Well at least Acura doesn't announce a new engine every year! My checkbook cannot keep up with BMW! Am I bitter now that I have a 35d and now want the gas turbo? Yes!!! ;)

Did you do your research and numerous test drives before
you purchased? If so why be bitter? Trade it in and find happiness

I'm kidding. BMW successfully keeps me wanting something different.

what's the steel profile of both cars

I hated the MDX because of the immobile headrest that tilts forward and put a cramp in my neck on a 15 minutes test drive.

My wife recently returned a leased 2007 MDX and purchased a 2010 X5 35d. The X5 is hands down more fun to drive, quieter, smoother, luxurious and fuel efficient. The X5 handles like it is on rails and the quality of the interior is superior. The MDX center radio stack with over 60 small and unorganized switches was a nightmare since it was very difficult to find the right switch for changing the AC, heat, audio, defrosters settings. The BMX ergonomics with the IDrive are much better to include the voice controls. The MDX didn't have rattles but had excessive road noise and the engine wasn't very smooth. The straight six BMw engines are so smooth. The MDX did corner well with the super handling AWD. In the 45,000 miles the MDX only had a few problems (nav traffic computer failed, chrome came off the front grill, check fuel tank cap warnings, and the front hood would flutter excessively when driving into a head wind at highway speeds. The flutter is a design flaw. The hood needs to be stiffer. There was a service bulletin for the flutter but it didn't help much MDX is a Honda and IMHO the extra 10K for the BMW is well worth it.

I heard that they used a calendar instead of a stop watch for that one! :D

Would you swap your 35d for the new '11 35i?

The diesel engine in x5 is a marvel. It still has greater torque than the new gas engine, better consumption and way friendlier to the environment. There won't be a significantly more impressive engine for a long time. 40d (assuming it will make it to the US at some point) has only incremental improvements. I hope you are enjoying the ride:thumbup:

Competition is a good thing. I checked out the new '10 MDX. They have added a lot high tech features for the new '10 MY. This should hopefully force BMW to add more high tech gadgets.

+1

The consumer is the ultimate judge. Edmunds.com keeps consumer ratings and for MY '09 there are decent collections of consumer reviews for both cars:

MDX: 8.2 (49 reviews)
X5: 9.0 (38 reviews)

I believe the ratings are out of 10.

I have been away from this forum for the duration of the weekend and am just now reading the many posts that have been left. As for what I expected to get from my original post........Intelligent dialogue from folks who love vehicles as much as I do and also enjoy meaningful conversation about the vehicle we own or vehicles in general. Nothing more, nothing less.

Acura MDX better than BMW X5 - Never said it!
BMW X5 better than Acura MDX - Never said it!
Acura MDX better choice for "me" than the X5 - Said it!