LATEST REVIEW:

I ended up selling the car after 11 months. The handling was found to be "wallowy" in Comfort Setting and bone hard in Sport. My initial review was written in "the honeymoon period"........

Also, the car exhibited too much wind noise, probably symptomatic of its size, but also I believe due to it having integral roof bars and these should be avoided where possible, in my opinion.

I 'lost my shirt' on selling it. Had to sell it private and only got £27,750 for it, lost £13,000 after 11 months and 18,000 miles, ouch!

I have ended up buying a Cayenne, despite my comments of a year ago! The Porsche Dealer I dealt with was very good, Hatrfiled, and the car is a revelation. It has PASM + Air Suspension. I cannot say what a difference the latter two things make; huge difference. The car I drove a year or so ago did not have this. I will post a more detailed reply to the Porsche section.

BELOW IS MY INITIAL REVIEW REACTION

Prior to buying this car, as always (because I'm so pedantic!), I researched all 4x4. I viewed Range Rover, Merc GL and Porsche Cayenne.

I couldn't get comfortable in the RR andthe GL was just too big and unwieldy. The Cayenne was great to drive, but a bit spa*** on kit, over-priced and Porsche Dealers are a bit too arrogant for my tastes...

The ML is a superb machine to drive and ride in. Its handling, even in "comfort mode" is astonishingly good. I specificalllyy bought a vehicle with air suspension. On Test Drive, even the Saleman remarked he had not previously recognised the difference that it makes, given that only c2% of models are specced with it.

For the past 12 years or so, I have had Audi A8, BMW 7 and two XJ's. The ML is the equal/better in terms of ride & handling. But, they can't traverse a shooting ground or be used like a van in moving loads of things!

It is superb! But, there is always a but, the fuel economy is poor. Even when driven like a hea***, I can't get it to do more than 31 mpg. That is with Shell V-Power diesel, too.

But, to get a £58K car for £41K, 9,000 mile, is still great value for money. Happy days, overall. If you're tempted, buy one; you'll feel 'a million $".