Hi guys. I'm new here. Tonight I placed an order for an RL (Silver with Ebony) which I am told is on the boat and should be here in a week. The dealer was out of stock on this color combo. To make a long story short I like the RL very much for the technology that it offers and for the price. It is a very substantial car in my opinion and rivals many of the other luxury brands. I won't try to argue german vs. japanese or Mercedes/BMW vs Acura. I think every brand has their own problems, some more than others. I currently drive an 03 Merc E500, which as it turns out is a lemon and Mercedes is buying back. I think that the Acura is a safe choice (reliable and trouble free) compared to say....another Mercedes, Audi or BMW. My only reservation about the RL is that it is the first year of production. Like my current car (E-500) it was the first year of production and you already know how that turned out.

05 RL owners, please share you thoughts, opinions and insights as to any problems you've observed. If you had to buy an RL all over again, would you still buy an RL? You're comments are appreciated.

 

As a follow up to my post, Cerritos Acura is offering to sell me the car for $44,711.

 

I wouldn't buy again for the following reasons:

1. SH-AWD un-proven
2. Dealer customer services are poor
3. Rattles
4. Real time traffic doesn't work all the time
5. Door handles broke down
6. Poor gas milage
7. Lack of low end torque
8. XM resets frequently
9. Long breaking distance
10. Large turning radius
11. "floaty" ride
12. Cheap OEM tires
13. Passenger seat with limited adjustments

I am willing to to the risk with a MB or BMW for the troubles I have had with the RL. Goodluck with whatever choice you make.

 

While I can't deny or confirm anything AcuraRLBlue has said (I do not own the car yet), I can say that without a doubt the feature for price value is unbeatable. I know that the dealer customer services (2) are not great at most acura dealers. the door handles have had problems (5) and acura requested anybody with problems go to the dealer to have them replaced. gas milage - well what car with 300hp is going to beat the car in gas milage, and do you expect the best in the world? nope. lack of low end torque (7) yeah, but this is known before we buy the car. 11 - floaty ride - get the a-spec suspension. 12 - tires, crap. as soon as i take delivery of the car, i am driving down to belle tire and swapping them out, they will pay me $140/tire and i will pay $220/tire for the mich pilot sport a/s. 13 - pass seat with limited adjustments - im never in my passenger seat, so who cares

 

Wow...good info to know about the E500. I had been looking at pre-owned E500's online, thinking about talking the 'rents into looking at them. Knowing this now, however, I think I'll skip even taking them to a Mercedes dealer. Reliability is all too important to both of my parents, which is why we avoided getting a VW Touareg.

While I do not own an '05 RL, I cannot speak from personal experience when I say that they have proven to be quite reliable. Yes, members on here have mentioned a few niggling problems, but very few have had any serious problems. I'd say safely that you won't have NEARLY as many problems (if any) with your new RL when compared to the E-class.

Just out of curiousity, why not go for an Infiniti M45 or Lexus GS430 (or LS430)? Does the RL feel like the most direct Japanese competition to the E-class? Does it have a similar feel?

 

If I didn't already know that AcuraRLBlue was a fine contributor to this (and other) threads in this forum, I'd be tempted to say he was crazy. (But from what I have read, he is totally honest and sincere about his difficulties with the RL.)

Still, the reason I would counter his list of gripes, is the ownership experience I have had since buying an RL back in October. My vehicle, a black on black beauty, has been outstanding, never once exhibiting any of the traits AcuraRLBlue described (save his #10). My previous cars, a Mercedes, and before that a Passat, gave me grief month after month. And while no car can make it shine on a rainy day, the RL has restored my faith in fine automobiles.

Specifically: the RL's SH-AWD has given this car zing. I corner with a confidence even my E-Class couldn't instill. The dealer, Chevy Chase Acura, has been great from day one. My RL is mostly like a soundproof booth when I drive. If I choose not to play any audio, the car is totally quiet (no rattles whatsoever). The Nav/traffic I use is in the DC area and it's always worked for me on routes into and out of the Capital—a real time saver. My door handles were perfect and remain same. The RL's gas mileage is better than that of my E-Class, and way better than the Passat (which refused to go double digit in the city!). Low end is great for me especially coming off the E Class' anemic 6. My XM reset only once in eight months. And it only defaults to the preview channel when parked in a covered garage. (Normal behavior for this unit.) Braking is fine for me. (Check comparison tests in Motor Trend, Car & Driver, and Road & Track to see just how competitive the RL is.) Ah, the dreaded #10 complaint. (This one I agree with.) Continuing, my RL feels taut, locked down, and not floaty. It definitely gives me a feel for the road, without being punishing. (But this may be a matter of personal taste/previous experience.) I don't see (or feel) the problem with the OEM tires. But a number of owners have complained and reshod their cars with 18" (or larger) rubber, so there may be something here to gripe about. The passenger seat is just fine, but that's my experience. I had more adjustments in other cars and my passengers never used them!

