boostaddict712

Need fellow enthusiast's input here. Currently own an 03 MDX and looking to upgrade. A deposit has already been put down on the X5 until a decision is made. However, my practical side always wanted an 07-08 MDX to haul the family around w/o breaking the bank.


The X5 is amazing. the 4.8L V8 is mean, yet civilized. The handling is better than my S or TL. Luv how the interior and exterior is put together. Heck, it's got 315 wide tires in the back w/ rear window sunshades and heated steering wheel. Talk about a split personality... This thing has 73k on the clock and everything checks out clean and is showroom ready, as it should from a BMW dealership. Already shopping for an extended warranty as well.


On to the MDX. Always luv'd the body style and the reliability (charcoal gray but too dirty from the snowstorm to be pic worthy). It's got a 3rd row w/ rear DVD and the room to grow the family. This thing has logged 87k but it'll require a little TLC to clean it up when compared to the X5. I'm odd in the fact that I'm going to miss buying the Fluids & OEM filter in bulk since it also fits my dd TL.


Bottom line. If I didn't have my S for the fun factor, it would've been a done deal w/ the x5. The MDX is a strong contender due to it's reliability and predictability. They cost about the same and surprisingly, the cost to insure them both is also about the same. The MDX will be due for a new set of tires and the 100k, while the x5 doesn't have any major work coming up, but that fund will go towards the extended warranty.


Thoughts? Suggestions? Your experience with the x5 4.8is or MDX? 99% sure we'll be driving home in one of them this evening.

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

Personally I'd go with the BMW.

That said, if you have an S2k for a toy... may not be a bad idea to grab the MDX since you know you can keep it for a long time relatively trouble-free. That's not to say the X5 will be bad, we have a friend who just got rid of his after 12 years and 130k+ miles (trouble free, just maintenance). They're good, but even maintenance will be more expensive.

So if you do not mind shelling out the bucks as the X5 ages, I say go for it. If you just want something to haul your family around, put gas and oil in... and just drive around, go for the MDX...

VQPower37

bmw looks sweet and with an extended warranty u should be good for sometime. although the mdx will be trouble free miles without the constant thought of what if ... if i were in ur shoes, i would prob go with the mdx, thats cuz im not balsy to take risks.

i must say that bmw looks really nice though

Jakes_tl

I have quite of few friends that used to drive nothing but BWM's and they used to hate on Honda's / Acura's.. Well a few years went by and having nothing but problems with there beloved BMW's they are all driving Honda's / Acura's and have no desire of going back to BWM's.

I personally think the 2nd Gen MDX are awesome looking SUV's and they handle great!

UA6

Love those wide tires on the X5.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

love the rear end on the x5's!

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

If you go with the Bimmer, you better buy 2.

csmeance

If you buy the BMW, buy a warranty with it! I've appreciated the warranty on my 760 and have been paid out close to 4x the cost to buy it.

As far as the X5 goes, make sure it's running well and doesn't have problems. Most notably oil consumption! The 4.4L V8 and 4.8L V8 use the same design and can have issues with oil consumption getting rediculous. Also there is a coolant pipe that causes a leak know as the "Valley Pan" or "weephole" leak that is VERY expensive to fix (8K on a 745/750) through the dealer!

However with the MDX, remember it'll be much slower and get about the same MPG. Plus you are going to have to pay for the timing belt service at 105K and as well all the fluid changes for the SH-AWD system!

Saintor

I have a BMW and I recommend you the Acura. Bimmers are a potential can of worms.

My car has barely 72K miles and hassles are ridiculous.

I had two serious engine cover leaks.... the last one I was on my own.... the cover itself was changed....1000$

The valves were ticking badly when cold... exhaust valves were changed under warranty. Now ticking is back, with a vengeance.

Dealer wanted to change my differential (they hear a noise that I don't mind)... 3600$.

BMW recommends to change spark plugs at 100000miles yet I had 2 in trouble so far, causing serious misfires.

I still love my car, but it is definitely the equivalent of an high maintenance girl.

Crazy Bimmer

Tires alone on that beast is pricey to replace.

Heart says X5 but wallet says MDX.

1StGenCL

MDX. I had 2 friends during college that had that X5 new and nothing but problems with them from rear tail light issues on both that cost thousands to fix (lucky for warranty) to burning oil, and eating tires. Yes, I loved them and was jealous but there is no way I would want the repairs plus as nice as it looks, it is dated IMO

Hapa DC5

MDX save yourself future hassle. However I did know someone who had a first gen X5 (manual to boot) and had nearly 200k on it when he sold it. It cost him an arm and a leg, but it was somewhat reliable.

