Of my car? Sure

Let's keep it classy.

 

Yes indeed.

 

MB GL550 is a V* and way nice to drive....

 

I just checked out my neighbor's GL550 and WOW. It has all the bells and whistles to make hauling efficient, and the luxury... tops BMW and Q7. I have not driven it yet. This is not as easy as I thought.

 

Dropped the top.....

Backside view

That is all anyone is going to get.

 

Really the MB GL450 would suffice as well and may fall in your budget better! Thanks for the photo and happy shopping.

 

Amazing how in the entire controlled anger script, you gents picked up on this one line and I can't seem to edit it out.

Roadsession- I managed to receive approval for long-term test drive from the dealership where we bought our Porsche and Audi. They have Q7s and traded in GLs to try out. Unfortunately, the BMWs are ******. I plan to go in person this weekend in my Porsche and stilettos then see what happens. Worst case, I find a Bimmer mom at soccer practice and offer to carpool exchange.

I know what your thinking... I drive in flats.

UPDATE: X5s must be popular. I received call backs from both dealerships apologizing for their rudeness. All 2013 & 2014s are sold out in 4 dealerships in NJ. 2015 are expected in June. The earliest model available to test drive is a 2008. Argh!

 

I guess I never mentioned which SUVs I've driven when I was looking for 3row suv's.

My $.02: The Q7 didn't really offer anything special, nothing really barked at me. Mercedes GL400 series was really nice and as another poster said, felt solid like a typical German car.

The GL was on my short list too but ultimately my wife wanted something that drove like a car which basically meant an x5 or MDX.

The couple items that also were sticking points about the GL was the actual real world fuel economies my neighbors were getting which was 12mpg around town and the problematic air ride systems, not to mention the extra weight when cornering.

If utility, luxury, premium driving experience are your priorities in that order then the GL would be a very nice option.

OTOH, if car like ride and sports handling are on top, I'd have to give it to the x5 or MDX. Fwiw, the SH-AWD is what sets this apart as Acura doesn't merely use it for inclement weather traction on this thing but actually tunes it to help you corner in spirited driving and helps the SUV turn in. It was a bit unnerving at first I must admit to feel something unnatural helping you turn in but I've quickly got used to it. I'm pretty positive that part plays a big role in its car like manners.

 

Even better excuse to do the European Delivery program should you decide to buy one. Pick it up and drive it around in Europe(including the "ring") and make a nice vacation out of it(just don't go into sone parts of Italy as the streets are too narrow for the SUV). If you want to go extra premium, commission one to be built via the BMW Individual program.

 

I can't see an X5 at all in terms of size. The kids will only get bigger and the more passengers/kids and growth means plenty of cargo space needed.

While I'd rather go European myself, the Explorer Sport I mentioned with the Eco-boost V6 also offers seatbelt airbags, a nice feature.

Sometimes dealer location (nearby or other side of town) makes a big difference for the Mom-car too.

I get it, more refined, more European, superior driving dynamics.

 

Deuuuce, it’s all good. We’re all professionals here with an expensive hobby. I can’t exactly talk shop with Park Ave or soccer moms so I turn here, the track and PCA clubs for honest feedback and education. I swap my Prada bags for a car or motorbike helmet after sending kids off to school…

I’ve passed over the Explorer twice before, opting for the Expedition for hauling and Freestyle (nicknamed hot wagon). On the next oil change, I’ll check out the Sport. I’m open to suggestions. You make a good point about outgrowing the X5, but I think the 2 youngest have 4-5 years before getting there. By then my oldest will be driving my 996. My ideal family car would be the layout and feel of the Ford Freestyle with 150 more hps. Kids easily got in and out like a car, and walked backwards to the 3rd row rather than folding and jumping over seats. When 3rd and 4th kids were born, it had no get up and go on the short ramps or getting out of a jam. I thought about supercharging to an AMG-like status, but with 98k miles it seems fruitless and silly. Hence I’m back on the market.

-Marie

 

So we drove to Baltimore for the weekend in the 911, and realized a GL would be cumbersome to drive in the city. Most photoshoots are in lower NYC and while my DD is great in the city, it takes a beating no thanks to potholes and construction sites. In this regard, I agree with your wife- handling first. 12mpg? That’s worse than my Expedition!

European Delivery sounds very romantic and crossed my mind. The first time I rode in a Porsche was in my grandfather’s 911 in Murcia, Spain. The narrow roads without traffic lights, gorgeous mountainsides that eventually opened up to views of the Mediterranean, and cruising around Marbella….I was in love. BUT that would set us back from a C4S or Turbo in the near future since our Audi is on its last legs. I enjoy not having car payments and hope to get this cash so we’ll only need to manage a Turbo. I guess we’ll have to wait until June or shop out of state... an American version of the European driving vacation.

 

This is called picking it up in the Spartanburg plant where they make the x5's and getting a tour and being able to flog it around the track before driving it back home.

 

I agree, with respect to price and size, especially in city driving. I have to look for a dealership with both 350 and 450 in stock to minimize running around. Glad you like the pic. I didn't want to dissappoint.


Sounds like you've done this before. I wonder if I can test drive their i8 on the track while there (insert evil smile). Sounds like a plan. Maybe make a vacation out of it at the OBX and get a beach house. Put it to work right away!

Thank you all for the generous feedback. Feeling confident in narrowing my choices and make this shopping efficient. Now that the sun is out, 70 degs.... time to go out for a ride

 

This is out of control. Left NJ and now in Baltimore. I had the last open appointment at a BMW dealership with the last X5 with 3rd in stock. Even arrived early. By the time I got there, the car was sold! WTH? Is this car really that good?