Help Me

[BMW Haus]

Ok, guys I have one foot in the BMW family (14 M5) and I am thinking about two (14 X5). My wife needs a new suv and we are looking at two 1. 2014 X5 or 2. 2013 Lexus LX570. We have driven both and like the X5 better. That being said, we will probable give this vehicle to my son in 7 years. That is how the Lexus, even made it on the shopping list. The one we test drove (a 2013) last night was 90K, bargained down to $82,850.00. We don't want a monthly payment (already leasing the M5) so these are our two options. A one payment (24. mo) lease of $37,737.11 (most of it my trade) or purchase it out the door at $64,XXX. These things don't change much and they also have a 2011 with 35,XXX miles for 67K or 45K after my trade.

The other option is to just go with a 2014 X5, and purchase all the extended service/warranty goodies upfront and hope it last long enough to give to my son?

[Zipforia]

Although we're on a BMW forum, if you're keeping the car for 7 years, then giving it to your son, I'd go with the Lexus for reliability reasons. I tend to get wary keeping European cars outside the warranty period. Because, generally speaking, I find Japanese cars most reliable over the years. Just my opinion.

Z.

[barcelona]

I 100% agree with Zipforia as you want to keep this for son in 7 years, also assuming he wants a SUV. There is a higher probability that Lexus will require less costly repairs than BMW. However Lexus will need timing belt changed at around 60k miles, whereas the BMW timing chain is not a preventive cost (i.e. replace when broken, ouch).

However, to lower repair cost, find a trusting non BMW repair shop.

[BMW Haus]

Keeping it probably 10 plus years is the only reason we even consider the LX. If it was not the case the X5 we drove was 20 times better than the LX. The 2013 LX seemed no better than our 08 Denali.

[midlifecrisis]

I'm not so sure an old Lexus is that cheap, either. My neighbor has had some expensive electronics repairs to his 8 year old LS. I think any older modern car is susceptible to this kind of thing - particularly if its exposed to environmental extremes. I guess cars that have spent a large portion of their life in a garage fare better in this respect, but I don't have anything other than circumstantial evidence to show this.

[barcelona]

Haus/house of BMW! Well then you need to keep it 100% BMW, no?
From year 7-10 the car's Book value is small, if repairs as minimal you are driving it for free. It repairs are major, then buy the new 4th generation X5. Years 7-10 the LX will likely be more reliable, and you would be more comfortable knowing that for your son, yes.

You already have 110% fun factor with MY14 M5. Enjoy.

[BMW Haus]

Originally Posted by barcelona

Haus/house of BMW! Well then you need to keep it 100% BMW, no?
From year 7-10 the car's Book value is small, if repairs as minimal you are driving it for free. It repairs are major, then buy the new 4th generation X5. Years 7-10 the LX will likely be more reliable, and you would be more comfortable knowing that for your son, yes.

You already have 110% fun factor with MY14 M5. Enjoy.

Thanks I can also see what some posters are saying about ALL modern cars (super hi tech) down the road($$).

[Kief]

Originally Posted by BMW Haus

Keeping it probably 10 plus years is the only reason we even consider the LX. If it was not the case the X5 we drove was 20 times better than the LX. The 2013 LX seemed no better than our 08 Denali.

I think you answered your own question...
It's great that you are thinking down the road, and in particular your son, but this will be your/wife's vehicle for the next 5+ years so your/wife's preference should be priority #1. The X5 could be stolen, lemoned, or God-forbid totaled before your son even gets his license. Just purchase a BMW Extended Warranty after the factory warranty expires.

And if you plan on leasing either one, do not use the equity of your trade as a capital cost reduction (down payment). Go to CarMax and sell your trade. Use a portion of the monies as Multiple Security Deposits and the remaining monies to open an account and just draw from it for the monthly payments. I know you said you do not want a monthly payment, but from a financial perspective it is something to consider.

