Ask the Car People.SM


Acura MDX vs BMW X5

185 messages,  Last post on Jan 03, 2012 at 7:28 PM

You are in the Acura MDX Forum.

What is this discussion about? Acura MDX, BMW X5, SUV

Messages Page 17 of 19

#156 of 185 MDX vs. X5 by splitwindowvet

Sep 25, 2010 (9:09 am)

We just sold our 07 X5 4.8i and got a MDX with the Advance and Entertainment packages. As much as we liked the X5, it had some issues that might just be attributable to being a first year model or a dealership that can't distinguish their arse from a hole in the ground, but they claim the vehicle was "confused" in terms of how the transmission downshifted when coming to a stop and how it would sometimes think we wanted to drag race the Camry in the next lane when pulling off from a stop because both me and my wife drove the vehicle and had apparently different driving styles. The I Drive is also not great (but better on the updated ones) and the Nav system is horrible compared to Honda/Acura. Here is how I see it:
Pros for the BMW:
Cache of the Brand (which is worth exactly nothing)
Styling
Driving Dynamics
Doors have more of quality feel when closing
No timing belt to replace
Real wood in the interior (although the 2010 and newer MDX looks like real wood compared to the 2007-2009 ones)
 
Pros for the Acura
Does not require 3 days in the shop to reprogram the control unit so the electric glovebox will open (yes, this really happened)
AWD system is better and in the curves does have a more locked down feeling (I drive aggressively)
Transmission shift quality is much better (see my problem listed above)
Third row is more practical
Voice Controls actually are logical and easy to use
Better resale value- at least locally
Much better ride quality in comfort mode
Much better audio system (big factor for me, not so much for the kids)
Better Bluetooth integration
 
Overall, the BMW has real potential, but they from a feature to feature standpoint charge about $15000 more for the same vehicle, and that's reflected in resale values.

#157 of 185 Re: Car and driver states [anon3] by txpackersfan

Sep 26, 2010 (5:42 am)

Replying to: anon3 (Sep 06, 2010 9:23 am)
"Where I live, the MDX is a mini van for soccer moms and grocery stores and are driven from point A to B by people who don't care about driving skill or driving experience. It's just a shiny mass hauler for the upper middle class. If I ever were in the market for a mini-van, I'd certainly consider the MDX."
 
I'd have to say both of these vehicles are for upper middle class soccer mommies. Not sure if things are different in other parts of the country, but here in TX I see mostly women driving both the MDX and the X5. Both can be considered today's luxury minivan.

#158 of 185 swapped out MDX for X5diesel by kfour

Oct 27, 2010 (2:08 pm)

I bought the new MDX a few months ago (3 little kids, occ'l long trips). It's a nice car, but hard to justify the dismal mileage for my daily driver and we decided to get a trailer to pull for trips. I traded in for 2011 X5d and am much happier. Only 500 miles; idrive is less intuitive, but better than acura once you get used to it, plays music from iphone with better quality (premium sound pkg), 3rd row a little tighter, but for kids no problem and the second row seat movement to get back to 3rd row is much easier (can leave kid seat strapped in and just tilt second row forward). I get over 30mpg at 70mph and it's just plain fun to drive, much more connected to the road. Here is one vote for BMW.

#159 of 185 Re: mdx vs x5 [abmwfan] by jdoria

Oct 28, 2010 (7:20 am)

Replying to: abmwfan (Sep 08, 2010 4:46 pm)
On the money.
 
The more I read this, the less likely I am to go buy this MDX. Really, just call a spade a spade. I wanted it because it had a good navigation, a BS 3rd row seat, and was cheap, no other real tangible reason.
 
I love the people who cry about reliability. Who cares if the car breaks, they come pick the car up, fix it, and give you another while you are waiting. I cant say I have been stranded in the past decade from a fault in one of my "premium" cars. Buy a true premium car form a store where you are treated like a human and not cattle and you'll change you tune.
 
We were going to get an 11 X5 until we saw the rear cargo room with the 3rd seat up. So I looked at the QX56, which Im likely to buy on Sat.

