Consumer Reports rates X5 as

[nupe10123]

The CR report doesn't surprise me at all. Nothing new that BMW has reliability issues and Honda/Toyota have far fewer issues. It's clear that some of the Japanese car companiew are starting to get a bit more daring with performance, design and market segments.

Toyota's Tundra just won truck of the year and the Nissan Titan is advertised all over the place as well - obviously aiming at Ford, GM etc for a portion of the pick-up business (which is highly profitable). Nissan also has a GT-R and Toyota is coming out with an IS-F which is targeted after the same buyers as BMW 3 series.

In brief I agree with the Japanese approach, first concentrate on reliability and then branch out to other market segments. I hope that BMW, who currently has a market niche (us), will now concentrate more on reliabilty - which is a factor that most reasonable people weigh into the decision.

[Wagner]

Originally Posted by nupe10123

The CR report doesn't surprise me at all. Nothing new that BMW has reliability issues and Honda/Toyota have far fewer issues. It's clear that some of the Japanese car companiew are starting to get a bit more daring with performance, design and market segments.

Toyota's Tundra just won truck of the year and the Nissan Titan is advertised all over the place as well - obviously aiming at Ford, GM etc for a portion of the pick-up business (which is highly profitable). Nissan also has a GT-R and Toyota is coming out with an IS-F which is targeted after the same buyers as BMW 3 series.

In brief I agree with the Japanese approach, first concentrate on reliability and then branch out to other market segments. I hope that BMW, who currently has a market niche (us), will now concentrate more on reliabilty - which is a factor that most reasonable people weigh into the decision.

Ya got to give props to BMWNA realizing that maintenance costs were too damn high on BMW's and thus, 50K free maintenance was born. Smart move.

[nupe10123]

Good point, the free maintenance was a smart move. I just hope it's not BMW's way of saying "we can't compete on reliabilty so we'll do this instead". At the end of the day I want to drive my ride, not a loaner. So I'm hoping the free maintenance is just a short term 'solution' before the rectify the real problem.

[tommygn]

Originally Posted by Wagner

Roundel, BMW CCA's own magazine, compared the MDX directly to the X5 and RDX to X3 (both X's lost by the way). So it is 100% valid to compare those models IMO. The 1er is going to cost far more then 20K when released in the states but that is beside the point. I would agree that not all Nissan's are powered to be like a Skyline. That would be pointless as such all their cars would then be 45K+...ohhh like BMW Oh an the M Bimmers feel nothing like their non-M counter parts.

As was stated much earlier, CR compares what the average driver wants & can afford.

Yes, M BM's are a whole differrent animal, and i thought about writing so, but thought that would make the post too long.
I'm not against comparing the X's to Acuras, but you have to do it from more than one persepctive (i.e. reliability), otherwise it is a biased comparasion.
Yes the 1er is, i heard going to start at around 30 in the states. But in Mexico you can get one with the smallest engine offered here, a 2.0 4 cil with 150 hp and valvetronic, at around 22k all the way up to a 135 for 45k.
but they all drive alike, of course not powerwise, but handling is shockingly similiar, (except for the powerslides). That's my point. If anything the Japanese have shown that they can make a good driving car and for little money, at least less than the Germans, but they don't stick to it, thay don't stick to any other belief other than making money from markets thay didn't invent.

[Wagner]

Originally Posted by tommygn

Yes, M BM's are a whole differrent animal, and i thought about writing so, but thought that would make the post too long.
I'm not against comparing the X's to Acuras, but you have to do it from more than one persepctive (i.e. reliability), otherwise it is a biased comparasion.
Yes the 1er is, i heard going to start at around 30 in the states. But in Mexico you can get one with the smallest engine offered here, a 2.0 4 cil with 150 hp and valvetronic, at around 22k all the way up to a 135 for 45k.
but they all drive alike, of course not powerwise, but handling is shockingly similiar, (except for the powerslides). That's my point. If anything the Japanese have shown that they can make a good driving car and for little money, at least less than the Germans, but they don't stick to it, thay don't stick to any other belief other than making money from markets thay didn't invent.

Do some searches on this site for Roundel articles comparing the two, you'll see they were compared on far more then reliability.

[tommygn]

Found them, i will finish reading them, and I will do you one better. Tomorrow morning at the latest, I will go and test drive the new MDX. I give my word that I will be subjective and unbiased. The looks, I will never like, but thats a matter of personal taste. On the other hand if it, as a vehicle which competes directly with the X5, is as good as some people believe it is, I will admit it. But if you don't like my findings you will have to respect that that is my opinion.

[Wagner]

Very well but I doubt the dealer will let you take the car mildly off road

[Tomaz]

Originally Posted by tommygn

I will go and test drive the new MDX, as a vehicle which competes directly with the X5.

Here was my response to another when considering a MDX versus a X5;

I think the essential difference between the two cars is in the lineage. The BMW is derived from a company committed to building sports oriented vehicles. BMW automobiles have always put the emphasis is on performance and handling. The X5 is built with no less in mind. The MDX is built by a company whose lineage is vehicles for the masses with an emphasis on economy. The MDX may be a fine SUV, but to those who notice, it does not posses the soul of a BMW. As it is important to also protect the contents of the car, the X5's ability to avoid a dangerous situation is superior to the MDX.

[brew]

Originally Posted by tommygn

Japanese cars are for people who have no soul. The kind that take pride on finding the best deal on their lawn mowers

This is a stupid comment. My X5 is my second BMW and I love 'em . . but I also love my 1994 Toyota MR2 Turbo and 2007 Sequoia. The Sequoia lacks some soul, but the MR2 has loads. 200 hp, 2657 lbs, mid-engined, LSD, with a stick shift that extends a mere 4 inches above the transmission tunnel. It's much more of a driver's car than my 2001 325i or my X5 ever were.

Plus, the MR2 community is just as active, if not more so, than the BMW community. There is a local cooperative MR2 skunkworks, where MR2 owners chip in to rent industrial space with a lift and tools. Enthusiasts can use the space to experiment with welding up new suspensions or experiment with wedging a supercharged truck engine into their MR2. The older enthusiasts support the younger kids with parts and time and expertise. If that's not soul, I don't know what is.

[brian5]

Originally Posted by pinoix5

you just cant accept the fact that your paying too much on a bmw emblem thats it!and how can you say japanese cars are for people with no soul youre just a straight damn idiot! i think a lot people here just cant take the fact that bmw is just not that good period!

Oh, wow! I thought MDX owners were calmer and more peaceful than X5 owners...