[BMW Haus]

You guys have been so much help, both on my M5 purchase and in considering a LX/X5! Like most of you have said, and I am sure my financial advisor will agree the LX seems like the better long term investment. I have really enjoyed every aspect of the BMW experience so far. From you guys on forum to Steve Thomas BMW's excellent service. I guess I was getting greedy wanting to double my pleasure. Since I am using the fiscal side of me, there is a 2011 with 16K miles certified for $65,000 I might pick up. Its out of state, but probable worth it for the additional savings. Again, thank you so much, and I am so happy to join the the BMW family with my new M5

[BMW Haus]

Originally Posted by Kief

I think you answered your own question...
It's great that you are thinking down the road, and in particular your son, but this will be your/wife's vehicle for the next 5+ years so your/wife's preference should be priority #1. The X5 could be stolen, lemoned, or God-forbid totaled before your son even gets his license. Just purchase a BMW Extended Warranty after the factory warranty expires.

And if you plan on leasing either one, do not use the equity of your trade as a capital cost reduction (down payment). Go to CarMax and sell your trade. Use a portion of the monies as Multiple Security Deposits and the remaining monies to open an account and just draw from it for the monthly payments. I know you said you do not want a monthly payment, but from a financial perspective it is something to consider.

Ahhh, this makes a lot of sense as well I have David at Steve Thomas BMW working up a lease deal today. I may wait and see what he comes back with and use the above formula for MSDs and future payments. Gees guys, why do you keep giving me options, Just Kidding Thanks for all the ideas!!

[Kief]

Originally Posted by BMW Haus

Since I am using the fiscal side of me, there is a 2011 with 16K miles certified for $65,000 I might pick up. Its out of state, but probable worth it for the additional savings

Are you only interested in a gas X5 or would you consider a diesel?
I'm considering my options (private party v. trade) regarding our 2011 diesel w/30k miles, Platinum over cinnamon leather, sport package w/20", rear climate package, running boards, and spare tire

[chrisny]

Personally, I think a lot can happen in 7 years. Maybe you won't want him to have a big SUV, maybe it'll break down too... I would get the car you want and worry about your son's car in 5 to 7 years.

Or buy a CPO X5, or leftover '13, (maybe Kief's?), and invest the $$$ saved to use in 7 years for a CPO X1 or X3 for your son

[BlackLemon]

Go X5, I know my son would not be thrilled driving a Lexus, but an X5 is a different storey.

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by Kief

Are you only interested in a gas X5 or would you consider a diesel?
I'm considering my options (private party v. trade) regarding our 2011 diesel w/30k miles, Platinum over cinnamon leather, sport package w/20", rear climate package, running boards, and spare tire

Beautiful E70, btw. Love that color combo and still love those 214's.

[BMW Haus]

Originally Posted by Kief

Are you only interested in a gas X5 or would you consider a diesel?
I'm considering my options (private party v. trade) regarding our 2011 diesel w/30k miles, Platinum over cinnamon leather, sport package w/20", rear climate package, running boards, and spare tire

That is a nice X5

I just got off the phone with my financial advisor, and he is screaming at me. He says a just bought a new toy He will not clear me for anything over 50K double That being said, I must now consult the boss (my wife) :roll eyes:

[dn325ci]

Originally Posted by chrisny

Personally, I think a lot can happen in 7 years. Maybe you won't want him to have a big SUV, maybe it'll break down too... I would get the car you want and worry about your son's car in 5 to 7 years.

Or buy a CPO X5, or leftover '13, (maybe Kief's?), and invest the $$$ saved to use in 7 years for a CPO X1 or X3 for your son

That's my lean too. Reliability is important but not the only thing. In my experience, when you get to the point you're 4 or 5 years into a car, you kinda know how it's going. I've owned 3 BMWs (and a BMW built Mini, so 4 if that counts) among our other cars, and kept them 12, 5, and 8 years respectively driving average # of miles. All 3 have been Honda reliable in my case. I've literally never had a major failure. I have however had a Mercedes C class fail on me twice, so I'm not going back there. So I'd go in with the long view, because there's a lot more about cars that I love than simply reliability, and if it's not going well in 4/5 years, you can always trade out for the unattractive body on frame driving experience that is Lexus.

[Shaw]

Originally Posted by Kief

I think you answered your own question...
It's great that you are thinking down the road, and in particular your son, but this will be your/wife's vehicle for the next 5+ years so your/wife's preference should be priority #1. The X5 could be stolen, lemoned, or God-forbid totaled before your son even gets his license. Just purchase a BMW Extended Warranty after the factory warranty expires.

