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Acura MDX (pre-2007)
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I should add that Tim even sent me an Acura MDX base cap!
Just had the VTM-4 maintenance done. $55 by Acura. 5200 miles, figured it was time
Only problem: they "forgot" to replace the soft metal washers on the fill and drain plugs which the service manual specifies shall be replaced. None in stock- "acura didn't tell us they needed to be replaced in the computer".
This dealer claims the severe serivce schedule applies. Right. This is a classic pump up service revenue. Most folks just go along.
I posted this a LONG time ago, but was hoping for some more responses:
BRAKE PEDAL HISS
How many folks notice a hissing noise from the brake pedal every time it is depressed?
I recall most said no noise. Acura Dealer is telling me noise is normal.
Thanks in advance (TIA)
Also, I've got a rattle in the moon roof area. You can here it on cobble roads at 30-40 mph. (dealer claimed to fix it by cleaning and lubing weatherstrip-right- drove out the lot and heard it within 100 yards.)
BTW, just bought up a Ford SuperDuty 4x4 truck. F250 with a turbo diesel/ SuperCab. Talk about raw brutish power and mass. This thing will tow 13,000 lbs at 65 mph no sweat. Got back in the MDX and it felt dainty. Really felt funny for a while.
I noted a post a while back on the Torque converter not unlocking on some vehicles (or perhaps this was just a hypothesis). If it occurs, it is definitely fixable. Not all vehicles do it, so if yours does it is wrong. Any shudders/thumps/etc are energy, and it has to go somewhere. Eventually, this will lead to failures. Don't wait too long to get the dealer looking at it.
let me know about the brake pedal hiss.
Thanks
Ard
Acura corporate is sending out letters and surveys, and refers to us as "clients", pledging to make this the "finest driving experience".
yet the dealerships are just like any good-ol chevy or dodge dealership. Ratty furniture, crappy waiting rooms, poorly trained mechanics, predatory service advisors. Incompetance. Close to indifference. When problems come up they shrug, instead of being mortified (or acting mortified)
Or am I just lucky?
I wish I could own this vehicle but not have to deal with anyone other than the factory and corporate.
Comments
Ard
I have a 1999 Odyssey which shares some parts with the MDX. I just received a safety recall from Honda re all 1999 and certain 2000 model EX Odyssey models. Verbatim:
"Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has determined that a defect relating to motor vehicle safety may exist in all 1999 and certain 2000 EX model Odyssey vehicles. Over time, the dimmer control for the instrument panel lights can fail due to heat buildup. If this occurs, the instrument lights may fail and, at night, the driver may not be able to see the instrument panel gauges and displays. Gauges such as the speedometer would continue to operate. All critical system indicator lights (for example, SRS, seat belt reminder, turn signals, and charging system) would continue to function.
I wonder if this is a potential problem on the MDX?
I haven't noticed a difference in the two vent temperatures for the second row -- I assume you mean coming from the back of the center console? Then again, it hasn't been too cold around here (40's mostly) and we haven't run it too much.
Ard:
Your experience with Acura dealerships is a combination of Acura and your luck. My dealership (Acura of Bellevue) is pretty good -- waiting room a bit sparse but clean (doesn't have the giant fish tank the Lexus dealer has, woo-hoo!), and the service manager and techs have been conscientious. However, I think Acura dealerships in general, while a notch above many, are a notch below some dealerships like Lexus.
Then again, everyone's mileage varies. A friend of mine and his wife were treated like low-life crap at the local MB and Lexus dealerships; only the BMW salesperson treated him with respect.
This comes in the TL's fourth model year (though it'll begin early); the third model year had very little change, the second model year brought side airbags and front-seatbelt pretensioners and other items.
This does suggest that Acura is still serious about trying to liven up its line, and not limit lively performance to the CL-S and upcoming Integra Type R replacement. I wonder if it'll be the 2003 or 2004 MDX that will get the upcoming V8 intended for the RL replacement. The MDX has plenty of room in its engine compartment.
the dimmer is to get at to test.
I don't know if I can wait until March. I need more space ASAP as we are adding our third kid next week and the old Accord and Camry just don't cut it with three car seats.
I know what you mean about needing more space, soon. Perhaps it's time to look at MDX alternatives. For three kids, I guess an RX is out. Have you considered an ML320 with the third-row seat option, or, for more space, a Sequoia, assuming you want to stay in the SUV market? Unfortunately both SUV's, while available at some level of discount, won't be super-priced in the SUV-crazy Seattle market.
Congratulations on your upcoming third child!!
By the way, a useful item from the J. C. Whitney catalog is the "computer memory saver"; this device saves computer settings and codes when the battery is disconnected. It's only $9.99.
