Help a lady out with a few questions?

[Cinnamon]

Thanks!

[ronald_adi]

you have to squeeze into an X5! Damn! Then i guess that pic is not of you?

I have the feeling you prefer the X5. Q7 is more a functional car. Its huge. So u will have loads and loads of space. But it is not a sporty car. Not something u can throw around as easily as an X5.

Auctions are risky. do u feel lucky?

[Cinnamon]

Thanks!
....

[matt_435xi]

Originally Posted by lgneub

I am "one notch down" from that sexy photo....so no, not me! I can hold my own, though! Close!!!! LOL! It is like a sexier me! Same idea (few beers and that could 100% be me - an entire case is NOT needed..... ) LOL!!!

[ronald_adi]

good to hear u r close the the foto.

I didnt know what an MDX was! I just googled it. We dont do Acura's here. And not sure if Honda is selling it in europe. i am sure the MDX is a very good car. the choice will come down to taste. Its no beemer.

test drive the Q7. if your doubts dont go away, buy the X5.

[DaRipper]

lgneub,

I too was in your situation deciding on what SUV to get. We narrowed it down to X5, MDX and RX350. We went with the X5 35D because of the great mpg, sporty feel and looks. Also because of the name, BMW and the great service they provide. I did like the MDX with its SH AWD but here in Cali they are seen everywhere. I wanted to have something that turn heads.

The X5 has plenty of room for a family of four. So I wouldnt worry about that.
As for price depending on what market you are in, can vary from $1500 - 5000 off the sticker price. Just depends how desperate the dealer is. If you were to buy from a dealer I would recommend buying one that is CPO or buying an extended warranty on it. Just remember repairs and service are expensive but Im sure you already know that.

I dont think there is anything wrong with buying from an auction as long as the car is still under warranty. If you can save $5K , I would buy one from auction. Most dealerships do that anyways and then prep the car for the market.

If your going to be driving the car most of the time, buy something that you enjoy driving.

The X5 is sexy..just look at mine.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...eekend-14.html

Hope this helps.

- DaRip

[phattbam]

my sister has an '08 MDX. it's great for the price you pay for it. as for size, how old are your kids? I ask this because honestly I feel like the MDX rear seat area is a little roomier than my X5's. I got the X5 because I plan on doing mods to it like I have my previous 4 cars haha... and the MDX isn't as mod friendly IMO... Take a look at DaRip's if you haven't already and you'll get what I mean.

bottom line... go with your family to check out the prospective models you're interested in. if they "fit" one over another see how you like it if it will be your daily vehicle, because in the end you're the one driving it. You should be happy with what you drive.

[Cinnamon]

Thanks!

[Cinnamon]

Thansk!

[DaRipper]

Wow...all I can say is that your a MILF! hehehehhe I wouldn’t need any alcohol. Your hubby is one lucky man!

Back to your dilemma. With your financial situation I would get a MDX just because it’s more roomier and more reliable. MDX is ranked # 1 in all those areas. The MDX will cover all your needs and probably will fit your budget better. With two kids you’re going to need all the room.

I know the BMW Gods are looking down upon me.

There is a reason why you see so many MDX on the road.

The MDX would have been my second choice but like Phatt said you can’t personalize it.

- DaRip

[fun ticket]

Get the X5 and dont look back. I have had 2, great rides.

BTW - No alcohol required.

[pmeloche]

Get the X5. You won't have any space problems with it and it's a fun car to drive. The Q7 has indeed more space but I don't like it. The Acura MDX is horrendous in my opinion. Get the 3.0i X5 if you don't need the extra power because the 4.8i is very thirsty.