Am I an RL fan? You bet. A big one! A COLOSSAL ONE! It's easily the best car I've owned. My parents (and close friends who live nearby) each have a new RL in no small part due to my experiences. And so far, their vehicles have been great too.

To AcuraRLBlue, all I can say is, I am truly sorry you didn't get the joy out of your car that I've gotten out of mine. Reading your post(s), I found it hard to believe you were describing the same automobile.

 

I'd like to address a few of these.
1. SH-AWD unproven? I've proven to myself, my wife, Ohio Winters, and nice twisty roads...SH-AWD is the real deal. I would pit the handling of the RL to my M3.
2. Poor dealer? Maybe some, but not all.
3. Rattles? None.
4. Real Time Traffic? Cannot comment, not available yet in my region
5. Door handle broke down? Yes, my drivers door handle sensor (not the handle itself) failed and replaced by dealer
6. Poor gas milage? 20~21 in the city, approaching 28 on the highway at 75mph
7. Lack of low-end torque? Yes, welcome to Acura/Honda. Non-issue unless you race at every stoplight.
8. XM Reset? Have yet to have happen (owned since 1-2-05...5,000 miles)
9. Long braking distance? This made me laugh the most. One of the best sets of brakes I've owned on a car. If anything, they are almost too touchy.
10. Large turning radius? Yes. Every much like our old 740il. This car is not a MINI Cooper or a Miata. It's a 4,000lb. sedan.
11. Floaty ride? Don't see it...and if you do, call your dealer.
12. Cheap OEM tires? YES! I can finally agree...100%. The 17's are garbage. They are winter use wheels and tires for us. The 18"er's were put into place and the ride is much improved.
13. Limited Passenger seat adjustment? I agree somewhat. I agree that on a 50k car, it should be 8-way. But if I am in the driver's seat, I could care less.

It may sound like I am over defending this car...but dollar for dollar, it is the best all-around choice. And a lot of the boards attract people who nit-pick the hell out of their cars (same with the BMW and Lexus boards I surf).
We shopped them all, E class, A6, M45, GS430 and the RL was an easy choice.

 

T Austin, get a quote from Santa Monica Acura. I got a great deal from them and then Cerritos was more than happy to match it. Cerritos Acura is a great dealership to work with so I highly recommend working through them and usually, they're pretty willing to match deals made by their competitors. (see the sign-in thread for the price I was able to get)

 

I was quoted $44,700 here in Houston back in early May and I know they'll sell cheaper now. In my opinion that is still too much for this car; and one of the main reasons I'm still on the fence.

 

To follow AcuraRLBlue's format; I have NOT bought an RL (yet?) for the following reasons:

1) Not sure I need/want AWD.
2) Definitely do not need RealTimeTraffic.
Note that these two uncertainties nullifies the supposed technological superiority T Austin alluded to in his question.
3) Somewhat widespread problems reported on internet forums (e.g. rattles, door handles, XM, etc)
4) Large turning radius - I hated that on my old '02 TL-S. My MDX has a tighter turning radius
5) Cheap OEM tires (many posters are replacing tires at time of purchase).
6) Lack of a RearView Back-up Camera.
7) Poor value - NOT the "best-bang-for-the-buck" I've come to expect from Acura (2 MDXs, 1 TL-S).
8) Not as quiet as I had hoped for on several test drives (which is why many change tires).

 

Allow me to echo every one of DCD's comments except the door handles comment - mine have worked flawlessly. The ride of the RL is "floaty" only in comparison to a sports car. Remember that the RL is a luxury car first and foremost. I am still blown away by the handling of the RL every single time I drive. I swear my brake pads are going to last forever because, whatever speed I am going, I just drive through turns effortlessly. In my case, the RL continues to be absolutely everything that I wanted and more. I have yet to have a single problem and not a single rattle. Finding the same features in any of the RL's competitors will cost you at least $10,000 more. Finally, when you test drive the RL, try to keep in mind that the stock tires are crap and for the small cost of quality rubber, the ride quality and handling can both be massively improved (this goes without saying if you opt for the great-looking 18's) .

