Ditched my Lexus....why didn't I do this sooner???

[viperdoc]

Hi all,

new to BMW, and thought I would share my quick story. Bought a new Lexus RX F sport in 2013, thinking that the firmer suspension, new transmission, and aesthetics would make it a fun car to drive. In short, I grew to really hate it. The car was too heavy, engine underpowered, transmission mapping was the worst in any auto I have owned, and the suspension so firm that it was almost bone-jarring.

So I over the past many months I have been thinking about German brands. Didn't like the Mercedes M350, and the Audi Q7 was too lumbering for my tastes. X3 and Q5 were just a touch too small. Test drove the X5 was a was blown away. I didn't want a new one, though, as I still had a bad taste in my mouth seeing the Lexus' value drop like a rock. So, I decided on CPO.

As luck would have it, a local dealer had a CPO Elite that I went to take a look at last week. Mineral Silver with Mocha interior. Premium, drivers assist and drivers assist plus, cold weather, and luxury line. 6,000 miles on the odometer. Tinted front windows, and full nose clear bra. Asking $53K. It was in PERFECT condition....not so much as a dead bug, scratch, or any blemish, inside or out. The exterior color wasn't my first choice, but I did want something light, as I am getting stationed in Texas (again) in May. It has since grown on me. I love the mocha interior. I really liked the M sports they had on the lot, but with all the options I wanted, the price went past $63K pretty fast. This car had almost everything I wanted, so I made the deal.

After driving it over the weekend, I have to say that this is best driving car I have ever had. Tranny is spectacular, seats are more comfortable than the Lexus, quieter than the Lexus too. Better gas mileage than I was getting before. Power and handling is, as expected, tremendous. It has the stock 255/50r19s on now, which look too small. Will probably go up to 20s with non-run flats before the first snow falls (has goodyears on, which are rated horribly).

Anyway, here the obligatory pic...

[Kzang]

Welcome and Congratulations on your new purchase and switch from Lexus
Enjoy your ultimate driving machine

[artem123]

Nice!

[Blackhawks]

Congrats on the great find. I hated my Lexus, too!!!

[twelve535i]

I drive my brothers's RX350 from time to time. It's surprising how bumpy the ride is, seeing that's its a huge hit with soccer moms. (I guess the soccor mom comment holds true for the whole crossover segment ha ha)

[viperdoc]

Originally Posted by twelve535i

I drive my brothers's RX350 from time to time. It's surprising how bumpy the ride is, seeing that's its a huge hit with soccer moms. (I guess the soccor mom comment holds true for the whole crossover segment ha ha)

Yeah, as I drove the Lexus for the few months of ownership I couldn't figure out whether something was wrong or not....it was so terrible. I was hesitant to even drive the x5 because I knew about its handling abilities and figured it would be an even worse ride. But on an extended test drive I took it on the worst roads I could find here and my jaw literally dropped at how well it muted everything....even with run flats on!

I would like to go to 20 inch staggered wheels but don't want to ruin the ride. But I would go to non-run flats so I am hoping it would even out?

[twelve535i]

Originally Posted by viperdoc

Yeah, as I drove the Lexus for the few months of ownership I couldn't figure out whether something was wrong or not....it was so terrible. I was hesitant to even drive the x5 because I knew about its handling abilities and figured it would be an even worse ride. But on an extended test drive I took it on the worst roads I could find here and my jaw literally dropped at how well it muted everything....even with run flats on!

I would like to go to 20 inch staggered wheels but don't want to ruin the ride. But I would go to non-run flats so I am hoping it would even out?

I swapped out my 20" run flat tires to non run flat continental DWS06 tires and the ride definitely improved. The tires on the 19" wheels have a lot of sidewall compared to the 20" wheel. You'll probably be sacrificing some comfort even if moving from runflat to regular tires. The ride is fine for me, and definitely feels more comfortable than the lexus.

Is that a MDX in the garage? How do you like that?

[kanvas]

I have an '05 RX330 and don't think it's too bad. Anyway big congrats to the purchase and welcome to the forum!