[archwerks]

Room & ease of access to child safety seat, how much reach u need to get things out of the back, if u take the kids skiing, or drive in snow, spend some time researching the 4 wheel drive system. If good mileage is important for either economic or environment conscience reasons, get a diesel. If u live around a lot of hills brakes & traction control r important. In general, German cars do have better brakes, ie less fade. The BMW N54 TT engine, (u probably know if u drive a 3 series) can be prone to be finicky w/ HPFP.
As Ethanol(Alcohol) is added to or fuels at the pump, talk to people to be sure your cars' engine can handle it.
Get 1 w/ automatic opening tailgate & parking distance control/rearview cam if u can for safety.
I switched from MB to BMW, & we have a Toyota Sienna Van. All drive different. Staying w/BMW means the dash will be familiar to u.
The Toyota van has done 146,000km in 10 yrs. w/ 2 trips to Anaheim Disney/Grand Canyon, & Nevada from western Canada & the suspension is showing it's age.
If u want to be economical go Japanese, they drive like an appliance, few repairs req'd within the 1st 10-12 yrs.
If u like to drive, get German. Depends how long u want to keep the vehicle.
The kids will cost plenty, so u have to thiink economics 2. Good luck & have fun on ur quest.

[Cinnamon]

Thanks

[ronald_adi]

Ok, so now with that picture of you up, I cant concentrate anymore! . You look like a cool gal in her 20's and certainly not someone who has difficulty moving her butt around in an X5. And kids will have no issue at all with space.

My feeling also from your groove is that you are a driver. And a beemer is a real drivers car. So dont compromise by buying a Honda. However its good to prioritize your money. so go for a slightly used X5 with guarantee, or a new one with less options. Used X5's are excellent value because the sales commission and delaer overhead of 10% to 20% off the new price is paid by the first owner. leaves you with a good value car.

[ronald_adi]

1 more thing. The idea about buying a diesel is a very good one. 70% of cars in europe are diesel - especially German cars. And this is because diesels have much more torque (pulling power) and so are easier to drive every day. And of course they have much better fuel economy - a good place to start saving money.

A 3rd reason is that diesel engines, due to their extremely high compression, have to have very strong engine blocks. The result is an engine that requires very little maintenance. I drove my last 5 series diesel till about 280,000 miles (in 4 yrs) with very few issues. almost all taxis in germany are diesel and they do easily 400,000miles.

the diesel generation is slowing creeping into the USA now.

Finally, I believe last year there was a 4500 dollar discount if you bought a X5 diesel (due to promotions),.. check if they still have that. And if they dont, twinkle your eyes and demand for it!

[Cinnamon]

[Vintage]

I have a 2010 X5 35d (diesel) and I am in love with it - so is my wife. I would have never bought a diesel but 1) it is pretty quiet, 2) absolutely ZERO diesel smell, 3) it is quick due to very high torque (425 foot lbs.), and 4) at 70 mph on the highway we get an honest to goodness 28+ mpg. Now, I will only own BMW diesel power! Our combined driving yields a consistent 23.5 mpg with about half of the tank or more in city traffic. That is ridiculous for a full time 4 wheel drive vehicle that weighs 5,500 lbs.

The X5 will easily accommodate a family of 4. I think the X5 is perfect for that but if you have 5+ you need to buy something else. We just took a 3,000 mile trip to Colorado and back - it was great.

The main problem is that the 35d model is a 2009+ model so I think the few used ones around will be way out of your price range of the $35k you have indicated.

As for Hondas, I mean Acuras, I have never liked them although I am sure they are great cars - same for Toyotas in my book. They all seem lifeless to me, albeit reliable and nice.

Finally, my amazing bride is 37 and going strong. I am 38 and think that beautiful, amazing women, even at 40+ look great. Do not worry as you have many great years left as evidenced by your photograph; especially for men like me that have no interest in chasing stupid 20 somethings around. I would rather saw my arm off.

[ronald_adi]

[QUOTE= **NOW--the RFTs are another STORY. I would NEVER buy another car with RFTs. VERY angry.

[/QUOTE]

Why dont you like Run Flats? Please explain in some detail. i am interested to know.

[Vintage]

the new, 3rd generation, RFTs are really good. the first generation on my wife's 2003 Z4 were horrible.

[Cinnamon]

[Cinnamon]