Transpower
Anyway, that is our saga. Considering all of our other choices seemed to be in the minivan area I feel like I have been freed from purgatory.
Mike
P.S. for all you people getting screwed on your delivery dates, I decided to buy one on monday and called 14 dealerships, found the car I wanted at MSRP, and got delivery on Friday( from 700 miles away). Don't get jacked around, go somewhere else!
Just thought I'd share my experience with installing the mud guards. The mud guards screw into the wheel wells using 3 screws for each mud guard. There are two screws already on the MDX that you just unscrew and reuse. One of the screws is difficult to get to unless you have one of those 90 degree philips screwdrivers. I found that just jacking the car up (rear tire was still touching the ground), without removing the tires, allowed enough room to get a stubby philips in there. The problem I ran into was the screws that are already on the MDX that I reused for the mud flaps, dug into my mud flaps pretty good (I may have over tightened a tad) so I would recommend that you put a washer on it before screwing it in. The mud guards in the front had one of those screws with a washer built-in. Just wondering why Acura didn't include those types of screws for the rear?
Got 7.8% financing from the dealer, which was better then the rate I got from my credit union. It pays to have loan and rate lined up BEFORE the buy.
You got a better rate than I did. Got 8.09% from my dealer. Which one was your dealer?
In any case, refer to posts #804 or #805 for info on how to contact Tim at Hondacuraworld, and I bet nobody will beat his prices -- either on accessories or on warranties!
I missed the post on the Torque converter not unlocking on some vehicles. Was this happening under normal take-offs, or only when the VTM-4 switch was engaged with gearshift in 1st or 2nd gears? While driving through an ice storm near Sweetwater, Texas, there were a couple occasions where I felt safest starting off with the VTM-4 switch engaged. I did experience a couple of "thumps" that seemed to come from the rear differential, but I assumed this might be expected while traveling on ice and generally staying below 18mph. I never noticed any thumps or shudders when the VTM-4 switch was not engaged.
I have never noticed any brake pedal hiss, but I will pay more attention the next time I drive the MDX. I'll let you know if I can detect any noticeable hiss. Is your hiss loud enough to hear even if you have the stereo turned on (at a softer volume)?
My local Acura dealer is located in two older buildings, with the service/part area located in a seperate building from the sales area. It has the look of an early 80's GM dealership. It definitely doesn't have the classy or modern look of a typical Lexus, Mercedes, or BMW dealer. However, I have been very pleased with the level of service they have given me. I've taken the MDX there twice (tow package install and oil service), and I am extremely pleased with the consideration I received. I know it's a bit premature, but I would rate the customer service from those two visits as better than I've received from any other dealer, including two BMW dealers and an Audi dealer. Keep in mind that I didn't even buy our MDX from them!
BTW, since my other car is a small BMW, I can't quite relate to your comment on the MDX feeling "dainty"! Maybe I'll have to borrow your F250 for a week? :-)
Unfortunately, Bose speakers are on a lot of vehicles (everything from Maximas to ML's). Bose is quite overrated, relying on electronics rather than speaker quality to improve the sound, and a huge marketing budget to sell $300 clock radios. The MDX's Bose speakers are decent but certainly not excellent.
I liked the stereo options in the RX better (except for the glovebox "in-dash" CD changer), while the ML's Bose speaker-based system was relatively poor in terms of both speaker sound and general features. Haven't listened to them but I'd imagine the X5's Harmon Kardons should be excellent.
I digress. Glad your vehicle is working out well for you!
Does the base MDX head unit have all the CD changer controls on it?
http://www.jdpower.com/auto/hot_sellers/FindHotSellers.jsp
For the _calendar_ (not model) year, Lexus ended up selling about 90k RX300's, up 22%. MB ended up selling 53k ML's, up 17%. BMW sold 27k X5's.
The RX and ML are their brands' top-selling vehicle. This is especially true for Lexus, with the RX selling more than double the number of units than Lexus's second best selling vehicle (the ES300).
Infiniti QX4 sales were up "only" 12%, 22k total. Despite the early introduction of the revamped QX4.
Meanwhile, sales of the Discovery, Range Rover, Navigator, Escalade, and LX470 dropped.
Acura sold 3,459 MDX's in December, 9,750 for the year. That's for slightly less than three months, which seems to jibe with their first year production limit of 40k.
If seating is the priority, then stick with a mini-van.
Remember, you generally get what you pay for.
