Mercedes was very abusive to Chrysler. Nothing good came out of that relationship. During the DaimlerChrysler era Chrysler made some of the worst cars in the past 30 years. Sebring, Avenger, Journey, Patriot, Caliber, Compass, Comander……..

Chrysler lost a lot of great engineers and cars like the Grand Cherokee and Liberty were savagely cheapened. The Pacifica was an interesting crossover concept, but it wasn’t properly executed and had lackluster powertrains. The Crossfire was based on the previous generation SLK. Right as the new one was coming out…… The LX cars were really the only good thing to come during that time. And allegedly Chrysler were already working on them in 1998, and Mercedes made them scrap all of their development and start from all over again because they want them to use Mercedes parts.

 

I’m on a road trip to Pittsburgh in my X7 and had to sit in the back seat for an hour for a work call and I have to say, it is really really comfortable back here. The back seats recline and can be moved back. Plenty of leg room and the little alcantara pillows are nice. Now I know why my kids always want to take the X7 on longer drives.

Now I’m looking at new SUVs and questioning whether we need third row seating anymore with my son driving in a year so it opens up more possibilities. Any thoughts on RR Sport, RSQ8 or GLE63 AMG?

 

Depends, are you going brand new or used? Assuming new, out of that short list the GLE63 is the least special but perhaps the most competent. The RSQ8 is actually a big softie with tons of power but the MMI interface is full of bugs to this day. The new RR Sport looks less aggressive than the old one and is quite pricey. I'd find the nicest Porsche Cayenne your money can buy, personally.

 

RSQ8 or the RR SJV is my vote.

 

Funny you say that, I was going to throw the Cayenne in there too but they start getting pricey really quick. Our weekends start to free up in March so we will have to ge test drive a bunch of cars to see what my wife likes best and see what kind of cargo room they have.

 

Best example I can think of the WK2 Grand Cherokee which was built off the ML platform...debuted after they broke up but the co development happened during their partnership.

I really liked the RR Sport I drove

 

I am looking at leasing so new. Since you are getting the RR, I am still considering getting the RR but not the V8 since it will be more than I want to spend. Do you think that the 6 is worth getting?

The one good thing I have always liked about the RR Sport is the sporty looks and the autobiography with the bigger engine in in my price range. I will have to test drive one to see how it drives. I like test driving everything but my wife absolutely hates it but the good thing with her is once she finds something she likes, she doesn’t waiver on it so it’s makes buying easier.

 

That explains your angle. The W166 ML and WK2 Grand Cherokee were essentially separated at conception. Those vehicles were only a year into development before Daimler Chrysler was sold, which is why they don't actually share any hardware. Platform specs reveal their similarities but they ended up diverging quite a bit from their origins. That vehicle remains the only co-developed vehicle they had, as everything else either used hand me down Mercedes components (LX platform, Crossfire), Mitsubishi components, or home grown pieces. The WK2 really did turn out great, but that doesn't excuse the rest of the mess.

You really picked a bunch of vehicles that don't lease well. No X5M for you? I find the ride to be too harsh but everything else about it is great, including BMW's willingness to deal. I really felt the 6-cylinder engine felt out of breath in the RR Sport and especially the full size RR. It was an automatic skip for me. I like my RRs to feel burly and the I6 just took some of the luxury away in my opinion.

 

I considered listing that too but I have heard the ride is harsh (which I actually like) but I don’t love the BMWs newer gauge cluster/screen and I’ve had two BMWs recently and feel like trying something new but who knows, I could end up in one. Bang for the buck it’s pretty good.

 

I haven't driven any of these new cars listed so I'm no help at all. Lol

But, I do like the interiors on the Range Rovers, just judging by pics I've seen.

 

I think it was an example of What could have come out of the partnership had it continued. It broke up just as we were about to see some of the benefits for Chrysler.

 

I couldn’t catch a pic but I just saw a W221 with a gaudy, large star in the middle of the grill, HOOD ORNAMENT REMOVED.

Are they serious??????

The hood ornament is the best part. Even in that crazy chase the star is PREVALENT lol. As the pursuit ends you can clearly see that glorious star on the hood as the cops finally get him spun around.

 

The merger was a good idea at the time. But unfortunately it failed. I see the rationale of Mercedes getting more exposure to cheaper made cars and those profits.

 

It was a terrible idea from the start, many people have nicknamed it the “merger of unequals”.

 

When did everyone get a letter avatar assigned under their names? Was there a software update?