x5 would be my choice but i also have no understanding of safety issues around a wheel chair lift so please go to bmw uk they must have some advisor who would love to sort this issue and get some brownie points at a corporate level .just a thought peter you could make some big friends at mobility level at bmw gb and the plus is you have 6 months for them to come up with a solution .But what does the little man want ??? why not take him around the showrooms and let him make the decision if he want the ml its a no brainer .Best of luck

[peterg1965]

Originally Posted by harpalb

My vote goes to the ML. I'm a little biased as I picked up a 420 CDI sport 7 weeks ago!! Much better build quality, looks good and goes like absolute stink!! It was on the current financial offer on PCP and is considerably cheaper than other cars. No one in their right mind would by a 4.0 V8 twin turbo diesel at this moment in time..... except me

Seriously thoug, if it was my my own money then it would have to be the X5 3.0sd but if on finance then the ML in any form it comes in. Go for the 420, 0-60 in 6.5 and 700nM torque. You know you want to..............

I have seen the finance offer, and just wonder if it will be carried over into the next quarter. The ML280CDi Sport would be the one I would go for. My wife will drive it for the vast majority of the time, mostly around town/school runs etc, there is absolutely no reason for the bigger engined model. (I do have some concern for the environment )I have looked around on the net; what car, brokers etc and it seems that discounts on the ML range from 6% (What Car target price) to about 9% (brokers), that is quite good I think and wonder how easy it will be to get these discounts from dealers.

I agree about the X5, it has fantastic road presence and look great, I doubt it could be fitted with a boot mounted hoist because of the split tailgate though. That means it is out of the question.

Originally Posted by scooba0010

Have you spoken to bmw uk motability advisor ?? maybe they could discuss the mods you require and help come up with a suitable solution /mod .I had a x5 3.0d and couldnt fault it another site called www.x5world.com is fabulous so informative maybe if you go on there and ask what people have done or can be done ? .I had a ml 320 for 3 years and was so dissapointed with loose trim etc etc IMHO it would always be a bmw x5 ,good luck whatever you decide

Scooba, I will give that a go, but don't hold out much hope.

Originally Posted by OliH

How about a Hummer?

Good question, do they build it with a 2.0 litre TDI engine?

Originally Posted by scooba0010

I have posted a thread asking our american buddies for advise with this issue .I am sure the ml is a super car but lets be honest it wont be the beast that the new e70 x5d is the new x5 would be my choice but i also have no understanding of safety issues around a wheel chair lift so please go to bmw uk they must have some advisor who would love to sort this issue and get some brownie points at a corporate level .just a thought peter you could make some big friends at mobility level at bmw gb and the plus is you have 6 months for them to come up with a solution .But what does the little man want ??? why not take him around the showrooms and let him make the decision if he want the ml its a no brainer .Best of luck

The 'little man' tends to be swayed by dad! He likes every car we ever look at, even once prefered to be taken out in Grandad's Maestro () in preference to my Audi A4 Cab!

I went and looked at the ML and Q7 yesterday at the dealers. I was completely underwhelmed by the attention paid at both dealers in Preston. The sales people where not interested in the slightest and product knowledge was virtually non-existant - 'I've only just started' was the comment from one 20 odd year old Merc sales 'exec' !

The ML seemed well put together, unfortunately when I tried to check out the boot size the tailgate wouldnt open. 'Sorry sir the battery is flat and we cant open it because it is a sunday and no technical staff are in' I liked the ML though, but I will never buy from Merc Benz of Preston!

The Q7 is an awesome beast, probably too big but felt fantastic. The drawback is that the boot height is quite small and the sill is very high compared to the ML. The car in the showroom was a Blue 3.0TDI S Line with large smoked 20" alloys. Price £47K, but the salesman wanted to sell it to me, even after VAT removed it would have been over £40K.

Ihave to make my mind up soon as most factory orders for big 4x4s seem to be about 3-4 months. I need the car in May.

I asked about havinig a car for the day, MB said no it is not compant policy (Stratstone is the dealer) and the Audi garage said yes no problem just give us a call.

