In a high speed rally the ML obviously outclasses the G-wagen. The G has never done well in racing to my knowledge. Rally races favor cars like the ML and X5 for thier indepenent suspensions. For the same reason I take a Porsche to the racetrack, and it kills similarly set-up live rear axle Mustangs. Speed favors that type of arrangement. It engenders stability.
For the type of off-roading I like to do, the G is a far better platform to operate from. The articulation of the coil sprung live axles keeps it from rolling over. That of course in conjunction with a low center of gravity which I am sure the ML shares.
The same feature that makes the G great at rock crawling kills it on a bumpy high speed corner. A rutted corner clearly favors four wheels moving quickly and independently. The G hits the ruts and transfers the forces to the opposite side via the solid axles. This is bound to upset the balance and cause a rollover.
I would love to see an ML show up at a G gathering, be it Colorado or Utah, for some rock crawling. I would particularly like to see an ML show up with a fearless driver so that we could see the differences. Maybe I have underestimated the prowess of the ML but, I would suggest for sure that, you have underestimated the capabilities of the G in extreme manuvers
