or a Lexus IS300

Not that I was asked but I'm a bit tired listening to the Bimmer types justifying the consensual rape of their wallet. Everytime I see a 3 series I think to myself "there goes a sucker, and with a tight ass, too".

From the Acura comparison site:

2003 Acura 3.2 CL Type S BMW vs 2002 BMW 3 Series 330Ci coupe

Interior Dimensions
Shoulder Room (Front) 56.4 54.5


2003 Acura 3.2 CL Type S vs Lexus 2002 Lexus IS 300 5-Speed Sedan

Interior Dimensions
Shoulder Room (Front) 56.4 52.6

Folks, if it isn't comfortable the ride just isn't any fun after an hour, or so. The shoulder room stat has been my #1 barometer for comfortable interiors. To me, there are few things more annoying than having my left elbow jammed against the door. In this regard the BMW is simply uncomfortable while the Lexus blows.

Sardine can dimensions are OK, and to be expected, in econoboxes but not in any ride that considers itself luxo. To get CL type of shoulder room you'd have to get a 5 series. (Not that I'm equating the two because I do appreciate the fine qualities of the 5 series)

So you Bimmer 3 series fans can have your little tight narrow cars and pay a premium to boot. I'll "trudge" in my CL but comfortably so... oh, and I'll probably be flying by you too. About the premium price that I didn't pay... I've invested it, thank you.

 

The number one reason that I did not buy the CL-S was that it had the personality of Al Gore.

 

You choose your cars based on shoulder room? More power to you, I guess...

I choose my cars based on how fun and rewarding they are to drive. I really don't care if the 330ci has 2 inches less houlder room than the CL, it's RWD, has a fantastic gearbox, brakes, chassis, steering, and suspension, and more importantly, feels more fun.

Not to knock the CL-S, it's a fantastic car, and it barely came in second in my choice. For the price, it's the obvious winner.

 

Man, do you have it wrong! BMWs are as common as Al Gore is boooring. To get a Bimmer with any personality you have to get a 540 or M series.

What exactly is your barometer for personality in an automobile? Mine is that little pedal under my right foot (not the brake- makes car go very faaaast), the 3rd pedal under my left foot (that's the clutch for you non-believers), and a real gearshift that moves real gears (not slush). Add them all together and you have gobs of personality.

The only other feature worth talking about is unlimited headroom. So, unless your Bimmer is a convertible or has an MTX it's just as plain and booring as the other identical one in the next lane.

 

Whatever floats his boat I guess. The CL wins in one department, and people jump all over it. (I haven't read the article, so I don't know what else it might have won in, if anything.)

 

Honestly, CLS is not that roomy, especially in the headroom department, where I think the Bimmer beats the cls by about two inches. I am 6'1 and have to adjust my seating position so as not to hit my head. I've gotten used to it, but the roof is so low that sometimes on a downhill circular ramps, the mirror creates a blind spot.

 

Buying a car based on shoulder room is the gayest goddamn thing I've ever heard...

:o

 

With JerryL's childish comments, it is obvious he suffers from small penis syndrome and needs the BMW label to back up his inferiority complex.

 

Agreed!

 

I'm not too ashamed to admit that I have a small penis, and I drive a BMW...but it's purely coincidental

 

its so true....everywhere you go in this country...if you are within 40 miles of a big city, every yuppie and their grandmother has a 3 series bimmer and occasionally a 5 or 7 series...they might as well all be driving a camry or an american car.....they definately dont stand out or appear as some sort of status symbol..its hard to stand out when everyone in your same financial and economical situation has the same car....hell, i get TONS of people around where i live that drive BMW's and give my car thumbs up or stare at it while driving...they know, my car my not be a BMW but it surely stands out more and is alot more rare than their car....ill take my car any day of the week, in fact, if i had the opportunity to own my CL-S or a new 3 series or a 5 series, id rather have my CL-S....or if anything, id take the bimmer, sell it, buy a CL-S again and use the left over money to mod, mod, mod!!!

 

Sorry, the cars have identical headroom.

Acura
2003 Acura 3.2 CL Type S BMW vs 2002 BMW 3 Series 330Ci coupe


Interior Dimensions
Headroom (Front) 37.5 37.5
Headroom (Rear) 36.7 36.5
Legroom (Front) 42.4 41.7
Legroom (Rear) 33.0 33.2
Shoulder Room (Front) 56.4 54.5
Shoulder Room (Rear) 54.2 52.7

 

Then maybe you are able to adjust the driver seat lower in the 330, because I was much more comofortable in the 330.

 

Jeez:
At first I was"a sucker with a tight ass".... Now I have a small penis. What's next? I love some of the morons on this board.

 

Hey dont take it personally, they wont say it to your face only over the board.

 

Clarification: the tight ass part is only in effect while you are sitting in that narrow 3 series.

 

Sorry I misunderstood you Tipper.

 

I was going to say "it's not tight if you weigh less than 300 lbs", but I thought that'd be a cheap shot.

FWIW, I like the fact that the 330ci sport package seats hold you firmly in place going around corners. Have you seen the side bolsters on those things? Plus, they're 8-way adjustable and have adjustable thigh and lumbar support, so it's very easy to find a comfortable position. I've really never heard anyone complain about the seats in a 330.

