Comparisons of 2012 RX350 to 2012 BMW X5
02-07-12, 06:58 PM
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Comparisons of 2012 RX350 to 2012 BMW X5
This is our first adventure into the luxury vehicle market and have narrowed our choices down to the BMW x5 and the Lexus RX350. In truth, we like the X5 better, but do have concerns about overall maintenance charges after the initial warranties. We tend to keep our cars for 10+ years, so interested in any insight regarding past experiences comparing these 2 on what we can expect from charges (relying on any research you may have done if you also compared these vehicles). Because of past biases, I must admit we are leaning towards the RX350 because we feel that it will be cheaper down the road from a maintenance perspective. Welcome your views and appreciate the input.
02-07-12, 07:04 PM
#2
Lexus Test Driver
you need to compare the X5 to the GX, not the RX 350.
but if you insist, definitely the RX 350 will cost lesser than the X5.
in terms of towing, you can tow a lot more with your X5, the RX 350 FWD is not even recommended for towing.
you said 10 years, factoring that in, i would go with a Lexus.
i will never own as BMW out of warranty, because it can get pretty expensive once you hit that road
but if you insist, definitely the RX 350 will cost lesser than the X5.
in terms of towing, you can tow a lot more with your X5, the RX 350 FWD is not even recommended for towing.
you said 10 years, factoring that in, i would go with a Lexus.
i will never own as BMW out of warranty, because it can get pretty expensive once you hit that road
02-07-12, 07:21 PM
#4
Lexus Test Driver
although the GX has a certain market that would disagree with us
@jac how about the X3 if you really like the BMW brand?
are the 3rd row seats that important to you?
even though the X5 has it, i consider them as kid's seats, especially if you're doing a long drive, 3 hours or more.
02-07-12, 08:34 PM
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thanks so far for the replies. I should have stated that we aren't even thinking about a 3rd seat in the x5. So just comparing the RX350 and X5 pretty much straight up - and thinking about the maintenance after initial warranties. Really appreciate your insights and others that may comment.
02-07-12, 09:50 PM
#6
+ 1 on the looks.
although the GX has a certain market that would disagree with us
@jac how about the X3 if you really like the BMW brand?
are the 3rd row seats that important to you?
even though the X5 has it, i consider them as kid's seats, especially if you're doing a long drive, 3 hours or more.
although the GX has a certain market that would disagree with us
@jac how about the X3 if you really like the BMW brand?
are the 3rd row seats that important to you?
even though the X5 has it, i consider them as kid's seats, especially if you're doing a long drive, 3 hours or more.
I'm sure no one would say "Dude, that's sick ride" to a GX. But then again, I could be wrong.
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02-08-12, 05:57 AM
#8
I was in the same boat couple months ago. Comparing between the MDX, X5, and GX460 (since I also own a 2010 RX350 so I don't want another one). Really like the GX but could not find the color combo nationwide (white with Sepia) and don't want to wait 3-4 months. Ruled out the MDX because of the BUTTONS and the quality feel. Really love the X5 for the looks and the drive but hesitate for the long-term quality. I then said why NOT 2 RXes, a 350 and a 450h.....I then comparing comparable options between the X5 and the RXh and the X5 would cost me about $65k or so while the RXh can be had for about $52k (MSRP of $57k). Finally I got a 450h with Black/Black and really happy with it for now.......
It's a GOOD time to buy a RX. Low interest rates of 1.9% for 60 mos, $1500 Conquest rebates if you own other luxury makes, $1000 for Graduate Cash rebate......and you can get it at INVOICE or below before these rebates....
Good luck.
It's a GOOD time to buy a RX. Low interest rates of 1.9% for 60 mos, $1500 Conquest rebates if you own other luxury makes, $1000 for Graduate Cash rebate......and you can get it at INVOICE or below before these rebates....
Good luck.
02-08-12, 06:05 AM
#9
Racer
As others have said, I wouldn't own a BMW again due to extraordinary post-warranty service costs, poor customer service, combined with reliability issues I had with my 2009 BMW (335i). I sold it last fall for those reasons, even though it was a real performance car that was fun to drive. I've never had the same types of problems or concerns with Lexus, having owned one or more continuously since 1995, and will be taking delivery of my 3rd RX next month.
