leaddog

I am interested in hearing from anyone with thoughts
on the BMW X5 or LEXUS RX300 SUVs. I would like to hear your thoughts pro and con on which you consider to be the best choice, and why.
Thanks
Art Santella

sleepybobcat

Also check out the messages on the X5 owners
board.... you'd be surprised how many problemes
there are....

The RX300 board contains almost no complaints
from owners...

If that's not proof enough, I don't know what is...


Bob

leaddog

Bob, When you mention the X5 board, do you mean the newsgroup alt.autos.bmw ?

Or is there another one like this?

I would like to see a Lexus newsgroup started as most other models are on usenet groups. It seem to me that you get a lot of bang for your buck with the RX300. The crash tests are excellent also.

Thanks
Art

leaddog

I think I found the board you were speaking of.

http://www.bimmer.org/x5/messages/post.cgi

I would still like to see a Lexus usenet group.

Thanks

Art

sleepybobcat

Yes, that is the X5 message board I was referring to.

Prior to my '01 RX, my SUVs were a Lincoln Navigator
and then a MB ML430. When the X5 came out, I
was almost certain that was my next SUV. However,
a few test-drives later I felt it wan't for me. (especially
after reading about all the problem X5 4.4/3.0 owners
experienced) Granted it was subject to first model year
glitches, but I didn't think the X5 was built to BMW
standards.

After almost 10k miles in only 5 months, I'm still very
impressed with my '01 RX300. It is completely trouble
free. The dealership's service was impeccable. If I must
find some fault with it, I'll have to say the lack of
problems with the RX300 makes it a rather boring SUV
to own... Other than regular maintainence, I've never
been back to the dealer....

I encourage you to drive all the SUVs you are interested
and then make a decision accordingly. After all, you'lre
the one who's going to be driving it for the next few
years. By the way, ask the BMW dealer to see if they'll
let you take the X5 home for a few days of extended
test drive... probably not. My Lexus dealer let me
pick out a brand new RX300 from their lot and drove
home for a 4 day test-drive... I was very happy with it
and came back and bought one!


Bob

leaddog

Thanks Bob,

Your reply is appreciated. I think you have convinced me that the Lexus is the SUV for me.
Thanks
Art

GlobeCLK

iTrader: (5)

BMW standards? that doesn't prove anything!

I feel that the X5 is like an overpriced followup of BMW to try to compete with the RX300. They throw in alot of extra offroad capabilities from LandRover, but don't think it's any more practical for everyday driving. (just how many people will take LSUVs like RX300 and X5 offroad? not many.)

I went testdriving the X5 (my friend drove actually, because he took his dad's 740 to the dealership) and it's not a bad SUV but I feel like there's something missing. When I got a new 2001 RX300:eek: :eek: for loaner car I was surprised because it feels warm and alot better than the X5. I would rather drive a used 98 RX than new 2001 X5. Just my 3 cents.