Test drive BMW X5 xDrive 25d against Mercedes ML 250 Bluetec: Duel of diesel princes
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Test drive BMW X5 xDrive 25d against Mercedes ML 250 Bluetec: Duel of diesel princes

Test drive BMW X5 xDrive 25d against Mercedes ML 250 Bluetec: Duel of diesel princes

The large SUV models BMW X5 and Mercedes ML are also available with four-cylinder diesels under the hood. How do small bikes handle heavy equipment? How economical are they? There is only one way to understand this. I look forward to the comparative test!

If there are two least likely reasons people buy large SUVs with fuel efficient engines, it is the desire for daring cross-country treks and the desire for particularly economical travel. In fact, the problem of reducing fuel consumption and maintenance costs in a category weighing more than two tons and in the price range above 50 euros stems from the spirit of the times, not from trying to solve the problem. Some restraint actually doesn't hurt, but does it make sense?

In any case, you can hardly look for this value in the field of finance. When the BMW X5 and Mercedes ML last participated in our comparison, they were powered by 258 hp six-cylinder diesels. every. Then the X5 30d consumed 10,2 l / 100 km, which is only 0,6 liters more than the current consumption of the four-cylinder BMW X5 25d with 218 hp. In ML, the difference between the 350 Bluetec and the 250 Bluetec with 204 hp. is one liter per 100 km (10,5 versus 9,5 l / 100 km), which at current fuel prices in Germany corresponds to a saving of 1,35 euros.

With the BMW X5 25d, the advantage of lower fuel costs is 81 cents per 100 km. In both cases, this does not seem significant and is really ridiculous for cars whose depreciation due to obsolescence is estimated at 60 euros for the same mileage. But are these stories true? According to them, cars worth about 56 euros will completely lose their value after 000 kilometers.

Mercedes ML: smart infotainment control

Taking into account the configuration in Germany, the BMW X5 25d costs 3290 euros less than 30 pence; for ML the difference between ML 250 and 350 is 3808 euros. This will hurt the client's finances in the same way as the higher monthly rental payment of € 37 for ML or an increase of € 63 for fixed monthly costs for X5. So, after these detailed calculations showing that these two cars aren't that much cheaper, let's take a look at them to see if the four-cylinder SUV models are still worth the money.

Both testers accommodate passengers in large spaces, which in Mercedes are limited only by the high position of the front seats and sloping A-pillars. The BMW X5 is more dignified to ride, at least from the front, while the narrower rear seats don't wrap passengers as softly as the Mercedes rear seats. Currently, there is no infotainment system better organized than BMW iDrive - you will notice this as soon as you start wandering around the ML on-board computer or getting lost in the depths of the menus in the Comand system.

After a brief heating and ignition, the sobering fact comes that the four-cylinder units emit much sharper sounds on site than is typical for cars of this class. While the 5-liter engine in the BMW X2,1 is otherwise impressive above all with its abrupt start after a pause in the start-stop cycle, the 2,3-liter twin-turbo engine in the ML knocks noticeably across the entire rev range. The latter, however, turns out to be rather narrow, since the unit manages to drive a Mercedes, which weighs almost 3800 tons, only at high starting speeds and a large slip of the torque converter. Full power is reached at XNUMX rpm, and the phlegmatic automatic transmission shifts into the next of its seven gears.

BMW X5 is lighter and more dynamic

The BMW X5 also increases starting speed, but together with a higher 14 hp. power and 142 kg less weight has a denser eight-speed transmission. It shifts gears faster and more accurately than the seven-speed ML gearbox. The X5 is more dynamic, accelerates faster and pulls harder when overtaking – while the consumption figures are almost identical.

The lighter weight of the four-cylinder engines does not affect driving behavior and comfort. For example, the ML still easily enters corners, navigates carefully around corners, carefully manages irregularities both with and without a load, and thanks to the additional air suspension, even in Sport mode, it is better than the BMW X5 in Comfort mode. Indeed, Bavarian's adaptive dampers, made in South Carolina, respond precisely, but whether empty or loaded, they push harder through short bumps in the pavement. However, tighter basic settings guarantee more dynamic control. The X5 is faster, more accurate, and more neutral to corner, but its electromechanical power steering is sometimes overreacting. This, especially in soft comfort mode, introduces a certain disquiet in road behavior.

In general, both SUV models with clean Euro 6 four-cylinder engines are not reaching their full potential. Somehow I do not want to torment them with their full carrying capacity or maximum attached load. As good as low CO values ​​look in catalogs or mass controversy2 and favorable base prices, you can easily save on the "savings" of four-cylinder engines. Because small and weak engines make big SUVs not smaller, but only weaker.

Text: Sebastian RenzPhoto: Hans-Dieter Zeifert

CONCLUSION

1.BMW X5 xDrive 25d

501 pointsThe BMW X5, with a smoother and quieter engine, delivers victory despite more nervous handling, higher fuel consumption and a stiffer suspension.

2. Mercedes ML 250 Bluetec 4Matic491 pointsWith neat handling, generous space and a comfortable suspension, the ML convincingly plays the role of a large SUV model despite its slightly overloaded engine.

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