lexus vs bmw suvs
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,096
Likes: 1,740
From: Ohio
In my mind anything less than a BOF suburban isn't really an SUV and that the car equivalent is a better choice for day to day driving....
So I would not consider an X7/5 over say a 7 or 5 series in the first place since they don't have true capability and do not ride or drive nearly as well. I would rather have a true suv and a high end car depending on what I am doing that day.
However, if I could only have ONE I would I likely go for a maxed out full-size BOF suv/truck since it can do anything I would ever need. If I didn't ever need real hauling/towing or carrying ability I would probably try and get something like an X7M or Porsche Cayenne turbo S if I'm not allowed to get the car version.
I'm currently weighing my options between a 16 S8+ with 20k miles and a 19 panamera GTS though so.....Lexus isn't even remotely on my radar anymore. They make some great cars but I've had my fun the last 4 years or so and am moving on to the Germans
So I would not consider an X7/5 over say a 7 or 5 series in the first place since they don't have true capability and do not ride or drive nearly as well. I would rather have a true suv and a high end car depending on what I am doing that day.
However, if I could only have ONE I would I likely go for a maxed out full-size BOF suv/truck since it can do anything I would ever need. If I didn't ever need real hauling/towing or carrying ability I would probably try and get something like an X7M or Porsche Cayenne turbo S if I'm not allowed to get the car version.
I'm currently weighing my options between a 16 S8+ with 20k miles and a 19 panamera GTS though so.....Lexus isn't even remotely on my radar anymore. They make some great cars but I've had my fun the last 4 years or so and am moving on to the Germans
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 459
From: NY
The German cars are high cost maintenance cars if you plan on keeping them longer term and running up the miles. Dealers get $200 an hour for labor. There are no "cheap" repairs - everything is $1000 it seems. An automatic transmission fluid change is $700. A new battery is a $400+ job, and on and on. They keep the oil change prices reasonable to give people a false sense of "low cost maintenance".
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,597
Likes: 4,787
From: GA
The German cars are high cost maintenance cars if you plan on keeping them longer term and running up the miles. Dealers get $200 an hour for labor. There are no "cheap" repairs - everything is $1000 it seems. An automatic transmission fluid change is $700. A new battery is a $400+ job, and on and on. They keep the oil change prices reasonable to give people a false sense of "low cost maintenance".
I will say, BMW includes oil changes for the first 30,000 miles, but we're doing it every 5,000, meaning we pay for odd oil changes.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,096
Likes: 1,740
From: Ohio
The German cars are high cost maintenance cars if you plan on keeping them longer term and running up the miles. Dealers get $200 an hour for labor. There are no "cheap" repairs - everything is $1000 it seems. An automatic transmission fluid change is $700. A new battery is a $400+ job, and on and on. They keep the oil change prices reasonable to give people a false sense of "low cost maintenance".
$850 for V8 plugs
$450 for a 4 cylinder engine plug change
$550 for trans
$3500 for suspension
$5500 for engine mounts
Battery price is also insane
Etc.....they are all expensive and diy is actually easier on the German cars when you are in the flagship bracket.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,030
Likes: 97
From: Southeastern PA
The German cars are high cost maintenance cars if you plan on keeping them longer term and running up the miles. Dealers get $200 an hour for labor. There are no "cheap" repairs - everything is $1000 it seems. An automatic transmission fluid change is $700. A new battery is a $400+ job, and on and on. They keep the oil change prices reasonable to give people a false sense of "low cost maintenance".
Intermediate
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 335
Likes: 26
From: NA
Have you been to Lexus recently?
$850 for V8 plugs
$450 for a 4 cylinder engine plug change
$550 for trans
$3500 for suspension
$5500 for engine mounts
Battery price is also insane
Etc.....they are all expensive and diy is actually easier on the German cars when you are in the flagship bracket.
$850 for V8 plugs
$450 for a 4 cylinder engine plug change
$550 for trans
$3500 for suspension
$5500 for engine mounts
Battery price is also insane
Etc.....they are all expensive and diy is actually easier on the German cars when you are in the flagship bracket.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,466
Likes: 3,990
From: Maryland
LOL, funny. Because purchasing a car vs leasing a car means you know more about its characteristics. Makes tons of sense 
I just can't imagine wanting to have the same car for 10 years, and I certainly can't imagine that with an RX, but to each his own.
