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SUVs Acura MDX Acura MDX vs BMW X5
126 messages, Last post on Jun 08, 2009 at 12:20 PM
You are in the Acura MDX Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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Replying to: upstatedoc (Jan 09, 2008 6:55 am)  It is one beautiful vehicle though. I particularly like the dash and console design.
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Replying to: chrism124 (Jan 06, 2008 8:55 am) We narrowed our choices down to MDX, X5 and Q7 and then started thinking about gas mileage and eliminated Q7 (I really did like it but 12/17 is a buzzkill). I thought that the MDX and the X5 both handled really well. Neither has a spacious 3rd row, but it's only for kids and they fit just fine. My husband has the Acrua RL and I have to say that the nav stinks compared to the BMW. I liked the one knob that controls all on the BMW. Acrua you have to hit a diff button for ac, nav, audio and there isn't a split screen like BMW where you can have nav on and music details up at the same time. I'm a little embarassed to say that in the end, it came down to looks for me. I chose the X5 because I think the MDX looks like a Transformer. So I paid an extra $9k got the better nav with the better looks. I've had the X5 now for a month and I LOVE IT! Best decision for us. Best of luck! |
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Replying to: love2driveinct (Jan 09, 2008 6:26 am) The XC90 is a good “family hauler”. However I would not want to put a teenager in the 3rd row. It might be a bit tight. The 4-year old should not have a problem. I also found the front leg space to be a bit tight. Noticeable on longer car rides. The X5 would be my first choice but the 9k difference is a bit much. I agree the MDX doesn’t look as clean as the X5 but the 9k can be use elsewhere. If I was leasing the vehicle, I would go with the X5. But I am jumping off the leasing merry-go-round. For the argument of reliability of Asian built vehicles over others, we had a 04 MDX for 2-years. It was in the shop 6 times for warranty related work. My 07 Lexus has been in the shop 5 times. Both of my prior BMW’s and the current Volvo never had warranty related work done. It could be luck or another reason but just my .02. Regards, NHman |
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Replying to: chrism124 (Jan 09, 2008 10:02 am) So did you end up going with the '08 MDX? I think the 2nd gen MDX is sharp. Not too many of them around here but when I see one coming towards me from the other direction I say "Hey that's a sharp looking vehicle". The X5 and XC90 look like their sedan counterparts, only higher. I like the transformer look, it's futuristic.
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Replying to: upstatedoc (Jan 09, 2008 10:30 am) I'm not really sure if I like the new style...I can't quite figure out if it's actually the design that I can't get used to, or just the fact that it's such a big change from the '06... I also have to say, and I hope this is okay to say here, that my hubby and I, and some friends of ours, all think the dashboard set-up reminds us a lot of female reproductive organs, and thus it has been deemed a "chick car".  Hope I didn't ruin it for anyone... hahaha |
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Replying to: upstatedoc (Jan 09, 2008 6:55 am) I try not to get overly caught up in the reliability thing -- everyone seems to have a different story in regards to that. We will lease a brand-new vehicle for 3 years, so in some ways I think it probably doesn't matter as much. ??? (Not that I want to frequently end up in the waiting area at my local dealer, free or not.) But I know you are right about the spaciousness -- it was one of the reasons we leaned toward the MDX in the first place. Our last new vehicle decision was a choice made between the XC90, Ody, and MDX. We were also coming from an 04 Ody, so we weren't sure how much we could handle in terms of downgrading in size, lol. But looking to a year from now, when I'll be down to one booster seat (as opposed to one booster & one car seat right now), I feel like I have more choices in the space category. And any vehicle that has a built-in booster seat is going to be on my list. 
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Replying to: chrism124 (Jan 09, 2008 10:02 am) Thank you so much for your response; all of the things you have said are things to consider. It is interesting how there are so many horror stories about Volvos needing constant repairs, but then it seems there are just as many stories about happy owners. And yes, I have a good friend whose Volvo literally saved her life in a rollover crash. Interesting you mention leasing, since that is what we are doing, also. When we shopped in Feb 06, Volvo gave us no incentive to lease with them -- the RV wasn't great, the MF stunk, and they weren't selling at any kind of discount. Maybe things will be different next time around... But getting back to the topic of this forum -- the biggest thing that will change the next time around is the addition of the X5 in our choices. With the new third row seat, we can actually consider this vehicle for our family. My late father was a big-time BMW enthusiast, so I feel like I have a predisposition to the bimmers... especially when I remember the way fellow BMW owners would give a little "beep" when they saw one another on the road, back in the early 80's before they became so mainstream.
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I am a bimmer fan (as you could tell by my sreen name) but not a fanboy. I am also a BMW club member and receive their monthly magazine "Roundel". In April 2007's issue, they did a comparison test X5 (not the V8) vs. MDX (with sports package). The author, whom I assume is a BMW fan since he writes for the magazine, says there is NO reason to justify the extra $14000 for a similarly equipped X5 except for the badge.... The MDX performed equally as the X5, and better than the X5 in some areas. The 3rd row seat in the X5 is an option and you will only get those infamous run flat tires (no spare) with the 3rd row in the X5. Now I wish Acura would put some real wood in the MDX and the plastic door handles look really cheap. The MDX is WIDE (88" with side mirrors I believe). If you have a narrow garage, that will be a pain. I think they should have power folding side mirrors. The MDX has its own share of problems too but I think it's the best bang for the buck if you could get over the style and if you don't need to be seen driving a BMW.
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Replying to: upstatedoc (Jan 09, 2008 10:30 am) I am starting to see more of the newer MDX's but it is still an uncommon vehicle around my area. The front could use a redesign but I have seen worse (and certainly better). However the design is starting to grow on me. Just think of the added bonus, besides getting a good SUV, you would also have a robot protector! Regards, NHman |
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