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2011 Acura MDX Suspension and Ride Experience

23 messages,  Last post on Aug 03, 2011 at 7:34 PM

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What is this discussion about? Acura MDX, SUV

    

Messages Page 2 of 3

#4 of 23 Re: 2011 MDX Tech vs Advanced-suspension [cha2] by brittu

May 19, 2011 (10:39 pm)

Replying to: cha2 (Dec 20, 2010 10:08 am)
I'd like to know the answer to that question too. Anybody? Is the ride of a regular tech more like the "comfort" or "sport" mode of the Advanced?
 
I'm having a hard time deciding if I should be a used 10 tech or advanced or just save money and get a loaded '09...

#5 of 23 Re: 2011 MDX Tech vs Advanced-suspension [brittu] by cloviskid

May 20, 2011 (8:05 am)

Replying to: brittu (May 19, 2011 10:39 pm)
I don't think you are going to "notice" much difference between the two suspensions. HOWEVER, that is because the adaptive sports suspension will always give the best ride possible without compromising handling. For me, the adaptive sports suspension is another safety feature. If you hit the brakes hard, the front suspension will tighten; therefore, much less front-end dip.
 
The 2010 and 2011 are identical vehicles. All the improvements were made on the 2010 - much improved technology compared to the 2009, and in my opinion, much better looking.
 
Other considerations - the 2010 Advance has the blind spot info system which I love, the adaptive cruise control (plus regular cruise control) which is another safety feature as well as making long drives more comfortable. I have driven as far as 100 miles without touching the gas or brakes. Also get the Collision Mitigation Braking System, another safety feature. In addition, when the stability control kicks in the adaptive suspension immediately adjusts for the best traction at each wheel.
 
The additional advantages of the hard-drive sound system and nav system also make the 2010 my choice.
 
I never thought I'd use the "ventilated seat" feature but I was very mistaken. When driving in 100+ degree weather, even with the air on, I have always had a problem with the back of my shirt getting wet. No more. The ventilated seats solved that problem.
 
Too many changes in the 2010 to go for the 2009, and the Advance package gives you the best possible ride and handling.

#6 of 23 Re: 2011 MDX Tech vs Advanced-suspension [cloviskid] by brittu

May 21, 2011 (12:32 am)

Replying to: cloviskid (May 20, 2011 8:05 am)
Thanks for the reply, cloviskid, it's really helpful. I'm definitely going 2010 or 2011 if I can find the right one. Hopefully I can figure out how to afford an Advance package. I've been so cheap with my cars for so many years it'd just be nice for once to get exactly what I want.
 
Did you have much of a chance to drive a base or tech version? I'd still like to figure out if a regular tech drives more like an advance in "comfort" mode or if it's more akin to "sport". I'm probably more for smooth ride and comfort. If I have to compromise on budget to get a 2010 in my price range I'm wondering if I'd find a regular tech comfy enough...

#7 of 23 Re: 2011 MDX Tech vs Advanced-suspension [brittu] by cloviskid

May 21, 2011 (8:34 am)

Replying to: brittu (May 21, 2011 12:32 am)
The Acura dealer in my area only had a Tech for me to test drive. Then days later I drove 100 miles to the nearest dealer with an Advance to test drive. It's too hard to tell between the two when test driving.
 
In 2010 Acura retuned the comfort-sport settings. In most cases I can't tell the difference when I select between the two. Sometimes I can tell a very minor difference. But keep in mind, Cadillac uses almost the identical system and they don't have driver selectable settings. It really isn't necessary since the system can be tuned to always give the most comfort until a stiffer suspension is needed. Even if I use the sport setting, the ride is much smoother on a rough road than my 2003 Infiniti I-35 was.
 
I almost purchased a 2010 Honda Pilot but decided I'd better at least test drive the MDX. Once I drove the MDX, I no longer wanted the Honda. I justified the cost of the MDX Advance by deciding to keep in longer than I would have if I purchased a less expensive SUV.
 
The 2010 MDX is my dream car - the car I've dreamed about for years. My dream car had to have all-wheel drive and Acura's is the best. It had to have an adaptive sports suspension and I believe there is none better than Acura's. It had to have ventilated front seats and the MDX Advance does, and they work well. It had to have some sort of a collision warning or mitigation system and the MDX Advance does. It also had to have a top-of-the-line Navigation system, and the MDX does. I got everything I wanted in the MDX Advance. I didn't compromise anything. At 66 years old, I felt if I didn't get exactly what I wanted, I probably never would. I've had the vehicle for nearly ten months with ZERO problems.
 