That V6 in the RX will outlast most everything else. Many many Lexus V6's have 200,000-300,000 miles with little maintenance. That RX will still be going no problem in 10 years.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,466
Likes: 3,990
From: Maryland
As an example, I was showing a house out in the country last week, it was on 67 acres. It was a long gravel driveway that forked off to what really was an offroad trail. In my S Class we had to park and walk 1/3rd of a mile back to the house. If I had an X5 or X7 I wouldn't have hesitated to drive up to the house. Then theres the extra row of seats in the X7, the additional cargo room, the higher driving position, the Section 179 accelerated depreciation for business owners, there are lots of compelling reasons to choose a crossover like that.
When you have two vehicles, you have to buy and maintain two vehicles and park two vehicles. I don't want 3 vehicles, so sure a luxury SUV like an X7 or Range Rover has a lot of appeal to me.
However, if I could only have ONE I would I likely go for a maxed out full-size BOF suv/truck since it can do anything I would ever need.
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,382
Likes: 357
From: ON/NY
Have you been to Lexus recently?
$850 for V8 plugs
$450 for a 4 cylinder engine plug change
$550 for trans
$3500 for suspension
$5500 for engine mounts
Battery price is also insane
Etc.....they are all expensive and diy is actually easier on the German cars when you are in the flagship bracket.
$850 for V8 plugs
$450 for a 4 cylinder engine plug change
$550 for trans
$3500 for suspension
$5500 for engine mounts
Battery price is also insane
Etc.....they are all expensive and diy is actually easier on the German cars when you are in the flagship bracket.
2016MY
Spark plugs on the GX V8 are due at 120K. A Mercedes is due at 50K.
All Mercedes require a brake fluid change at 2 years. Lexus GX is 3 years
All MBs at 3 years: Panorama sliding sunroof: clean and lubricate guide mechanism service
All MBs (non AMG) have a transmission fluid replacement at 5 years/60K. (GX is sealed)
^^^ this just shows everyone the maintenance costs of MB are higher.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Nov 14, 2022 at 01:58 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 335
Likes: 26
From: NA
My cousin is still driving a 2004 RX handed down in the family. He's a teacher newly married with a new baby and a new house, so it works out well. Runs perfect....around 90,000 miles.
Again, the RX probably won't be my only vehicle...LOL. But this will be a reliable keeper.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 794
Likes: 3
From: CA
I owned a maxima; I replaced everything other than the engine on it and still was a money pit. briefly owned a s4 also a headache.. but end of the day your Japanese cars are more dependable than the germans. (backed by data) its not just some luck of draw. you will have more probability (again backed by data) of running into issues with BMW than lets say Lexus.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,466
Likes: 3,990
From: Maryland
And why do I care about “owning” the vehicle? It’s semantics. Leasing is just a financial tool that makes the most sense for my use case and business situation.
Buy assets, not liabilities. I own stuff that makes me money.
Buy assets, not liabilities. I own stuff that makes me money.
CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,417
Likes: 198
From: US
Key word in my post was "I". I personally understand the RX and its appeal, but it wouldn't be at the top of my list. Again, "I", as others are free to disagree with me. I have driven the RX more than the X3 or X5, to be fair. It's just funny, the same kind of refinement I've experienced in cars like the IS and RC models I've driven is present in the BMW X3, but not in the RX, NX, or ES.
Well, the RX may not be alone long. But I kind of am enjoying having only one vehicle at the moment. I work from home and the only driving I do is for pleasure or to take family to Doctor's appointments. My heart wants a IS 500, but my head knows I really don't need it. 
I do regret trading the 20 GS F for the 992. I wish I still had it, though I wish it had 360 camera...Carplay. That 5.0 V8 is another engine that will really last for a "performance" car. So it's tempting to get another vehicle with it. I've also enjoyed being incognito in the RX. No one is trying to challenge me to races or wanting me to pull over to look at the car...LOL. I find am more relaxed and drive better.
I do regret trading the 20 GS F for the 992. I wish I still had it, though I wish it had 360 camera...Carplay. That 5.0 V8 is another engine that will really last for a "performance" car. So it's tempting to get another vehicle with it. I've also enjoyed being incognito in the RX. No one is trying to challenge me to races or wanting me to pull over to look at the car...LOL. I find am more relaxed and drive better.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 794
Likes: 3
From: CA
I beg to differ (on the oil change being reasonable); changing the oil on the 330i was nearly $200 on its own recently at the dealer. At the Lexus dealer, I got an oil change AND an alignment for about the same money.
I will say, BMW includes oil changes for the first 30,000 miles, but we're doing it every 5,000, meaning we pay for odd oil changes.
I will say, BMW includes oil changes for the first 30,000 miles, but we're doing it every 5,000, meaning we pay for odd oil changes.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 19,647
Likes: 3,748
From: California
Plus you write the lease off on your taxes. Makes total sense