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Finally test drove the Mercedes SUV yesterday.

shortylickens

shortylickens

No Lifer
Utterly unimpressive experience. Why the hell do people buy these things?
It was the GL, I forget which one.

Handled like shit. Tiny little curves in the road at 40 mph flung me about the cabin. Did not move out well at all. I hope they make a model with a bigger engine. Ride was not smooth or pleasant. Didn't feel especially comfortable or roomy for a mid size "luxury" SUV. Not much storage space. Rear seats weren't at all comfortable.
I didn't bother with the features or gadgets cuz the car itself is just not nice.

Also drove a BMW X3 and X5. Was nice, felt more comfortable than their sedan but of course it wont move like a sedan, despite what the sales lady told me. X5 is a lot bigger but doesn't really have any more storage space and it moves slower too.
Apparently X6's are difficult to get hold of. I've seen one in this whole town but there are tons of X3's and X5's running around.

The 335xi twin turbo is a lovely ride but not comfortable to sit in. And I'm only 5'3". But I think I already commented on that last year.

Next week: Audi SUV's and maybe Lexus.
 
angry hampster said:
It's a status symbol and the vehicle itself has been on the market for 30+ years. You expected it to ride nicely?
Click to expand...

I M A MORAN.
:awe:

Yup, I expected a comfortable ride. Why the fuck else would they have survived for so many years? It cant possibly be their build quality or efficiency. Are you telling me assloads of people are getting these things JUST because they're expensive?
 
shortylickens said:
I M A MORAN.
:awe:

Yup, I expected a comfortable ride. Why the fuck else would they have survived for so many years? It cant possibly be their build quality or efficiency. Are you telling me assloads of people are getting these things JUST because they're expensive?
Click to expand...

You got it :awe:
 
They are SUV's...what did you expect. If you want something comfortable that handles well, get a A8, A6, Genesis, 740, 535, M5, E350, etc.
 
Driving a 2007 Explorer XLT in the Colombian mountains yesterday I feel your pain. The V6 lost more and more of the meagre Pony's it had as we climbed to over 8000ft, the slushbox constantly hunted around for a cog at 80km/h, which was hard to achieve going up steep inclines with a three ton lump of lead around you. All the time the body roll and squishy brakes constantly remind you that there is an epic battle of physics going on underneath you. It's comfortable though, if you discount the fear induced by the delay in kicking down when overtaking slow moving trucks.

SUV's are terrible machines for serious journeys and only have a few advantages in very specific circumstances.
 
I also think a lot of the mid size to full sized SUVs are targeted towards larger people.
Before my father lost weight he HATED riding in my mother's RDX.
 
Howard said:
Acura RDX: Helping fat people lose weight since 2006?
Click to expand...

Apparently... crazy parents. They just went on a spirited drive though the north Georgia mountains with some friends.

They had their RDX
The other cars:
S2000
MX-5
G37
Q5

I wonder wtf they're going to do when the retire

/Facepalm
 
Try the Lexus RX350. We have one as a loaner while Lexus ordered new rear calipers for my wife's car and we drove it up to the town of Julian on Monday. This is about an hour and a half long drive up into the local mountains climbing up to over 4000' above sea level. Ride was comfortable, vehicle handles well, is confidence inspiring, and had plenty of power to haul 4 adults.

It is kind of quirky looking but overall it's a really nice ride.
 
Yes, the Lexus RX350 will provide the cushiest ride out of all of the luxury SUVs. 5'3"? I find it hard to believe you'd feel cramped in any of these vehicles.

I''m guessing you drove a base GL b/c the GL offers V8 options up to 382hp. Not sure what size SUV you're looking for but if you're looking at the X3, you should have test driven the MB GLK. Also, Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60 T60.

I'm guessing you didn't test drive the X3 or X5 with the bigger engines b/c the X3 xDrive35i goes 0-60 in 5.6 secs and X5 xDrive50i goes 0-60 in 5.3 secs.

Something to check out is this Motortrend article - Comparison: 2009 Audi Q5 vs 2010 Lexus RX 350 vs 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 vs 2010 Volvo XC60


If you're looking at midsize - you also have the Lexus GX460, Acura MDX and Audi Q7
 
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Capt Caveman said:
Yes, the Lexus RX350 will provide the cushiest ride out of all of the luxury SUVs. 5'3"? I find it hard to believe you'd feel cramped in any of these vehicles.

I''m guessing you drove a base GL b/c the GL offers V8 options up to 382hp. Not sure what size SUV you're looking for but if you're looking at the X3, you should have test driven the MB GLK. Also, Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60 T60.

I'm guessing you didn't test drive the X3 or X5 with the bigger engines b/c the X3 xDrive35i goes 0-60 in 5.6 secs and X5 xDrive50i goes 0-60 in 5.3 secs.

Something to check out is this Motortrend article - Comparison: 2009 Audi Q5 vs 2010 Lexus RX 350 vs 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 vs 2010 Volvo XC60
Click to expand...

I have to agree with Capt. Caveman. One of the partners at my company drives a GL450 and there is PLENTY of space in that vehicle. The guy is 6'8" too and probably 260lbs. He has no problems fitting. OP, are you sure you did not drive the GLK...completely different car.
 
GLK is X3 sized is RX350 sized. I'm pretty sure you didn't drive the GL, which is larger than their ML.

Also try out the Infinity QX56. My neighbor let me drive it around the block and it's cushy as hell and quiet.
 
glk is the little one

ignore the third one

jbayabas-albums-jb-photos-picture968-glkbigger2.jpg
 
Forgot to add, if you're going to look at Audi SUVs call before you go as many places don't have Q7s or Q5s as they can't keep up with demand.
 
If you think the current GL is bad, give a first gen ML a try! There was NOTHING luxurious about it!!
 
lexus RX350 utterly rapes the mercedes GL in every single way possible. for such a "boring car", it's pretty sad.
don't bother with the volvo xc60 either.
take a look at the audi q5 or acura MDX for other alternatives.
 
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I suggest a Lexus too, also XC-90s are nice.

you might also consider something like a land cruiser (your pretty close in price to those anyway).
 
JulesMaximus said:
About as luxurious as a Ford Exploder. My Father-In-Law had one...he has a Lexus RX now. His wife drives a BMW 5 series.
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That's an insult to the Exploder.

I had one for almost 6 years. It gave me so many problems and has completely turned me off from ever owning a Mercedes again, unless I ever get so filthy rich that it could be car #10, but maybe not even then. I did love the way the V8 sounded though.
 
never been in a MB suv, but every sedan of theirs ive been in has been exactly what i expected in terms of ride and comfort.
 
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