Crazy Bimmer

Guys over on a differnt acura forum are saying the TL is a overall better car than a bmw 530i. They say the TL shouldnt be compared to the 3series either.

From your experiences with acura, would you find that to be true?

TypeSAddict

No.

Scrib

The TL is a NICE car.

But it's no 530i.

Zapata

not yet.....jury is still out.


value yes.....Acura will always will win in that comparo.

Crazy Bimmer

too bad i cant link the thread. They just make my blood boil. I cant beileve they still use the comment such as "bmw owners buy for the status"

Zapata

That isn't true to some extent?

Crazy Bimmer

not to car ethusiates (sp?) Which they claim to be

soopa

dunno. the last gen 5? yes.

current gen 5... i think id take a 5. but then again... to make them comparable cars... the TL would be like 37k and the 5 would be at least 50k...


i dunno

"better car" is too vague. gotta have your priorities


i think their fairly comparable. i think the 5 is a bit `better` in many quality categories... but i dont think its 10-15-20k better.

Chaptorial

Well if you broke it down, no the TL would probably lose in every category. However the damn thing (530) STARTS at $44,900.

How could you really compare the too?

Maybe the 525 would be a bit better comparison.

Shawn S

There are many people that buy BMW’s with respect for their performance, but for the most part that statement is completely true.
I would venture a guess that 50-60 percent buy for the status they feel it gives them.

soopa

ya but then your talking an almost 100hp difference... and the 525 is lacking ALOT of standard and even optional features.


it would be pretty hard to make a 525 comparable to the TL in most categories without once again getting too expensive to compare them.

Crazy Bimmer

ok forget it, im over it

BEETROOT

04 TL looks better than the 04 530i imo

but yeah I'm with everyone else...530i is overall a better vehicle, and it should be for 15k or so more $$.

soopa

ya i think theres actual real figures out there that support this estimate. heh


you cant really be `all about the performance` when there are alternatives (not saying acura) that handle as well, have better transmissions, and more power.

especially when MOST bmws that you see seem to be the cheaper low powered versions...

soopa

jesal and his ever swelling trust fund didn't take the cost into account!


i kid, i kid!

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

TL is definitely a better value than the 530.

Better car? In what category?

Crazy Bimmer

I WISH!

AcuraFan

Well the 530i is a fantastic car. But so is the TL. The TL has a slight edge on value, economy and performance. From what I hear, critics are liking interior of the TL better (I haven't seen either in person yet). The 530i has an edge in handling and prestige. And comparing exterior styling of both 04s and it's the TL, hands down...IMHO

I think it's a lot closer than you guys want to admit. One car being better than the other would be based on personal likes and priorities.

Crazy Bimmer

bingo. Sometimes i forget that

bigman

Value , the TL is better. You get way more for way less. Car for Car, hell no. The 530 manual may not be as quick as a type S, but i can say that i felt more satisfied driving a 525 manual than i did driving the tl-s. The ca handles, rides and just overall performs better. The Tl is hands down the best bang for the buck. But you have to understand the 5 Series is a luxury car, and the TL is entry level Luxury. You should be comparing the RL and 5 series. At which the 5'er will still come out on top.

Black CL-S 4-Life

Better value but not a better car.

hemants

I agree that the TL is better compared to the 5 series than the 3.

The 3 is more like a TSX.

But the 530 is probably a better overall car. What you lose in power you gain in handling.

So I'd probably pick the 530 over the TL at the same price. But I wouldn't dream of paying the price difference. At the price point of the 530 you can get so many nicer cars.

SpeedyV6

Exactly.

AcuraFan

You do realize we're talking about the new 2004 TL, right? (I have to question that because you keep bringing up the Type S)

AcuraFan

Well, so far all I'm getting is basically getting
1. The 5 series is better because it's better.
2. Forgetting everything else, the 5 series is better because it handles better.
3. The 5 series is better because it's a luxury car.

I'm sorry but "the 5 series is better because I mean come on, it's a 5 series" doesn't do it for me. No one is really giving a reason for why it's better except the handling part. Tell me, why is it better (and personal experience or data would be helpful).


I'm not playing favorites or picking one car over another, I'm playing devil's advocate here.

lou_RENAMED

the new 5 series and the new Tl are about equal in looks exterior. slight advantage to Bimmer for name

interior I would have to say the TL has a nicer interior with better navi and sound system.

handling the 5 series has the advantage but not by much particularly since most buyers are not taking it to the track.

530 vs 04' tl in a race...mmm I say the tl will edge it out but in stick form the tl will kill it easily

overall I strongly believe the new TL is a very nice addition to there line-up and will reflect directly to Acuras sales.

will the A-spec be that much better thats still undecided...but any improvement will definelty be favorable.

ferizzo

I like the 5 series but I think the 04 TL is definitely a comparable car. granted the 5 handles better but the 04TL is not too shabby either. powerwise the TL will out hustle any five below the 540 (is the new 545 out yet?). As for interior, I prefer the new TL over the 5. As for the new 5, haven't been in one yet so I can't say.

