She's retired........goodbye to the RL
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 304
Likes: 3
She's retired........goodbye to the RL
After 6.5 years it is time to say goodbye to my 06 RL. Celestial Silver over taupe, 88k miles. It is by far the best vehicle I have owned. The understated looks have grown on me, mature stylish without excess flash. Unflappable reliability, combined with an innovative AWD system provided secure transport through many cleveland winters. The intuitive controls and Nav system is still better than most new luxury vehicles. It needs 2k worth of service, that I just did not want to put into the vehicle (front brakes and timing belt/water pump etc)
I drove all of the competition, and each time I got back in the RL there was always something it did better.
The GS350 AWD, Enform system doesn't always work correctly, the radio presets have no information about the XM station, just the channel number, small issues but not a game changer.
The A6 pop up nav looks like an add on, and would always be up so IMO poorly integrated. Biggest complaint is the seat leather is more vinyl than leather, and there is so much plastic around the seat cushion, that it actually pinches when i slide out.
So after a weekend driving BMW at the performance center in Sc with my son (teen driving) school, I came away very impressed.
I drove a few 535 xdrives in 2011 and did not like the throttle lag, but really liked the interior.
A local dealer had a 2012 535 xdrive that was eligible for CPO, and that will be the new ride. Over 20% discount in price compared to new, and a very fair trade allowance, KBB excellent amount.
Space grey over cinnamon, Msport package with dynamic chassis control, cold weather package, premium sound, HUD, tech package, sport transmission, 11k miles.
A TSB was done to improve throttle and also to turn off the start stop feature.
i-drive is very much like the Acura system, drives very nice, and we will see if it is reliable or not. My brother has a new X3 with the same engine, and it has been flawless.
The new RL is certainly going to be a consideration , once it is seen in person, but the AWD is not available until march and is a totally new package of engine and drivetrain, and incar electronics. Realistically, I would not buy the first year.
PS if anyone is looking for a great way to finance a car, check out PENFED.ORG.
1.49% with online application, and easy membership with a $15 donation.
Still enjoy my other Acura: 2012 MDX Advance/RET
I drove all of the competition, and each time I got back in the RL there was always something it did better.
The GS350 AWD, Enform system doesn't always work correctly, the radio presets have no information about the XM station, just the channel number, small issues but not a game changer.
The A6 pop up nav looks like an add on, and would always be up so IMO poorly integrated. Biggest complaint is the seat leather is more vinyl than leather, and there is so much plastic around the seat cushion, that it actually pinches when i slide out.
So after a weekend driving BMW at the performance center in Sc with my son (teen driving) school, I came away very impressed.
I drove a few 535 xdrives in 2011 and did not like the throttle lag, but really liked the interior.
A local dealer had a 2012 535 xdrive that was eligible for CPO, and that will be the new ride. Over 20% discount in price compared to new, and a very fair trade allowance, KBB excellent amount.
Space grey over cinnamon, Msport package with dynamic chassis control, cold weather package, premium sound, HUD, tech package, sport transmission, 11k miles.
A TSB was done to improve throttle and also to turn off the start stop feature.
i-drive is very much like the Acura system, drives very nice, and we will see if it is reliable or not. My brother has a new X3 with the same engine, and it has been flawless.
The new RL is certainly going to be a consideration , once it is seen in person, but the AWD is not available until march and is a totally new package of engine and drivetrain, and incar electronics. Realistically, I would not buy the first year.
PS if anyone is looking for a great way to finance a car, check out PENFED.ORG.
1.49% with online application, and easy membership with a $15 donation.
Still enjoy my other Acura: 2012 MDX Advance/RET
Torch & Pitchfork Posse
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,729
Likes: 1,807
From: Tampa, Florida
Congrats kssod! Enjoy the BMW and please keep us up on the comparos.
It seems the RL cast a similar spell as I agree with your assessments of the GS and Audi (I hate the pop up NAVI). I still come back to my RL and find the overall package is not replaceable with current market offerings.
I am curious as to your mention of the timing belt replacement on the RL. Did you get a MID advisement at 88K? Or are you anticipating it in the next year based on your annual avg mileage? As was my struts, I had low mileage but the cars age required replacements irregardless of mileage.
My quandary falls between keeping the RL and getting a second vehicle (utility) to cure my new car itch or to see if I can wait for the RLX launch (+1 year) and see if it will justify giving up my RL.
Now brace yourself for the obligatory pic carps!
It seems the RL cast a similar spell as I agree with your assessments of the GS and Audi (I hate the pop up NAVI). I still come back to my RL and find the overall package is not replaceable with current market offerings.
