[Maverick1918]

Hello Guys,

This is my first post on the forum. Search results showed up similar posts but for different cars altogether.

So here it goes. My brother and I have been bitten by the luxury car itch since a couple of years now but could never find an opportune moment.

As of now, we have 4 cars in our garage: 2018 Hyundai Creta SX Auto, 2017 Honda City CVT ZX Auto, 2013 Maruti Swift VXI, and 2023 Maruti Wagon R AGS.

All cars are in top shape(until recently) and maintained well, being driven by us brothers our wives or the parents as needed.

Last week my brother met with a freak accident with the Honda City and luckily escaped without any injuries. The truck drive who rammed him escaped the scene before my brother could gather his senses and get out of the car.

The bonnet, radiator, bumper, fenders are all in bad shape but the engine survived. While we are awaiting the estimate for the repair, our family members have started urging us to buy a new car as they do not want to keep the first car in the family that has met with an accident.

Though the reason is strange, but this has given us an opportunity to buy a new toy. We were looking for cars in the 25L-30L range. Preferably an SUV with high safety standards for mental peace after the latest experience. Number of seats did not matter. Bells and whistles were good to have. We were mostly looking for a decent infotainment system with great music. Sunroof, cooled seats etc. were good to have but not necessary. We finally arrived at the below 2 options.

A very close friend of ours have offered up his 2014 Mercedes ML250 run 56000 kilometers and registered in a different state for a very attractive price which fits right in our budget. We have seen this car since the day it was bought and know the car's history completely. We have even driven it quite a few times ourselves and both of us think that this is a lucrative option.

On the other hand, our father has recommended us to go for the Mahindra XUV700 AX7L variant stating that a new car is more value for money in the long run.

Now both of us are torn. Honestly, we do love the XUV700 as well. However, it is getting a little tough to decide between a pre-loved Luxury SUV and a brand new Mahindra.

As of now, we are not open to any other suggestions as nothing else fits into our budget and requirements and our hearts are set on either of these.

Looking for recommendations from fellow Team-BHPians. What would you recommend is the best option?

Thank you for your help.

[GTO]

I have experience with both cars, as well as 10-year old Germans.

Go with the brand-new XUV700 simply because it is too darn competent. The petrol & diesel are both fantastic, with smooth AT gearboxes. The XUV700 also offers a good, spacious cabin, lots of features, 5-star safety and a sorted suspension.

A 10-year old ML250 / any German car will require upkeep, and some work at least once a year (twice in some years). Your bills will range between 1 - 2 lakhs per annum. As the car ages further, its reliability will drop even more. In 5 years, you will inevitably sell it off (whereas the XUV700 will give you 10 years of service).

There are many other considerations = not getting zero-dep insurance coverage for an old ML250 (you will get it for the XUV700), the stiff cost of tyres and how they will wear out quickly on the Mercedes etc. etc.

Keeping in mind the cars that you already own, the XUV700 will be a huge upgrade.

[Axe77]

Easiest suggestion ever. Brand new XUV 7OO, without a doubt - in petrol or diesel as per your preference. The ML is a really outdated car by 2023 standards of the same vehicle while the XUV is completely modern and punches well above its weight on luxury as well as performance at its price point.

In the XUV, you will have a 10 year plus hassle free car. 3 - 5 years down the line you can always opt for some other luxury vehicle new or much newer pre-owned when it comes time to replace any of the other cars - should you feel so inclined.

[100Kmphormore]

The XUV700 petrol manual (if you are open to manuals) is a lot of fun as a weekend getaway car, as the other vehicles in your garage are automatic. The engine is punchy and the car feels premium, not to forget atleast 10 years of service. The starting batch niggles have been ironed out and abirnales thread is an excellent read for any of the doubts you may have in the future. Go for it!

[IamNikhil]

You should opt for the new XUV 700, without an iota of doubt. The ML is a dated car by today's standards. Only love for owning a luxury badge should not tilt your decision in it's favour.

The XUV 700 will offer you 10+ years of service easily, while the ML in all probability has only a few years in it's kitty to serve you well without causing MAJOR dents in your pocket all the time.

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by Maverick1918

Hello Guys,

This is my first post on the forum. Search results showed up similar posts but for different cars altogether.


A very close friend of ours have offered up his 2014 Mercedes ML250 run 56000 kilometers and registered in a different state for a very attractive price which fits right in our budget. We have seen this car since the day it was bought and know the car's history completely. We have even driven it quite a few times ourselves and both of us think that this is a lucrative option.

On the other hand, our father has recommended us to go for the Mahindra XUV700 AX7L variant stating that a new car is more value for money in the long run.

Now both of us are torn. Honestly, we do love the XUV700 as well. However, it is getting a little tough to decide between a pre-loved Luxury SUV and a brand new Mahindra.

