Mr.Tea

Hello guys I need your opinion on a purchase I am in the market for a 2010 RL and found one with 100,000 miles and I also found a 2011 BMW 53I xdrive with 79,000 miles.

I have always been an Acura owner Tl, Rl, MDX I am coming from a 06 RL (sold) and a 12 MDX advance (sold) I am looking at the fuel economy of the 5 and really liking it 20/29 compared to the Rl 16/22. I am looking for long-term reliability, comfort, power and easy maintenance. What are your thoughts? Will I be paying more for oil changes on the BMW than the Rl etc.?

RL09

I bought mine 3 months back and the 535xi wagon loaded (beautiful car) was a high contender.

1. Some photos would help.
2. Which trims / options on each car?
3. Condition of each.


Assuming they are both in similar conditions, and with the same options which would be a bit odd (the RL has options unseen to me before I bought it), I can tell you generally BMWs do visit a garage more often. Not as much as an audi but they do.

The main possible issues are

1. The water pumps that bmw uses are plastic. They tend to break. in 2010 there was a fuel pump issue as well. And they are both not cheap.

2. The 535 is a twin turbo engine. i pwrsonally have a phobia of turbos as they tend to have a lifetime and when they are up, the parts cost around a couple of thousand bucks. The Vtec on the RL MMC is enabled both on intake and output which is its own reliable turbo kinda...

I decided to go with less bills at the garage and swallow the mileage, and have been happy since. Except when I visited ramblings. But that doesn't cost me $


edit: oh, and I'd go and ask the same question on the bmw forum as well

Mr.Tea

The 535i xdrive i am looking at has all the following

OPTION PACKAGES
PREMIUM PKG pwr trunk lid open/close, integrated 3-button universal garage door opener, front & rear park distance control, Comfort Access keyless entry w/multi-function remote control, TECHNOLOGY PKG rear-view camera, navigation system, COLD WEATHER PKG heated steering wheel, split fold-down rear seat, heated front seats, heated rear seats, retractable headlight washers, DRIVER ASSISTANCE PKG automatic high beams, lane departure warning, active blind spot detection, SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO, 8-SPEED STEPTRONIC AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION sport & manual shift modes, adaptive transmission control (ATC) (STD).

oo7spy

The BMW has a worse reliability record, and that is even within warranty. I wouldn't think about buying one with that much mileage unless I knew how to work on it myself.

Besides that, do you really need the AWD? The X-Drive takes a lot away from The Ultimate Driving Machine from what I have heard. Not only is the drivetrain much less responsive, but I believe the suspension is too.

RL09

Spy makes a good point. I think of AWD for the snow and I don't know if you get much in SC.

High mileage = expect to change many things. It's like a pregnant lady due. unless you got a list of what was made.

It doesn't help when you don't post all details: photos, rust, are the tires still standing straight or previous owner enjoyed his beemer, price, previous work done, etc etc.

if you got the cash, and feel like a beemer, then go for it, and enjoy the occasional repair/shaping up process, etc. That can be fun.

Mr.Tea

I test drove one today and yes the 535i is amazing without the xdrive but i like having the option of AWD. What reliability records are in question vs a 2010 Rl in the same condition? i was also looking at the fuel economy which is really good 21/30

Mr.Tea

What would you expect to pay for each car i have mentioned with said mileage and packages..the BMW Actually has 75,900 miles, the RL 104,000

RL09

Depends on ur local market prices. Don't ask me mine, they're going to be less than urs. People around here would faint if they found out how much I paid my 09. They think im rich.

Try these: Value a Car for Sale - Find My Car Value, Car Worth and Car Pricing - AutoTrader.com

New Cars, Used Cars, Car Reviews and Pricing | Edmunds.com <--- This u'll need to put RL 2010 in theur search as they only show rlx on main page now.

You can appraise using those + ur local current market prices on autotrader.com

Mr.Tea

you hav a 09 rl or bmw?
[QUOTE=RL09;15752211]Depends on ur local market prices. Don't ask me mine, they're going to be less than urs. People around here would faint if they found out how much I paid my 09. They think im rich.

Try these: Value a Car for Sale - Find My Car Value, Car Worth and Car Pricing - AutoTrader.com

New Cars, Used Cars, Car Reviews and Pricing | Edmunds.com

RL09

My handle is RL09.