I am curious as to your mention of the timing belt replacement on the RL. Did you get a MID advisement at 88K? Or are you anticipating it in the next year based on your annual avg mileage? As was my struts, I had low mileage but the cars age required replacements irregardless of mileage.
My quandary falls between keeping the RL and getting a second vehicle (utility) to cure my new car itch or to see if I can wait for the RLX launch (+1 year) and see if it will justify giving up my RL.
Now brace yourself for the obligatory pic carps!
Torch & Pitchfork Posse
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,729
Likes: 1,807
From: Tampa, Florida
Apologies. But it is a word. My use in text may have been inappropriate and non standard - but it is a word.
However, 'No don't leave.' is a sentence fragment.
Also, using 'though' at the end of a sentence requires a comma (,) before the word 'though' since your implied dependent clause is not at the beginning of your sentence.
However, 'No don't leave.' is a sentence fragment.
Also, using 'though' at the end of a sentence requires a comma (,) before the word 'though' since your implied dependent clause is not at the beginning of your sentence.
Senior Moderator
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 20,067
Likes: 4,698
From: Cleveland area, OH
Congrats on the new ride. May I suggest posting about it on Bimmerzine, I mean, AZ's Car Talk? Lots of ex-Acura folks there and many a BMW fanatic (thus "Bimmerzine") there.
Car Talk
BTW, I aspire to be you in the car owning department eventually. 6 1/2 years is a long time. I've had my CTS-V for 3 1/2 wonderful years. I keep going back and forth about new cars myself but, like you, plan to be looking at the new RL when the REAL version (SH-SH-AWD) is finally released next year. Sorry, the FWD version is not exciting to me.
Car Talk
BTW, I aspire to be you in the car owning department eventually. 6 1/2 years is a long time. I've had my CTS-V for 3 1/2 wonderful years. I keep going back and forth about new cars myself but, like you, plan to be looking at the new RL when the REAL version (SH-SH-AWD) is finally released next year. Sorry, the FWD version is not exciting to me.
Last edited by neuronbob; Oct 14, 2012 at 07:45 PM.
Trending Topics
Apologies. But it is a word. My use in text may have been inappropriate and non standard - but it is a word.
However, 'No don't leave.' is a sentence fragment.
Also, using 'though' at the end of a sentence requires a comma (,) before the word 'though' since your implied dependent clause is not at the beginning of your sentence.
However, 'No don't leave.' is a sentence fragment.
Also, using 'though' at the end of a sentence requires a comma (,) before the word 'though' since your implied dependent clause is not at the beginning of your sentence.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 31
Likes: 13
From: ND
kssod, I just financed my used 09 RL through penfed.org at 1.49% as well - such a great deal and great service. For those not familiar, just go to their website and sign up, you have the option to make a 1 time $20 donation to a charity to be eligible.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 304
Likes: 3
Ya felt sorry (not) for the BMW finance guy who thought he did great at 3.24%
Honestly if it wasn't for forums like this I would never have known about Penfed.
Was given the headsup by a post on Bimmerfest.
Honestly if it wasn't for forums like this I would never have known about Penfed.
Was given the headsup by a post on Bimmerfest.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 500
Likes: 8
From: C. Florida - Orlando
I noticed Acura has a pretty good rate as well:
http://www.acura.com/tools/cpo/Curre...O%20LAST%20BNR
I'd take advantage of it if I didn't have 4 months left on my 100,000 mi warranty.
I understand getting rid of a vehicle while it's A: worth it's max as a used/ trade in.. And before B: dumping $$ into it for maintenance, so you don't get the most bang for your buck during trade in.
Sometimes you have to pull the plug no matter how much you love a vehicle, before it cost you, and as we all know, nobody rides for free - even if the vehicle is paid for.
I intend on milking my 100,000 mile warranty, (my cars been paid off for over two years), driving it for a little while with AAA for towing because my nearest Acura dealer is 65 miles away , and then probably venturing into the MDX world. So for me from a CL, to a RL (and possibly to a MDX), always getting a cert Acura, get top dollar for trade in, and always having a nice vehicle to drive that is under warranty has just made sense to me. Thank goodness these things hold their value! I love em'!
http://www.acura.com/tools/cpo/Curre...O%20LAST%20BNR
I'd take advantage of it if I didn't have 4 months left on my 100,000 mi warranty.
I understand getting rid of a vehicle while it's A: worth it's max as a used/ trade in.. And before B: dumping $$ into it for maintenance, so you don't get the most bang for your buck during trade in.
Sometimes you have to pull the plug no matter how much you love a vehicle, before it cost you, and as we all know, nobody rides for free - even if the vehicle is paid for.
