Article Comments - 2009 Lexus RX400h vs. Mercedes-Benz ML320 Bluetech

48 messages, Last post on Jul 23, 2009 at 8:23 AM

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What is this discussion about? Lexus RX 400h, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Car Comparisons, Diesel, Hybrid Cars, SUV

Diesel Vs. Hybrid: We Debate Two Technologies - For most of our test, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Bluetec led the Lexus in our comparison. (more)

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#33 of 48 Re: Reality check re: mpg [gyrusx] by cumminsdiesel Jan 15, 2009 (12:56 pm)
Replying to: gyrusx (Jan 13, 2009 11:14 am) Hm, I had a 2005 ML350 a couple of years back. Granted, I leased it for only a year, still no complaints on my part in terms of mechanical performance. P.S. Getting stuck in 3 inches of snow takes a good effort, ain't it? I used to have a pre-owned front-wheel drive Toyota Corolla with measly 14" wheels, and I sometimes had troubles getting up my icy hill (north-western NJ), but I don't ever recall getting stuck in three inches of snow... Maybe it is the driver, not the vehicle? Replies to this message: asa2 (Jan 29, 2009 2:26 pm) wwest (Jan 30, 2009 9:16 am) cumminsdiesel (Jan 30, 2009 6:17 pm) asa2 (Feb 01, 2009 4:08 pm) and 8 more... wwest (Jan 30, 2009 9:10 am) cumminsdiesel (Jan 30, 2009 6:09 pm)
#34 of 48 Re: Reality check re: mpg [cumminsdiesel] by asa2 Jan 29, 2009 (2:26 pm)
Replying to: cumminsdiesel (Jan 15, 2009 12:56 pm) The RX is a tin can compared to ML. My neighbor has the 07 RX and I have 08 ML. We had a bad ice/snow storm yesterday and she was ahead of me, fishtailing all over the place. I didn't even feel a thing. Also, I think it was the first time 4MATIC really had to "kick in"--When I went down a very steep hill, the car slowed itself so well without any brake, button, etc. It was absolutely amazing. The car almost seems to know what's going on around it. I was a big fan of Japanese cars when I was younger but what someone wrote sooner about Toyota/Lexus denting easily is true. Did you ever notice almost every Camry on the road has a dented in corner on it's rear bumper? It becomes amusing once become aware of it. After BMW and LandRover I am a Benz loyalist for life. Enjoy it much more than any other car I've owned. Replies to this message: wwest (Jan 30, 2009 9:16 am) cumminsdiesel (Jan 30, 2009 6:17 pm) asa2 (Feb 01, 2009 4:08 pm) wwest (Feb 02, 2009 10:44 am) and 7 more...
#35 of 48 Re: Reality check re: mpg [cumminsdiesel] by wwest Jan 30, 2009 (9:10 am)
Replying to: cumminsdiesel (Jan 15, 2009 12:56 pm) Around here 3" of snow often comes with an ICE layer underneath, pretty darn easy to get stuck. Replies to this message: cumminsdiesel (Jan 30, 2009 6:09 pm)
#36 of 48 Re: Reality check re: mpg [asa2] by wwest Jan 30, 2009 (9:16 am)
Replying to: asa2 (Jan 29, 2009 2:26 pm) "..The RX is a tin can compared to ML..." ....TIN CAN.... Sorry, but IMMHO the exact opposite is true. Granted, the ML had a STELLAR R/AWD system in comparison to the RXes F/awd system, and most probably a fully functional climate control system, but by ALL other measures the RX series is OUTSTANDING in comparison. Replies to this message: cumminsdiesel (Jan 30, 2009 6:17 pm) asa2 (Feb 01, 2009 4:08 pm) wwest (Feb 02, 2009 10:44 am) gagrice (Feb 02, 2009 12:14 pm) asa2 (Feb 03, 2009 5:17 am) and 5 more...
#37 of 48 Re: Reality check re: mpg [wwest] by cumminsdiesel Jan 30, 2009 (6:09 pm)
Replying to: wwest (Jan 30, 2009 9:10 am) "Often" is not "always." The original posting did not mention anything about ice, just three inches of snow.
#38 of 48 Re: Reality check re: mpg [wwest] by cumminsdiesel Jan 30, 2009 (6:17 pm)
Replying to: wwest (Jan 30, 2009 9:16 am) Alas, Lexus being better than a Benz - is a matter of opinion. The facts (i.e. lightweight construction, thinner sheetmetal and glass, cheezier plastics inside) all point to a lousier vehicle in the Asian camp, which is confirmed by its lower price (you know - you get what you pay for ) As a sidenote: my wife used to drive a Honda Civic. Three years into the ownership she had nearly half-a-dozen "stars" on the windshield, small dents all over, hairline scratches on the paint right under the doorhandles... In addition, she slid off the road once and scratched the paint on the right fender. Three days... Let me repeat this: Three days later there was rust on the damaged sheetmetal. Three days! Traded that piece of crap in a little over a year ago and got a Jeep Liberty instead.
#39 of 48 Re: Reality check re: mpg [wwest] by asa2 Feb 01, 2009 (4:08 pm)
