Well, I couldn't wait any longer for the 2003 CL-s 6spd, so I went to the dark side - just picked up an E46 328i. Great ride! I got a GREAT deal on the car, and the rear wheel drive was too hard to resist - I picked it up today and have been perfecting taking corners sideways all afternoon!

I look forward to seeing everyone's input on the 03CLs 6spd - please don't flame me off the board - I'm still a Honda / Acura fan at heart (but this rear wheel drive thing is addictive!)

 

Congrats on your new car

 

You're a motherfucker. Eat shit and die......................

 

hahahaha

 

 

Don't let the door hit you in the azz when you leave!!!!!!!

 

Congrats!!

 

the dark side.... haha

 

Doesn't Ohio get snow and ice?

 

To the well wishers, thank you. To the nay-sayers, after you.

Yes, we get a little, but I've got the stability control - handles very well in snow and ice, especially with snow tires. Just another reason to get 18's now......

 

Enjoy the BMW.

Could you give us an initial comparison (other than RWD)?

Driving impressions, buying experience, likes, dislikes, insurance, any surprises,? etc..

Having owned a CL and now a 3 series, you can give a fair evaluation of both cars.


Keep us updated

 

Initial comparison: Power delivery is VERY linear, as in from right off idle. Nature of an inline 6, I suppose. The manual and a favorable final drive ratio also helps with this - the slushbox in my 2000 TL-P (didn't have a CL, I just find this board more amusing and informed than most of the TL board posts) was a power sap. I've spent about 100 miles combined behind the wheel of a TL-S and a CL-S, and I would say that ultimate useable power is a little better in the Acura, but the handling of the BMW is noticeably sharper. I'd look forward to doing a side by side comparo with a local CL-S, especially a 6-spd. I have noticed that in 5th gear, cruising at 80, my RPM's are about 3100. Great for roll-on's, bad for gas mileage. A 6th ratio would be nice. E46 M3, here I come!

The traction control feature in the BMW is a nice added bonus. I played with it a little last night (it rained here yesterday), and was very impressed in it's functionality. It did a nice job keeping the ass of the car where it belonged, but did allow a tiny bit of rear-swinging oversteer to correct in cornering. With the ACS (BMW's name for VSA) turned off, the ass will pass the nose with not much effort. Woooooo HOOOOOOOOOOO!

Insurance isn't bad - my TL ran about $70/month, and the BMW goes $95/month. A little less than I expected.

As far as buying goes, I first have to say that my local Acura dealer (Columbia Acura) is one of the finest dealerships I've ever delt with. I've sent a few people there who've bought cars, and they all agree. When I turn in my Accord (my soon to be fiance is finishing out the lease) I look forward to getting an MDX from Columbia (I will NOT be getting an X5!).

All of the Nissan dealers I visited looking for a Maxima made me realize how important it is to work with a good dealership. I went to the BMW dealer on a whim, and was VERY impressed with the quality and level of service. I would say that the experience was equal to that of the Acura dealer.

Between a new CL-S 6spd and a new 330i, at this point in my life I'd be hard pressed to spend the money for the BMW. However, I got a great deal on the 328i, and couldn't justify the additional dough for a new CL-S 6spd (auto tranny in any form was not an option this time around).

 

http://www.dvinsight.com/videos/dtmdelaware.mpeg

 

jdl75

Not a bad choice if you got a great deal on it, I just hope you got certified pre-owned, or else your warranty will end in 2002 and things will be expensive. I can see you're still in Acura mode since you call your color "Satin Silver"

But good luck, I'm sure you'll have fun with the E46!

 

Congrats man but you would have been better off with a Cl-S !
Anyways, like I said before my girlfriend has a 330, and still like my Cl-S better.

 

Yup - certified pre-owned. Great warranty - I've got 2.5 yrs and 70k miles bumper to bumper left ($50 deduct after 50k miles).

I s'pose I'll always be an Acura fan - I got in a little argument with the sales manager about the "Technology" in a BMW. I had mentioned that I had owned a TL, and he began in on BMW's superior technology to Acura, bla bla bla. I led him down a path and burned him. I didn't mention at first that I worked for HAM, built TL's, CL's and Accords, but when I did, and told him off, he got real quiet. If I could afford an NSX right now, I'd still be in an Acura, hands down!

 

Very cool video - thanks! I think that NSX coulda given that M3 a little more trouble!