As for Bose, haven't you heard the expression, "No highs, no lows, must be Bose?" ;-) It's also the vehicle manufacturer's fault though. They are they ones that select an audio company for Bose to work with (I think Alpine in the '00-current ML's case, but Panasonic before). The Bose/Becker audio systems in the previous generation S-class are actually excellent. The Bose audio system in the current S-class (which also adds DSP and active noise cancellation - the latter is also in the new C-class's Bose system) blew me away the first time I heard it
Drew
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Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
The most obvious differences will be size (passenger room and cargo capacity) and power. The XL-7 doesn't have side airbags for the front, and force limiters for the front seatbelts. I also suspect you'll find a major difference in overall solidity and quality of materials (as you should if you're paying more).
The Suzuki hasn't been crash-tested yet, but it's essentially a stretched Grand Vitara, whose results are available at:
http://www.iihs.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/98020.htm
It's an interesting vehicle at its price point, competing with compact SUV's like the CR-V, RAV4, Escape/Tribute, etc. but adding larger dimensions and the third-row seat for kids. Suzuki will probably sell a lot of them.
Transpower
I do think, however, that the system seems to be more optimized for the second row passengers. Sitting back there I can hear all of the speakers better. But it's a long way to the steering wheel and pedals from there... ;-)
Transpower
Agreed with you that the interior dynamics are part of the problem too. Theoretically, deep bass is non-directional but you know the subwoofer's back there. The "twiddler" speaker in the right rear ceiling also does something too.
Using the fader may help push the sound more to the front, but that too will have limits. Took a second to realize where the fader and balance were without reading the manual.
Although I am quite content with the base stereo in our MDX, I would never buy another BMW E46 sedan without the HK upgrade!
However, I must also admit I am not impressed with the radio on my HK stereo. If the editors are relying on the radio and maybe some pre-recorded cassette tapes (as opposed to high quality home-recorded metal tapes), then I would probably have the same opinion as they do about the HK stereo.
By the way, the reason I stress 328i versus 328is is that the body style definitely seemed to have an influence over the sound quality on the former E36 models. (I haven't compared the different E46 models yet.) The E36 4-door models seemed to have the worst sound quality. We had a 1997 328i and later owned a 1998 323is, and they both came with the base stereo. The base stereo in the 2-door 323is definitely sounded better -- improved high frequencies and a bit more dynamic. The base stereo in our 328i sounded like it had a frequency response of 200-4000 Hz! (But... we didn't have a CD player in that 328i.) Believe it or not, my wife and I thought the base stereo in the $24K 318ti hatchback sounded the best of all the E36 models!
I wonder how the base stereo in the X5 compares to the base MDX stereo?
In fact, I am probably more chapped by the apparent tendency of the rig picking up minor scratches. Both passenger doors have faint scratches near the door handles. I have grilled my children to make sure they aren't closing the door with a bunch of gravel in hand or something, I got the "paint sealant" stuff, and keep the car clean but still...
Really bugs me. My 5 year old Toyota seems nearly impervious to that sort of scratching. Ah well, maybe it is just my hyper-attuned eye surveying our new baby.
And they're making judgements on the stereo's sound based on just the radio and cassettes? How can you tell that it doesn't have a CD player (not that I'm doubting you, as you know your BMW's and stereos)? A 1999 car can have a "premium" stereo system but not a CD player? Maybe this a German engineering thing (recalling that the ML used to not come with a CD player standard unless you paid the small fee for the nav system, though its "premium" stereo has the changer).
Getting back to MDX's, has anyone noticed their brakes "clicking," especially transitioning from backing up to going forward? Or after the car has sat for awhile overnight in the garage? Whenever I pull out of the driveway in the morning, the first application of brakes is accompanied by loud clicks. Sounds like the pads are moving around or something. I also found that the driver's seat is a bit loose in the rails or something when adjusted up and forward, like for my wife who is about 10" shorter than me. When she drives the car, she complains that the seat makes a click or thumping noise. I thought she was making it up until I rode with her the other day. It wasn't making the noise for me, but I sit farther back, and checking the play in both positions, I found that there was more when the seat was adjusted for her. On the list for the next service!
In my '99 328i, the Harmon Kardon system upgrades the amps and some speakers; provides two powered subwoofers in the back; and it also provides some sort of expanded soundstage switch on the console in front of the gear shift. The HK upgrade, on its own, does NOT provide any CD player.
The '99 328i could be ordered with an indash CD player option which replaced the cassette player. I believe that is still the case now. In 1999, this 'upgrade' was an official BMW $200 MSRP factory option. This is how my 328i is equipped (HK with indash CD).
Another way to add CD capability is to add the trunk-mounted CD changer as a dealer-installed accessory, as mentioned by need4spd. I believe an installed CD changer generally retails at well over $600.
