X5 vs MDX ?

[oma3710]

My wife and I decided to sell her 05 Tahoe. We are looking at the BMW x5 and Acura mdx. Both of them are 2010 and have the same options. I was wondering if you guys had any personal experience with either.

Thanks

:thu

[NYAWE60]

I am a BMW fan for life, I really mean that. But if I had to choose between both those vehicles used, I'd have to go with the MDX. The truth is Honda/Acura is just extremely reliable. The fact that you're shopping for an SUV infers that you more than likely have kids. Personally if it were my choice, Id say to myself, "if the wife and kids are out driving alone, would I want them to be in a position where the vehicle may give an issue/break down?" X5's are awesome but if I had to buy one, it'd have to be new. The Acura MDX on the other hand is practically bulletproof I have one friend that has one for a few years and another friend that actually went to one from an X5. Both guys can't stop talking about how reliable the truck is.

In the end, it's your decision. Good luck and buy whichever you feel will make you happier

[GoHawks63]

We just were in a similar position trading in my wife's 2004 Toyota Landcruiser.

We looked at an MDX and I was sure we would be buying one, but the deal breaker for her was the wood grain trim. She hated it and it ruled out that truck. Go figure.

My current daily driver is a 2012 Cadillac CTS Premium Coupe. Prior to it I owned three Acuras, a 1993 Vigor, a 2001 TL, and a 2006 RL. Generally speaking they were all very reliable cars. The RL did have issues with the electronic touch sensitive door handles that would short out if you took the car to a high pressure touch less car wash. Each door handle in the front was replaced 5 times, on EACH side. Acura has since changed their design, and the MDX doesn't have keyless entry so that wouldn't be a concern.

We ended up buying a CPO 2011 X5 Premium. My wife is pretty happy with it, but is still trying to get used to some of the features unique to BMW, like the one central lock/unlock button on the dash as opposed to a button on each door, among other things. Like I said, it's a matter of acclimation as she drove her Landcruiser for 9 years and after a while you just get comfortable with things.

I would not have considered buying used if I couldn't get a CPO or extended warranty, quite frankly that would have been the case with the Acura too, especially with the electronics in the cars today. The door handles on my RL were over $400 each, and that's just the part. It didn't include installation and then having to program them to the Body Control Module.

Having said that, from a statistical standpoint, I think the MDX will give you less issues over time, especially if you hold on to it longer. The X5 will be a bit more fun, but the MDX is pretty buttoned down for what it is. I drove a few as loaners over the years and they are nice vehicles.

I would hope that nowadays, the issues are more around annoying trips to the dealer as opposed to being stranded on the side of the road. I would hope we're well past that, but then I was spoiled by the Acuras and Toyota's over the years.

I have the same concerns with my Caddy. I made the jump to the CTS because I just loved the lines of the coupe, but I'm guarded in my expectations.

In the end I think you just need to drive both.

Good luck with your decision.

[1HOT BMR]

MDX for sure unless you are thinking Diesel which is not available from Acura. Overall reliability and lower maintenance costs after warranty are two compelling reasons to get the MDX. Buy the X5 only if you must have it for its power, driving dynamics, good looks (in your view), status symbol, or whatever other reason that is compelling enough for you to put up with a less reliable car that costs more in every department.

[oma3710]

Thanks guys. This really helped alot. Im just waiting on the Tahoe to sell.

[NRG]

For 2010 I would go for an X5. But only if it's a full CPO vehicle with 4 years warranty or more. You don't wanna end up with out of warranty BMW, especially X5, you'll go bankrupt.

[Mporcl]

Originally Posted by oma3710

My wife and I decided to sell her 05 Tahoe. We are looking at the BMW x5 and Acura mdx. Both of them are 2010 and have the same options. I was wondering if you guys had any personal experience with either.

Thanks

:thu

Mdx is a grandma wagon .. X5 hands down..

[porshah]

Interesting. I was thinking about trading my wife's 2007 MDX for new X5 3.5. The MDX has really been very reliable. Now I am leaning more towards trading my 530XI instead, and keep the MDX. The 5 is just about coming out of CPO warranty. Even though it is and has been trouble free, I cringe at the thought of having BMW out of warranty. The X5 drives so much better than the MDX.

[StephansonTieu]

Did you and your wife look into the RDX Turbo? It's actually pretty nice for the price, Interior is awesome with a lot of fun gadgets & it's a forced inducted.

But after all, it is your choice. & good luck!

[Jfpx5d]

We came out of a 2008 mdx into a 2012 x5d. Both have certain advantages. We missed our mdx at first but are now enjoying the x5 very much. Would I do it again, probably. The warranty gives us peace of mind.

[poloka]

We contemplated the MDX vs X5M. I'm a sports nut and my wife drives like she stole the car. Hard accelerations and quick breaking. Driven the MDX but once stepped into the X5M there was no turning back. Even the X5 xdrive50i was enough but I wanted the HP. Just no comparison on responsiveness. Been in an Acura TL and love how they respond but BMW puts performance first where Acura puts style.

[GoHawks63]

Originally Posted by StephansonTieu

Did you and your wife look into the RDX Turbo? It's actually pretty nice for the price, Interior is awesome with a lot of fun gadgets & it's a forced inducted.

But after all, it is your choice. & good luck!

Acura no longer offers a turbo in the RDX starting with the latest model.

[morgandc]

Drive em....it won't be a hard decision after that.

[BMW-GT]

The MDX should really be compared to the X5 35i not the 50i or the X5M. The MDX is going to be more reliable, it's fun enough to drive, & you get a lot more bang for your buck. It'll probably hold it's value better also. I've had an MDX for a few years. I have an X5 50i now and I enjoy it more but it is more expensive to upkeep. This is a BMW blog site so we are all BMW fans to some degree. Price no object and driving enjoyment-BMW, want a more economical choice, more reliable, still fun to drive-MDX.

