Acure MDX or BMW X5??

[JasoninDenver]

Wifey wants a new ride and she deserves it.

We are torn between the two.

BMW pros:
High quality interior finish
Exterior styling a bit more to our liking - not very much
Performance a notch better - not very much
Wife has always dreamed of a Bimmer
Can get the exact color combo and specs we want.

BMW cons:
Ungodly price ($17K more than the Acura)
Questionable reliability

Acura pros:
Great value for the money
Great reliability

Acura cons:
A bit pedestrian exterior and interior style


If there are any owners here who can chime in with their personal experiences, i would be greatly appreciative.

[azguy]

leasing or owning I think the only way to own the BMW is too lease it, that way every scheduled service is covered and you are only out gas for the 3 or 4 years.

In the past, I even negoatiated that any tire wear was thier issue and not mine when I turned back in the Beemer.

I love the X5, mine was a 2008, gas mailage is bad, but everything is else is real, real nice

[stephentross]

I would place the BMW reliability above the Acura by a large amount,

(AS LONG AS YOU DO YOUR OWN MAINTENANCE)
I dislike BMW's Free maintenance plans. Good for the wallet, Bad for the Car.


We have looked at both of these as well. I will opt for the X5. I believe it has more of what I am looking for.

In all honesty, If you can swing it, Check out the Audi Q7.

[masterserg]

I'd say X5 if they were still made in Deutschland (or Austria or wherever they made them before) ... The US made ones ... I don't know ... My wife drives a 2011 X3 and I am not a fan.

The Accura looks and feels dull to me. No personality.

The Q7 as mentioned above is a good suggestion, though ridiculously expensive.

[Ed Rooney]

I've driven both and the MDX is the superior vehicle. Visually it's love or hate.

[onkyo]

I used to lease a 2009 X5 and now have a 2012 X5. They did some major improvements in the 2012 model year including more powerful engine (mine is 4.4 liter twin turbo), better transmission, improved nav, better gas mileage, and many other small improvement. The car is nothing short of AWESOME! I rode in a 2011 MDX and it was kind of BLAH.... no offense to MDX owners intended.

[liuk3]

I used to be a diehard BMW enthusiast. Now, the X5 is probably the only car left in the BMW lineup that I actually still like. It's a great SUV. At the end of the day, if it's what your wife dreams about...

[mfer]

Did a similiar thing a couple years ago. We picked the MDX, but I'll tell you this, the "tech package" is a waste. Don't pay for it!!!!!

I've never had a more difficult time getting my car to do what I want it too.

Drives perfect, performs well, snow is no problem, cabin controls are sub par (and the tech package makes them even worse).

[simex]

acura leather does not hold up!drives great but interior is cheap plastic.check acura forum for issues.

[KillaCam]

4.8 X5 is beastly... Agreed, acura is cheaper quality, but honda reliability nonetheless.

[drtooth73]

You have way more color combo options in the X5, and women mostly go for the "looks".
So I have narrowed it down for you: BMW.
For options, my recommendations: sports (or multi) seats, cold package, premium package and Nav. I think you can get these in the base model, but not sure, since they came up with new "packaged" X5 levels.

[GothamG8or]

Good luck whatever your decision... during the process, check out the AMEX car buying program that uses Zag. It was very helpful in price discovery & leveraging dealers against each other. It was just some good ammo that cut down some the added research for me.

http://amexnetwork.zag.com/main.html

[Wineman]

It has been a very good car. It had the usual mechanical problems, nothing out of the ordinary. I maintained it 100% at the dealer I purchased it at. At 122K miles still running strong. Overall a very good car. I agree with a few comments about the cheap interior. The "wood" is plastic and the air conditionng vent handles all broke off! I wrote a letter to Acura stating that in a "luxury" car this is a poor design (like $400 to fix some ten cent plastic parts). They compromised with me on half the cost (well out of warranty at that point). I have owned many BMWs and the MDX, while a nice riding and handling car is not a BMW. So if you want handling and a bit more exicement, go BMW. My BMWs have all been good cars, no major maintenance issues. Overall I highly recommend the MDX unless you really want BMW handling/suspension and "cachet"

[RRGHOST1]

If you buy the Honda you will always be thinking about the BMW your wife really wants !

[psv]

Lightly used and pre-loved MDX is where the smart money would go.

[Mosco]

Originally Posted by psv

Lightly used and pre-loved MDX is where the smart money would go.

x2

I drove the small-engine X5 and it was a bear, awkward and slow. Way too heavy for the motor. The big engine is good, but pricey.

My wife has a 2007 MDX as the family car, and man, I have to say, it is impressive. The SH AWD system is on-point, and fit-n-finish is no worse than Germans. It is a car that actually has equity - it's paid off, but at any moment I can get $22k-$24k for it (has some options, plus black-on-black). Only thing we'd upgrade to at this point is a nice, pre-loved Q7.

[FNFZ4]

its all about what can you live with...

