Teach me European Luxury SUVs ...

So I'm getting married soon and I don't think the Genesis Coupe is up for family transport duties. For the first time in my life I'm thinking about buying a new new car and something European. My wife grew up in Germany and she's a great driver and all but she thinks every driver here is as competenant as her. So I'm looking to get something really safe and a little fancy. We plan on having kids very soon and we have 2 big dogs (Golden Retrivers).

So we are looking at a car that can move everyone. I've never had a European car before so I'm completed clueless, it's quite an invest,met so I'd love to keep it as long as possible. My concerns are safety and reliability/longeivity for the most part.

We're looking at the Land Rover LR4, Benz ML / GL, and the BMW X5. And feedback or first hand experience would be great!

Doug Demuro's series of posts on owning a Range Rover with a CarMax warranty is probably all you need to know about Land Rovers: http://www.dougdemuro.com/automotive-columns/carmax/

It's not on your list, but we've been very pleased w/ our Lincoln MKC 5k miles in. I think it'd be worth cross shopping it, or it's new big brother, the one based on the edge. For us it felt, looked, and drove very comparably to the European options w/ a lower (but not low) initial price, and much less scary maintenance and repair costs anticipated down the road.

We had a ML320 (probably older than what you want) for a tow vehicle for the race boat, never give us any issues but then again we were maintenance intensive and that is contradictory to what everyone else who has owned has told us about. If I was going to do either the ML or GL today I would go with the diesel. Seem to hold up better.

I worked in Spartanburg as a Tier 1 for BMW on the X5/6. I won't own one.

Always wanted a Land Rover, but I am afraid, very afraid. The air suspension issues listed has some aftermarket solutions. Carmax is just gonna phone it in on service (worked at Carmax for 3 1/2 years through college) although their warranty will cover it. You are interested in the LR4 which is the old Discovery II updated. Not a step up in reliability.

The Audi Q5/7 and VW Teurage diesels are also good choices. Gas versions leave much to be desired.

I know you wanted European, but in this case. I would find a Toyota Land Cruiser/Lexus LX470/570. They are just as nice and infinitely more reliable. Worth knowing, I loathe Toyota and this is my recommendation.

Flight Service wrote: We had a ML320 (probably older than what you want) for a tow vehicle for the race boat, never give us any issues but then again we were maintenance intensive and that is contradictory to what everyone else who has owned has told us about. If I was going to do either the ML or GL today I would go with the diesel. Seem to hold up better. I worked in Spartanburg as a Tier 1 for BMW on the X5/6. I won't own one. Always wanted a Land Rover, but I am afraid, very afraid. The air suspension issues listed has some aftermarket solutions. Carmax is just gonna phone it in on service (worked at Carmax for 3 1/2 years through college) although their warranty will cover it. You are interested in the LR4 which is the old Discovery II updated. Not a step up in reliability. The Audi Q5/7 and VW Teurage diesels are also good choices. Gas versions leave much to be desired. I know you wanted European, but in this case. I would find a Toyota Land Cruiser/Lexus LX470/570. They are just as nice and infinitely more reliable. Worth knowing, I loathe Toyota.

This just about says it all. I do think Audi has improved some recently though.

My parents have a new X5 and except for numb steering it's very nice. Their older X3 would be my choice for a BMW driver however. If you want more of a sporty feel in your SUV you have to look elsewhere these days than BMW.

The LR4 is a completely different vehicle than the DII, not an update. I had two Discoveries and both were very reliable actually, but I do know that is not the norm.

How about a Saab 9-7x? American reliability, euro tuning on the suspension etc

I do not know how new you are looking at but when we had our third child we ended up with a used 2006 R350 and I have been pleasantly surprised at how it has behaved.

2006 was the first model year for the R class and our has the air ride in it but other than replacing the air springs and the compressor it has been only oil changes and the normal stuff.

It is at just under 130K miles now and still going strong. I do not like how mushy the brakes are but the Indi Merc guy that I had replace the air compressor said they are all like that.

As for size, I am 5 9 and can sit in the third row seats comfortably, it has a lot of room and its not a bad looking vehicle from some angles.