[RichardM]

Originally Posted by peterg1965

I have seen the finance offer, and just wonder if it will be carried over into the next quarter. The ML280CDi Sport would be the one I would go for. My wife will drive it for the vast majority of the time, mostly around town/school runs etc, there is absolutely no reason for the bigger engined model. (I do have some concern for the environment )

The ML280CDi and ML320CDi have the same engine, they output the same CO2 and return the same mpg, the 320 is just tuned to give an extra 34hp.

Merc dealers can be a bit hit and miss, and the aftersales service is no better in my experience!

[peterg1965]

Going to test drive the ML on Friday next week, with a view to ordering one for May delivery. Apparently delivery for factory order is about 4 months as they are made the other side of the 'pond'. I 'negotiated' a £2000 discount over the phone without trying too much at all, I consider that to be a good sign and am hopeful that I can get a further chunk off the price when I am sat opposite the dealer with my hand on my credit card!

It would be great to think that the 5.8% APR PCP finance package was still available in May, but I bet it isn't! I am very impressed with their declared Future Gauranteed values on a PCP. £22K on a £40K ML after 3 years seems pretty good to me.

I have spoken to various specialist adaption companies this week. The consensus is that the split tailgate 4x4s (X5, XC90, Disco 3) are completely unsuited to a boot mounted hoist, therefore the ML represents the best option I think. Mrs G has stated her 'bottom line' - black metallic, black interior (to hide the dog hair!), heated seats and tinted windows! Will also add running boards, to help my son get in/out of it, and parktronic (why that is not fitted as standard I do not know?)

[Z4 Beemer]

The ML is a very nice car Pete - hope it all works out. I would ask them to 'hold' the current finance deal till next May if you are ordering now. I would have thought this would be ok for them to do.

One other consideration that I don't think has been mentioned - how about the Lexus RX400h ? One sneaked up behind me in Tescos carpark this morning. I think it was in electric only mode as it was whisper quiet and frightened the bejeezus out of me when I turned round. I think they also have a one piece tailgate.

[peterg1965]

Originally Posted by Z4 Beemer

The ML is a very nice car Pete - hope it all works out. I would ask them to 'hold' the current finance deal till next May if you are ordering now. I would have thought this would be ok for them to do.

One other consideration that I don't think has been mentioned - how about the Lexus RX400h ? One sneaked up behind me in Tescos carpark this morning. I think it was in electric only mode as it was whisper quiet and frightened the bejeezus out of me when I turned round. I think they also have a one piece tailgate.

Gordon thanks. I have already asked the Merc Dealer if they could 'hold' the finance deal if I ordered now, they have said that it is not possible. They do not know what the Merc finance offers will be for the next quarter, let alone the one after that. This makes it a bit tricky; do I part with £1K as a deposit for a factory order ML and keep fingers crossed that they still have some sort of finance offer, or do I wait until May and buy a stock car which may not be to the exact spec I want. Quite frankly, buying at an inflated APR on a PCP deal makes the car too expensive in my eyes.

I did think about the Lexus, the problem is that it has a sloping rear end which impacts on the boot height and space. The nearest dealer is quite a way (Carlisle or Bolton). I keep seeing X5s and thinking what an awesome looking car it is (and 'only' Band F VED), if only it had a single piece tailgate.

[squeezebm]

Originally Posted by peterg1965

Gordon thanks. I have already asked the Merc Dealer if they could 'hold' the finance deal if I ordered now, they have said that it is not possible. They do not know what the Merc finance offers will be for the next quarter, let alone the one after that. This makes it a bit tricky; do I part with £1K as a deposit for a factory order ML and keep fingers crossed that they still have some sort of finance offer, or do I wait until May and buy a stock car which may not be to the exact spec I want. Quite frankly, buying at an inflated APR on a PCP deal makes the car too expensive in my eyes.

I did think about the Lexus, the problem is that it has a sloping rear end which impacts on the boot height and space. The nearest dealer is quite a way (Carlisle or Bolton). I keep seeing X5s and thinking what an awesome looking car it is (and 'only' Band F VED), if only it had a single piece tailgate.

Pete,i had a good look at the new ML Very nice piece of kit mate,but as has been said go and have another look at the LEXUS RX.I had one one for a while and it was really good and the customer service is as good as they say it is not available in dodgy blue 'tho