bmw 745i vs. Acura RL

I currently have a 2002 745i and was wondering if its a good idea to trade it in on a 2007 rl. is there a rl type s coming out?

 

Welcome to AZ!

So far as we know, there is no RL Type S coming. (With our luck, it would appear in Japan first as a Honda Legend Type R .) However, Acura is typically close to the vest with next year's models until the first of September.

There are several BMW converts who, I'm sure, will chime in shortly with their experience.

 

Do you want a smaller, more reliable, AWD car with better technology than what you are currently driving? If yes, then the RL is definitely worth considering.

 

If your looking for a nice, reliably, daily driver, the RL is a nice choice and im sure you will be happy. In reality though the two cars are in way different categories and are not comparable. The 7 series you have (depending on options you have) was very advanced for its time and still leads today in many categories even with its older design....The 5 series is the RL equivelent.

Why are you trading down? Has it been giving you problems? or are you looking for a lower payment and still wanting a well optioned car?

 

The bmw has been very trouble free for me but I feel its just too big. The RL seems to be a well designed car just like my BMW but smaller. I am still on the fence about this.

 

I have an RL. My neighbor has a 745li. I like mine. He likes his. Mine has a few features his doesn't. His has a few (lots) of features mine doesn't. His was probably $30,000 more than mine, I think the RL is much more bang for the buck.

Both great cars. Both are very different cars. You will find a lot of satisfied RL owners here and be able to read about the great things about the car and it's shortcomings as well.

LL

 

The RL also handles as if it were smaller than its size because of the SH-AWD. YMMV, take another test drive and post a comparo thread.

It is true, though, that the 7-series is in a totally different class than the RL. They are really tough to compare as they each have their strong points.

 

Yes you do have a lot of options going down to this size of vehicle. I drive in my friends 06 RL a couple times a week and its a very nice ride. He tells me all the time though he can tell the difference in quality between the two even if its slight. Also dont expect to turn heads like the 7series does. He always mentions how people always look at his car as just a fancy accord, but he doesnt really care.

Compared to an infiniti or lexus the RL is so much nicer design wise inside and out.

I noticed you where inquiring about a RL-S. While they dont make one the car still performs nice. If you are wanting to go into a smaller car and still want V8 performance and handling you should consider at least a A6 4.2 S-line. Its about 10k more equally equipt but worth evrey cent IMHO.

 

very bad idea!

 

Baaaaaaaaaad idea.

- if you actually bought a 7 series, you ain't gonna like the RL.

If you want smaller - how bout the TL-S or 07 G35? You need to wean yourself off the Beemer a bit more gently. How about 5 series lease/ then a 3, then a TL-S w/ SH-AWD or a G35X in 2 years?

Sounds expensive, but would save you from taking the big depreciation hit when you sell the RL 5 months after you buy it.

SC

 

I'm sorry, but a FWD TL-S is NOTHING like a BMW. If you really want to wean yourself then, stick with the 5 series or possibly an Infiniti M.

 

They are both great cars. But I dunno about the 745 for a RL. Its a huge change. But when the warranty is out on the 7 $$$$$.

In my opinion after driving the 745li and the RL. I say RL, because I added the $$$ factor.

 

Go for an Infniti M45.

 

Right - silly me. Get a 2008 Infiniti M50 ( theyr'e going to put the new 6 in the '08 so they HAVE to goose the 8!

fast, furious, fun! - and reliable.

 

I test drove a 2007 M45 and I was not impressed. I test drove a 2007 RL and I liked everything but a few things

Boring rims and tires
noisy engine and transmission with more vibration than I expected
bose stereo didnt sound all that great which surprised because the bose in my previous 2000 TL sounded great.

I was impressed with the front end of the car as well as the interior styling. I also though it was pretty quick for a V6 though not as quick as the bmw I drive now.

I get 20 mpg with the V8 BMW so I am not happy that the RL gets 18mpg with a V6.

I just hate to get a 2007 RL and find out they have a better model coming out in 2008. I looked at a 2007 TLS and it impressed me but I dont want a front wheel drive car.

 

If Acura keeps to a five-year model run (which they didn't with the previous RL, which sold from 1997-2004), that may be a reasonable concern. However, if you wish to purchase a new car now, waiting may not be a good idea, especially at the prices you can purchase the RL at now.

Besides, you won't hear anything about the next gen RL until, at the earliest, early 2008, and that's if they stick to the schedule I mentioned.

 

I had a 2002' BMW 745i before I purchased my 2005' RL. The RL is not near the car the 745i was in the handling department but it is half the price. IMO, the RL is 80% of the 745 in every way but only 50% of the cost. The RL is a better buy and is built better. I haven't had near as many problems with the RL. I could go into detail but it would take a short book. It isn't fair to say is an $86,000 car as good as a $50,000 car. What I can say is you can't buy a better car for $43,000 in this class, again in my opinion. SHAWD is something that doesn't get enough credit!!!

 

When you add A Spec suspension, this car is totally amazing the way it handles. I am 55 and have had 2 NSX's, S2000, Lotus Elan, Lotus 7, RX& turbo, much more and have been in almost every newer Ferrari and Lambo inclucing an Enzo and the RL with SH-AWD is soooo great.

 

I-Drive is enough to make you dump a BMW. If you liked I-Drive then you will love the RL. It does the same thing but it was designed by somebody that has actually driven a car as opposed to a geek who rides a bike to work at a German factory.