This is my first post in this forum and it is for advice on a possible future purchase on an 06 RL
I have driven 3 different RL's...two 05's and an 06. Trying to figure out if the certification is worth the money or if I should just find one that has remaining factory warranty left and extend it on my own dime
From what I read these cars seem pretty dependable..?
The 05's had some teething issues but I would expect those to be ironed out by now..??
My driving impression of these cars.
I would say its a "nice" car. However in all frankness, I am not excited..however thats fine and I willing to live with that
I actually am a fan of the german cars..the way they drive, handle, stop etc. To me the RL trans feels almost like a Mercedes in its shifts.
Currently I have two cars...a 2000 BMW 740( currently for sale) and a 2002 Cadillac STS( used for a work car)
My plan is to go down to one car and I have to have something that handles well in the snow. The Cadillac ( with the V8 over the drive wheels) does very well in snow and purchased relatively inexpensively a couple of years..due to the makes low resale value. For the price its been a great car
The BMW had been of average reliability( for the model). The car was purchased on the BMW CPO program so a lot of the work early on was warranty work...BUT the car puts a smile on my face every time I drive it...its a sports package equipped car and for a full size car the handling/steering is quite impressive

So anyway....I have driven a few RL's( and one TL...ruled out for wind noise and torque steer)
Are there any here that own this car and one of the German luxury cars also?..
What do you think of it after driving the two overal period of time?..still satified with your purchase of it?


Warren

 

You'll be hard pressed to find a better car in the snow than the RL (as long as you get snow tires and don't rely on OEM Michelins).
I owned one BMW years ago so I can't make any comparisons on the performance feel of the new models, but that's a personal preference anyway.

After two years of ownership, this RL is the best car purchase I have made to date.

 

I sold an 03 530i to buy my CPO 06 RL. I owned it for several years and put about 40k miles on it. There were a number of reasons for the change but even though the 530 did OK in the snow (New England) with 4 snow tires I never felt secure with RWD. The RL, also with 4 snow tires with dedicated wheels, has been great. Even on dry pavement the SHAWD makes a distinct improvement in handling and control putting it closer to that BMW "feel".

There is no doubt that BMWs have a different "feel" about them beyond the German/Japanese differences; the RL feels tight and composed at all times. I don't have the Aspec suspension package and wheels but judging from other comments on this forum it probably goes a way to move the car toward the German end of the handling spectrum.

Neither the BMW or the RL have given me any trouble so I can't comment about reliability issues. Honda brand vehicles I have owned before, not as complex as the RL, have always been trouble free. I would go for a post-05 model for the reason you mention.

 

I was impressed with the RL when I drove it. I didn't drive it in inclement weather..but I am sure it will meet my needs just fine.
As I stated before My Cadillac does very well in the snow...which I am sure is a factor of having a V8 engine over the drive wheels....whereas My BMW has the sport package with the low prifile 18 tires....the one time I was out in the snow in it was like being in a big bob sled...I was only 2 miles from home and all I could see on the dash were lights flashing as the car was using the DSC to try to maintain traction and straightness.....with the tires on it that was going against the laws of physics..lol
There are a few things I think they could change....but these are small details...some more impressive factory wheels...maybe a little more wood trim in the interior...a little less road/wind noise...but that in itself wasn't that bad...and WAY better in that than the TL I test drove was
As far as driving goes..it seemed to handle its own....seemed to be very good on the level of equipment
I would probably prefer a V8...but the car seemed to be powerful enough to handle about any situation
Prices seem to be all over the place...but I will deal with that after I sell both the BMW and the Cadillac


Warren

 

The the CPO issue: I think the bumper-to-bumper coverage will pay for itself. There are issues these cars can have, and that you can fully resolve w/o expense -- if you've got the coverage. I have a new $4000.00 differential in my '06. Thank you, Mr. CPO...

 

I drove a few BMWs, and honestly, I think the SH-AWD makes the RL handle as well if not better than your average 5 series.

the BMW crowd will jump up and down and say no way - but I have to disagree. If you are talking about "track" performance, and you are taking the car on a tight twisty road and trying to make it drive like a Boxster/Cayman - then make a BMW might be better... but as 99% of our driving of the RL and in reality, any BMW, is done on city streets, and not on tight series of esses - then that's what matters.

what i've noticed, is that whiel the RL is softer in feel - when you give it a lot of gas and put it into a turn, it handles amazingly well for a car of it's size. when you take a 90 degree left or right turn - say at some intersection - and you floor it as you begin the tu rn, the SH-AWD system will kick in and you will feel the car almost tighten it's line as you round the turn - whereas another car would under/oversteer, the RL just holds it's line and zips through the turn.

while the RL might not tackle a series of switchbacks as well as the stiffer BMW that has low profile tires - I do think on a single tight turn - or on/off ramp, the RL will blast through stuff much faster and with a more sure grip than the BMW.