 

Thanks everyone for your input. I appreciate your comments and insight very much. Besides reading posts such as yours, I've been very diligent in researching this car and shopping the competition. I very much want to be reassured that the RL is the safe choice to make. My E-500 was returned to the dealer 20 times in 22 months of ownership and spent 105 days at the dealership for service. Naturally not everyone who drives a Mercedes has had those problems, it was my own misfortune. On the positive side of things, I will be reimbursed for the sum total of what I've put in to the car. So in a way it's like getting a second chance. This time I'm avoiding the premium brands and trying to go more practical. The truth is the RL will be a leased and returned within 3 years so that minimizes any long term headaches that I might have. In terms of things like low torque, wide turning radius, fuel economy, etc.. I can live with those things. For me that is the compromise. The trade off (hopefuly) is reliability and trouble free ownership. Since the car is still new, Consumer Reports has no information on it. In the end, it's experience and opinions like yours that will be my guide. Thanks again for your input.

 

Everyone keeps saying that for some reason - its simply NOT true.

$44,700 seems to be a good price for an RL; and the OEM 18s + rubber will add at least $2400 to that (rims $1600+ and 4 tires at $200 each) for a grand total of $47,100. Note that this is a BEST price figure and NOT MSRP.

A comparably equipped direct competitor to the RL is the Infiniti M35x. According to Edmunds an M35x w/ Journey, Navi, and XM radio has an MSRP or $48,310. Note that this is MSRP and no doubt can be found discounted some. Note also that this direct competitor has numerous features that the RL does not even offer!!!

How is it then that the "same features in any of the RL's competitors will cost you at least $10,000 more"

 

These are great responses to my complaints. I want to say that I don't disagree with any of you, and I respect all of the counter points. Some issues with the RL are likely isolated, and some others are more subjective. After all, one has to compare the RL to what are available alternatives. When I brought my RL, I didn’t think there was anything better for the money as a package. I would still have a hard time deciding if I had to make the decision again now.

DCRL’s overwhelming positive experience with his RL is of great value to prospective buyers. There may be many other owners who are just as happy about their RL’s as DCRL. I also wanted to point out the following fine characters of the RL that I enjoy. For many, these characters may out weight the negatives I posted earlier. For me, very subjectively, the negatives out weighted the positively by a slight margin.

1. Driving with the SH-AWD is confidence inspiring
2. Best Nav system in terms of design and user friendliness
3. Integrated Bluetooth
4. One of the best sound systems
5. One of the best V6 engines
6. One of the safest cars in crash tests
7. One of the best interior designs
8. Pedal shifters are fun
9. Special paint process
10. High G number (due to the SH-AWD?)

 

Very tastefully done. It's nice that some people realize this is a place to share opinions and experiences without getting livid when people disagree...

If they were still on Acurazine, I'd say, "Rep points for you!"

 

Aside from the Infiniti, can you name another competitor with equal options that doesn't price at least a few thousand higher?

Remember, Infiniti is only one competitor, not THE only competitor.

 

There is a big difference between a few thousand higher and $10,000 higher. At my configuration of $47,100 for the RL; yes there are other options to consider at $57,100 or less. There is plenty of competition in the very low $50s.

FWIW: I like the RL and am still considering it; I'm on the fence with no real compelling reason to get off of it anytime soon

 

My comments were made with the European competitors in mind. You are absolutely right that the Infiniti M's have been well priced. I drove the M35 and M45 but my personal preference was the RL mostly because of the interior quality, exterior styling and my loyalty to Honda. My only question mark on the M35x (AWD) is how the extra 200 pounds of the AWD system alters the cars performance. I couldn't seem to find a road test of the M35x anywhere, mainly because the car magazines are in love with the V8 of the M45.

 

Man I feel bad for acurarlblue since it seems he got a poorly made RL.

The only negatives I see of the car so far are:

-turning radius is crap...I swear that the LS430 seems to have a smaller radius

-OEM tires are crap. I need to replace them and will probably do so next spring...I figure I will get a year out of them to at least get some use from them. I may have to et a set of winter tires before then though because these OEMs are horrible in snow. Bugs me Acura uses such crap tires on this car

-my front brakes make noise over bumps at speeds under 60km/h...something about the brakepad being loose. I will prolly tweak this down the line since it isn't a big deal right now...just slightly annoying

Other than those 3 things the car has had no issues for me. Its fuel efficiency isnt all that hot but hey, I knew going in it wouldnt be all that great considering the engine and weight of the car.

What is exciting is that it has great handling with those lousy tires so slapping some better hnadling tires should increase this car's performance even more.

Oh and the stereo is awesome. Love it....I do wish ti had a line-in so I could hook up my MP3 HDD player to it though. I use a fm transmitter that works well when I can find a frequency that has no noise.

