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Porsche Cayenne vs. Acura MDX vs. BMW X5

57 messages,  Last post on Apr 12, 2012 at 9:21 AM

You are in the Porsche Cayenne Forum.

What is this discussion about? Porsche Cayenne, Acura MDX, BMW X5, Car Comparisons, SUV

Messages Page 4 of 7

#26 of 57 Re: MDX ftw [anon3] by gurm

Aug 25, 2009 (6:05 pm)

Replying to: anon3 (Aug 01, 2009 6:48 pm)
Alright anon3.....what kind of country's rich counties you live in...malibu beach or what,,,,,huh?? I live in Kirkland, WA in King county & its most expensive part of Seatte area to live in. I saw your posting few weeks back. Now get ready for some numbers. I drive about 14 miles each way to work...I have so far seen about 23 BMW X5s & about 19 of them were being driven by women, saw a couple at local Safeway for groceries, one at a local paint store by a lady again. Saw about 32 MDXs, 17 by women, rest by males, didn't bother to worry about Cayenne or Lexus. Now that doesn't mean these numbers mean anything or stand a justification, but just an example for you. Your point is BMW'a more of a man's car, that's just an illiterate statement. Do you think women don't drive X5? or do you think only women drive MDX? Or do you think all the guys who buy MDX or X5 don't have wives & so they can't drive their family SUV to school, or groceries??? Truth is these SUVs are mostly owned by families & anybody in the family can drive, is that right or you wouldn't let your wife drive your X5 (if you even have one)?? Have you ever heard that a single lady bought an MDX or X5 or even a single mom living on her own bought an MDX or X5?? These are two good family SUVs. Regarding comparisons with other SUVs, see us news ranking which has MDX on number one & X5 on 10 plus for last couple of years including 2010. And I drive an Audi S4, a V8 340 hp, 2008 MDX sports, sold an X5 last year for an MDX & yes I know sporty rides & SUVs, MDX is much better than X5. BMW's sale demographis, where do you get that from?? Now I won't say unlike other people that I have owned 15 X5s, 12 MDXs etc etc. People should think smart before making statements & yes please consider Chrysler mini-van.

#27 of 57 Re: Cayenne - Winner No Contest [bmlexus] by dixsea

Sep 02, 2009 (11:16 am)

Replying to: bmlexus (Aug 12, 2009 9:42 pm)
Took your advice & drove the BMW. Also drove the Lexus, Mercedes M class and the Volvo... none of them gave me the thrill of driving that my Crushed Cayenne did.
I have purchased an Audi Q5 (sight unseen, no test drive). It was delivered Monday and I must say that I am thrilled! It may not be a Cayenne, but its an awesome drive, fun, sporty and feels like a good solid ride. I would bet that the Q7 would be a wonderful drive too!
 
If you haven't driven the Audi Q5 do yourself a favor and take one for a spin!

#28 of 57 Re: Cayenne - Winner No Contest [dixsea] by bmlexus

Sep 08, 2009 (10:01 am)

Replying to: dixsea (Sep 02, 2009 11:16 am)
Hello, congratulations on your new Q5.
 
I think it was a surprise that u went for an Audi, if u liked the cayenne so much why didn't u get another cayenne?
 
Somehow I feel the Q5 to be not as safe as the cayenne, I could be wrong, btw,which bmw did u test? The x5 or the x6?
 
Hows the Q5 experience so far?

#29 of 57 Re: Cayenne X5 MDX RRS [jcchevy] by oreo3

Sep 26, 2009 (1:33 am)

Replying to: jcchevy (Jul 09, 2009 11:45 am)
Hi. What did you end up buying and what did you pay. Thanks
 
Hi. Just wondering what you ended up buying. I'm looking into almost all of the same cars.

#31 of 57 Late post by sjaieve

Dec 06, 2009 (6:46 pm)

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/07q2/bmw_x5_vs._acura_mdx_cadill- ac_srx_m-b_ml350_lexus_gx470_volvo_xc90_vw_touareg_land_rover_lr3-comparison_tes- ts
 
The above post is just to show the MDX drives well, thats why it came first. Reliability and fit & finish I would refer to consumer report where it does well.
 