Neither the $200 indash CD player option nor the more expensive CD changer accessory are mentioned among all the detailed 328i upgrade costs within Edmunds' long-term review. Also, I had been following that review since it first started, and a few months ago I thought I read that one of the reviewers complained about the lack of a CD player.
Yeah, it doesn't seem to make much sense to spend $675 MSRP on an upgraded HK sound system, and still not have a CD player! Maybe one of the key editors/reviewers owns a $700 Nakamichi tape deck at home?
WRT Edmund's long term tester, it has the BMW Navigation system, and I believe that is not compatible with the in-dash CD option. They did complain about the lack of the in-dash player when they first bought (well, leased) the vehicle, but I think a CD changer was added later.
If you look at the more indepth audio review, the H.K (I think) sound system in other newer 3-series sedan testers was given a 5.5 out of 10. I guess Scott Memmer, our audio reviewer, wasn't particularly impressed by the sound.
WRT MB, yes, it only comes with a tape deck. The optional COMAND system has the capability of playing audio CDs as well. In addition to this, there is an audio input jack in the glovebox that one can use. Great for mp3 players! For the M-class, the ML430 comes standard with the navigation system, hence it can already play audio CDs. An in-dash CD player is optional equipment, as is a CD changer.
Good luck!
Drew
Host
Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
The P.T. Cruiser was COY.
Thanks, the dealer I went to was Southwest Acura on Highway 59. I bought in a loan approval from my credit union and told them to beat it and they did! Also, there is a so call DPA charge at this dealership. It's call other names elsewhere but it's the same scam. It's the cost of the VIN etching on all the windows and the insurance for 3 years for the car - if stolen and unrecoverable, you get $2500. This obviously is not worth $385 they are charging. My sales manager (Phillip Chan) gave me $400 off MSRP to cover this scam. So I ended up with a cost of $34450 (w/dest charge) plus tax and "other" charges.
To wmquan:
Thanks, I thought it was pretty good too. I was hoping for more freebees (knob) but I can't complain. I have a blank interior and realized that the blank leather shift knob looked great and didn't need a burwood upgrade. So I didn't miss it.
To creekside:
My dealer refused to work with internet base financing and they told me upfront. Ask your dealer if they allow e-loan or you may be in for a suprise. Besides, go in and they them you got this and they may try to beat it!! I only got 7.84% but it's short term anyway. I plan to payoff ASAP - no early payoff penalty.
Some observations on the MDX.
There is a slight rattle from the trunk. Can't pinpoint it yet but the stereo can overcome it even in the lowest setting.
The headlights are not auto-off? It does charm but I'm use to auto-off even in my Camry.
The base stereo is fine. Besides, I listen to AM alot for news and info anyways... And if my wife is onboard, it's CDs but we are not big time audio buffs, just a little music will do.
I do notice a little hissing when I apply the brakes, nothing scary.
The one think I miss from the Touring is the memory seats. Wish I had them! But power driver seats means my resets are quick so I'm OK with it. From what I'm reading from here, I don't miss the 6-disc Bose system at all. And who cares about a power passenger seat? Last I checked the passenger don't need to have a good sitting position to drive. Also, the roof rack is useless, for me at least. Not to mention the extra wind noise generated. The auto passenger side mirror tilt down in reverse is useless in Houston, I can't remember the last time I parallel parked. The better tires would be nice but I can replace them when the Goodyears wear out.
I obtained the same eloan you did (at 6.56 %) which was better than anything else available. However, I had TWO Acura dealers state that they would not accept the eloan draft. One categorically would not accept even wired funds from ELoan; the other reluctantly said that it might accept a wire.
Have you had similar problems or concerns?
Thanks.
Also, the base unit has all the normal CD controls which would also apply to the CD changer such as forward, backward, fast forward, repeat, random, and with the changer I believe the station presets select which CD to play. I think you hit the CD button to get to the single in-dash CD and then CD again to get to the changer.
I bought my base GG MDX from Niello Acura. I paid MSRP with the wheel locks and cargo tray thrown in. I didn't buy any of the accessories from them because they were higher than MSRP. Back in Oct.19 I was put on a waiting list. The salesman there said that a base GG was coming in in 21 days and it was not spoken for. Well after 21 days I never received a call and the sales guy was not good about returning phone calls so I didn't have much faith in getting a car from this dealership. I was also on about 6 other waiting lists so I wasn't too concerned.
Then on 12/11 I got a call from Niello and was told my car would be arriving in 2-3 days. Well that didn't happen either. On 12/18, got another call and he said the car is here! I was a little suspect about this whole exchange played out but he had a VIN number for it so I figured why not. My speculation was that possibly other folks had turned this car down and I was just next on the list. I didn't think the dealership was anything special, but they did have the car and it was for MSRP.