Replying to: wwest (Jan 30, 2009 9:16 am) Everyone is entitled to an opinion. There is no way anyone is going to convince me a Lexus/Infiniti/Acura or any of the "pay for the badge but it's really a Toyota/Nissan/Honda" cars are built as solidly as a Benz. Just the weight and solid feel of something as simple as closing the doors vs. the RX is all telling. The RX has a plastic looking interior, is not as comfortable and for all intent and purpose does not perform as well as 4MATIC in ice/snow. I will say that it's cheaper to own and Japanese do have something to be said for them as to maintenance factors, but other than that, it's pretty moot. A Benz is just about the most solid car out there IMHO. I mean come on, do you really think someone would choose an RX over an ML for any reason other than cost? Replies to this message: wwest (Feb 02, 2009 10:44 am) gagrice (Feb 02, 2009 12:14 pm) asa2 (Feb 03, 2009 5:17 am) kurtamaxxxguy (Mar 04, 2009 1:10 pm) and 4 more...
#40 of 48 Re: Reality check re: mpg [asa2] by wwest Feb 02, 2009 (10:44 am)
Replying to: asa2 (Feb 01, 2009 4:08 pm) '..choose an RX over an ML for any reason other than cost...? Well, yes, let's start with the absolute arrogance (unwarranted arrogance) of the salespersons and dealership management. "plastic looking interior" Yes, the wood grain (and virtially everything else) in the RX is so perfectly fitted/finished/polished it makes it look plasticky. A few "natural" flaws here and there in the wood would actually help. The addition of brushed aluminum panels in the later models didn't help. Even though the Benz has a much better "base" AWD system, R/awd(*) system, and a fully functional defrost/defog/demist system, I would probably still pay a preminum for the new 2010 RX350 or even the Acura RDX (SH-AWD) over the ML. * R/awd not R/AWD since TC braking and engine dethrottling is used to enforce awd functionality, a poor second (third, fourth..??) design choice. Does the ML yet have the ability to turn off TC..?? Replies to this message: gagrice (Feb 02, 2009 12:14 pm) asa2 (Feb 03, 2009 5:17 am) kurtamaxxxguy (Mar 04, 2009 1:10 pm) gagrice (Mar 04, 2009 9:25 pm) and 3 more...
#41 of 48 Re: Reality check re: mpg [wwest] by gagrice Feb 02, 2009 (12:14 pm)
Replying to: wwest (Feb 02, 2009 10:44 am) Not really sure the RX350 would be in the same class with the ML320 CDI. The RX is 900 lbs lighter and will not tow half as much as the ML. Smaller interior by a lot. I think the only reason they are compared here is for the mileage contest between the ML320 CDI and the RX400h. Which the diesel beat in a cross country matchup a few years ago. For me I could not get past the looks of the Lexus. It would be good to see an updated matchup, though again they are in an entirely different class. I find the X5 diesel a much better competitor for the ML diesel. I don't suppose you would consider the RX to be in the X5s league? I agree with asa2 on the Lexus dealers arrogance & ignorance. Another reason they are off my list. I did check out the LX470 when I bought the Sequoia. Not the brightest sales man I have come across. The LX we looked at was pearl white my favorite color. It had a blemish in the paint on the hood. The salesman said. Oh we can touch that up... We left on that note.
#42 of 48 Re: Reality check re: mpg [wwest] by asa2 Feb 03, 2009 (5:17 am)
Replying to: wwest (Feb 02, 2009 10:44 am) Are you referring to Lexus or Mercedez-Benz Dealership arrogance? I found my particular salesperson and dealership here in coastal NJ to be the most informed, respectful and truly candid folks I've ever dealt with and I've dealt with everything from Nissan as a kid out of college on up to Range Rover just before Benz. In fairness, I will note I did visit one other local dealership and I found them run of the mill-standard dealers. The guy I dealt with was and continues to be very attentive (we ran over a huge screw and needed to have tire work done). I will never go anywhere else and as a matter of fact, have referred several friends who all agree-best experience ever when buying a car. Everything was set from radio stations to phones-truly a pleasure. I can't comment on Lexus dealerships b/c I would never pay the price for a badge that says Lexus instead of Toyota. It baffles me to this day how Lexus, Infiniti and even Acura manage to get customers to pay the prices they do basically for a Toyota, Nissan or Honda. Astonishing. 08 4MATIC is the best AWD I've experienced yet as well-significantly better than both the 02 BMW X5 4.4 or 05 Range Rover HSE I leased in past. It's just a fun, very safe car to drive. But just my opinion. The odd thing is, I was never a Benz fan until we got the ML. I even chose a BMW 750 over Benz S-class back in 04-won't happen again. Especially with new designs coming from Benz. Replies to this message: kurtamaxxxguy (Mar 04, 2009 1:10 pm) gagrice (Mar 04, 2009 9:25 pm) finl0573 (Jul 21, 2009 10:39 am) and 2 more...