F23A4

I've spent some drive time behind the wheel of V8 version of both the E53 and E70. Honestly, the only attribute of the E53 that I like is the V8. The rest of it is

...now the E70: that's the segment benchmark. If it wasn't for the pricetag, i would easily have taken any trim level over my MDX. (different topic. )

As far as comparisons to the MDX, the X5 4.8 will outperform a 2G MDX and return similar fuel economy (as mentioned by csmeance). However, I'd easily favor the reliability of an 07 MDX over an E53...timing belt and SH-AWD fluid changes notwithstanding.

I came from an 09 MDX base and now have a 12 MDX Tech and can say that the 6AT definitely makes a difference when it comes to performance. It still may not beat an X5 4.8is but it'll put up a slightly better fight.

dallison

MDX for reliability

RPhilMan1

My family had the 4.4 X5 for a few years. I loved the power. The engine was rock solid. Very comfortable interior as well. However, it was in for maintenance every few months. After a few years we ended up selling it. Beast of a car but not worth the hassles that come along with it. My vote goes for the MDX.

We were lucky to get 18MPG. Does the MDX really get the same? I thought it would for sure do better...

dnd2984

iTrader: (6)

MDX, even though the X5 is one of my favorite SUVs. The rear tires only last about 1.5 years and are expensive to replace.

boostaddict712

Thanks for everyone's input! Went and looked at 2 mdx last night. Wife really likes them and I think it suits her style and personality better than the x5. If they weren't so evenly matched, we would've pulled the trigger last night. Both have the entertainment package, but 1 is the sport model w/ 12k more miles, running board, and clear bra...

The money we'll be saving from the x5 warranty and maintenence will allow me to finish the S sooner as well. Pending unforeseen issues w/ them, we'll try to finalize the purchase this evening. I think I would've been overly worry and jealous since ithe x5 would've been her dd lol!

Mr Marco

More bang for the buck with the MDX. BMW charges extra for everything. Tint, extra. Sunroof, extra. Rear passenger air-bags, extra. I will not give my money away for the sake of bigger advertising (on track for $200 million this year).

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

Not really relevant for a used car. Some other sucker already paid for the a la-carte options.

icy2

I'd have to vote for MDX.....better for the wallet!

Hapa DC5

Pics of the MDX?

boostaddict712

Finally picked it up tonight and snapped a couple of shots before losing daylight. Will snap some shots of the inside this weekend. Got sport running boards and all weather mats on the way... w00t!

F23A4

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

Pics of the interior?

AirForceFX

I think you definitely made the right choice. Down the road, you'll look back and be satisfied with her. She looks great too.

Jakes_tl

Great Choice and love the color! I gotta say Acura did an awesome job on the 2G MDX.

RPhilMan1

Awesome lineup!

terdonal

Congrats.

Last Acura

Sweet lineup!

boostaddict712

Thanks everyone! This lineup is going to be a keeper.

Will try to take some pics of the interior this weekend. There's so much creature comfort in there... Going to be hard to decide which car to take on a road trip.

I agree. Although I the 03 mdx served my family well, I've always wanted an 07-09 style. The trifecta is complete!

UCLAs2k

MDX all the way. BMWs have too many problems.

AMGala

iTrader: (4)

Nice purchase! Love the Honda/Acura family

Fibonacci

Was there ever any doubt!


I've been going to Slappy D's for the past twenty years for double burgers, but boy does that Juicy Porterhouse over at Capitol Grille looks tempting... naawwww, I'll stick to McSlappy.

1StGenCL

Love it, nice choice!

MEKO

iTrader: (1)

Oh man, just saw this.
As a MDX driver since 2007.. I was going to say you will get bored of that MDX one day, but not from that X5
The way that X5 sits on the road is priceless.

Money wise, you did the best pick

F23A4

Not so much so with E53 but definitely with the E70. My daughter's boyfriend has the same X5 in question and I've looked at it wishing that I had that over my MDX. ...and honestly, if he gets bored of the 07 he can slide over to a 10-13 model; although basically the same car, that 6AT makes a big difference.

MEKO

iTrader: (1)

Oh yeah a lot of difference and more fun with the new MDX. Power on that car felt way faster than 4G TL. You do really want to trade the 07-09 with it.

But once MDX is paid off, like my moms.. that keeps you way from trading it with the 10-13 model.

Because one, they barely give problems
two, paid-off makes you say doesn't worth trading

unless it's the new new MDX.
Dad is thinking to trade the car with that new one that will come out..

but I say go buy a 2013 Q7
been in production since decades, less likely to have problem with the car