One more thing....I wish the seats were cooled and not just ventilated. Being ventilated doesnt work all that well if the air in the car is warm (ie the windows open) so if they were cooled like the LS430 seats I'd be really happy since they would cool my ass down when i drive wiht the windows down. Still though, I guess ventilated is better than nothing.

 

I may only be a year older than you, but your words point to you being much older and wiser.

 

You can't expect a good turning radio with a V6 transverse engine, is just not possible.

 

Spudmtn: Thanks for the kind words.

 

I got an insurance quote from State Farm who insures my house and all of my vehicles. Oddly enough the Acura RL is approximately $120.00 per year MORE expensive than my '03 Mercedes E500. Go Figure! Not enough of a difference to disuade me, but rather surprising nonetheless. Thanks to everyones input here, I've decided to lease a new RL (Celestial Silver exterior/Ebony interior). I truly do appreciate everyone's input because you've helped me make this decision. I especially want to thank CGTSC2004 for his car buying tip. I thought I already had the best deal and then I called the dealership where he bought his RL. This as it turns out will save me another $1200. Thanks! My purchase price for the RL will be $43,500. In addition to this I've taken your advice and opted for the 18" rims and tires. They are a bit pricey, but worth it in the long run. I'm considerig adding the small deck spoiler, but I'm not sure how it will look. Any suggestions? One last thing, my Acura dealer doesn't seem to know anything about the RL A-spec kit. I know some of you have the kit. My question is how did you get it? Is there a part number? Does anyone know the cost?

 

The Acura dealer who sells on e-bay (where I bought my 18's) is selling just the A-spec suspension parts and I'm sure they could get the body work as well. If nothing else, you could look up the part numbers on their site: www.stores.ebay.com/acuraofescondidoparts.
They also have pretty good deals on parts which may give you some leverage in discussing parts prices with your dealer. I had an excellent experience in dealing with these guys as have others on this forum.

 

I gather the accessory 18's are pretty much a necessity...what kind of tires do they put on them? BTW, are they summer tires only? If not, how will they do in the snow?

 

Sorry guys - no intention of taking over the thread here, but is it just that the 18's are necessary, or is it that the tires on the 17's suck. I was planning on just swapping out the tires as soon as I get the car.

 

It's a matter of taste. I, personally, don't like the looks of the stock 17" wheel. So I opted for the 18 A-Spec. Changing the tires to a performance all-season will quiet any gripes over the stock tire issue... The Pilot Sport A/S comes in the stock 17" size. Very good tire.
SPUD...245/45/18 is the size tire. When you get the 18's I would suggest buying a pure summer performance tire. (I opted for the Toyo T1-R). And pure performance tires are hideious at best in the snow. (That is why many of us have opted to keep the 17's for Winter use)

 

Well, since I am leasing the car, I am going to keep the stock 17's. I know that the insurance company won't give me my a-spec wheels from the TL back - nor will they pay me for them - so I ordered the pilot sport a/s for the stock 17's.

 

Great choice. I had a set on our previous sedan and they were the best "all season performance" tire I've driven.

 

I just swapped the 17' tires with another set of 17' Pilot sport A/S. I didn't want to have a chance to mess up the computer calculations that depend on the tire diameter.

 

I traded my '05 RL for an '06 M45 Sport. Would I buy an RL again? No, but only because the M45 became available. If it hadn't been I probably would have never traded. I can't think of another V-6 or car in the RL's class that offers such a great overall package.

With that said, I did have a few minor problems with my RL:

1) Consistently squealing brakes
2) Quirks with Driver Presets not recognizing Driver 1 and erasing seat memory, XM presets, etc.
3) NavTraffic never working (in Miami, which is an advertised city)
4) Significant delay in displaying XM title/artist after song changed

I consider all of the above relatively minor (except maybe the squealing brakes), so I categorize the RL as reliable. Again, for the money I think it is one of the best cars out there. If you can buy one for less than $45k it's a screaming deal.

I wanted the M45 because of the V-8 power... and unlike what many in this forum seem to think, it wasn't for "stoplight drag racing". I simply like to be able to mash the throttle at any speed and have effortless power available. That was not the case with the RL, which sometimes had to strain when it went up the rev range to pick up speed. The M35 I test drove also got a little loud when picking up speed, so you just can't compare a V-6 with a V-8.

Hope that helps.

 

The only reason that I bought the 18" wheels was that I wanted to mount snow tires on the 17's, so I figured that I might as well put my summer tires on 18's. Changing the OEM 17 inch tires to Pilot A/S would have been my choice had snow tires not been involved in the decision.