Just got an RL loaner today and I have to say that the interior is superb. Very quiet, even at 90 mph, where my TSX seems to generate a lot of wind noise. Also, the brakes are very strong and the Navi screen is very hi-res sharp. Though I haven't had time to verify how accurate the Navi traffic system is.

Well, I want my fucking TSX back ASAP.

There is significant bodyroll and the V6 is not strong enough for the RL. For $50k, I expect to be pushed back into my seat with a slight tap of the accelerator, not at revs > 3500 rpm.

The thin steering wheel at least felt familiar.

If there was one thing I would like to see in the TSX (and I can't figure out why anyone driving an RL would use this) is the paddle shifter.

 

 

They need a manual option for the RL, it will give the RL some much needed performance, and compete better with the infiniti M and 5 series. From what i've seen, most people pick the infiniti and BMW for the extra performance. We are not gonna see a V8 from Honda soon, so they gotta add some performance to the V6 for it to compete with infiniti and bimmer.

For me, no 6MT=No RL if I was buying in that price range

 

If you can call 3-4 years soon, then yes it will have a V8 soon.

 

In 3-4 years there may not be an RL anymore

 

What dealer gives RL loaners? Here in So Calif, I'm lucky if the dealer gives you a Neon.

 

It doesn't matter where you live, its a dealer specific thing

 

It's because people who drive luxury cars don't want to be lurched back when they hit the gas. I drove a CL430 and I had to push the gas a LOT more than in my own car. But I guess in that case it's to prevent wheel spin. But it made the car feel like it had NO power, but of course it does.

 

Well maybe not being pushed back into the seat...but more like enough initial acceleration to at least activate my "butt-dyno". The initial accelertion (not WOT) is very similar to the TSX.

Don't get me wrong, it's a very awesome machine that is worth every penny of its MSRP. But as it stands today, I'd buy it if I were a member of the AARP.

 

I dont care what anyone says. The new RL is absolutely beautiful. One of the nicest cars on the road today.

 

I actually had the RL loaner for about a week when they were trying to diagnose something on my TSX and locked my keys in the car. So they let me keep the loaner a little longer.

Anyways... the engine may seem a little lagging because the idiot before you probably filled it with regular. Even when it says premium only on the cap. Trust me, all dealers around here say "as long as it doesn't ping, you can use regular". Which is a bunch of BS. It will almost never ping since the timing is retarded.

I noticed when i filled it with premium i almost immediately felt a difference. That engine just became so much more responsive. Besides... with that SH AWD, all you need is a thicker rear swaybar and you will be set. Dont be afraid to rip it into a corner. It will come out.

 

yeah new RL is sick but I wouldn't pay $50k for it...

 

you can get them for more around 44-45K

 

It was a daily loaner so I couldn't see if it was the gas, but I did get a chance to really drive on the way back to the dealer.

Everything is top-rate. Really, the interior is perfect.

But the car bahaves like a full-size sedan: both in acceleration and cornering. They should have made a RWD sport model to be more competitive, cause down here in the bible belt, you really don't need AWD. Even if it is Super.

 

Yeah, but even at that cost I'd opt for a used M5.

I'd still pick the RL over any Lexus sedan or 530/540i

 

I hear ya

A used M5 has headache written all over it though. Bimmers are unreliable as it is, and i don't think someone buys an M5 to baby it.

 

I'm not sure stories of BMW's unreliability aren't mostly conjecture. I think it's relative. You tend to only hear of the negative on internet forums. A lot of people say Bimmers are unreliable, but every Bimmer owner I've ever talked to is ecstatic with their cars, and I mean really enthusiastic.

I'm still not sure anything can touch a BMW's handling in the sport sedan class.

All that said, I've never driven or owned a BMW. I would take an M3/M5 in a New York second, though!

Johnny

 

RL is very nice, i would want a car like that or lexus RX or ES now. probablyg etting older and i want a smooth riding car. but i aint gonna pay 50K for RL. I would buy lexus or euro or other things with V8~

 

Rumor I heard from Acura is the NSX replacement is going to be AWD V8 (possibly V10).

 

start here:
http://money.cnn.com/2004/11/08/pf/a...o_reliability/

No BMW here:
http://autos.msn.com/advice/article....tentid=4022547

Have a look here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7119227/

Want more?
http://www.aiada.org/article.asp?id=34760

How about over-seas?
http://www.reliabilityindex.co.uk/tr...31382522333596

 

I owned a 99 540 w/ sport package. The reliability was awful! i didn't own it a couple of years before it was back to the dealership almost once a month.
Maybe it's just a 5 series thing and it didn't affect the 3's.

Oh yea... according to the BMW boards the M5's are worse in reliability than the regular 5's.

But... the radiator will go out on you in the 5 every 60k miles along with the water pump, and resevoir. Then you have to keep a very close eye on the rear inner camber because it will wander out of spec every few thousand miles. My window regulator broke in a few months of owning it. Then about year 3 i coudl hear the Vanos valves sounding like an empty rattling tin can everytime i started the engine. Then after a while my power steering pump started to act up and make this loud hissing noise whenever i turned the steering wheel. Then the engine gasket likes to act up as well. It will slowly allow oil to seep through and it will build up around the top of the spark plugs. Slowly the oil will seep around the plugs and will cause misfires that will damage the cat converter. The repairs on that will be in upwards of $7000-8000.

This is just the beggining. Then the M5's have the infamous O2 sensor problems that always like to go out.

For the amount of money you are spending, you are just plagued with problems. Some of which will leave you stranded such as the radiator problem.

Yes, we can all say for the the same money as an RL, you can get a lightly usd 5 series or a used M5.

The RL actually gets much better gas mileage and the acceleration will give you confidence since it's a really crisp acceleration. Add in the SH AWD and a bunch of features that the used M5 doesn't have... i dunno... uit'd be a tough call for me. I guess it's just what you're going for. Sport Or luxury/sport.

Dont woryr about the roll in the RL, just add a thicker rear sway and you'll be set! It's really a fantastic ride. I had one for a whole week so i had a good chance to test it out. Plus i've owned a 540 sport which is essentially an M5 without the M engine.

 

Ergo, TSX>RL>540i>M5.

 

TinkyWinky, did you happen to itake any corners at full throttle in the RL? The SH-AWD system is pretty freaking amazing.

http://www.renowe.com/spoontestrl.mov

 

I imagine it is. But there was too much traffic on the way back to really see what the car was made of.