I'm going to be getting a '16 Advance soon. Wife drives a '14 MDX FWD and my company car has been FWD Equinox. We live in SoCal so don't really need AWD...but...I passed on AWD on MDX and for the $1,500 I'm think AWD (even tho not SH-AWD) is worth it. But throw on sport running boards, maintenance plan, etc the final OTD price is quickly rising to more than I had budgeted.
Those upgraded 18" Acura wheels are so sporty. To me they make the RDX even "younger" and oemacuraparts.com has them for $415 each so roughly $1,700.
I'm trying to decide if I should just get both? Only AWD? Or wheels? What say you guys?

 

get FWD and save the 1500 and buy wheels.

 

I live in IL and AWD is just about required. Where you're at I wouldn't bother. Test drive both though, they do feel different. The AWD system is 60/40, so you do get better traction on starts. Wish it was SH-AWD, but at the same time appreciate the weight savings by not having it. I'm really enjoying our new '16 advance, its actually quite fast and handles great. No complaints so far

 

I would go for the upgraded rims if the RDX is 100% city vehicle with little to no mountain/off road driving. When the weather gets bad enough to need 4wd in SoCal are the day you won't want to be on the road anyways. The fwd weight savings, faster acceleration, and improved mpgs will be needed more than awd in SoCal.

 

Given your location I'd skip the AWD and save the cash, plus enjoy the better fuel economy. If it were me I'd also skip the wheels and put that money towards something else.

 

AWD is necessary solely for pissing contests here.

My answer: AWD + wheels!

 

I'm thinking go with the AWD. You can add the wheels later, but you won't be able to add AWD.

 

Winner.

For $1,500 dollars, why not go aftermarket?

 

I could go aftermarket but I actually like the upgraded wheels and they are factory so that's reassuring.

 

Convince the dealer its in his best interest to cut you a deal on the wheels on a AWD model.

 

How has the MDX been without sh-awd? I've have sh-awd on my 08 RDX and 11 MDX and I really don't get much use from it because of bad weather in the southwest, even on snow/rain days. I use it more for driving the vehicles harder than I should on sunny days to get the most from the system. The downside is more tire wear, more tire rotations, and poorer mpgs; but, a lot fun as I dig in my wallet more.

I'm not 100% sure how the +13 RDX awd system works? It might only be engaged at lower speeds and kicks in when the fronts start to slip. The RDX might be 90-100% fwd at hwy commute speeds anyways. I don't think it engages on a curve to help provide extra stability when the g-force increases like sh-awd can. It doesn't provide better stability if you tow in the RDX. I'm thinking the +13 awd is geared toward bad road/weather condition situation mostly and less toward performance.

I would be tempted to go for the 16 RDX Adv fwd and that would be the in town vehicle. Then, upgrade the 14 MDX in a year or two to a 17-18 sh-awd MDX to be the traveling vehicle. I bet if you drove a fwd RDX back-to-back to a sh-awd MDX, the MDX might feel the same or even lighter on its feet despite its heavier mass and extra length.

 

Coming from someone that has both sh AWD and the 16 AWD. I can tell you that the new AWD system is as smooth as the FWD. the SH AWD is more stiff and you can feel the road a lot more. I still believe the system runs 70-30 in normal conditions. Realistically it's what you like best. I wasn't a fan of the '16 advance wheels but after tinting the RDX they look a lot better. I would opt for the Optional 18's though. Maybe if they were 19's or 20's. Not much of an upgrade.

 

This is exactly what I was thinking.

 

Yes, indeed.

You guys and your wheel fetish(es)

I did switch the blingy wheels off our '04 Volvo C70 with the more sedate wheels from our V70, mainly to get some more air volume/comfort for the convertible(one inch difference in wheel size). The change in appearance was likely noticed ONLY by ME...doubt anyone else even knew. Made the switch for $40 at the tire place...no way would I drop $1700 for a set of wheels that simply looked different with no appreciable increase in 'performance'. Maybe I'm just getting old.

 

It's funny, but that's precisely what I was thinking when I posted my reply. If I've got a spare $1,600 I'm either using it for some form of home improvement project or some type of investment. The stock wheels are bad, but not that bad.

 

You hit it right on the head. The upgraded wheels aren't any bigger and that's the disappointing part. I too wish they were 19s, even an inch makes a difference. I checked my local dealership with whom I've purchased 2 Acuras before and they are only stocking FWD in the Advance trim so it appears the choice will be made for me as the best deal will be on in stock inventory.

 

In regards to $1,600 not being a sound $ move, I agree, but I'm kinda playing with house $ because I'm getting a $500 car allowance + mileage from my new gig.

 

If you do have the dealer install accessory wheels on your car before delivery, make sure they give you credit for the wheels you have on the car if they keep them - or you keep them and sell them on craigslist (or this forum). Will cut your costs down significantly.

Personally, I look for take-off sets of OEM wheels to mount winter tires - but I also look for a bargain :-) . For example, I snagged a set of 17" TL wheels for the wife's SH-AWD TL for $420 for the set shipped.

OEM wheels will tend to be heavier but better made than aftermarket ones unless you go to the higher-price ones - so be careful if you go that route. Plus if you get accessory wheels at delivery you tend to get the factory warranty with them.

andy

 

The AWD option also gets you a full size spare tire, so there is some additional value there.

 

Great insight Andy. I thought to sell the OEM wheels on CL or the like. How much do you think I could get for them? I know you look for bargains, but what would be the average price I could get for all 4? Also, I'd rather let the dealer keep them if I can get a good credit, what do you think the dealer would offer me?
My preference is to stay with factory wheels to keep the overall aesthetic factory. Plus as you say they would be covered under 4/50K.
$1,500 is only, what, an extra $30 in payment? Like I said I'm already getting $500+ mileage and this will definitely be a 6-8 year car so I'm beginning to think just get what I want. In a year I won't care about the extra $50 a month in payment.

 

$1500 for a AWD system should be a no brainer. You can always get wheels later but you will never get a AWD system for $1500.

 

Not a no-brainer for all of us. Had the '07 XC70 and '10 XC60 for about 84K miles. Likely needed the AWD about three times total. Sometimes less is more.

 

The need for AWD is really dependent on where you live and where you want to end up selling the car when you're done with it. Up here in NH I don't think you could sell an RDX without AWD (our dealers never stock them). But in the south, the market for non-AWD is likely more feasible. But I will say that for the times you need AWD (even if it's 3 times over the life of your ownership) it's worth every penny - at least in my experience.

andy

 

Do a scan thru eBay to see what sets of RDX OEM wheels are going for. Last I looked they ranged anywhere from 500-600 for a set (incl shipping). Remember you'll likely have the TPMS sensors moved to your new wheels, so the wheel price is without those sensors. I'm betting the dealer will probably want to pay you like $300 for the set (or something like that) - best case.

andy