4Runner vs BMW X5d?? Opinions

[sandcrawler]

my quick advice/contribution is that the 4Runner and X5 are completely, totally different vehicles so, above all else, what you "want" is truly the driving metric in your decision. but if cost of ownership is really a concern (as you say) i'd think really hard before buying a used BMW. if you plan to get a CPO w/ a (factory) extended warranty and set the stage to walk away when the repairs are yours to pay then, well, that's not a terrible thing.

more specifically, and to the 335d lust aired earlier here... my wife has a 2010 335d; leased it new and bought it at its maturity date. i have to say that it's the best BMW we've ever had (there've been many). there's just something special about that car. it's a "sum of the parts" thing; the suspension, the steering feel, and obviously the torque is just ridiculous for a vehicle its size. it's really got a sleeper thing going for it and, for us, the 335d and the 4Runner are perfect stablemates—because they're entirely opposites.

that said, ugh, US diesel exhaust systems... tick tock. had a Service Engine Soon light on earlier this year that i (stupidly) thought would reset when i changed her oil but, no, it was a failed sensor in the DEF reservoir. BMW was all too happy to hand me a $2900 bill to fix it, but i was like "uh, not so fast, guys"... thankfully, Maine is a California Extended Emissions Warranty state so those repairs are covered 7/70k.

really dodged a bullet there, and while i know there will be more (eventually) it is the first real problem it's had. unfortunately in the US these robust diesel motors are burdened/handicapped by these over-engineered exhaust systems (except VW, haha). it sucks. look into the "alphabet delete" to see what i'm talking about. *sigh* America's relationship with diesel is a weird and complicated one.

if it says anything to you, i'd bet in 5 years we'll still have the 4Runner—not the d. good luck with your decision!

 

[n2advnture]

...Also something to consider is that the X5 is really in no way a SUV. It's a tall car with AWD - the reason it drives so well...

Well written.

I wanted the X5 for a long time, not sure why other than it was "cool". But after talking with friends who were die hard BMW drivers for decades, they talked me out of it.

Mainly because it's a car and not an SUV, crazy expensive to own and not the most reliable. Especially if you intend on using like an SUV.

 

[Simpleman74]

Unless you're talking nav systems or building vehicles using airbags that have the potential to produce severe injuries and/or fatalities.

oh look another person that thinks their airbags are just gonna blow up and kill their entire family.....

but ya entune nav sucks

 

[Xtremluck]

I'm a BMW owner (E90 M3) and from what I'm reading the X5 seems like a better fit for you. I don't know why anyone would drop 40k+ on a "Luxury" truck based SUV. There is nothing luxurious about the 4Runner. It drives like a pig but that's ok because it really shines off road. If you don't plan on hitting anything outside the occasional fire road get the X5. They are plenty capable. Just don't get the diesel and make sure you keep up with the factory maintenance and you will be fine.



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[redkat]

Nobody has mentioned the safety factor. Which one would allow you to walk away from/survive a bad traffic collision? If you commute on busy, treacherous highways mostly, then go with the X5 (just dont get a diesel). Then get a used beater jeep to go off roading in.

 

[JasonKoko]

I'm looking for opinions (however biased) on a decision I'm wrestling with.



I'm currently in a '15 4runner limited. I really like the reliability resale value of Toyota (Owned 12 of them)

The 4runner meets my needs as a DD, and I don't do any serious off roading, outside of the occasional camping/shooting trips.



I do like the luxury the limited provides (heated/vented seats, decent stereo, keyless everything)



My needs in a vehicle are fairly straightforward, including hauling work gear, camping/sports gear and snow capability, with occasional towing of a utility trailer for larger items, and would truly be suited with a ::gasp:: Subaru wagon, although that wouldn't satisfy my self image.



I've recently been looking at the BMW's, specifically the X5 diesel for fuel economy reasons, as well as my lust for performance.

I realize that reliability/resale won't be what it is with Toyotas, so I'm looking at a CPO with 2 years of additional warranty to weed out any problems.



Thanks for reading!

I'm in a 4Runner coming out of a 4 year stint with newer BMW's. I've owned 4 over the years, and the best way for me to put is: they don't make them like they used to.

I had a 2011 335i and a 2014 328i wagon (still waiting on lease to end).

They are nice but I won't personally be buying one again, at least not for a long time. I don't have a dealer close to me and I was having to make the trip to visit them way too often for issues. Issues covered under warranty, yes, but it was still a major inconvenience for me.

