long term reliability: 2011 35d vs 2011 Acura MDX

[RaidersFan]

Considering a 2011 X5 w/50k on the clock, a 35d w/premium/nav/climate package. What do you think: average reliability (say $500/year in repairs above typical maintenance) or should I put away much more than that? The depreciation is already much steeper than the 2011 Acura MDX w/tech package I am considering (same cars w/same mileage at the same price), as the Acura started life as a $47k car and is selling for $31k, and the 35d as a $59k car selling for $32k. I don't want to be hit with a double whammy of extra depreciation and big repair bills.

Thoughts? I am a long time Bimmer owner, this would be my first X5, and even though I personally haven't had any maintenance issues on my 3-series, this is a whole different car. To be honest, the MDX was just as fun to drive as the X5, I prefer the styling of the X5 a bit and mileage should be better, but if it costs way more to own, then may not be worth it.

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by dawgcatching

Considering a 2011 X5 w/50k on the clock, a 35d w/premium/nav/climate package. What do you think: average reliability (say $500/year in repairs above typical maintenance) or should I put away much more than that? The depreciation is already much steeper than the 2011 Acura MDX w/tech package I am considering (same cars w/same mileage at the same price), as the Acura started life as a $47k car and is selling for $31k, and the 35d as a $59k car selling for $32k. I don't want to be hit with a double whammy of extra depreciation and big repair bills.

Thoughts? I am a long time Bimmer owner, this would be my first X5, and even though I personally haven't had any maintenance issues on my 3-series, this is a whole different car. To be honest, the MDX was just as fun to drive as the X5, I prefer the styling of the X5 a bit and mileage should be better, but if it costs way more to own, then may not be worth it.

Well, I'm not surprised the X5 has depreciated faster, it's a more expensive vehicle. The more expensive the vehicle, the faster/further they depreciate it seems. At this point I don't think the X5 will depreciate any faster than an MDX.

I don't have experience with the 35d and really haven't owned an X5 that long, but I'm certain an Acura will be more reliable (less expensive to maintain) than a BMW in the long run. I've owned both over the years and while I much prefer driving a BMW, the Acuras were always less $ to maintain. A lot less.

I guess you need to decide which is more important, potential maintenance costs vs preferred styling & gas mileage? I like both vehicles, but do agree with you the BMW styling looks better to my eyes too

[joe_planet]

either make sure your bmw is a CPO or buy an extended warranty.

I bought mine with 41k and now has 59k and i've had no less than half a dozen dealer visits lol. There was a lot of little stuff like the previous owner spilling drinks everywhere and buttons sticking, but more serious stuff as well like a couple check engine lights due to faulty vacuum controller and maf sensor. Anything that's diesel will automatically have worse than average reliability due to all the complex emissions nonsense on the car. Did you know your diesel particulate filter is over 2.5k for the part alone?

[joe_planet]

duped the post sorry

[Beakster]

We had a 2010 MDX Advance that we got rid of to get our X5 35d. Here are my thoughts:

1) The MDX actually handled very well in sport mode, I would say comparable to the X5.
2) The MDX transmission was very lethargic...it's main goal was fuel economy, constantly upshifting. Acura had a trans reflash that we brought ours in for that did help this somewhat.
3) The biggest difference between the two is the driving dynamics...the X5 feels way more substantial than the MDX. My wife thoroughly enjoys driving the X5 where she was completely indifferent with the MDX.
4) Fuel mileage wise, the 35d is considerably better than our MDX was.

Will the MDX be more reliable? Probably, but Acura has had it's share of issues, and the general consensus on some of the MDX forums is that the overall quality has gone down recently. That being said, we did not have any issues with the MDX in the 3 years we had it, and we have had zero issues with the X5 in the 1.5 years we have had it.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

[Flying Ace]

I'm considering the same vehicles. If you buy a preowned X5, the depreciation would be about the same as a new MDX over the next 6 years.

[Poppyboy]

Isn't the biggest difference between the two that one is diesel and one is gas? The second biggest issue is that one is German and the other is Japanese. Without having owned an MDX (but having owned other Japanese vehicles), I can say that overall, the X5 will be considerably more expensive to maintain than the MDX. BMW overengineered parts and labor will always be more expensive to maintain than that of Acura (e.g. wheel speed sensor, throttle body motor).

[samson]

I drove an MDX before I bought my X5. Did nothing for me. I wish it did as the number of times mine has been in the shop is crazy (non diesel). MDX will definitely cost you less for repairs. Allocating $500 for repairs on the BMW would be ok, if it was $500 per month...

[X5ist]

Owned a MDX before, like the realibility but not the driving dynamics, if you want fun go with X5 but if you hate sleepless night go with MDX. Drove lots of Japanese SUVs before nothing compare with BMW. I even had a MB ML63 AMG, still no comparison...too mushy and lots of body roll.

[1mGator]

Originally Posted by dawgcatching

Considering a 2011 X5 w/50k on the clock, a 35d w/premium/nav/climate package. What do you think: average reliability (say $500/year in repairs above typical maintenance) or should I put away much more than that? The depreciation is already much steeper than the 2011 Acura MDX w/tech package I am considering (same cars w/same mileage at the same price), as the Acura started life as a $47k car and is selling for $31k, and the 35d as a $59k car selling for $32k. I don't want to be hit with a double whammy of extra depreciation and big repair bills.

Thoughts? I am a long time Bimmer owner, this would be my first X5, and even though I personally haven't had any maintenance issues on my 3-series, this is a whole different car. To be honest, the MDX was just as fun to drive as the X5, I prefer the styling of the X5 a bit and mileage should be better, but if it costs way more to own, then may not be worth it.

We have a 2011 35d x5 since new approaching 93,000 miles. I have owned BMW's since 1988. The x is a pleasure to drive and eats the road in a comfortable way and I love the torque of the diesel. It's heavy and eats tires (3rd set) and brakes (3rd set). It requires urea re fills and we put diesel treatment in every tank. It recently threw an "air bag" failure sensor and dealer quoted $1,500 repair. After research on forum I replaced steering wheel ring ($~$300) and all is good. For me, it is not about depreciation but the safety and quality. I am sure the diesel version of this X5 will age well!