And if you plan on leasing either one, do not use the equity of your trade as a capital cost reduction (down payment). Go to CarMax and sell your trade. Use a portion of the monies as Multiple Security Deposits and the remaining monies to open an account and just draw from it for the monthly payments. I know you said you do not want a monthly payment, but from a financial perspective it is something to consider.

+1
I tend to agree with Kief on this one...My opinion is that the first4/5 years are more important owning a car that you would want to keep for 7+ years...if for whatever reason you decide to change your car at year 4 or 5, then selling a BMW with higher residual value is certainly more bang for your buck than a Lexus...
I'm not really familiar with Lexus, but I would also feel much better (safety wise) to drive a X5...
Our friends have a rather used Lexus (I'd say it is probably a 2008-09 model), to tell you the truth, I would never see my self driving that vehicle in 2013/2014...but if I had to drive a 2008-2009 BMW, yes I would.
And exactly: buy an extended warranty and all the reliability issue is settled...
BMW's might be questionable after certain years of operation, but this is not a major safety issue, therefore can be handled with an extended warranty...
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY: you are driving the car you like more which drives 10 times better; right?

[SEWELLGT]

Wife and I are having the same exact conversation. Order a new X5 or work a smoking deal on a '13 LX570.

We have owned multiple landcruisers/LX rigs and currently own a 2006 LX470. The Lexus rigs are still built on a different level. Body on frame, made to last forever. Our 470 has 90k on it and is honestly just getting broken in. Just did the full 90k service with a local Lexus master mechanic and I should be good to go for a long time. Put gas in it and go, that's how it's always been.

The x5 is much more fun to drive, but doesn't have the interior space that the LX has. Also, because the production numbers are so low on the LX they hold their value incredibly well, much better than any x5 ever will.

At this point it's do we want a fun x5 for a few years or do we want the LX for a long time? We'll be outgrowing the X5 in a few years if our family plans hold true, so we're deciding if we want to grab one now while we only have two kids since we'll need something bigger when we have number 3.

Both great rigs, very hard to compare because they serve different purposes and have different strong points.

[BMW Haus]

Originally Posted by SEWELLGT

Wife and I are having the same exact conversation. Order a new X5 or work a smoking deal on a '13 LX570.

We have owned multiple landcruisers/LX rigs and currently own a 2006 LX470. The Lexus rigs are still built on a different level. Body on frame, made to last forever. Our 470 has 90k on it and is honestly just getting broken in. Just did the full 90k service with a local Lexus master mechanic and I should be good to go for a long time. Put gas in it and go, that's how it's always been.

The x5 is much more fun to drive, but doesn't have the interior space that the LX has. Also, because the production numbers are so low on the LX they hold their value incredibly well, much better than any x5 ever will.

At this point it's do we want a fun x5 for a few years or do we want the LX for a long time? We'll be outgrowing the X5 in a few years if our family plans hold true, so we're deciding if we want to grab one now while we only have two kids since we'll need something bigger when we have number 3.

Both great rigs, very hard to compare because they serve different purposes and have different strong points.

You have hit the nail on the head with the comparisons. We have been in full sized SUVs forever. This is our 3rd, a Escalade, a Tahoe, and currently a Denali. The LX has way more tech then the GM SUVs and feels more solid, but the tech and sportiness of the X5 blew me away. My wife made a comment that the Nav in the 2013 LX is the same one as her friends 2007 Toyota Sienna. Our first Escalade an 2002 had the same radio as my 97 V6 Camaro I had in high school . The X5 felt truly special and bespoke in every way. However, just like you have mentioned everyone I know with a Land Cruiser or LX says their bullet proof. You can't beat the LX if you need space, towing, off road capability, and long term reliability.

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by SEWELLGT

so we're deciding if we want to grab one now while we only have two kids since we'll need something bigger when we have number 3.

We actually down-sized to an X3 from an X5 and ML350 when we were about to have our 2nd child for this exact reason, we figured it was the last time could have a smaller, more agile suv/cross-over. After 2 years with that (2 kids for a year and a half of it), we needed the extra space so went back to an X5. I don't think we'll ever need any more space than this, but as they get older, we may decide we want it when they start having friends tag along, etc.. With 3 though, no question the X5 would be feasible if you really wanted to, but not exactly convenient and even tougher if you have more than 1 in a car seat.