I also like comfort over sports suspensions. But I also want the extra layer of safety a sports suspension provides when an emergency arises and with the adaptive suspension, I get both. Driving the MDX in the mountains is like driving a small car around those curves. I thought my Infiniti I-35 handled well, but the Acura puts the Infiniti to shame.
 
If you don't get the Advance package, you will always wonder if you did the right thing. Just my two cents worth.

#9 of 23 2011 MDX ride experience by longsung

Jul 18, 2011 (9:06 am)

Just got a 2011 MDX base model. I found the ride is slightly bumpy on any road condistions regardless of the speed, especially compared to my other car Toyota Avalon. Since this is my first MDX, I'm wondering if this bumpy ride is normal.

#10 of 23 Re: 2011 MDX ride experience [longsung] by steve_ HOST

Jul 18, 2011 (11:22 am)

Replying to: longsung (Jul 18, 2011 9:06 am)
Check for the simple stuff first, that being the air pressure. Sometimes the dealers forget to air down the tires to spec when they deliver a new car.

#11 of 23 Re: 2011 MDX Tech vs Advanced-suspension [brittu] by ed168

Aug 01, 2011 (8:32 pm)

Replying to: brittu (May 19, 2011 10:39 pm)
I have a 2007 MDX Tech. The ride is horrible! It is very choppy. Every friend site in my MDX and complaint about the poor ride. We own a BMW, Mecedes Mits. Montero or Lexus before; never have such a poor ride. I don't own the Advance. I don't know how the Advance ride. I don't think it will be that much different. I'm very suprised how poor Acura made this MDX in term of ride comfort. You don't feel like you are riding on a luxury car when driving the MDX. Especially when it hits on a bumpy road, your whole body shake up and down and side way; horrible choppy ride! Not worth the money! You pay this kind of money, you don't just expect just reliable, you would expect ride like a luxury car. The SUV totally failed!

#12 of 23 Re: 2011 MDX Tech vs Advanced-suspension [ed168] by cloviskid

Aug 01, 2011 (9:33 pm)

Replying to: ed168 (Aug 01, 2011 8:32 pm)
I have the 2010 MDX Advance which is identical to the 2011. Everyone, young and old, tell me how smooth the ride is. Doesn't matter whether I have it on the Comfort or Sport setting, most times I can barely feel the bumps even on a bad road. Much smoother ride than my 2003 Infiniti I-35 with the standard (not sports) suspension.
 
Acura re-calibrated the Comfort and Sport settings for 2010 (applies also to 2011) to make the ride more compliant in both Comfort and Sport settings.
 
A couple weeks ago I got in a very bad situation on the freeway in Southern California. I was in lane #3 on a 5-lane freeway when the vehicle in front of me went into lane #4. Immediately the Collision Mitigation Braking System went into the Alert 1 stage warning me of a possible collision. I was going around 70MPH. The car directly ahead of me was going at most 10 MPH - it had a tire blowout. All I could do is swerve into lane #2 to get around it. This is where the adaptive suspension shines. On an emergency swerve into another lane, the suspension tightens nicely. I had no problem at all. The blind spot light was not on so I didn't have to worry about a car being in the other lane. Regardless, I would have had to swerve into that lane to avoid hitting the nearly stopped vehicle while going nearly 70MPH.
 
With the adaptive suspension, you get the benefit of a comfort suspension without sacrificing handling when you need it. Even if you have it in the Comfort setting, the owners manual says if necessary it will automatically go into the Sport setting and then automatically return back to the Comfort setting, or vice versa, in extreme cases.
 
The Collision Mitigation Braking System stage 1 warning has gone off 4 times during my first year of ownership. Each time I could see a good reason why it went off. But each time I was attentive and had the situation under control. Stage 1 warning is a beep beep beep and the word BRAKES flashing in red on and off in big letters on the dashboard. Could be a life saver if you happen to turn your head to the side at the same time the vehicle in front of you puts on his brakes.
 
Just over a year, and no problems with my MDX. Best vehicle, by far, that I have ever owned.

#13 of 23 Re: 2011 MDX Tech vs Advanced-suspension [ed168] by acmdx

Aug 02, 2011 (9:45 am)

Replying to: ed168 (Aug 01, 2011 8:32 pm)
It is obvious that you have a suspension problem. The MDX is well known to have a smooth ride, and the Advanced is way smoother. I owned brand new Mercedes SUV's for the last 10 years, and they had a terrible ride (wobbling) unless you installed Bilsteans or some other good shocks.
 
I am in the mdxers forum, and we all love the ride of our MDX. The only people that complain are the ones that have some serious issue, like you. Bad shocks, suspension component, etc.
 
It seems like it is a second hand vehicle. If you have extended warranty, you can go to the dealer for a checkup.. They will tell you right away what is wrong with your suspension.

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