[viperdoc]

Originally Posted by twelve535i

I swapped out my 20" run flat tires to non run flat continental DWS06 tires and the ride definitely improved. The tires on the 19" wheels have a lot of sidewall compared to the 20" wheel. You'll probably be sacrificing some comfort even if moving from runflat to regular tires. The ride is fine for me, and definitely feels more comfortable than the lexus.

Is that a MDX in the garage? How do you like that?

Yes, my wife's car is a 2014 MDX advance model (we got the dvd player for the kids). I love the MDX. I actually thought about getting another one for my daily driver, but thought that was really boring to have two of the same car. Then I drove the X5. Compared to the X5, the MDX is about 1 inch wider (better for three car seats in the back), but also 1 inch lower. My wife says she likes the ride height of the X5 a little better. MDX's wheelbase is slightly shorter, but the car is longer overall than the X5. The engine and transmission in the MDX is great, as is the handling, even with the car loaded with three kids, the dog, ski stuff, and a trailer on the back. Interior fit and finish is on par with the X5, maybe slightly lower. Seats in the MDX are a touch softer and very, very comfortable. Gas mileage on the highway is 28-30 on flat sections using cylinder deactivation. Driving dynamics are just as good in the X5, with slightly less body lean in the corners (likely because it rides a smidge lower), though I will say that you do feel a bit more road vibrations in the MDX compared to the X5 over really rough roads. And the MDX all wheel drive system is awesome in the snow. A third row is standard too. We wanted to have one car with a third row for when relatives come to visit, which isn't often. Cargo space is rated at about 40 cubic ft, depending on the measurement (ranges from 38-45) which is significantly larger than the X5 (22.9 cu ft). Overall fantastic car if you enjoy driving, but I am glad I found the X5. I think the X5 is a bit more luxurious, but for the money, the MDX is the best third row SUV you can buy. I know you can get a third row in the X5, but it costs extra, and those seats in the X5 are really only comfortable for kids. I can sit comfortably in the third row of the MDX (I'm about 5'11). Last thing I will say is that our MDX is a 2014, that had the six speed transmission. In 2016, they went to a 9 speed for all MDXs, which I test drove and hated it. Way too much shifting at low speeds. The Germans have definitely figured out how to make more gears seemless while driving- I would never guess the X5 is an 8 speed. If you are considering an MDX, I would look for a lightly used 2014 or 2015 with the 6 speed (there are lots available).

[ano0oj]

Agreed, Lexus has always been an underwhelming experience for those who are wanting a little fun on the road.
Even had a friend dump maybe $3k in mods on his IS350 and he still didn't like it.

[1MOz]

Congrats & welcome.

I believe you will enjoy the sheer driving pleasure of the X5 for many years to come. We have had X5 in each of the 3 generations and Volvo XC70 an Audi Q7 in between and X5 is by far the best driving machine for a SAV.

[viperdoc]

Originally Posted by 1MOz

Congrats & welcome.

I believe you will enjoy the sheer driving pleasure of the X5 for many years to come. We have had X5 in each of the 3 generations and Volvo XC70 an Audi Q7 in between and X5 is by far the best driving machine for a SAV.

Thanks. How's life down under? I spent a couple months in Townsville a few years ago doing tropical medicine research...loved Australia. Can't wait to get back there

[MattBianco]

Nice find. Which engine?

[dds007]

Gotta go German. Cross shop the cayenne at all?

[viperdoc]

I did cross shop the Cayenne....pretty extensively actually. There were a few things that kept me from pulling the trigger on one though. First, was price for what you get. The base model cayenne, equally equipped compared to the X5 was significantly more expensive. And for that price, you got a car that was significantly slower 0-60, had a firmer (almost uncomfortable) ride, and had seats that were no where near as comfortable as the X5s. And I only have the base seats in my X5. I also didn't like the cayenne interior as much. Build quality was great, but boy are there a lot of buttons. I really like how BMW redid their human-car interface too. Resale value may be higher in the Porsche, but overall I didn't like it as much as the X5.

[stewy604]

Welcome to the F15 X5 club sir...enjoy the new whip!