Cross shop a 4Runner. How big are your dogs? What about a wagon? Land rovers scare me (says the guy with a 928). A friend had a ml500. It cost a lot in upkeep. I'm on the verge of BMW fanboy but wouldn't want their SUVs. I do have a BMW wagon though.

Flight Service wrote: I know you wanted European, but in this case. I would find a Toyota Land Cruiser/Lexus LX470/570. They are just as nice and infinitely more reliable. Worth knowing, I loathe Toyota and this is my recommendation.

My friend's wife drives a 12 year old Lexus LX with ~100k miles. Not only does it look new, but the dashes are prone to cracking and Lexus proactively reached out with an offer for free replacement of the dashboard for cracking. Oh...and there is a strange lack of depreciation if you start off with one that's a couple years old.

Storz wrote: The LR4 is a completely different vehicle than the DII, not an update. I had two Discoveries and both were very reliable actually, but I do know that is not the norm.

Please update wiki.

I guess I should have pointed out that '09 X3 I referenced above was stellar in reliability, much better than any BMW they, or I, have owned. I can't remember a single failure until they traded a few months ago. And it drove like a sports car compared to the '14 3 series my dad now drives, or their new X5. I wish I had bought it, and I do not particularly like SUVs. I know you mentioned X5s, but don't discount the X3.

Storz wrote: The LR4 is a completely different vehicle than the DII, not an update. I had two Discoveries and both were very reliable actually, but I do know that is not the norm. How about a Saab 9-7x? American reliability, euro tuning on the suspension etc

A 9-7x aero is just a TBSS with nicer bumpers and interior.

Since we care here, manuals are available in the US on Porsche Cayenne, X3 and X5, depending on year and engine limitations. Don't know about X6 or the new baby Porsche.

G_Body_Man wrote:

Storz wrote: The LR4 is a completely different vehicle than the DII, not an update. I had two Discoveries and both were very reliable actually, but I do know that is not the norm. How about a Saab 9-7x? American reliability, euro tuning on the suspension etc

A 9-7x aero is just a TBSS with nicer bumpers and interior.

Exactly what makes it appealing. The non AERO 9-7x also go bigger sway bars, faster steering ratio, stiffer suspension etc vs its Trailvoy cousins.

Cayenne's are dirt cheap, but crazy expensive for maintenance.

The Audi/VW brethern (Q5/Q7 Tiguan/Toureg) seem to be the market you are shooting for.

Of course, the new Tahoe's start at $50k for a reason, they aren't exactly "bare bones" anymore and may be worth a look.

Flight Service wrote:

Storz wrote: The LR4 is a completely different vehicle than the DII, not an update. I had two Discoveries and both were very reliable actually, but I do know that is not the norm.

Please update wiki.

The LR4 is an evolution of the LR3, not the Discovery II.

I've spent a lot of time in both. The LR3/4 is heads and tails a nicer, more reliable and better vehicle than the earlier Discoveries ever were. Heres my DII and my moms LR3 out in the OBX

My vote is Tahoe with some mods

What's the hive's verdict on the Volvo XC90?

Mercedes AMG wagon.

XC90s are also good choices, especially the Yamaha V8.

A good friend of mine has the Audi Q7 diesel. He loves it. It really is nice inside and has the adaptive cruise control. He has no trouble towing a ski boat. Reports that mileage with towing is better than his Tundra got by itself. He says highway mpg's are around 28 (not towing).

racerdave600 wrote: I guess I should have pointed out that '09 X3 I referenced above was stellar in reliability, much better than any BMW they, or I, have owned.

I know a couple guys who own X3s, and as far as I know they've had real good luck with them.

G_Body_Man wrote: XC90s are also good choices, especially the Yamaha V8.

Avoid the Turbo 6, they never upgraded the tranny and it has issues. The other two are fine.

The V8 is realllll finnneeeeeeee. especially in black

stuart in mn wrote:

racerdave600 wrote: I guess I should have pointed out that '09 X3 I referenced above was stellar in reliability, much better than any BMW they, or I, have owned.

I know a couple guys who own X3s, and as far as I know they've had real good luck with them.

I had an X3 and loved it. Won't own an X5/6. Too many issues.