BMWs are nice cars true... i had...let me count....6 of them in my life. 318ti 318i 325i 323CI M3 Z4... i think they are more durable than Benz in my experience... I have had horror experiences with Benz... Slk tranny went bad, window regulator, stereo speedometer over heating.. Clk overheating bad thermostat, AC condenser failure, electrical problems.. etc.... with BMW i had the problem of the Gas Cap and tranny on the 323CI which was a know issue.

now i have z4 and a 911... Z4 as a daily driver but i only live 3 miles from work. it has its issues but not that bad. i have a 2010 honda insight as a beater and have 30000 miles on it and nothing wrong with it... the car just wont break... it was a waste uying an extended warranty on it LOL

if you can live with the fact that German cars need more money to maintain and more TLC thengo BMW... if you want a hassle free point a to point B then Honda/acura.

but then again if we all think like that then we would buy a 10 casio dont you think? so i guess youll go with the BMW... its similar to choosing a Rolex hehehe

[moby33]

I've owned over 25 cars/SUVs in my lifetime (including an X5). Out of all those vehicles, the X5 was the ONLY one I really didn't like (almost to the point of me saying 'Hated'). BMW make AWESOME cars...they should stick with what they know. SUVs aren't their forte if you ask me.

Can't speak to the other on your list as I've never owned or driven one. Good luck.

[NiceRide]

I've had an X5M and currently an X5 50 with the 4.4 inline turbos. There's no way I'd choose an MDX over either. Disclaimer: have not driven the MDX and never intend to.

[AIKO]

Earlier this year I drove the Audi Q7, X5 (wanted to possibly support the local South Carolina economy if possible) and the MDX. The handling was best w/the Q7 but the reliability reports crossed it off my list. I liked the X5 but again I drive a fair bit and I need 100% reliability. The MDX had the best mix of everything. Almost 28k after 1 year- no issues. My one complaint is the fake wood is cheesey.

[h999r]

MDX less headache on the maintenance .. and buy another Rolex watch.

[JasoninDenver]

Wow, thanks to everyone for the fantastic replies.

I think my wife is willing to wait a couple of years if we go BMW. I prefer to buy outright unless there is a screaming finance deal like I got with my Subaru Outback.

We tend to keep our vehicle for 8-10 years, or 150K, whichever comes first so I want the next vehicle to be something we are completely content driving.

I am worried about the plasticky feel of the Acura since this is what I hate about her 4Runner and, to a lesser extent, my Outback.

I think I am going to let my wife take the reins on this decision. Like that is nothing new.

[liuk3]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

Wow, thanks to everyone for the fantastic replies.

I think my wife is willing to wait a couple of years if we go BMW. I prefer to buy outright unless there is a screaming finance deal like I got with my Subaru Outback.

We tend to keep our vehicle for 8-10 years, or 150K, whichever comes first so I want the next vehicle to be something we are completely content driving.

I am worried about the plasticky feel of the Acura since this is what I hate about her 4Runner and, to a lesser extent, my Outback.

I think I am going to let my wife take the reins on this decision. Like that is nothing new.

They say, "Happy wife, happy life." Good to get her what she wants.

I also do like BMW's 4-year 50,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty where they also pay for all needed service visits as well. Makes the ownership period during the early years hassle free.

[chaisson]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

Wow, thanks to everyone for the fantastic replies.

I think my wife is willing to wait a couple of years if we go BMW. I prefer to buy outright unless there is a screaming finance deal like I got with my Subaru Outback.

We tend to keep our vehicle for 8-10 years, or 150K, whichever comes first so I want the next vehicle to be something we are completely content driving.

I am worried about the plasticky feel of the Acura since this is what I hate about her 4Runner and, to a lesser extent, my Outback.

I think I am going to let my wife take the reins on this decision. Like that is nothing new.

Both nice, it's after the warranty period the BMW will have you on your knees.

[jhilly8982]

I have a 2010 X5, small engine and love it. MDX didn't even make the list. You will regret not getting the BMW, it is the allure of the brand.

If you are content on waiting, they are coming out with the new body style x5 in late 2013, which will be a great time to snag a deal on leftover 2012 models that dealerships are looking to get rid of.

[texex91]

Neither...one of these 2012 Supercharged instead?

[RedwinGV]

I have my bias as I owned an 01 MDX and currently own an 08.
My 01 is still with my sister with over 190k on it (first year it came out!)

IMO, these are very reliable vehicles. The BMW, not so. I could care less if it's under warranty. If it's in the shop, I can't drive it.

The MDX has a great AWD system. It is also one of the safest SUV's out there. And the interior is still nice.

But if it's the cosmetics that get you, I suspect you might be getting the BMW.

Best of luck, but the MDX is my choice.

[MrRolly]

Originally Posted by texex91

Neither...one of these 2012 Supercharged instead?

I agree, the Range Rover Sport is the best bet if its in the price range. I'd also look into a certified pre-owned X5: Warranty available, plus you won't get hit with the new car depreciation.

[Power Play]

I've owned 4 MDX's and you simply can't go wrong with them. Outstanding value and worry-free. They hold their value so well that best bet is to buy new and hold. Got to get past the, ah, uninspired styling of the current model.

Recently drove 2012 BMW X5 and it seemed like a very old-school vehicle. Design and build quality are very out-dated, especially at their crazy high prices.

Also recently drove new Benz ML 350 as potential car for the wife; VERY impressed by design, build quality, features and very competitive price. Will probably wind up in my garage later this year.

Own Audi Q7 with 70k miles; love the generous interior size and it has been surprisingly bulletproof; no service issues at all. Only real disappointment is comfort of the driver's seat.

Previously owned Range Rover; or should I say that the Rover owned me. Monthly visits to dealer for major repairs. Never again.

My absolute favorite is my new Porsche Cayenne S. Big coin but absolutely amazing vehicle, a complete joy to drive!

[cruvon]

The difference is as much as between a Rolex and Seiko, both great watches though:). Plus if you saw the prices we in Australia pay for a X5 you would rush and buy two of them!