Fully loaded X5 3.0i V. Fully loaded MDX

[NEED4SPEED]

Tell me which one you chose and why?
Fully loaded BMW X5 3.0i VS. Fully loaded Acura MDX

[Macky EX]

I had the same choice as I thought the MDX and the X5 were the two best. You will find distinct differences. The X5 has a great interior, very sporty handling, surprisingly little room, a crappy navigation system, a nervous ride on bumpy roads and low speed handling that would embarrass a Panzer. One review I have read said the X5 was much worse in snow than the MDX.

I went for the room, the better nav system and the overall driving experience in the MDX. Plus the X5's first model year reliability is probably not as high as Acura's.

Admittedly, I'm a bit biased here - but in fairness to the X5, they're beautiful machines - but I'm glad someone else owns them :silly2:

Check out this comparo for a good review of both the X5 and MDX:

http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caran...comparisontest

You can go ahead and jump to the last two pages of the comparo cuz that's where you'll find the X5 and MDX, with the MDX being on the VERY last page of course I personally would have ranked the X5 behind the RX 300.

My main problem with the X5 is the lack of cargo room. My 2st gen CR-V actually had roughly 10 more cu ft of cargo capacity. I wanted more room, not less.

While the X5 does look nice in the 4.4i 19" wheeled variety, the base model looks kind of, well, base. It's kind of the same feeling I get when I see a base model Camaro. My first reaction is always: "oh, too bad they didn't get the Z/28 with the cool wheels and 305 hp V-8." I have the same reaction to a lesser extent when I see a base MDX, but it's not quite the same feeling cuz I know it's packing the same engine under the hood and is only missing a few niceties compared to the Touring model.

Also, I've read comparos where the X5 breaks down for one reason or another when taken off road in conditions that the MDX conquers with ease. The MDX, while not a heavy duty off-roader, was engineered for "medium duty off-road applications."

Price difference should also been considered. Even a stripped down X5 3.0i is going to set you back more than an MDX. Comparably equipped, you're going to plunk down something like $10K more for the Bimmer, and a loaded out 4.4i is over $60K! Also, the X5 will cost much more in maintenance cost over the life of the vehicle compared to the MDX based upon each manufacturer's past vehicles.

However, if a BMW badge upfront (for snob appeal, or eliteness or whatever you call it), interior and handling performance are your top priorities and you can live with the cargo capacity, poor mileage, harsh ride specially with the sports package, poor off-roading and other shortcomings, you may be better off with the X5 but if I were you, I'd get a BMW 540i wagon instead of the X5.

Oh, and one other minor thing......... The MDX don't self ignite :frog:

http://www.state.ma.us/dfs/pubs/dfsq.htm

The article states that probability of fire is low, though engine defect is high. It also recounts the two incidents where the fire was started.

Don't get me wrong, I like the X5 as well - I actually like the looks better than my departed MDX. But when you look at value -what you get for your 50K- the MDX can't be beat. And I do like that it doesn't spontaneously combust

[Euro19]

I pick the Acura MDX. The X5 is nice, but I consider the MDX has a better interior and more room, and it has a nice styling too. Anyways I don´t like the idea of eveyone driving the same car (X5) and less people the MDX (exclusivity)

[RX7 man]

My dad recently bought a 2003 MDX and its gorgeous both inside and out, also the MDX will maintain its value much more than the X5, and the MDX will have more punch to it. thats my 2 cents

[trey39]

I too had to make this decision. The MDX gives far more value and utility and X5 3.0 drives better (looks better to some as well). But the MDX drives very well for an SUV.

The X5 costs more and gives you a lot less. The MDX's (2003) standard equipment plus the excellent nav plus the rear view camera are all hard to beat. In the end, the third row seat made the decision very easy.

I've put 20K on it in about 10 months (there goes my lease!) in every type of situation (14 hour drives, furniture moving, bussing around several in-laws, snow, etc.) and I'm certain that I would have regretted not having the extra space and utility had I purchased the X5.

How do you feel about the FX35 instead of the X5?