#160 of 185 My thoughts by sjaieve

Oct 28, 2010 (11:47 am)

I am also in the market for an SUV and had settled for the MDX because its more reliable and its got more bang for the buck. Now here is my problem. I also have a G37 which is one of the best sports sedans at its price point. I am very familiar with the arguments re: Luxury brand vs Entry Lux brand when comparing a 328i to the G37. Now its purely nonsense to say a 328i will offer Luxury at any scale beyond the G37 given these cars arent that expensive in the first place, hell a minivan can be had for more than each of the two depending on the options. However, at the MDX and X5 level, this argument becomes much more relevant to me at least. We are talking 50k+ for a very well equipped X5/MDX. I can pay 40k for a car that has common parts with a cheaper Nissan (370Z), but 50k+ for a Pilot derived SUV, now thats a tough pill to swallow. I am not saying the MDX does not drive well, neither am I saying it doesnt have a great interior etc, but for the kind of money we are talking about not sharing parts with cheaper models becomes very relevant IMO.
 
Right now I am leaning towards the X5 35i for the reasons above, I will keep my G37 for driving pleasure and the X5 for "brand cache". However, I need to see if the HPFP issue arises on the N55 as well in the 2011s.
 
And then of course there is this issue
 
http://www.boston.com/cars/newsandreviews/overdrive/2010/10/bmw_recalls_150000_c- - - ars_over_f.html?rss_id=Top+Stories
 
A Porsche Cayenne is probably the better way to go but you cant beat the BMW deals on the X5

#161 of 185 Just got '09 MDX by guy2watch

Dec 13, 2010 (1:22 pm)

Guys - after following quite a few threads and reading many posts I did what I really wanted to do (and could have)
 
I will be honest here - I thought about both X5 and MDX and the reason I went with MDX is plain and simple - it did cost me less then what X5 would have. My criteria was simple - fun SUV with 6 to 7 seats, bluetooth connectivity, reasonable gas mileage/stereo and not over my budget (MDX fulfilled these with less money compare to X5)
 
So, to cut it short - I would say both are good in their own leagues and it all comes down to your priorities. Depending on which, you try to justify your vehicle
 
At the end of the day picture this - You won a million dollar that you could only spend on car which one would you buy ? (price, mileage, brand, etc. wouldn't really come into the picture I'm sure) and like someone above pointed out everyone would get a car that they can afford and will do anything/everything to justify it. (human nature !)
 
P.S. - I'd have gone for the costliest one if had a million to spend on (if that confirms anything)
 
Let's enjoy our respective rides

#162 of 185 MDX vs X5 by westportct

Dec 20, 2010 (6:38 am)

Replying to: pb13f8013 (Sep 15, 2010 4:00 pm)
I own an 07 MDX with Sport and Ent Package and a Cayenne GTS (Manual). The MDX is our haul around the 3 kids car and the GTS is the fun driving Mom and Dad go to dinner car. If I could take the interior tech from the MDX and place it in the Cayenne GTS, I would have the perfect car. Our MDX now has 60k miles and is going strong. It still feels new (except for the smell of gold fish and cheese sticks from the car seats). I thought I would be ready for a new car by now but am sticking with it. I can't find a reason to swap it out. We had the car in for a 60k mile service and drove a 2011 MDX loaner for a weekend trip. Could not really tell the difference. My MDX still drives like it did in 07. No wonder why the resale value is so high. The only thing that really bugs me about the MDX vs the x5 is that the X5 (with all the cool options at least) looks so much better. The MDX is OK looking at best. Not sure who designed the grills for Acura, but they should be fired. Just looks wrong. My advice is if you are going to drive kids around, go with the MDX. If you are going to be "seen", go with the BMW with the fancy sport options.

#163 of 185 Honest Answer by jtbazz

Feb 22, 2011 (9:07 pm)

I have owned many high end vehicles and I think what everyone is forgetting on this forum is that the MDX and the BMW x5 are both SUVs. Most people are buying one of the two because they have a family.
 
I own a Porsche 911 and that has a fun factor to it, both these SUVs are designed to be safe family movers.
 
I have spent a lot of time behind the wheel of both these vehicles and anyone who says the BMW is a better or a more fun car to drive is being blinded by what they consider the presitge of the brand.
 