Good luck with whatever you decide!
Good luck with whatever you decide!
02-09-12, 11:00 AM
#10
Driver School Candidate
I have the same short list as you do. While I love the X5 ride, my research is leading me to the conclusion that the potential for recurring reliability issues is too much to ignore. From the JD Powers ratings, to the littany of Edmunds and other blog posts on frequent mysterious electrical "gremlins", to BMWNA's refusal to acknowledge them, I am just not sure the ride is worth the potential stress.
If I were a leaser - three years and out, I would consider the BMW, but as someone who is planning on buying my next car, I don't want to be in the position of owning an out of warranty vehicle from a company with that kind of track record.
Now I am not a leadfoot, or someone that looks for hairpin turns to zoom around, so the softer less fun ride of the RX makes it a decent second choice, not a letdown.
I just hope the press about Lexus quality not being what it once was is not as bad as the reality.
If I were a leaser - three years and out, I would consider the BMW, but as someone who is planning on buying my next car, I don't want to be in the position of owning an out of warranty vehicle from a company with that kind of track record.
Now I am not a leadfoot, or someone that looks for hairpin turns to zoom around, so the softer less fun ride of the RX makes it a decent second choice, not a letdown.
I just hope the press about Lexus quality not being what it once was is not as bad as the reality.
02-09-12, 11:03 AM
#11
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I was in the same boat couple months ago. Comparing between the MDX, X5, and GX460 (since I also own a 2010 RX350 so I don't want another one). Really like the GX but could not find the color combo nationwide (white with Sepia) and don't want to wait 3-4 months. Ruled out the MDX because of the BUTTONS and the quality feel. Really love the X5 for the looks and the drive but hesitate for the long-term quality. I then said why NOT 2 RXes, a 350 and a 450h.....I then comparing comparable options between the X5 and the RXh and the X5 would cost me about $65k or so while the RXh can be had for about $52k (MSRP of $57k). Finally I got a 450h with Black/Black and really happy with it for now.......
It's a GOOD time to buy a RX. Low interest rates of 1.9% for 60 mos, $1500 Conquest rebates if you own other luxury makes, $1000 for Graduate Cash rebate......and you can get it at INVOICE or below before these rebates....
Good luck.
It's a GOOD time to buy a RX. Low interest rates of 1.9% for 60 mos, $1500 Conquest rebates if you own other luxury makes, $1000 for Graduate Cash rebate......and you can get it at INVOICE or below before these rebates....
Good luck.
02-10-12, 05:09 AM
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I was in the same boat couple months ago. Comparing between the MDX, X5, and GX460 (since I also own a 2010 RX350 so I don't want another one). Really like the GX but could not find the color combo nationwide (white with Sepia) and don't want to wait 3-4 months. Ruled out the MDX because of the BUTTONS and the quality feel. Really love the X5 for the looks and the drive but hesitate for the long-term quality. I then said why NOT 2 RXes, a 350 and a 450h.....I then comparing comparable options between the X5 and the RXh and the X5 would cost me about $65k or so while the RXh can be had for about $52k (MSRP of $57k). Finally I got a 450h with Black/Black and really happy with it for now.......
It's a GOOD time to buy a RX. Low interest rates of 1.9% for 60 mos, $1500 Conquest rebates if you own other luxury makes, $1000 for Graduate Cash rebate......and you can get it at INVOICE or below before these rebates....
Good luck.
It's a GOOD time to buy a RX. Low interest rates of 1.9% for 60 mos, $1500 Conquest rebates if you own other luxury makes, $1000 for Graduate Cash rebate......and you can get it at INVOICE or below before these rebates....
Good luck.
02-10-12, 11:25 AM
#13
When I was shopping for my new cars, I used ConsumerReports.org for information. I also belong to truedelta.com (which is free). You can read individual repair histories and review reliability data on the BMW and Lexus on that site. I recommend it.