so if you equate handling to "track" performance, people will suggest hte BMW for handling. if you look at actual types of turns/driving you do in the real world 99% of the time - the RL wins. that's my take.

i own a Porsche boxster so I know what REAL handling feels like. the RL does not corner anyting like my Porsche - but compared with other large sedans -the RL is amazing.

in myh opinion, the RL has an excellent combination of comfort, luxury, and dependability that you will NOT get from the other brands - like BMW, MB, Lexus - for the same money.

go find a 2006 528/530 - and get one optioned like the RL comes standard - and then look at price. the 5 series will cost way more and the 5 series will feel slower as to get any 5 series that is a used CPO that will have close to the RL's power and you ahve to move up to the 550 and that will cost $$$. i'd say to ge ta nice 550 you are in the 35-40k point..

if i had been looking to buy a "money is no obejct" and I can spend about 40k on a used sports sedan, I woudl have looked at a used CPO 550i. amzing car.

but i was looking to get the newest, nicest, luxury car I could find in the 25k price range. in that range i was looking at RL, E350, 525/528, ES lexus.... none of those other cars wer eas good as the RL for hte money.

you can get a car that is better than the RL, but you will pay MORE to do it. for the money - you can't beat the RL. jus tmy opinion..

i just bought and could have bought a lot of othe rcars and wen tRL. I also have a 2007 MDX which I love, so I am a tad biased..but I test drove the E350, the 5 series..and honestly, they dind't do it for me.

i also have a sports car, so wans't dead set on having to have a "fun fun" car for my DD..i wanted quality, luxury, reliability. for hard core fun I take out my toy car...

good luck.

 

Id like to chime in, give my view.

I currently have a porsche 911, Mercedes E-350, and Ive been actively looking for a 3rd car. ive had my Eye on an RL for over a year now, and just haven't pulled the trigger, cause quite frankly, not in any rush. I'm a single guy, car nut, and love getting new cars.


I have driven bmw, infiniti, acura, lexus, mercedes, porsche.

hands down, Porsche wins, by a landslide.

Now I do know, a lot of people here are very high on the Sh-AWD of the RL, as I am myself impressed with it, but i have to say...its more of a tool the RL has to keep the playing field in level.

I dont think the RL can match the 535 or E350 in driving dynamics. Def. not in brakes, or driving experience. BUT the RL wins handsdown on GREAT value, with the standard features and overall package. now to some, they value having those features and etc. But I drive my cars for pleasure, and tho the RL is nice to drive, whenever i take my grandpas RL out, and i get back into my mercedes, it feels so much more nimble.

The RL to me feels heavy(it is..with sh-awd) and somewhat floaty(not lexus level tho). I think thats what seperates it from its german compeition.

Do I still want an RL.....YES....would i pick it over mercedes/bmw...No.
There are weekends when i take long drives, and i wish i had more of all season handling cruiser....The RL. hence why i'm sitll shopping for one.

IF ONLY porsche made sh-awd 911. If you guys haven't driven a 911, seriously, drive one, you'll know what we mean...

 

thank you for the reply
you seem even keeled on your response...rather than some emotional rant( for that particular brand) that you so often get when posting on these forums

I agree with you on the price deal...I think the RL is more Mercedes than BMW...by that I mean that the car is more tiled towards ride than handling....in my opinion BMW's are definitely more about the handling....
I also understand that people will pay the extra for that Mercedes ride..or the BMW handling...which for both makes is the best there is..in my opinion
Then there is the status issue...which is of minimal importance to me.....I have bought both Mercedes and BMW's over the years for the performance and uniqueness they offered

anyway getting back to the RL.....you had to have the differential replaced ?.....that surprises me..and scares me
And here I was thinking ..in regard to this car....that the CPO was not worth the money...??
so I guess I have to ask the question...are these typically not as reliable as say a Lexus GS?
I have a neighbor who has an older GS...bought it under the Lexus CPO...not has over 100K...its really never had anything break...from the 40K miles that he bought it till now
So I guess in that regard..buying an extended warranty on a Lexus is a huge waste of money
However..I have to say..I can't stand the way his car drives
I can't wait to get back in my BMW that...its great cruising on a smooth straight road.....and probably about the quietest car I have been in
Wind and road noise is minimal...which I like
I have already made the decision that what I am going to buy is going to a compromise

Warren

 

I would agree with many of your points in regard to driving dynamics of the different brands
And I am prepared...I think.....to live with the differences from the German makes
I once told a friend of mine...if Toyota could make a Lexus handle like either a Mercedes or a BMW and not lose any of their reliability...they would have a customer for life


Warren

 

so i am also in the market to buy an 06 Rl, and from reading the several threads about the car, its seems like most people have the warranty still in effect. My question is those with out warranties, has anyone ran into any kind of major issues from an 06?


thanks
P.S. didnt mean to hijack the thread