Additionally, I refused to keep either out of warranty as I was personally afraid of the potential costs I would have keeping them running. With both cars, I had little issues that would add up very quickly if I was out of warranty and I really just didn't need the added stress.

So that's why I went with a 4Runner - I wanted something that I could drive for a 100k+ miles and not really have to worry about reliability.

Of course, you have to consider Top Gear wasn't too fond of their all wheel drive setup. Haha

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[Breadman03]

I lust after most BMW's and a couple Benz's, but won't get one for a daily driver. I would consider on of the new Volvos.

When I was working 4 miles from home, I picked up a Land Rover Discovery. Mind you, I bought a cheap junker to beat on, but it really opened my eyes. I have NO local dealer network and parts are effectively nonexistent within 45-60 minutes of my house.

Why are you interested in fuel economy? If it is because it is part of the cost of ownership, I would encourage you to look into the total cost of ownership including maintenance, insurance, and depreciation expenses.

 

[Ellis_McPickle]

[MENTION=132875]Russellpdx[/MENTION], good info on the X5, thanks for sharing your experiences with the X5, I'm surprised to hear the 4runner is quicker. I came from a 2010 Tacoma, and I think the 4runner is one of the slowest vehicles I've owned.

[MENTION=29376]sandcrawler[/MENTION], I agree they are totally different, hence my curiosity in the X5. I'm looking at CPO's with extended factory warranty until 2018/2019 timeframe, which should give me a good feel for the ownership experience/cost. Definitely good to know about the exhaust issues. I have seen information on the abc delete but haven't investigated much of that yet. Maybe VW makes a retrofit for it....

[MENTION=134661]Xtremluck[/MENTION], I agree that the X5 is plenty capable for the small amount of off roading that I do, my 4runner hasn't seen much more than a fire road and likely won't until it's someone else's.

@Breadman, The fuel economy would be nice as my work commute is 20-30 miles/day, variable based on my weekly assignment. I agree that the BMW does have a higher cost of ownership and that's definitely a concern. It seems substantially higher after reading replies here and on BMW forums.
[MENTION=137794]JasonKoko[/MENTION], That's exactly the kind of information I'm looking for, thanks for sharing.

 

[1engineer]

I'm surprised to hear the 4runner is quicker. I came from a 2010 Tacoma, and I think the 4runner is one of the slowest vehicles I've owned.

X5D: 0-60=6.9
T4R: 0-60=7.6

X5D: 1/4=15.1
T4R: 1/4=15.6

You just have to push on the pedal.

 

[WEAK_E90]

I came from a "modified" e90 (328i). Had issues with it prior to moding it.

probably will never go back from a 4runner even tho they are my second favorite brand.:lol:

From my person experience a 4runners resale value with hold a long stronger than a bmw

 

[Brandonium]

I did the whole 'Luxury' BS thing for years and finally said screw it. The cost is not worth it unless you are 1). Trying to flaunt wealth or 2). Trying to stretch your budget in order to appear that there is wealth. There is no real financial sense into these high dollar purchases.

If you have a waterfall of expendable cash to just toss at a car then do it! :rain:

If the enjoyment of sporty driving is the only tool of measurement then by all means do it. :lookout:

I on the other hand will enjoy not having to drag a high dollar POS to the service bay for random lights, costly maintenance, overpriced parts and dealing with items breaking which should not break on such costly investments which sink to the pits of hades on depreciation.

Also not missing $400 a tire for 19" sport tires that last 25k if that..and cannot be rotated like normal tires.

My '71 Volvo has had less maintenance issues after it's 40th birthday than many of these BMW's and Mercs have.

 

[Ellis_McPickle]

Might as well compare the 4Runner to a Honda CRV or a Chevrolet Corvette. Both will get you from point A to point B, both will haul a little bit of stuff but they are vastly different in regards to the 4Runner. Apples and Zebras.

You already mentioned two huge differences... reliability and resale. Also gas to diesel. Off road capability to no off road capability. Those are four major differences. It really depends now on your subjective "feelings" for what you will feel good driving. Good luck.

You're right, they're totally different, which is what attracted me to the X5 to begin with. Judging on driving style alone, it's more suited to my purposes. The big question mark is the ownership experience, which is becoming clear to me to also be entirely different, and not in a good way.