Direct quote from ConsumerReports.org on the BMW X5: Based on the latest survey, we expect reliability of new models will be 41% below AVERAGE.
There is NO way I would buy the X5 ... end of story. A luxury car that is a source of problems is the last thing that I would want to own. If this is your first luxury vehicle, let me warn you ... dealer repair quotes can be extremely - irrationally high. Plus, the X5's styling looks dated to me. If I was looking at a 10+ year ownership period, I would definitely try and pickup something with good gas mileage. Going forward there is a real chance that we will see some high gas prices (possibly in the $5.00 range here in the SF bay area by summer; prices are $3.90 now for regular). Most of my daily driving is in city driving and the prospect of getting 15 - 18 MPG in an RX 350 is irritating enough that I would rather be driving a Prius Plug-in (my brother picks his up next month).
Edit: I just was over at the government fuel economy site (fueleconomy.gov; recommended) reviewing a car for my daughter and noticed that the BMW X5 is rated at 16 in city (or 14 in city for larger engine). That is just plain NUTS in 2012.
Direct quote from ConsumerReports.org on the BMW X5: Based on the latest survey, we expect reliability of new models will be 41% below AVERAGE.
There is NO way I would buy the X5 ... end of story. A luxury car that is a source of problems is the last thing that I would want to own. If this is your first luxury vehicle, let me warn you ... dealer repair quotes can be extremely - irrationally high. Plus, the X5's styling looks dated to me. If I was looking at a 10+ year ownership period, I would definitely try and pickup something with good gas mileage. Going forward there is a real chance that we will see some high gas prices (possibly in the $5.00 range here in the SF bay area by summer; prices are $3.90 now for regular). Most of my daily driving is in city driving and the prospect of getting 15 - 18 MPG in an RX 350 is irritating enough that I would rather be driving a Prius Plug-in (my brother picks his up next month).
Edit: I just was over at the government fuel economy site (fueleconomy.gov; recommended) reviewing a car for my daughter and noticed that the BMW X5 is rated at 16 in city (or 14 in city for larger engine). That is just plain NUTS in 2012.
Last edited by UCSB; 02-10-12 at 12:10 PM.
02-10-12, 11:43 AM
#14
When I was shopping for my new cars, I used ConsumerReports.org for information. I also belong to truedelta.com (which is free). You can read individual repair histories and review reliability data on the BMW and Lexus on that site. I recommend it.
Direct quote from ConsumerReports.org on the BMW X5: Based on the latest survey, we expect reliability of new models will be 41% below AVERAGE.
There is NO way I would buy the X5 ... end of story. A luxury car that is a source of problems is the last thing that I would want to own. If this is your first luxury vehicle, let me warn you ... dealer repair quotes can be extremely - irrationally high. Plus, the X5's styling looks dated to me. If I was looking at a 10+ year ownership period, I would definitely try and pickup something with good gas mileage. Going forward there is a real chance that we will see some high gas prices (possibly in the $5.00 range here in the SF bay area by summer; prices are $3.90 now for regular). Most of my daily driving is in city driving and the prospect of getting 15 - 18 MPG in an RX 350 is irritating enough that I would rather be driving a Prius Plug-in (my brother picks his up next month).
Direct quote from ConsumerReports.org on the BMW X5: Based on the latest survey, we expect reliability of new models will be 41% below AVERAGE.
There is NO way I would buy the X5 ... end of story. A luxury car that is a source of problems is the last thing that I would want to own. If this is your first luxury vehicle, let me warn you ... dealer repair quotes can be extremely - irrationally high. Plus, the X5's styling looks dated to me. If I was looking at a 10+ year ownership period, I would definitely try and pickup something with good gas mileage. Going forward there is a real chance that we will see some high gas prices (possibly in the $5.00 range here in the SF bay area by summer; prices are $3.90 now for regular). Most of my daily driving is in city driving and the prospect of getting 15 - 18 MPG in an RX 350 is irritating enough that I would rather be driving a Prius Plug-in (my brother picks his up next month).