[335i_4D]

What he said pretty much resumes it.
For myself, fun to drive + no diesel confirmed my choice.

[lttmddj7]

I have an 07 MDX with 120K on the ODO, and haven't had a single issue in the almost 6 years of driving it. I'm looking at replacing it with an x5d, solely for MPG purposes, well, and fun-to-drive as well. MDX has been great, but from a handling perspective it doesn't compare to x5. If Acura had made some kind of changes for 13, I may be looking at another MDX, but no change is expected til '14 and I don't want to wait to see what it will be.

If cargo space is a concern, the MDX is a bit larger for space behind the 2nd row. We had an x5 as a rental while in Cali, and I had a hard time getting all (4 people) luggage in the x5. Was narrower and shorter. No problem at all in the MDX.

But again, x5 definately outhandles the MDX, but long term reliability of MDX is probably better. I'm still going for the x5!

[sarends]

We owned an 02 MDX - good car. Had another 07 MDX. Liked it too. We bought MDXs only because 3rd row was larger than X5 and they were known to be reliable. Since we no longer need 3rd row, X5 came back on the radar, which we bought about 5 weeks ago. Here is a review I wrote around the time I was making the decision:


I am not new to BMWs. I have owned:
86 BMW 325IS, 87 BMW 325IS, 97 BMW M3 Coupe, 02 BMW M5 (I miss her), 92 BMW 325IS DINAN

Currently own:
95 BMW 540i 6 speed
97 BMW M3 Sedan
07 Acura MDX
12 Ford F250 Lariat Super Duty (Scorpion 6.7 Turbo Diesel)

Although the MDX is officially my wife's car, I grew tired of it - we have owned 2, they are good cars overall, but we don't really have to have the 3rd seat anymore (initially when we bought 1st MDX BMW did not have a 3rd seat option). Main reason that I wanted to trade MDX for the X5 is that I was wanting something more exciting to drive on the weekends when we are out and about as a family (four of us mostly) and in the wintertime, when we spend a fair amount of time in the mountains skiing, and I am the driver.

Step 1 - I began reading and researching the X5 XDRIVE35D, X5 XDRIVE35I, X5 XDRIVE50I and X5 M.

Being a BMW enthusiast I was attracted almost immediately to reviews and conversations in forums regarding ADAPTIVE DRIVE and the M Sport package. So, I wanted to be sure to sample these options as the different motors and option packages.

Step 2 - On to the fun! I decided to drive a few to see what they were like in real life:

2012 X5 XDRIVE35D - Very very nice car - impressed with how solid the chassis was and how well it handled and shifted. Diesel torque from stoplight to stoplight was quite nice! I did not think it was loud as some had mentioned. All around I thought - I would greatly prefer this car over our 2007 Acura MDX.

2011 X5 XDRIVE35I with adaptive drive and M Sport package. WOW! What a car!!! I preferred the N55 motor to the diesel as it was more sporty in more of the speed ranges where I like to drive. The motor and 8 speed gearbox threaded perfectly and did everything exactly how I would have hoped it would - a rarety indeed! I drove it in D and in DS and I manually shifted it - all were sublime!

Now lets talk handling! The adaptive drive is svelt and gorgeous. As big an improvement in handling as the 35D was over our MDX, the 35I with adaptive drive was an even bigger improvement over the 35D (no adaptive drive or M Sport package). I pushed the snot out of these X5s - I knew the dealer salesman personally. On a test drive I found a snaky road where I was going though it at almost open throttle where it ended with some hard braking and then a very very tight 70 degree corner taken at about 60 MPH. The 35D did pretty well in this maneuver compared to how my MDX would have. However, The 35I with adaptive drive was, well, amazing. It kept control much much better staying unbelievably flat through the corners and when braking hard. This car felt so much more in control that it felt lighter and smaller than the 35D. After this amazing experience I decided - I WILL HAVE some version of an X5 WITH ADAPTIVE DRIVE!

I ended up finding an awesome condition 2011 X5 Xdrive50i with Adaptive Drive - this car is a beast and in an entirely different league than the MDX.


After having owned the X about 5 weeks now, all I can say is "WOW!!" I am so in love with this car, already. And, I am reminded why I love BMWs so much - I have owned a 92 325IS, 87 325IS, 99 M3, 95 540i 6 speed, 02 M5 (swoon) and 97 M3 sedan

Initial Impressions of the 2011 Xdrive50i:
Motor is incredible
8 Speed tranny is awesome
Heads-Up-Display - 1st time I have had it - never be without it again!
Adaptive Drive - This car is intoxicatingly FUN - reminds me of when I would get up in the middle of the night just to go out and drive my M5. Well, it might not be THAT fun, but goodness gracious - this is a SUV!!!! And, it is a flippin rocket! And, it handles!!!
I am amazed at this car.

A rundown of what she is:
Alpine White on Oyster
Sport Package
Adaptive Drive
Matte Black Roof Rails
Running boards
19" All Seasons
Rear Seat Entertainment
Smartphone Integration
Multi Contour Seats
Heated Rear Seats
Comfort Access
Head-Up-Display
Navigation/Backup Camera Top Down View


Packages:
Technology
Premium
Premium Sound
Rear Climate
Cold Weather

Good luck on your decision!

[abee20]

@sarends
That was a very nice review. Thanks for the post.

[Homer603]

MDX for reliability. BMW for design and status.
You can't beat the additional details BMW have but service will be $$$$.

[oma3710]

Well guys like to inform you that we bought 2010 BMW x3.

[StephansonTieu]

Originally Posted by oma3710

Well guys like to inform you that we bought 2010 BMW x3.

a turn, goodluck! and enjoy the bimmer.