I understand this is a CL messageboard so the responses may be biased, but I am curious what everyone thinks. I used to own a 97 M3 and I just sold my 2001 Honda S2000 to get something a little more practical.

Well it's come down to these two cars. The CL just came out with a 6 speed so that is why I am now looking at it. I want a new car. That is why I decided to go against a 330ci because in this price range with the options I wanted they all had 20k miles or more.
I can get the Acura fully loaded for $33,900.
This inludes 6speed, navigation, on-star, heated seats, moonroof, power and memory seats, HID's, alarm, rear spoiler, Bose 6-disc CD stereo system and a lot of other cool feautres.
For the same price, I could get a new 2002 325ci. It would have leather, power moonroof, power/memory seats, Bi-Xenon headlights, the Basic CD player stereo system and a 5-speed transmission.

They both come with a 4yr-50k mile warranty but the BMW also has 3yr-36k free maintenence program. I am going to go test drive the Acura to see if I like it but no dealerships around me have any 5-speed 325's to test drive. The Acura will be faster, more luxurious and it will have more options, but I like the interior and exterior styling of the BMW better. Also, I'm sure the BMW will be more sporty and responsive. However, the Acura is a much better value. But BMW build quality is great and the car is very solid. I will most likely keep this car for the next 3-4 years so I want something I won't get tired of. What are your opinions on the two cars? What do you think I should go with?
Thanks,
-Brandon

 

I went to Acura and BMW, these prices reflect what is listed on their websites (respectively). I configured each the way would if I were to actually buy one.

Acura - $34,513
Options:
Type-S package
Navigation
Wood steering wheel
Spoiler
Mud flaps

BMW - $38,845
Options:
Metallic paint
Leather
Cold Weather package
Premium package
Sport package
Bi-xenon headlights
Navigation
Premium sound


I'd have a hard time deciding objectively. 38k+ for a 325 seems like paying for a name, but you have to consider that routine maintenance is included. 34k+ for the CL is a little more justified, considering the likelihood that it will prove more reliable than it's German counterpart (I'm too lazy to go find all the research links, it's already been discussed at great length).

I bought the CL because I got an amazing deal when I traded in the old Legend.

 

CLS all the way. I love acura but understand that the BMW is an excellent car as well. The 325ci is smaller and doesn't have as much power as the 6MT. The 6MT will have more mods available. Yah, the maintainence for the BMW is included for the first three years but after that? In the long run the Acura should cost you less to maintain. I can see why somebody would want to get a 5 series over the TLS or the RL. However, the 3 series just doesn't offer that much more than the CL for me to spend more money on the BMW.

 

if you can afford the bmw get the bimmer...you get more b!tches with a bimmer.
i think they are two different classes. ones an acura and ones a bmw. i mean...dont get me wrong i love my acura, but I'd chose a 5 series over my TL any day if i could afford it. and i would do the same over a CL.

 

NOooo you sold your s2000?

but for the long run id get the CL

 

38K for a 325, no way ! Get the Acura.

 

u can get 38k for a 330Ci

 

I've read here that you can run a 330 up to 44k to equal equipment with a CL-S or a TL-S.

 

I just did it for a 330ci. Metallic paint, leather seats, premium package, sport package, steptronic transmission, heated front seats, navi, am/fm casette.

$43,185.

 

well shit....for 43k...might as well get a S4

 

The new CL-S is a good value, but the BMW even w/less HP got my vote. To keep the 325 coupe costs down, I only added; leather, moonroof, heated seats & metallic paint; MSRP was a shade over $33k w/destination. I think the Bimmer will have much better resale & overall interest based on what I'm experiencing now trying to sell my '97 CL, as I wait for my BMW to arrive in mid-April here in NJ. Tom

 

I go for the CL-S, but if you want BMW. I would go with the 330 and not the 325.

 

Wow, I'm really impressed with all of the positive reponses I have recieved on this post. I'm still contemplating between the two. I want to go test drive them both to see which one I prefer. I really like the styling of the bimmer along with the name recognition(who doesn't). I just need to go test drive the two and figure out what I really want.
Thanks,
-Brandon

 

Seems like you already know what you will pick. Personally, I wouldn't go lower than a 330 for a 3 series or 540 for a 5 series. Now if I had the $$$, then M5 all the way!

