Deciding between an X5 and...

[Monaco]

I generally post over the in the 3-forum, but wanted to throw up a post here due to the pending lease expiration on my wife's RX350.

She has been in a Lexus RX for a long time and is ready for a change. She doesn't want another lease. We are looking at a number of vehicles as the RX replacement, including X5, Q7, MDX on the very short list.

She drives very little - her 2013 RX has 17k on the clock. This also puts our expiring lease in a unique situation in that the residual buyout price is well below FMV for what similar fully loaded cars are selling for. Hoping to parlay some of that "equity" into the next purchase.

Our budget is <$35k and I've found a few local cars with under 45k miles that are under consideration. One being a 2011 xDrive35i with 42k miles listed at $31k. For sale at an Acura dealer, however so no CPO. For the most part, I think we will be looking at 2010s or 2011s. Looks like there was a minor refresh done in 2011 including switching to the 3.5L turbo. Any reason why I should NOT also consider the 2010s?

I realize this is an X5 forum and that asking to compare the X5 to the Q7 and/or MDX is sure to elicit some biased opinions, but I imagine some folks have owned one or both of the comparison cars and can offer some insight.

This would be my first non-new BMW (my 328 was brand new and still covered under scheduled maintenance and warranty). Am I asking for trouble by buying a used X5 from an Acura dealer that doesn't offer CPO? I get keeping up on scheduled maintenance, but out of warranty German cars tend to scare me (which is why the MDX is also in play).

Appreciate any advice.

[jiggz]

Correct, the 2011 X5's got the mid-life updates (often referred to as LCI). The 2007-2010 6 cylinder was a 3.0 naturally aspirated 6, 265 HP I think. The 2011 35i is a still a 3.0 (not 3.5), but has the N55 single turbo setup, 300 HP/300 LB/FT. Performance is much better than on the 2010 6 cylinder, despite just 35 more HP. The LCI also included the new 8 speed automatic, along with rear LED taillights, some bumper/wheel changes, etc. In comparison to other BMW LCI updates, the E70 X5 got quite a bit IMO with the new engines and transmissions.

I couldn't say if you should avoid a 2010 or prior as I never shopped those and don't know as much about them. I see a lot of threads on 4.8i issues but not so much on the 3.0.

If you like the one at the Acura dealer enough to buy it, I'd get a PPI on it. That'll confirm if it's a good buy or not. And obviously if you up your budget you could get into a CPO model. Have you tried the BMWUSA.com CPO page - lots of nice vehicles on there for sale.

We did drive a 2014 Q7 prior to buying the X5. Really nice vehicle, but just not as sporty as the X5 IMO. Not to mention we wanted the V8 X5 and the Q7 no longer offers an 8, so the X5 performance was notably better. Still those are nice vehicles, but long over-due for an update!

Good luck.

[airshaq20]

Since you are purchasing a used one, I would suggest buying the newest and lowest miles you can find. No experience with other models but if you are seriously looking for an X5, these might be a better deal:

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...91496513&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...89331577&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...37130432&Log=0

[Monaco]

Originally Posted by airshaq20

Since you are purchasing a used one, I would suggest buying the newest and lowest miles you can find. No experience with other models but if you are seriously looking for an X5, these might be a better deal:

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...91496513&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...89331577&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...37130432&Log=0

Thanks for the leads, but unfortunately those are not close to me. Due to the lease trade in, I need to keep it somewhat local. It's slim pickins around here!

[airshaq20]

Fly with wife and take a day trip or two and drive it home (or have it shipped to you after test driving it). Would be a nice experience.
Plus, since your RX's average miles a year is about 8K miles, you're basically "saving" 3 years worth of miles between buying one with 20K and one with 45K miles.

[jiggz]

Originally Posted by Monaco

Thanks for the leads, but unfortunately those are not close to me. Due to the lease trade in, I need to keep it somewhat local. It's slim pickins around here!

Keep in mind too - these are priced well because they're devoid of most packages/options available on the E70 X5. Perhaps that doesn't matter much to you but these vehicles do come equipped a million different ways, more-so than your 3 series. And much more-so than a Lexus, which like most Japanese cars don't let you customize as much. I only see 2 packages and 3 options available on the current RX. For the sake of comparison, the E70 X5 has 6 or 7 optional packages (dependent on year/model) and nearly twice as many options.