I am in the mkt for a 7/8 seater myself and the MDX is at the top of my list. X5, cant do, BMW ranks below Hyundai these days in reliability ratings.
 
Cayenne, cant afford optioned the way I like.
 
The problem with this comparison is if you take a fully loaded MDX, 50k you barely get much for the X5 or the Cayenne. Thats an unfair comparison if you are speaking in global terms but is fair if you are speaking from your perspective. So one with and income of $X will conclude the 50k MDX is the best, which is true at that level. But one with an income of 10*$X is looking to spend up to say $100k, the MDX is not available at that level (for a reason) and is likely going to look like crap compared to the $100k Cayenne. Thats what I see in this comparison although I liked the discussion of the gvt paying 33% for a Cayenne:) Thanks for education. I will look into it.
 
My ranking is MDX and absolutely no comment on the other 2 other than BMW seriously needs to look into reliability issues, you cant be a luxury make with reliability ratings at the bottom of the totem pole.

#32 of 57 Re: Late post [sjaieve] by tastycakes55

Dec 07, 2009 (6:55 am)

Replying to: sjaieve (Dec 06, 2009 6:46 pm)
I just purchased a MDX but I'm going to disagree with your post.
 
I've owned BMWs in the past - their reliability has never been a serious concern as far as I am aware (from personal experience and anecdotal experiences of peers); it is always the out of pocket maintenance costs after their covered maintenance and warranty expire which become expensive. Plus, at least by me, the BMW dealer service experience is outstanding. You drive your car right into heated bays and drive off with a dealer loaner of the same type within minutes and unless your car is off warranty/maintenance, the bill is usually $0.
 
Also, that comparison is nearly 3 years old. You can't make many conclusions about it except what one may have done back in 2007.
 
Since then, were C&D to do an updated comparison, they'd probably be comparing the MDX to the Audi X5, new Cadillac SRX, new Lexus RX, Audi Q7, Volvo XC60, new Cayenne, new Infiniti FX 35/50, Buick Enclave, and that weird new Lincoln car for which I forget its name.
 
The MDX occupies the space as best compromise between luxury, value, driving experience, options, and utility. (IMO), Each and every one of the MDX's competitors beats the MDX hands down in one of those categories, but not all. I personally don't like the MDX much but it's hard to justify the BMW or Porsche when you have kids and cargo and some sense of fiscal restraint.
 
The reasons why someone would choose the X5 or Cayenne over the MDX have nothing to do with utility and everything to do with wanting to drive a certain brand's SUV/CUV offering. For those reasons, I think the MDX sells very poorly if someone wants a Porsche/BMW but cross shops the MDX.

#33 of 57 Re: Late post [tastycakes55] by sjaieve

Dec 07, 2009 (8:36 am)

Replying to: tastycakes55 (Dec 07, 2009 6:55 am)
Not sure what you are going on about but excuse my ignorance, I will not use your experience as a basis for an argument of whether BMW is reliable or not. I will use consumerreports.org. Per their 2009 study here is how it all works out:
5: Acura (The 2nd highest ranked Luxury make
7: Lexus
8: Hyundai
9: Porsche (This means its still reliable as it is in the top ten)
26: BMW
27: Mini (In other words BMW)
28: GMC
29: Saturn
30: Jeep
31: Dodge
32: Cadillac
33: Chrysler
 
Now call that what you like, all I am saying is I work hard for my pennies and given an option of flirting with the bottom ten or the top ten in reliability I choose the top ten. Unfortunately as I said earlier the Porsche is a great car and I will go with the MDX as its cheaper. Do I think I am getting more for my money than the Porsche, NO. Porsche makes great cars and fun to drive but at this stage in my life I have to be rational and choose the MDX. Ultimately though, when Porsche brings its all to the Cayenne, the MDX will not stand a chance.
 
