ps2cho

Hey guys,

I am debating between a 2003-2005 Mercedes ML320 and a 2004-2006 Lexus RX-330 for my parents to buy.
The MB is cheaper purchase price and I am extremely familiar with the chassis and drivetrain, but am also considering the RX-330 to expand my options, however I don't know too much about it. I can do basically any work on the vehicle, but I don't want serious issues as I don't have time for them and end up loaning my cars out etc.

I have no fear to buy an MB with 100k miles. Should I be concerned about the RX-330 at 100k on the odometer? Aside from normal wear&tear, brakes, timing belt etc, is there anything that is of a larger time and cost to be concerned with?

IE: Head gaskets/Trans failure rebuilds at 150k...anything major like that or are they pretty reliable if we find one with some records?

crimedog

I recently purchased a very clean 2004 RX330 with 192k on the clock. It was pretty well maintained.

I have since put 5,000 miles on it. The oil is just below the full mark, obviously it uses very little. The 3mz-fe is a great engine. I had a Solara with the closely related 1mz-fe but sold it to a friend. That car now has almost 300,000 miles on it despite being labeled a sludge engine. Regular oil changes with good oil and they last a long long time.

I have had to do a little maintenance on the RX. I changed rear and center differential fluids using Amsoil Severe Gear. The transmission was flushed just before I bought it. I changed spark plugs, valve cover gaskets, pcv valve and cleaned the MAF sensor. lt runs quite a bit better now. It had a code that indicated the catalytic converters were bad (I think that's why the guy sold it), but after this maintenance the code has gone and not come back. The pcv is a known issue on these engines and mine was definitely bad. I still need to replace the struts as they are original.

I would not be afraid of buying one with the stated miles you posted. They are just Toyota's, not some exotic Porsche, etc. The 3.3 engine is in a ton of Camry's and you know there are millions of them with a ton of miles still running around.

It is one of the quietest, nicest riding cars I have ever owned and I plan on keeping it a long time.

takeshi74

Miles are just miles. Don't assume based solely on miles. Decide based on the condition of the vehicle, how it was maintained, etc. 100K isn't anything for an RX that was properly maintained.

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

If you aren't afraid of the generation ML, don't even second guess the RX. The most serious issue I have seen is leaking steering racks, but thats it.

aachowhan

The 330 in my opinion is a bit weak on power. When I drove both I instantly like the 350 better. The engine is more lively, picks up better, and overall feels stronger. Not saying the 330 is bad, we have 2 sienna with the same 3.3 v6 which are amazing. I just feel if you have choice, get the 350. Also the 350 has a chain instead of timing belt.

numbafree

I just bought a RX330 2005 with 164k miles on it. I also do most of my own maintenance. The family I bought the car from used a mechanic, and it had a new water pump and alternator (which is why I bought it). I checked it over thoroughly after the purchase, and only the rear diff had been ignored (the diff oil was black and thin, so at least 60k miles on it).

I also have a 996, and it runs like a champ. The parts are uber expensive, but it runs great. It hasn't required any great maintenance than my japanese cars.

So 100k miles, I think that's low mileage. It's really how the previous owner(s) took care of the car and if it's been in an accident. I would have bought a lower mileage rx330, but it was too spendy for my budget.

The only thing I don't like about the car is you hafta dig deep for the second row of spark plugs.

As for power, My RX330 came with 18's, so I down sized to 17s, OEM size, and it has transformed the car. Better acceleration, better braking, easy shifting, better gas mileage. To be honest the body roll bothered me more, but nothing a thicker rear sway bar and front strut tower bar couldn't fix.

I have a couple of friends with MB SUVs and they prefer my RX330 over it for many reasons, price of parts being one of them.

good luck.

aachowhan

What did you end up replacing? I love my 350, but around corners I find my self slowing down a bit more then usual, but then again, this is my first SUV, I used to drive a Camry before. Id like to reduce some body roll as well.

fastnoypi

The W163 is a great MB...my folks have a 2001. If you are familiar with them, the build quality is excellent. Comparatively, the RX330 is nice as well and i would say the GPS is much better in the RX if it is something to add weight to your decision making and has slightly better gas milage. Good luck with your decision making.

numbafree

I replaced the 14mm rear anti sway bar with a 19mm, courtesy of ultra racing on Ebay (they are based in Malaysia), and then I decided to get a front strut tower bar for kicks.

the rear sway bar made a night n day difference for me. I did notice a little stiffening of the chassis, when I added the FSTB, but it didn't make as huge a difference as the rear sway bar.

The 17's I downsized to are 16 lbs lighter per corner, which is MAJOR, and has made the biggest difference.

brianmch

IDK if the OP ever bought, but I picked up a 2005 RX330 last year with 142K on the clock without hesitation. Price was right, body was clean enough, interior was very nice. Some deferred maintenance that resulted in the lowered price.

I bought my 1999 LS400 with 89K on it in 2005. I drove it to 212K and I'd still be driving it but I ran through some highway paint(!)