Also keep in mind many of us (including me) purchased and shipped a vehicle to where we live. This is typically more common for those who are particular about exterior/interior color combo, packages/options, etc. In those cases it does make it hard to find something locally, unless you get lucky.

[bmwx5er]

I wouldn't worry too much about not being able to get a CPO. Mine is a non-CPO 2012 X5 50i, and I'm about to pull the trigger on Rt66 extended warranty - seems to be the best value for money.

See related thread: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=814938

HTH.

[jacobpdx]

Originally Posted by Monaco

I realize this is an X5 forum and that asking to compare the X5 to the Q7 and/or MDX is sure to elicit some biased opinions, but I imagine some folks have owned one or both of the comparison cars and can offer some insight.

Having worked as a service advisor at an Acura dealer for 2.5 years, and also having just gone through the same process my advice would be to consider whether your wife (or you) really care that much about the specifics of the replacement vehicle.

I ended up purchasing an X5M for my girlfriends DD, because despite all the potential headaches, and downsides of the bimmer, I will end up driving the vehicle often, and I care a lot about all the little things the BMW will do better than a more practical and less inspiring choice(IMO) like the RX or MDX.

If I weren't going to drive the truck at all, or didn't have very strong opinions about the specific things I care about in a vehicle, I would have definitely made a different choice. Probably a new MDX.

So if you or she do care about certain details, prefer the bimmer, and are comfortable managing the potential downsides of the brand I say go for it.

If you aren't that particular, I would say snag a lower mileage last gen MDX and do virtually no maintenance(probably) until the 105k spark plugs/valve adjust/t-belt.

[Poppyboy]

I got a loaded (SA package, sport seats, leather, etc.) '11 X.5 3.5i w/ 45k miles back in March of last year- no CPO. The warranty expired this past November. No issues thus far. I'd get '11+ due to the LCI updates. CPOs are overrated, because they don't duplicate the factory warranty. People don't find this out until they make an uncovered claim. Don't get me wrong-there's coverage; just not B-T-B like people expect. I would recommend an extended warranty if you get the V8 (twin turbos, more plumbing and sensors, etc.), but I'm not so sure it's worth it for the I6.

[paddy335]

If she drives the car 'very little', I would personally be taking whichever of your short list (I am assuming that as they are on the 'very short list' that you and her both like them all) is going to be the cheapest to run for the duration of the likely ownership period.

If it was purely an emotional decision IMO the X5 is head and shoulders above the others, for my BMW biased reasons (styling, interior) in addition to it being a much more competent sport drive than the others mentioned (though I've never driven an Acura MDX).

[Monaco]

Originally Posted by bmwx5er

I wouldn't worry too much about not being able to get a CPO. Mine is a non-CPO 2012 X5 50i, and I'm about to pull the trigger on Rt66 extended warranty - seems to be the best value for money.

See related thread: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=814938

HTH.

Seems to be a lot of conflicting information on whether Route 66 will even cover an X5. I checked through PenFed and all X's are specifically listed as excluded. Is there a work around for this?

[Poppyboy]

If you insist on a 3rd party warranty for a 3.5i (again, which I don't feel is necessary if the maintenance history is well documented), be very careful about verifying the coverage. You want an EXCLUSIONARY warranty, which specifies what is NOT covered-everything else is covered. If you don't get an exclusionary warranty, you are at the mercy of their specific language to determine what IS covered, which opens up a lot of interpretation to their benefit when it comes time for a claim. They may say something like "oh yeah, we DO cover the Johnson rod as specified in your warranty, but we don't cover the bracket and bushing required to replace it..." or some garbage like that. So, they end up covering $125 and, along with deductible, you pay $550.

[bmwx5er]

Originally Posted by Monaco

Seems to be a lot of conflicting information on whether Route 66 will even cover an X5. I checked through PenFed and all X's are specifically listed as excluded. Is there a work around for this?

X5's are now covered. Penfed has stale info on their website. In that thread, one member reported buying coverage from PenFed recently.

[Monaco]

Originally Posted by bmwx5er

X5's are now covered. Penfed has stale info on their website. In that thread, one member reported buying coverage from PenFed recently.

Just got off the phone with PenFed. The rep called a few people and came back and said all X vehicles are still excluded. Frustrating

[bmwx5er]

Originally Posted by Monaco

Just got off the phone with PenFed. The rep called a few people and came back and said all X vehicles are still excluded. Frustrating

Dcu and rt66 confirmed that x5s are covered. You could buy from dcu?