As for the TLS and e39 (is that right), I think the same applies except that the interiors can be a push. I would guess that the materials (like leather and plastics) might be of better quality in the bimmer (it better be for the price).

All in all, IMHO, I would take the 04 TL or 03 TLS over the 525, 528, or 530 but would definitely take a 540! I do think that the 5 is a better comparison to a TL than the 3.

Rock2534

I would say that there is a certain level of prestige attached to the BMW, and that is why you pay considerably more money for, but that applies to everything such as clothes, watches, stereos, computers, basically anything. So that being aside you have to ask yourself what you would buy if the price was relatively equal, and the specs were close. I know i would take a 330 over the CL, not for the name, but for the looks of it alone (assuming performance is basically equal), that styling would win me over hands down.

What makes the CL and TL so attractive, is that it offers equal or better aspects in some categories one would use when deciding what to buy, and for a lot less dough. There will always be that car you wish you could buy if you just had a little more money. If you got a CL you want a CLS, or a G35 or 330, when you get that, you want a M3, then an M5, or a jag, or whatever. It will never stop, and there will never be a hands down "BETTER" car. If so, everyone would buy that one, and you wouldn't have to choose between so many makes and models. Just my opinion of course.

bigman

I didnt realize that, but everything still stands. I drove the 04 a few times with a dealer friend and the 5 series still felt more satisfying. My cousin has a new 525 and the thing is like a piece of art.

DISRUPTV

i think a 525 is a car for the poseurs...the excitement begins somewhat w/a 530 and definitely w/a 545

i dont think a tl is built as well as a 5series, but i would def pick a TL over a new 525 and 530....i thinbk the interior of the new 5 is a step backward from thelast one, altho i can live w/the new e49 exterior

Sarlacc

New TL has a better ext, and Definately better interior then the new 5. but that is subjective.

New 5, well any 5 will give a TL a run for its money in the overall road feel and handling dept. That is one thing you just cant beat about bmw.

But in the end, with the direction bungle took bimmer, id take a new tl of a new 530.

Now a 545, M5. Id have to start maybe overlooking the styling and shitty interior layout and go bimmer.

ferizzo

Exactly!

SilverCL225hp

Yes, I think the new TL is overall a better car than the new 530i, regardless of the price.

lou_RENAMED

better car overall ??? in which way

Sarlacc

looks: inside and out

hemants

"I'm not playing favorites or picking one car over another, I'm playing devil's advocate here."

The 5 series has:

1. limited slip differential
2. RWD
3. better weight distribution
4. probably a more solid body
5. probably more advanced technology and research
6. probably better stock tires
7. all inclusive warranty
8. real wood not fake

The TL has

1. nicer interior finish (subjective though)
2. nicer exterior looks (not bangled)
3. bigger trunk
4. more reliability
5. more hp
6. better snow performance

I know you might say the 5 series is "only really better in the handling department" but that is a pretty big deal.

But again. I don't think it justifies the price difference and there are some better RWD options out there for that price.

lou_RENAMED

all inclusive warranties are great til they expire and then the $100 oil changes start showing up, transmission tune-ups are like $150 and alignmenst are $115

Im sorry but Ill rather pay up front and keep the prices lower for the life of the car than get all inclusive and get reamed after it expires.

The TL has a better sound system and navigation

TL has a rock solid engine the 3.2 liter which was around the times of the Legend.

Acura will always have the advantage in the electronics dept. hands down.

the tl-s has a very nice tiptronic tranny that I have not been able to find in another car...unfortunetly its not reliable but about the 04'

AcuraFan

I like the "probably" parts...it really solidifies the pro-5 series arguement. lol

j/k

1SICKLEX

Man hell no.
TL-still an upscale Accord, no matter how u slice it.
5-series-sports sedan standard, hellooooooooo, active steering even further enchances this. Most all sedans want to be a 5 (even Acura can be quoted saying it used the 5 as the benchmark).

Looking at the other site, the quality ain't much better than any BMW, so we can't use that arguement.

The TL is a damn fine car. But you simply cannot seriously compare one car that costs 38k loaded, and a loaded 530 at 58k. That is a 20k difference!

Not to mention the basis of the 5 is for the V-8 545 or V-10 M-5. The chassis has to be incredible to handle this power. The TL has a chassis to handle the A-spec package, which is a kit.

I gotta go over there and look at what they are saying.

darrinb

cant compare em, the tl has better valur for ur dollar but its not better than a 5 series, theres a reason for the 15k price differnce