Mr.Tea

what are you averaging for fuel?

RL09

I didn't measure. I don't wanna be depressed. i know my a4 3.0 used to spend far less on fuel, and it was a 15 year old car.

I think im doing the specs. But i'm not happy about it.

oo7spy

A 6 year old RL with 100k miles? $15k tops. I bet you could find comparable options for less.

Has the RL had its timing belt changed?


A 5 year old bimmer with 80k miles? Only a fool and their money will part for that. Better not pay more than $12k.

Mr.Tea

The RL i found has not had the timing felt done has 104,000 miles they are asking $9900 It had 1 minor accident. but full service record with acura dealer.

Mr.Tea

The issues i have with the RL is the 16/20mpg, lack of technology vs 20/30 eco mode and all these other efficiency options and features on the BMW.

You also have to remember that people do maintain there cars. I am sure a bimmer with 80k miles maintained as it should would be ok.

Nexx

2011 RL, the 5 speed in the 2010 is a joke

RL09

U can't assume either, check the cars before u buy.

And which RL are we talking about?

Without pics, and complete info, its difficult to give u an opinion.

oo7spy

That price seems a bit low. They are either pricing it to sell or they are pricing it due to its condition. If it's a mechanically sound 2010 RL with a fresh timing belt for ~$11k out the door, I'm sold. That is a steal for a bulletproof, great car.

What confuses the fuck out of me regarding your mpg concern is that you owned an RL for years. Do you really think the J35 bored out 33 ml/cylinder is going to be THAT much worse? The answer is no. You might get 1 mpg worse than your 2006. You had that same engine in the MDX. WTF?

Furthermore, why do you keep changing the MPG ratings? First it was 20/29 vs 16/22. Then the Bimmer automagically got 21/30. Then it was 20/30 while the RL only got 16/20. That RL can achieve 27 mph highway, and that bimmer can achieve 17 mph city. Your priorities are all jacked up.

08KBP_VA

Sounds like youve already made up your mind and your hoping we can confirm. Based on your requirements below the BMW does not meet 2 of your objectives. Do you know the known issues for the BMW its Achilles heals? All BMW's have or will have cooling issues, powersteering line leaks, bushing issues and at that age all those are highly likely in the BMW with those miles. Whats the history on the BMW? Lease? Private Owner? I ask as thats a lot of mileage on a 5 yo car IMHO.

I wrench on my own cars where possible (I wont be pulling motor andreplacing timing chain guides, or rod bearings etc., I know my limits) and just finished turning a few on my M5; hard no but certainly not "easy maintenance" and I have a lift and ton of tools and good friends with mad technical skills to help. If you have those too then go for it.

I am looking for long-term reliability, comfort, power and easy maintenance.

Mr.Tea

Well i was looking both years at the 2011 which gets 20/29 and in 2012 you get 21/30 thats the only reason.

Mr.Tea

Th timing belt on the Rl has not been done sir.

oo7spy

So add $1k to the price of the RL. If it's in good condition, that's still a great price.

Mr.Tea

I will be going with the RL so i will report on its condition when i review it.

Its a New Jersey owned car is there anything i should be asking or checking out specifically? i am still going to have a "Aim" inspection done.

Carbon Legend

I was in the similar situation. Go for a RLX or for 535. I settled for the 535 Xdrive Msport. I get 22/34 mpg. way more power. Has a decent aftermarket support. I have had 0 issues with the car. After 16 years of loyalty to Honda i made the switch. Honda just does not offer power like it use to in its cars.

Current mods
Vorsteiner CF front lip
Vorsteiner CF rear diffuser
Duckbill rear CF spoiler
Rear window CF spoiler
BMS intake
4" Downpipe
Muffler delete with titanium tips
Upgraded Chargepipes
JB4 pushing 18psi (factory is 7-8)

oo7spy

Way more power than the RL or the RLX you were considering (assuming you meant the hybrid since the PAWS is a dud)?