 

Not yet....I want to go test drive the two tomorrow. I love everything about the CL except for it's exterior appearance. It's just too bland, it looks too much like a Solara. But all the features, engine and tranny are really appealing. I'll post my impressions after I drive one.
Thanks,
-Brandon

 

I'm in the same boat there buddy. I have no regrets getting my 330i over a 325. The power band on the 330i is just toooo nice.

bro, if it's between a 325 and a CLS, get the CLS. Features are one thing, but there is just more power on the CLS.

Or you may want to re-evaluate the options on the BMW you want. Who the hell pays 44k for a 330ci? It probably has the BS options like park distance control and headlight wipers.
I picked up my nicely equipped 01 330i 5spd for 37k.

There is one nasty thing about my 330i though. MODS are HELLA expensive. I'll be dropping 10k into my 330i this summer, and that just includes minor body and suspension work and your basic exhaust/intake/throttle body/ECU mods.

 

That sounds pretty neat. What options did they give you for 37k? What kind of body work can you get on a 330? Do you have pics? What is the final HP and torque output after those engine upgrades?

 

When I was in the market for a new car, I had it narrowed down to the CL-S and the 325Ci. The 330ci was out of my price range.

I drove both (several times each) and when it came down to it, the CL-S was the winner by a large margin.

1) Price. For what you get, the CL-S is the champ.

2) Performance. Not even close. Even though the CL-S is FWD, is still is a wonderful car in terms of power. It dusts the 325Ci and can hang with the 330Ci.

3) Styling. In MY opinion, the Acura has much better styling. Maybe I say that because I don't like orange interior lighting (reminds me of Pontiac ). I love the CL-S gauges. I think our seats are better than the BMW sport seats.

4) Maintenance. With the 6-spd, the tranny issues will be non-existent. Rattles, yeah we got em', but so does BMW. My buddy's 330Ci rattles like a mother... Long term, the Acura will be cheaper in maintenance costs. After all, it is a Honda.

5) Resale. Personally, our cars don't do THAT bad in the resale department. It's equally as good on a percentage basis with the 3-series. And if you keep cars 7 years or longer like I do, resale value is a non-issue.


To sum it up... The CL-S is the best bang for the almighty buck. And now with a 6-spd. Oh man...

 

It depends on what is important.

Power + Features, CL.
RWD + Driving experience, BMW.

You won't be able to deal on the 6 speed Acura. Expect MSRP

If you shop around and post on forums, you should be able to find a BMW dealer willing to deal. About $1500 over invoice is not hard to find.

 

No contest 6sp CL-S all the way. IMO the 5speed 325 is a dog, and way to expensive.

 

Yeah my girls 330xi ran up to $44K, what a fucking waste of money.

 

Two great choices, can't go wrong either way. Strictly between a CLS and a 325ci, I'd probably pick the CLS. Sure, it's probably correct to say the 325ci "handles better", but the CLS is going to be faster on any type of track.

Keep in mind that you can get a 330ci for that kind of money. The $40k+ 330 is a myth; if you skip the nav system and pick your options carefully, it's not that expensive. My 330ci, with premium package (wood trim, nice leather, moonroof, rain-sensing wipers), HID, CD, and Harmon Kardon stereo stickered at about $39k and I bought it for less than $38k. Didn't get the sport pkg because it's just seats and wheels/tires, and I knew I was getting track wheels anyway.

As many people have pointed out, the two cars drive very differently, but one is not necessarily better or worse than the other. As they say in the BMW community, "test drive them both, if you can't tell the difference, buy the Acura [Lexus/Audi/Infinit/etc]"

 

"ones an acura and ones a bmw"

Errrr: What you been Smokin Holmes !

 

"ones an acura and ones a bmw"

Errrr: What you been Smokin Holmes !

 

xi is 4wd isnt it?

doesn't seem too bad for a 4wd

 

i had to decide between CLS and 325ci a few months ago. ended up with the acura. the BMW is just smaller, slower and not worth the money in my opinion. Plus everyone has a bmw...

 

Seriously, who doesn't have a bimmer? There are as many bimmers in Atlanta as pick-up trucks (not in all areas of course). CL's are more unique and more powerful. You say it doesn't handle as well, get some comptechs and some koni's, that would solve that problem, at minimal cost. My girlfriend has a 2001 325i. It's a nice car and is really solid, but it is not that fast. It's only a bit faster than my 2.3 Cl (granted hers is an auto.) I say get the 330 or an S4. 325 is not very performance oriented. Drive both though.

 

If I were getting a new bimmer, I'd always get the sport package, the suspension is also much better. The seats are way better IMHO as well...one of the reasons the magazines have the CLS faster in the slalom is because the Bimmer they tested did not have the sport package (why BMW did that I don't know!)