 

Is it just me or is there commentary about the three series in every fucking post? Do they talk about the Cl as much on the BMW forums?

 

No, they hardly ever mention the CL in BMW forums. That's the funny thing about it, huh?

BMW is considered a benchmark that others are shooting for.....

Until that changes, everyone will always compare to BMW.

 

I, as a CL owner will be the first to say that the 330is is a better car. However, in no way, shape or form is it worth over 10 k more loaded. Period.

Most importantly, out of all cars on the road, I get the most head turns and double takes from people driving Bimmers when they pass my ride on the road. it is much rarer in these pasrts of town and I live a few thousand feet from the Acura Dealer......

 

3 series bmw's look nice, but after riding in an M3, the other 3 series' just feel inadequate and not worth their high price.

 

This thread is such a waste. If you are going to belittle the 3 series cuz of Shoulder Room??

I hope you saying that made you feel better about your purchase. :P

 

hey asshole maybe some bimmer owners like the looks of their cars as much as we like the looks of our cl's and Tl's. Dont Judge people on a stereotype. My younger cousin has a drop top 3 series and i am sorry to say, but that car has more personality than our cars anyday. And the fact that he has the hamman kit coming makes it even better. For the price, yes the TL and CL are great values, but if you can afford a 330ci of drop top than more power to you, because you get what you pay for and what you pay for is a car with sports car handling, nice ammount of power and great gearing, not to mention awesome looks. Don't judge a book by it's cover, read a couple pages first.

 

uhm...like chill out or something......damn

 

For the price, yes the TL and CL are great values, but if you can afford a 330ci of drop top than more power to you, because you get what you pay for and what you pay for is a car with sports car handling, nice ammount of power and great gearing, not to mention awesome looks. Don't judge a book by it's cover, read a couple pages first. [/B][/QUOTE]



i don think there is alot of cross shopping going on between acura tls and bmw "drop tops":sqnteek:

 

I meant to say 330ci or dropt top. And the only reason i am mad is because my cousin is young and he is a good kid. He just graduated high school and was an ap student and got nothing but 1st honors. His parents have money and bought him a 3 series drop top. Now people that he doesnt know claim to be his friends, His own friends are jealous and always put his car down, people generally hate him for his car, and they always have the prenotion that he is a spoiled brat and a stuck up asshole. I feel bad because of that.

 

i'll be his friend.

 

I should kick myself for reading these types of posts....They all start out about the benefits of one car but it all ends up spinning into the same arguments over and over again

 

I would. Not on this topic in particular. But anything. Anything I say here would come out of my mouth, face to face.

 

all cars have the personality of al gore..NONE. cars don't have personalities. They're hunks of plastic and metal. Tired of hearing our car has no personality/soul. If you mean does it stir your emotions while you're driving it, then you are also wrong. I feel great after I woop an IS300 or 328 ci or clk 320 in a drag race.

 

damn bro im sorry. I talked with your cousin on the e46 forums.. hes pretty cool. He is a good kid.. helps out alot over there.

 

Interesting...

I have to agree that the CL is a bit more rare, but that's because the shit doesn't sell, not cuz it's some exotic car...please.

 

If the CL-S were so roomy, by bud would not be trading his in for a TL-S. So to justify that the CL-S is better than a 3 or an IS, you go to shoulder room!

LAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEE.......

The CL-S is a classy coupe cruiser and should be left at that.

 

I bought the CL cuz I wanted Honda quality and something no one else had it at the time I bought it. BMW's were played out , 2 my boys got 325, 1 got a 330 and 1 got a M3. My friends go through so much shit with electronics going down in them.
My sister has a 99 18 and her passenger window broke 3 times on 1 month. my frinds 330 Odemeter was at 70 MPH when he was parked and went from 0-100 and back to 0 in 2 seconds, now thats performance!!
He went to get it fixed and they charged him 380 to fix it saying he hit something and he paid IT, well daddy paid it..
Its cool if you got money to waste I guess but i am short on the greens!

 

Then your friend obviously hit something. I can't see how a factory "error" would cause a speedo to read 70 all of a sudden at a stop. Now hitting something I can see that problem happening. Yes, BMW's are not know for reliability, but it's mostly the electronic gadgets cuz our cars have more unnecessary crap than most cars. On the other hand, I have not hear of any powertrain issues (besides the aux fan, which was recalled). Every car will have "issues"...even my TL had problems but it was cool cuz it was warrantied.

 

The CL-S isn't better because it's wider that's just the primary reason why it was worthy of consideration over a 330. I rule out the entire 3 series because they are too narrow and cramped. Worse with the IS300.

I don't know about the length of your cruises, but mine exceed 20 minutes. I run Philly to Miami quite often (just did one mid-May) and I truly appreciate the couple of extra inches in width.

I've been driving SHOs since 94. I was willing to give up some room in a new ride but I wasn't going to be ridiculous.

The TL was never in consideration because of the slushbox.

Overall, the CL-S certainly is better than the 330.

 

Forget the whole CL-S - 330i thing, i'm still amazed that Al Gore was mentioned. Oh the horror