Yes the study is of the 2007 models, but for now that is all we have. Everything else you said is just speculation and we can live it at that.

#34 of 57 Ok...help by borno

Dec 20, 2009 (12:49 pm)

Ok, so agreed MDX is the intelligent choice, except...booooring, and it's GVWR is just under the 6K necessary for the business deduction. So, I have narrowed it down to a '09 cayenne gts, with a stick, well equipped and heavily discounted about 17% off sticker, and an '09 X5 loaded with M-Sport package(everything but M engine), etc. I can get is for about 15% off sticker, add the free maintenance and they are comparable deals.
 
Overall the gts would cost a little more, but it has the stick,(which I love, and wife doesn't prefer), more power and as previously mentioned, better reliability. Also has the hard-drive based nav. My wife has a loaded '04 Sienna with 100K, which she claims she'll keep for another 100K, except my third car is a '01bmw M3 conv, stick. So, when I'm driving it 8 or so months a year, she'll be driving the newer suv. She'd prefer the automatic on the X5. Again, similar deals, the bimmer around $5K less overall or so.
 
Also, I have a 15 year old son who will be driving soon, so he'll start with the van, and we'll see after that. The rest of the picture is that I currently drive a audi A6Q, 2.7T, with a stick, and 127K on it, love it but needs cats for $2-3K. Funny, I used to drive the M3 less, but as the audi aged I've changed and drive it more. Have a feeling that when kid is driving, I'll be driving it 'full-time'., although tempted to fix audi for him, know the history, teach him to drive a stick, and still short $4 between repairs ($3k) and current value($2K) total $5Kish.
 
Have followed both vehicles for a couple of weeks, and not sure who if and who may get more aggressive as the end of the year approaches, may help push me in a direction.
 
Any ideas, suggestions or comment are appreciated. Want to pull this of B4 eoy.
Happy and healthy to all!!
 
Thanks

#35 of 57 Current X5 owner by mdxfan3

Jan 04, 2010 (6:06 pm)

Guys-
 
Read the posts and felt my 2 cents might help. I've owned an X5 for 4 years now. Pluses are perfect ride/handling balance, very smooth 6 engine, nice looking even in black. Minuses are: It's shockingly unreliably. No problems with the engine/ drivetrain. But things break all the time. Plus, it's had weird electrical gremlins that two dealers could not solve. Once every 3 months I have to literally shut it down and restart just like my pc (when its hazard lights start flashing and all interior lights come on by themselves). Never been a safety issue yet but very weird.
 
Regarding the other bmw owner;s post, here's the difference. The X5 and X3 are the only bmw's made in America. The rest are from Germany. The ones from Germany are far more reliable. That's the difference and it's an important one. Since I only drive this car about 4K mi/yr, I'm only at the dealer about twice a year to get things fixed and that's why I've kept it this long. Coming from an Avalon and two Honda before that, I expected much better. Not the same, but much better. Make no mistake, I love my X5. But it's lack of reliability bothers me such that I'm switching brands.
 
Drove an Audi Q5. Perfect car. Not sure it's worth $48K optioned up and it looks a little too cute/precious for my taste as a guy (like a murano). But it's a fantastic, quality car and I might end up buying one. Have not driven the mdx yet despite my screen name. Waited for the 2010s arrival first. New styling leaves me a bit cold but I'm attracted to its mechanical excellence and Car & Driver comparo win. We'll see...
 
Four cars I'd also really like to consider are due to be restyled in the next year: BMW 5-series awd, BMW 3-series awd, and Porsche Cayenne. Also, the new BMW X1 looks so much better than the X3 and I hear will be not be made in America but not planning to arrive here until late 2010. (Nothing anti-American. I just won't get burned twice.) Feels like my timing is off with all of these. Since I paid cash for the X5, am planning to hold on to it until something grabs me.
 
Sorry this post was a bit long winded but I've been casually looking for about a year now and had quite a few thoughts to share. Hope this helped someone!

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