As of now, we are not open to any other suggestions as nothing else fits into our budget and requirements and our hearts are set on either of these.

Looking for recommendations from fellow Team-

Contrary to all the advice here, I would go for the Mercedes ML250. Because I always follow my heart in these matters.
Also;
1. It comes from a trusted house.
2. It fits in the budget
3. There isnt much quite like the Three Pointed Star. Its appeal is timeless.
4. The Mercedes of 10 years ago is more ‘mechanical’ and quite as competent as any more recent car and more.
5. The XUV700 is full of Electronics which I dont somehow feel comfortable with.
6. I would keep some money aside for a thorough servicing job and any parts replacements that may be required.
7. I would cultivate a friendship with an FNG and take the Merc there for its TLC rather than the Merc Dealers.

All the best.

[avira_tk]

ML 250 all the way, it's a huge step up from the XUV in terms of prestige, 56k is nothing for the proven diesel engine that should be easy to service in Mumbai. The other big expense is tyres, both use 18 inch, 255/55 vs 235/60 so the XUV tyres will cost as much.

In terms of money, around 24 lakhs all in for the Benz (OLX prices) and ~34 for XUV, that's 10 lakhs for any unforeseen expenses. The ML250 doesn't have an air suspension, a big point of failure with older luxury cars.

Point #3 of shankar.balan's is enough reason in my book.

[nova.19_exe]

The Mahindra XUV700! If you get the ML250, you have to keep aside minimum 1 Lakh per annum for services, parts and maintenance in general! The ML250 is, as you stated a 9 year old car, so it's a dated car!

Mahindra service is cheap! You can get minimum 10 years out of that XUV700!

Just go for the XUV700!!

[adi.mariner]

I might be in the minority but I voted for the MB ML250. The fact that the car is owned by your friend and you know the full history of the vehicle is a very big advantage. That being said, keep some spare cash for maintenance as the age is nearing 10 years and you might have some maintenance in the near future (suspension, engine and sprucing up the interiors).

[Tvk1991]

The biggest headache of buying a pre-owned German car is knowing the history of the car. If the car has a clean service history and you have seen it from day 1 it's a good deal.

I can see you live in Mumbai, there are lot of good 3rd party workshops who can take care of routine maintenance. If you follow the service manual and perform all the preventive maintenance you can avoid most issues.

Set aside some money for immediate service after buying the car to address any issue for trouble free ownership. Refresh the care with new infotainment system supporting Apple car play and enjoy the ownership.

ML250 does not have air suspension like ML350 I believe, so no worries on this aspect.

[supertinu]

Most have already called out the cost of ownership aspect due to maintenance etc.

Another point I want to highlight is the level of tech you get in a 2023 XUV700 vs a 10yr old merc. XUV will be leaps and bound more loaded and stay fresh for next 10 yrs. Things like ADAS, full screens, android auto etc.

[FAIAAA]

Voted for new XUV700

As GTO rightly says, cars in the 25-35 Lac price range today are all the car you need. I understand the charm and emotion of the luxury / German badges. After all, I fell for them, not once but twice. But the emotion wears of quickly and reality stares at your face everytime you drive. From modern interiors to contemporary features to powerful engines to being more abuse friendly, Indian road condition friendly suspension and tyres, pocket friendly maintenence and repairs ( should something go wrong), you are better off with the new premium offerings from mass market manufacturers. Yes they may not have the same engineering finesse and build quality as the Germans but when you consider the factors mentioned above, make an excellent, practical and a sound value proposition.

[techfreak]

Originally Posted by Maverick1918

Now both of us are torn. Honestly, we do love the XUV700 as well. However, it is getting a little tough to decide between a pre-loved Luxury SUV and a brand new Mahindra.

Absolutely No Brainer, Go for the XUV700.
The reading of which is given and explained adequately by members before me.

[udzgodfather]

The only downside for going for XUV would be the waiting times, the waiting period for delivery's are very high for XUV 700 as compared to the Merc which you can bring home tomorrow. A 10 year old car by the Indian standards is a very old car and would require you to spend too much money in timely maintenance itself which is not worth it.

[sandeepmdas]

Voted for the 700. I own the 700 and I also owned the 500 for almost 10 years, but that's not the reason for my vote.

Undoubtedly, the Mercedes holds aspirational value like no other, but it has a catch that you'll realize only when you sell the car. Imagine you're selling this ML today. Till yesterday, the public viewed you as a person who owns a Mercedes, and from tomorrow? A person who once owned a Mercedes but not anymore. I can't comment about the public perception in a huge metro like Mumbai but believe me, you'll be forced yourself to buy another premium car just to prove them that you are okay and not "broken", financially or professionally. Especially in small towns.
I wouldn't have voted for the Mahindra had the other car been a Fortuner. The Fortuner does not have this image issue, and I know people who have settled for the Legender when they can afford the GL class.