RX_330

The interior of the MDX leaves much to be desired, IMHO.

VIPLINE

I would go with the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8

SoCalSC4

My beef with the new Acura SUVs is a simple aesthetic one:

What's the deal with the big flared wheel arches and the ridiculously
skinny wheels with high offsets? Perhaps they've fattened the wheels
up a bit on this Sport model, but the standard MDX and RDX look horrid
when I see them on the road. The wheels are lost on these rigs!

I suspect a nice wheel/tire combo with proper wheel offsets would make
the stance much more aggressive...

kit cat

iTrader: (6)

where's the Infiniti?

TunedRX300

You are talking about stock rim/wheels? That is the first thing anyone serious about performance and look get rid of...on any car.

If I have a preference, I would buy any car without wheels and tires because I want forged alloy rims and extremely light weight yet sticky tires with carbon fiber sidewalls.

kit cat

iTrader: (6)

Not necessarily...some cars even come with OEM BBS, OZ, etc. I like to change the suspension first but thats just me.

anywho, carbon fiber sidewalls?? Does such a thing exist???

TunedRX300

Few cars and no SUV come with those brands, they are limited to top of the line performance coupes such as the turbo version of Suburau WRX, non-turbo version get the run-in-the-mill alloy rims.
Have you check out Goodyear DriverEdge? Carbon Fiber on the outside sidewall. It is available for more than over one year ago and of course, no OEM wants to pay addition $ for it since the main function of OEM installed tires is to get the buyers out of dealers' door.
http://www.goodyear.com/media/pr/23267ti.html

DASHOCKER

iTrader: (2)

Would you want to change the wheels and tires on this below?

Here is the same rubber burning.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=vYjbxX85Trc

kit cat

iTrader: (6)

wow, i learn something new everyday.

TunedRX300

How much torque is used to make the very first turn? How much braking performance is degraded because of these massive rims? If one does not think about these factors and burn rubber with OEM rim/tires, well, I think we all know a few names that are not allowed to be posted here.

RX300's OEM rim weight 26 lbs mounted on an average of 8" moment arm.
For an AWD like mine, that is 104lbs x 0.75 ft or ~78 lbs-ft of torque one must overcome during acceleration and deceleration, before a single ounce of payload is moved/stopped.

I upgrade to SSR Competition 18x7 forged alloy rims, each one weight 15.5lbs. Do the math and you will see what I mean.

Rim/tire upgrade gives three major benefits in one mod: improve effective power deliver at the wheels, improve brake performance, improve appearance with a customize look. Can anyone think of another mod that do all three?

The reason is simple physics: less rotational mass, less energy needed to make wheels turn/stop, that energy can be used to move/stop payload or saved.
If one just drive like moms, you get better mpg and longer brake pads life. That saving alone can offset a large portion of the cost of the upgrade.

GS Kid 300

Im allergic to Acura.

DASHOCKER

iTrader: (2)

I guess performance must truly be degraded

What are the numbers on your RX with oem wheels and the Acura at hand?

TunedRX300

I did not realize BMW X5 V8 is in the discussion, doesn't BMW charges $55K just for the base model and close to 70K loaded. If you want my opinion on those tree branch/snow flakes looking rims, I believe they are only appropriate for Christmas
Here is a picture posted by an X5 4.8 owner in another thread. It is a good shot of the tree branch, oh, that gap in around the fender is courtesy of BMW's build quality According to the owner, he can't get better than 10.5mpg.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...21#post2802721


Anyway, I am not really comparing between brands/models, all I am saying you can get improvement with look, performance, and mpg by using better aftermarket rims/tires. I can not tell you how much MDX's OEM rim weight because I don't owe one. But MDX rims is made of alloy material and not the light weight yet strong forged alloy, there is room for improvement, such as getting better mpg, way better than 10.5 mpg

Och

iTrader: (3)

Cheap interior quality? Have you seen the interior quality in the L-finessed Lexii? Now, thats cheap. Acura's interior and build quality improved dramatically with the new RL and new MDX, you should go see for yourself.

Och

iTrader: (3)

Infiniti doesn't make anything to compete with the MDX, and neither does Lexus. The FX and RX are way too small and useless compared to the MDX, while Qx and GX are truck based.