Quote:
Originally Posted by faz
When I was looking at buying an X5 last year, I called around a few independent mechanics in my area. They all suggested that 3.0 would be more reliable and less problematic than 4.4 ("definitely get a 4.4 with extended warranty" they ALL said.)
I have been on this forum for the last year perhaps, and every new thread that comes up with regards to transmission issues during my time here, has been from a 4.4 owner. (I eagerly look at these threads since, without an extended warranty, I would like to know what kind of signs/etc. I need to look for ... and I realize the thread is about a 4.4 and not a 3.0... this has happened in many threads... I may have missed one or two here and there... but I would say a good majority of them while I have been on this board have been about a 4.4.)
The 4.4 obviously has better performance and is a much better 'driver's' car than 3.0 will ever be. It may have more problems/maintenance to go with that better performance... if you are after that kind of performance, pay to play and enjoy the performance.
Now that I have said the above, obviously my 3.0's transmission is going to disintegrate and explode on my way home tonight. It will serve me right.  |
I took it one step further and went with a 4.6is myself. I love it and would never be happy with a 3.0 personally. A 4.4i might be alright, but there isn't much difference between a 4.4i and 4.6is in terms of maint or reliability, IMHO. And you only live once, right?
I think there are a couple ways of looking at it. Certainly a trans can die in any car - even an MDX as in your case. You just never know. There are no guarantees in life unless you buy or lease cars every 2-4 years and keep them within factory warrantee period. But think about that for just a minute. Most all cars depreciate 40% in 3-4 years. So if you are buying a $40K vehicle every 3-4 years you are losing $16K (plus $4K in taxes in states like Kalifornia). Comes out to at least $5K per year. And that is if you stay in the $40K range - goes up if you spend more.
Compare that to buying a nice used premium car like an X5 for say $25K.
In 3-4 years it may also depreciate 40% (could also well be lower) but since you are working from a lower up front purchase cost, the depreciation is more like $10K and taxes are only $2K, so $12K vs. $20K for the new one. I can't imagine that you would ever spend $8K over 3 years in maint / repairs. So tell me what you would rather drive? A fully loaded couple year old X5 that originally sold for $60K, or a new MDX? Considering you would pay more for the MDX even factoring in some major repairs on the BMW. That is an easy choice for me. YMMV of course.
