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If you compare pricing for a 2001 X5 4.4 (~$35K) and a 2001 ML430 (~$25K) with similar miles you are looking at close to a $10,000 difference.
I've said it before: I can fix a lot of sh** for $10,000.
My Mercedes experience has been good and I've owned several. My BMW experience has been awful and I've owned five.
Example: My 7 series had a seat that would 'twist' as it reclined because it had a seperate motor driving each side. Each motor was remote via cable drive.... like a speedometer cabe with a nylon square drive. The nylon cables shrunk, shortening the cable enough to pull out of the drive end. The motors were fine. Each seat had two for recline and one for headrest up/down (which broke more than once). Each cable was over $150. The repairs were $1100 and this was 10 years ago. The rear subframe mounts wore out at 60K and would allow the rear suspension to rock forward under braking: $800. The driveshaft threw a center bearing about the same time: $1500. I could go on.
My 5 series puked a manual transmission for $3500. My 3 series convertible was also a nightmare moneypit.
My dentist had a 540 that went through two engines due to porosity of the block/heads.... the first under warranty, the second at his expense.
A good friend just got rid of his 19K mile 2001 M3 Convert because it was in the shop more often than he got to use it.
Everyone has their own opinion and story, and I'm sure there are several bad Mercedes (and Porsches). The point is, I don't think the X5 is $10,000 better if all you are looking at is reliability.
Also, the ML430 is a truck, with a full frame and stout underpinnings where the X5 is car-based. Only you would know which suits your needs better.
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