I have a question regarding SUV, particularly the Mercedes Benz ML430 and the Range Rover 4.6HSE. My wife currently has a Ford Explorer and is looking to get an ML430 or 4.6 HSE. She does not like the ride of the Explorer at all, she feels that it is very rough and hard on her back. We also have owned a GMC Jimmy and feel the same way about that truck. How is the ride on a 2000-2001 ML430 or a 98 4.6 HSE, does it feel like a truck ride or more like a car ride. I just want to make sure that I don't get another truck that is going to be bad for her back.

Thanks a lot guys

 

The ride on the Benz and Rover sucks! What year is your Explorer - 2002 or newer? Tell her that the Explorer has independent rear suspension, and that she should like it.

Just kidding - I work at Ford, and when the new IRS suspension was introduced on the Explorer, everyone around here acted like that alone was going to make it so much better than the competition. For some reason, I keep hearing that GM still has higher customer satisfaction on ride and handling (...and powertrains and stereos...) with their old live axle setups. We just can't do anything right. <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />

 

Just go buy a 2002 GMC Envoy and be happy like me, and tons of others around here

 

Can't beat the BMW X5. Very pleased with ours. IMHO, significantly better than the two SUV's you mentioned (but I am a little biased).

 

If you can get an SUV that rides better than a Lexus RX300 for the same money or less...you better get it.

 

Have you considered the new Volvo XC90? The twin turbo in line 6 puts out 270 bhp and it is based on a car platform so it might be an interesting package.....

<a href="http://www.volvoxc90.com/xc90/" target="_blank">VolvoXC 90</a>

Incidently, there is something in the marketing material which said that the car was designed principally for ladies with a ladies feedback group which met monthly over a period of 2 years to give feedback on what ladies want out of a SUV. <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />

 

I have had an Explorer, an Expedition and most recently a Land Cruiser. The Land Cruiser is the one to get. In fact I will sell you mine at the end of ths month when the lease expires. You can see it on CARS.COM, Ebay and Auto Trader in the 91356 zip code Silver Champange Pearl Metalic.

 

[quote]Originally posted by Argyle:
<strong>I have a question regarding SUV, particularly the Mercedes Benz ML430 and the Range Rover 4.6HSE.</strong><hr></blockquote>

So , So far, to answer the question based on the above :

You have the BMW X5 and Land Cruiser winning

 

[quote]Originally posted by leslie:
<strong>Have you considered the new Volvo XC90?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Leslie, I have the pre production brochure on my desk here at work and here is a quote:

[quote]by Volvo:
<strong>Because the XC90 is built on Volvo's luxury car platform, this SUV sports the handling characteristics of a premium automobile.</strong><hr></blockquote>

And it also says it has room for 7 full sizers. Hmmm...

Looks like Ford might have gotten it right after all, huh AJ?

E. J.

 

get the envoy. 270 Hp
275 lb feet.
flat torque curve
12,000 mile oil interval
quiet,
hydroformed chassis
bilten shocks
ect, ect....

SUV of the year beat Lexus(Honda), Toyota, BMW, ect.
Test drive one you'll see what I mean..

 

The hell with the dopey SUV land barge POS; get a Audi A4 or A6 Avant.

 

Ray hit's the nail on the head....

If you put the centre of gravity at chest height you have to fit concrete suspension to stop them falling over (which they still do).

Audi, Volvo, BMW or Mercedes all make perfectly good station wagons (or estate cars to us Brit's) that offer similar space, far superior handling and ride infinately better than any SUV.

 

We faced the same question this year, and we drove all the SUVs - before settling on an Audi allroad.

I'm biased, but the road manors (on and off) are impressive, the interior is industry leading (as is the overall fit-n-finish), it easily (and comfortably) fits our 3 dogs, and the exterior shape is unique (albeit bull dog ugly).

Couple of quick observations from our look-n-see:
- MB cheapo interior pieces, the exterior shape kind'a reminds me of the "Old Lady In the Shoe"
- X5 absolutely the most ridiculous boot in the industry (we could only fit one of our dogs in and that was sideways ). And the rear seat is painful to sit in for any distance.
- Rover, love the looks, hate the ride. But the new one is supposedly much better.
- Lexus/Acura not bad, but uninspiring designs, and tight feeling.
- American SUVs, no need to "Super Size", and they all drive like SUVs - albeit way better then our old Explorer.

BTW the new Volvo and VW Touraug might be worth waiting for...

 

[quote]Originally posted by E. J.:
<strong>

And it also says it has room for 7 full sizers. Hmmm...

E. J.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Well, not really. Firstly, there are 2 versions. A 5 seater or a 7 seater which are identical in external dimensions. The 7 seater just gets a third row (2 seats only) of seats. The car is 6 inches longer than an X5 and thus there is a compromise in terms of leg room in the second row to get 7 full seats in. The marketing material does acknowledge that the two third row seats are only 'perfect for 2 children under 1.6 meters in height (Five foot three)'

In terms of load space, the last row of seats fold down flush with the cargo floor and when you do that, it has about 50% more load space than an X5 but with the rear seats up, I would imagine that the load space is slightly less than an X5 (the brochures are really coy on this issue!)

However, the car is selling well even before launch with the latest issue of Autocar reporting 700 cars sold in UK. Here in Singapore, there are already 80+ bookings for a car that we will only see in November this year!

We have been looking for a while for a car that can carry 4 adults and 2 kids and have been resisting going down the MPV route. We didn't like the M-class and there wasn't anything else in the market until the XC90 popped up so we paid a deposit last week and will be getting ours in March next year.
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

 

HMMM....I sell both!...GMC Envoy, and Volvo xc 90!.......envoy is selling well, plenty of deals to be had........XC 90....not out yet, and will sell for sticker!