Mercedes ML320 vs VW Touareg Altitude 3.0

I have personally owned and towed with both the ML320 CDi and a Touareg V6 Tdi. Both capable tow cars and in the snow, the Touareg was outstanding. Never tried the ML in any real snow but I assume it would also be great.

For refinement, stability, economy, reliability and comfort, the ML wins for me every time. I also like the 7 gears of the ML and the smart cruise control that maintains speed up and down hills (by dropping through the gears) where the Touareg used to roll
away if not manually controlled. Best solo mpg with the VW was about 36 but marginally better with the ML.

I now have an ML 420 CDi and it is the best car I've ever owned - and it is not noticeably more thirsty than the 320 (more torque, lower revs) if you find one in your price range. Test drive a 420 and you'll be sold!

I have owned a ML300CDI since March 2011.  It has now done 64,000 miles from when i bought it new and quite frankly it is the best tow car I have ever owned.

Mine is the "blue Efficiency Model" and it is very good on fuel.  I get about 34 on average solo and 24 towing a heavy Coachman 565/4.  Tyre wear is very low for a 4x4 and I got 35,000 from the 1st set and the second set are well away from needing replacement yet.  The only problem is that the tyres wear at exactly the same rate, you could not guess whether an individual tyre came from front or rear.  But of course that means that you have to buy 4 at a time!

Being a heavy 4x4 with a wheel at each corner (very short rear overhang) the waggon is incredibly stable whether towing in high winds or being passed by big HGV's. It is quite simply a beautiful tow car!

My main problem is -What do I follow it with?  The beautifully smooth V6 3 Litre engines seem to be drying up. The ML300 has been replaced by the ML250 which only has a 2.1 Litre 4 cylinder and I wont have that.  So I guess I'll stick with the ML300 unless I can find a ML350 but they are as rare as Hens Teeth!

TF

In the end I became totally frustrated by looking for a tow vehicle at least  up to a reasonable standard compared to my beloved ML300CDI. But new 3 litre examples were all far too expensive today, and alternative 2.1 & 2.2 4 cylinder models from various manufacturers could not provide the lazy torque that I wanted.

In the end, - I finally found a 2 year old ML350CDI with only 16K on the clock together with an impecable pedigree, so the search is over!

But its been bloody difficult!   Please you manufacturers, why cannot you understand that not eveyone wants Toy Engines in their cars. Highly stressed and high reving engines might deliver good BHP,  but for how long?  

Some of us want engines that deliver sheer "Grunt" at about 1,500 RPM, and will go on delivering that for year after year after year.  To tow a heavy caravan in all conditions in absolute confidence, requires a real engine not a toy, designed only  with low emmisions in mind as the sole arbiter.

TF

Sadly, my post just a few above proved innacurate. Yes the search is over but not in the way that I wanted!

After my accident to my left big toe in April the Medico's have been keeping a very close eye on me. Then about a month ago a nurse checking my pulse in my foot announced that I had an irregular heart beat, - she called a doctor and then followed a series of test culminating in an Echo Cardiopathy about two weeks ago.

The operative wouldnt say much indicating they would write to my Doctor.

I was sent a copy of the letter last week & quite frankly it scared the pants off me. I dont even want to start any long books!  It would have been the height of irresponsibility to continue the purchase of that car so I cancelled it.

I now feel totally flat. It feels like I have nothing to look forward to. they've put me on a new tablet to thin the blood but its giving me agonising night cramps in my legs & worse still thighs.  Feeling fine in myself but have lost all enthusiasm.

Have always looked forward with optimism but now??

I'm sure others have gone through this, but Ive always been so fit.

Sorry to go so far off the theme of this thread. 

TF

MERCEDES EVERY TIME 

Going against the flow of answers I have a 2011 VW Touareg and love it, I wonder if the peope who had the VW Touareg had an earier version, the later 2010 onwards are a lot better.. 

I looked at the Mercedes and the costs scared me off !

Check tyre costs (£160) , service costs (£180 not VW ), insurance etc.

I tow a Swift 645 Conquorer twin axle, no problem , autobox holds gears down hill , a person above commented it doesnt, could be because I havent got the cheap bypass electrics but have full system that integrates with the car system , car knows van is on
, different gear mapping shows van when reverse is engaged.

Anyway horse for courses not everybody is the same !