I'm certainly swayed away from the BMW based on the information given here by members who have owned them, it seems like a lot of down time, which isn't how I want to spend my days off. They sure are fun to drive though.

 

[Ellis_McPickle]

I came from a "modified" e90 (328i). Had issues with it prior to moding it.

probably will never go back from a 4runner even tho they are my second favorite brand.:lol:

That thing looks bad ass!

 

[Toffees]

I'm a BMW owner (E90 M3) and from what I'm reading the X5 seems like a better fit for you. I don't know why anyone would drop 40k+ on a "Luxury" truck based SUV. There is nothing luxurious about the 4Runner. It drives like a pig but that's ok because it really shines off road. If you don't plan on hitting anything outside the occasional fire road get the X5. They are plenty capable. Just don't get the diesel and make sure you keep up with the factory maintenance and you will be fine.

I'm not regularly in the market for luxury vehicles, and the most "luxurious" vehicle we've bought is my wife's Odyssey, but I've never seen it suggested that luxury vehicles could be bought for $40,000, unless maybe you're talking about the luxury compacts you can get from most manufacturers these days. Am I missing the point? If you want a "luxury" comparison, the X5d is closer to the Land Cruiser in price point than the 4Runner, although maybe the LC is going away from what the OP wants in drivability.

 

[wfo9]

X5D: 0-60=6.9
T4R: 0-60=7.6

X5D: 1/4=15.1
T4R: 1/4=15.6

You just have to push on the pedal.

Agree, it is not that slow, but boy does it feel slow in stock form.

I don't think most people realize that the gas pedal in modern cars is the equivalent of a mouse on your computer. It's not mechanically linked to anything on the engine. It is simply input to a computer. Toyota decided to graph that input in a very odd way on the 5th gen.

Case in point... People who have installed the sprint booster (which basically just re-maps that signal before it gets to the computer) claim it is the best upgrade they have ever done to their truck (and well worth the ~300 price tag). They all have the perception that the truck just got way more power. It obviously, added nothing... but the perception is what matters to most people.

 

[WEAK_E90]

That thing looks bad ass!

was fun to be in that "car scene" but in the end I just pissed away a shit load of money and never made anything close back to what I stuck into it. Out of all my toys probably the worst return on investment in my lifetime... was fun tho!

now i just piss money away on my 4runner but its way more fun!:frisky:

 

[Toffees]

You're right, they're totally different, which is what attracted me to the X5 to begin with. Judging on driving style alone, it's more suited to my purposes. The big question mark is the ownership experience, which is becoming clear to me to also be entirely different, and not in a good way.

I'm certainly swayed away from the BMW based on the information given here by members who have owned them, it seems like a lot of down time, which isn't how I want to spend my days off. They sure are fun to drive though.

As you've seen here, ownership experience contains a lot; reliability is terrible, but driving experience is what BMW does well. A good friend had a POS 328, sold it (finally!) and replaced with a Scion. When the Scion got wrecked he went immediately back into a 1-series soft top. He knew what he was getting into and wanted more of the same.*

*He's like that with relationships too, FWIW, but not sure whether that has any applicability here.

 

[Ellis_McPickle]

[MENTION=144062]Toffees[/MENTION], I found several examples that are CPO for $25-$35k with 40-60k miles on them.
LC is nice, but not really what I'm looking for.
And yes, it seems reliability isn't a strong point. Still tempting, as I have personally never driven anything more "fun to drive" than test driving BMW's.

@wfo, I have the Sprint Booster on the 4runner, understand how it works, and I will say it give it better 'feel' than stock. Not any faster, but seems to hold gears longer.

 

[Toffees]

[MENTION=144062]Toffees[/MENTION], I found several examples that are CPO for $25-$35k with 40-60k miles on them.
LC is nice, but not really what I'm looking for.

@wfo, I have the Sprint Booster on the 4runner, understand how it works, and I will say it give it better 'feel' than stock. Not any faster, but seems to hold gears longer.

Definitely much cheaper going CPO; might be worth comparing the "cost to own" that Edmunds or similar sites feature, if prices makes much difference to you.

 

[wfo9]

I came from a "modified" e90 (328i). Had issues with it prior to moding it.

probably will never go back from a 4runner even tho they are my second favorite brand.:lol:

From my person experience a 4runners resale value with hold a long stronger than a bmw

Looks like some nice tire wear and limited traction going on there LOL. I've never understood this trend.