first off, mercedes-benz better company. attention detail , innovation greater bmw. mb has been avant-garde in automotive design (ie: first gasoline powered car, aerodynamic production car, direct-fuel injected car, crumple zones, abs, airbags, 3-point seatbelt, multi-link independent rear suspension, esp, 7-speed automatic, etc.) of mb's history philosophy of building cars spare no expense. when build car, built best (except hiccup years 1998-2006 [nasty reliability issues]). parents, aunts, uncles, , grandfather satifsied mercs. no major problems, über comfortable, , fun drive. suv considerations. disappointingly, x5, gl450, , regular ml 350-550 manufactured in united states. however, ml63 amg handmade in germany (affalterbach believe). far x5 least comfortable drive everyday (the suspension way hard) , interior tries hard mercedes-ish. haven't paid enough attention detail , rather spartan feel (for money). although idrive has been fixed, still hate it...