I intend on milking my 100,000 mile warranty, (my cars been paid off for over two years), driving it for a little while with AAA for towing because my nearest Acura dealer is 65 miles away , and then probably venturing into the MDX world. So for me from a CL, to a RL (and possibly to a MDX), always getting a cert Acura, get top dollar for trade in, and always having a nice vehicle to drive that is under warranty has just made sense to me. Thank goodness these things hold their value! I love em'!
Last edited by woodek; Oct 16, 2012 at 04:14 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 304
Likes: 3
So just a little update: got 13.5k on trade, dealer is asking 16.9k, so figure they will make 2-3k on sale.
The 535 resets the bar for highway driving. Everything that the RL did well it seems the 5 does better at 15-20 mph faster. The 5 is quieter at speed, much more responsive to throttle even in comfort mode and gets significantly better mileage. At 70-75 mph the mileage is 34mpg with the cruise set. At 80+ put your foot down and it justs keeps going without any lag. The addition of 50 ft-lb of torque and the 8 speed sport transmission really makes it seem a lot quicker. The multi contour seats are really the first that are better than the RL. Can drive with the sunroof open and no wind buffeting, same with 1 window down.
The only negatives I have are very minor, the seats do not slide back for easier ingress/egress. Their are no ambient lights in the footwells or from the overhead console, like the RL cool blue. and the HUD does not work with polarized sunglasses at all, unlike the HUD on my C5.
So far, very pleased.
The 535 resets the bar for highway driving. Everything that the RL did well it seems the 5 does better at 15-20 mph faster. The 5 is quieter at speed, much more responsive to throttle even in comfort mode and gets significantly better mileage. At 70-75 mph the mileage is 34mpg with the cruise set. At 80+ put your foot down and it justs keeps going without any lag. The addition of 50 ft-lb of torque and the 8 speed sport transmission really makes it seem a lot quicker. The multi contour seats are really the first that are better than the RL. Can drive with the sunroof open and no wind buffeting, same with 1 window down.
The only negatives I have are very minor, the seats do not slide back for easier ingress/egress. Their are no ambient lights in the footwells or from the overhead console, like the RL cool blue. and the HUD does not work with polarized sunglasses at all, unlike the HUD on my C5.
So far, very pleased.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 349
Likes: 41
Heard all BMWs use runflats. Does yours have RFTs and does it affect the ride quality ?
So just a little update: got 13.5k on trade, dealer is asking 16.9k, so figure they will make 2-3k on sale.
The 535 resets the bar for highway driving. Everything that the RL did well it seems the 5 does better at 15-20 mph faster. The 5 is quieter at speed, much more responsive to throttle even in comfort mode and gets significantly better mileage. At 70-75 mph the mileage is 34mpg with the cruise set. At 80+ put your foot down and it justs keeps going without any lag. The addition of 50 ft-lb of torque and the 8 speed sport transmission really makes it seem a lot quicker. The multi contour seats are really the first that are better than the RL. Can drive with the sunroof open and no wind buffeting, same with 1 window down.
The only negatives I have are very minor, the seats do not slide back for easier ingress/egress. Their are no ambient lights in the footwells or from the overhead console, like the RL cool blue. and the HUD does not work with polarized sunglasses at all, unlike the HUD on my C5.
So far, very pleased.
The 535 resets the bar for highway driving. Everything that the RL did well it seems the 5 does better at 15-20 mph faster. The 5 is quieter at speed, much more responsive to throttle even in comfort mode and gets significantly better mileage. At 70-75 mph the mileage is 34mpg with the cruise set. At 80+ put your foot down and it justs keeps going without any lag. The addition of 50 ft-lb of torque and the 8 speed sport transmission really makes it seem a lot quicker. The multi contour seats are really the first that are better than the RL. Can drive with the sunroof open and no wind buffeting, same with 1 window down.
The only negatives I have are very minor, the seats do not slide back for easier ingress/egress. Their are no ambient lights in the footwells or from the overhead console, like the RL cool blue. and the HUD does not work with polarized sunglasses at all, unlike the HUD on my C5.
So far, very pleased.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 304
Likes: 3
The M sport package comes with245/40/19 Goodyear LS2 run flat tires with front tire pressure of 35 and rear 39 as recommended by BMW. I think the ride is extremely smooth and comfortable, not harsh at all. BMW must tune the suspension for the RFT and higher pressure. Now the LS2 are the only RFT all season tire available in that size. There are many threads regarding sidewall bubbles and tire failure. So far car has the original tires and 12k miles and they are fine. I plan to stay with RFT when I replace them but may change to the 45 aspect ratio to open up a few all season options.