macjack

Different cars with different maintenance histories will always affect things, of course. I looked at cars in a lower price range, and thus older and higher miles, here in Colorado, where AWD garners a premium, and traveling or shipping an unseen car was more than I wanted to do in my purchase. I looked at a 2007 535 x-drive wagon and a 2005 RL. The 535 had more torque lower in the RPMs, and had a great feel for the road. The RL was in excellent shape and all gadgets working, plus interior spotless. Feel for the road was on par, except for shocks a little tired. The 535, on the other hand, had many of the classic BMW issues, like material on the A pillar sagging at the bottom of the windshield (saw this on all 2000s bimmers I looked at). Headliner separated in the rear. Door parts separating. Could chalk most of that up to poor upkeep. But what really sent me packing was the giant caution sign on the info center, saying problem with the AWD system. Dealer said it was a $500 part, and it was on order, but who knows if that will fix it. I don't hear about those issues with the RLs. Drivetrain wise, I think the RL is more robust. BMW can quickly pile up parts and labor in the thousands. Yes the cooling systems on BMW's need regular replacement, preventatively.
I, too, was attracted to both the feeling of the power, especially low end, in the 535, and the notably higher mileage. But the reliability and build quality of the RL sold me, and I got 25 mpg driving it home from the dealer.
I had a e36 convertible (1994 325ic) that I loved a few years ago, but it came with a little paranoia about the cooling system and transmission, that I don't have have with the RL. I like less paranoia.
-macjack

Mr.Tea

Very Nice! What year is your 535i, mileage, options and how much did you pay if you don't mind me asking? You can PM me with cost if thats private.

Carbon Legend

Got the car for a steal, dealership had the car listed as Deep sea blue metallic when it was carbon black. Only option that was correct was the Msport package. The car had severe swirl marks from auto washes. Used that in the negotiations. Had to pay 900 to get the car color corrected, orange peel from the factory corrected and got 3 layers of cquartz cerarmic pro on top.

Picked it up for 30K 33 out the door
39000 miles
Msport package with adaptive suspension and sport transmission
Adaptive HID projectors
Premium Hifi (sounds better than factory bose in RL)
Winter package (heated seats all 4 and heated steering wheel
Ceramic controls

Mr.Tea

Thats one beautiful ride!

3.2cls6speedmt

did you make a purchase?

Mr.Tea

I decided to go with a 2013 GS 350 F SPORT 30,000 miles. Waiting to finalize the details.

CFoote

Well, thats certainly a change up between the RL and the 535. The Lexus is a nice car, hope you enjoy it!

oo7spy

Good choice.

Frenetic

Excellent choice! I love my Lexus and I'm sure you'll get many, many worry-free years out of that car like we did with our RLs.

Another great thing about the GS is that it's a rare sight to see, at least the newer body styles. It's the same with the RL. I rarely ever see people driving the new GS or LS. I can go weeks without seeing another, just like how it was with the RL early on. I see BMWs everywhere, all the time.

Clublexus is a great resource.

Mr.Tea

After debating and looking on the long term reliability and others factors and test driving of course I was sold on the GS. Even with the (F) sport the car still rides like a charm. It's a Awd version the dealer was asking $34,490 and my budget was $30,000 but it's certified pre owned they can take $1400 off but that would leave me without certification...is that a big deal? I have not finalized a price until Monday... It has the cold weather package---heated steering, headlight washers, blind spot monitoring and the tan leather. With the certification I get 2 additional years unlimited miles...plus I get the next 4 scheduled maintenance included.

CFoote

Do the certified, if anything electronic has issues in the car you will be covered....dealer labor rates are $125+ an hour, its good peace of mind.

3.2cls6speedmt

Great choice. I have been looking at the gs 350 for a couple of years. The club lexus has great information. I would check out the lexus forum before purchasing an awd in the south.

can you post a link where you found the rl that you were looking at?

RL09

Cars for Sale: Used 2010 Acura RL in , INWOOD NY: 11096 Details - Sedan - Autotrader

It was posted for 9999$. they probably removed the price after they saw this list:

Acura RL for Sale in Avenel, NJ 07001 - Autotrader

3.2cls6speedmt

seems like a scam. the yelp reviews on the dealership are " Scam. Dishonest. Don't go if you're not desperate and willing to finance an extra 20-35% "dealer fee" on top of every price they list. "

pillguy

MOD EDIT: You cannot sell anything in the general forums. You must use the Black Market. Also, newbs can't sell cars here.