X5 or MDX

sleepless · #1 01-07-2011, 10:29 AM

I'm in the market for the 08 X5 3.0 or 08 MDX ........ I've been looking for a X5 w/ the 3rd row seat, but its almost impossible to find .... I am looking @ cpo's for both models, the X5 is costing about 3-4g's more then the MDX, w/ less options, I drove both cars (drove the sports model in MDX) feels similar in ride and handling, would like to hear some of the members opinion on this....... we have a 05 X5 3.0 and a 04 Pilot....... I know the MDX will be more reliable in the long run....

pk9394 · #2 01-07-2011, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepless

the X5 is costing about 3-4g's more then the MDX, w/ less options,

that's the reason you see more MDX than x5 on the road

two-five boy · #3 01-07-2011, 11:04 AM

Which one do you prefer more as a DD? If X5, are you willing to pay the premium on it, and deal w/potentially more and costly maintenance on the X? If so, your choice has been made.

PS - Whichever car you intend on buying, ask the dealer for its full service/repair records prior to make sure it didn't have recurring issues. GL

deutsch100 · #4 01-07-2011, 11:18 AM

I think you know the answer, if reliability and reasonably priced repairs and maintenance is important to you. Since you are asking a whole lot of people who drive and love X5s...you're probably not going to get the MDX vote!!

Kloogy · #5 01-07-2011, 12:23 PM

I refuse to buy used cars, because I refuse to deal with repair costs. But if you must, I would stay away from BMW. Not because they are not reliable, it's because you will probably have an issue with the cost of them.

alexmish · #6 01-07-2011, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kloogy

I refuse to buy used cars, because I refuse to deal with repair costs. But if you must, I would stay away from BMW. Not because they are not reliable, it's because you will probably have an issue with the cost of them.

You are probably better off with MDX...

2010X5d · #7 01-07-2011, 12:42 PM

I drive 2010 X5 diesel and my wife drives 2007 MDX (Tech and RES).
MDX has 54 K miles on as of now, NO (NIL) issues at all as of now.
Just replaced battery last month. Still on original Michelin Tires.
I drive it at times, drive is bland and it doesn’t plant on road as firmly as X5. But then if you had never been in X5 before then u wont feel the difference.
Based on the budget constaint, maintenance allowance allotted and the drive you want, you can differentiate the two.

ukwildcat · #8 01-07-2011, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2010X5d

I drive 2010 X5 diesel and my wife drives 2007 MDX (Tech and RES).
MDX has 54 K miles on as of now, NO (NIL) issues at all as of now.
Just replaced battery last month. Still on original Michelin Tires.
I drive it at times, drive is bland and it doesn’t plant on road as firmly as X5. But then if you had never been in X5 before then u wont feel the difference.
Based on the budget constaint, maintenance allowance allotted and the drive you want, you can differentiate the two.

I did test out the MDX. I was shopping mostly for comfort and gadgets, to tell you the truth.

The MDX was "fine" but very bland and very boring. At the time, my best friend had an Acura RL and they gave him an MDX loaner and he HATED the ride and handling on the MDX, even though they should have been very similar.

I agree with the statement here completely, though.. If you really don't want an X5, don't drive it. Once you do, you won't want the MDX.

"Once a profound truth has been seen, it cannot be unseen." - Dave Sim

The MDX did not impress me in any way. It didn't make me not want it, either. It's annoyingly ordinary, but it's an easy choice, because it's probably good enough for most folks, it's relatively inexpensive for what you get and yeah, it will be problem-free. If you care about things like gadgets AND colors, you will find your options severely restricted. It's ALMOST like you can have any color you want as long as it's black. Almost.

Oddly, a Porsche GT3 friend of mine just bought a new TSX for his daily driver - based on value, mostly.

Good cargo room in the MDX, and the third seat might be usable. Given the space constraint in the X5, the third row looks COMPLETELY useless to me. I could put adults in the third row in my Lexus GX, but that's a larger - and equally dull - vehicle.

The local Acura dealer was honest, though, and knew his product well.
So was my BMW rep, but hey..

sleepless · #9 01-07-2011, 01:13 PM

Thanks for all UR input guys.... from past exp. with our 05 X5, we had approx. 6K in repairs, thankfully it was all covered under the maintenance warranty..... the Pilot in the past 5 yrs had about 1.5K in repairs including the timing belt...... I luv our 05 X5, but I am afraid of the bills that could accumulate in time, as seen by other members in this forum.......

Kloogy · #10 01-07-2011, 01:14 PM

There are a lot of people who will cruise used car lots, and see something like a 750LI and say, " Look, it's only $20k!!" . They buy it , and when the first round of maintenance comes around, they end up pissing themselves because they have been rudely introduced to European maintenace costs. If you're on a budget, I would stay away from these types of used vehicles. I was looking at a CPO M5 before I bought my 2011 X5. The price was great, but they wouldn't CPO it. Even if they did, the maintenance alone is an eye opener. Just some food for thought.