Anyone buying an SUV would most likely have a main goal of reliability and safety. Both these cars are extremely safe but lets be honest, BMW's are hit or miss in the reliability arena. For the first 3 or 4 years that doesnt matter but if anyone plans on keeing the vehicle past that point you may get into a dangerous gamble with the BMW.
 
I am not bashing BMW's, I love them and owned an M5 which i consider the greatest sports sedan ever made. But when I bought it I knew after 3 years I would get something else so reliability was never a factor.
 
I am going on record right now saying neither the MDX or the X5 are fun to drive vehicles, they are comfortable and easy to drive vehicles that are both enjoyable. They are very very similar in all aspects. One is extremely reliable and the other has that prestige factor for those who feel they need it. When you get past the point in your life when you dont need a badge to define you, things become clearer.
 
In the SUV world the honest answer is the Acura is the better choice. There is a huge price difference between the 2 vehicles when comp equiped and the Acura does most things better.
 
If you look at both these vehicles for what they are and put the badge aside I cant see how someone with any experience with both these vehicles could disagree.
 
Again, this is an unbiased review but thought that this forum deserved an honest answer.
 
Acura advantages:
 
AWD system much better
Stereo much Better
Real leather and not "leatherette" standard
standard third row
Navigation much better
Reliability Much better
Standard technology much better in Acura
Handling is a tie
Power is a tie
Safety is a tie
Acura has better resale value

#164 of 185 Re: Honest Answer [jtbazz] by sloperb

Feb 22, 2011 (10:32 pm)

Replying to: jtbazz (Feb 22, 2011 9:07 pm)
I've owned both and have to agree the mdx is better.
 
I would add the following in favor of the mdx:
Cost
Gas mileage
Doors open wider
Bigger trunk area
More console area
Better tech/entertainment configuration
Actually has a spare tire
 
I just wish my mdx hadn't started smoking from the center console and that Acura hadn't told me it was nothing even though the fire department responded and confirmed the smoke smell. I'd still be happily driving the mdx if that hadnt happened.

#165 of 185 Re: Honest Answer [jtbazz] by wwest

Feb 23, 2011 (9:49 am)

Replying to: jtbazz (Feb 22, 2011 9:07 pm)
"..Acura advantages.."
 
"..AWD system much better.."
 
In your dreams...!
 
First, let me assure you that BMW was removed from my shopping list many years ago.
 
But BMW's R/awd system will ALWAYS outperform ANY F/awd system, even the best of the BEST, the SH-AWD system.
 
Since wheelspin/slip cannot be forecasted, predicted, the SH-AWD system MUST remove engine drive torque from the front wheels at anytime the engine torque level rises high enough than wheelspin/slip "might" result. Along with the high engine torque problem we have the threat of loss of directional control should to much engine torque, MODERATE engine torque, be applied to the front wheels when in a turn, especially a TIGHT turn.
 
In a turn the SH-AWD system operates inversely to the common knowlege existing for many years in the 4WD world. Any experienced 4WD owner/driver will tell you that it is UNWISE, in the extreme, to have engine drive to the front and rear on a highly traction surface, most especially so when turning.
 
But these F/awd systems such as the SH-AWD system have little choice. In order to reduce/alleviate some of the risk of loss of directional control when turning due to ALL the engine torque being routed to the front, some of that torque MUST be reapportioned to the rear.
 
4WD mode, "center diff'l" LOCKED, on a perfectly dry, highly tractive surface.
 
Shear IDIOCY.
 
So, regardless of the level of roadbed traction the SH-AWD system MUST re-apportion engine torque to the rear in the above conditions.
 
You may have noticed the inordinant level of driveline component failures in the early MDX's with the VTM-4 F/awd system...??
 
Those clearly resulted from STRESS and HEAT of driveline components due to "AWD" mode engagement of the "center diff'l" even on the highest tractive roadbed surface you might encounter.
 
If I were to somehow find myself owning an MDX the first thing I would do is disable the rear drive clutches except if/when I expected to be driving on low traction conditions.
 
Bottom line: If you truly need "AWD" wintertime functionality then look to the 4runner or even the Lexus LX or GX, or any R/awd system.

Messages Page 17 of 19

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement