Gomez

After 1 1/2 weeks with my BMW 528i I can report the following about how it compares with my old TL. OK, OK, I can hear it already, "hey, those cars don't compare - what about the price difference!"

Well, I traded my 21,000 mile 2001 TL in for a 51,000 mile 528, and the BMW cost 24,900 - exactly $900 more than I got in trade for my TL. This was good, as the 528i had quite a few options (premium package, wood, leather, computer, DSP stereo, heated seats and steering wheel) and the TL was a non-NAV. Additionally, the TL had a badly cracked windshield, lots of miles, some scratches down to the primer on rear bumper and was a smoker's car. I was surprised, too. Of course, the cost of the BMW went up when I plunked down $3,500(!) for a 3/36,000 extended bumper-to-bumper warranty with only $50 deductible. probably a good thing as you will soon see.

I can tell you this about the 528i: it is beautiful, solid and built like no other. It handles and brakes awesome, and rides and turns like a champ at 100mph. None of that cheesy "half leather" - it's real leather everywhere including behind the fold-down rear armrest. Of course, the wood is real and beautiful as well. At first I thought it was slow, but it's a 5-speed stick and Car and driver clocked it at 7.1 to 60mph so it's no slouch. After 3,000RPM it actually picks up speed quite smartly, and the engine sound of the straight six is pretty cool.

The interior is quite nicely detailed, and as the guy who bought my car said after he test drove it, "well, this TL is pretty nice but looks like a Honda inside, and what's up with the 'Honda' insignia on the windows?" (Sorry, I'm sure you guys will give me some heat for that remark but hey, he said it not me.)

Back to the BMW: this thing stickered for $47,000 after options so I thought I'd made off like a bandit, as I only was taking 30,000 more miles on the odometer to drive it. Still a good deal, but here's the rub. These things cost a FORTUNE to maintain!!!

They eat brakes like there's no tomorrow, and apparently as the rotors are so soft (better performance), they usually have to be scrapped instead of turned. My car need front and rear brakes, BMW wanted about a grand to do them. Fine, I thought, I'll do them myself. Pads and rotors cost for all 4 wheels at BMW was $650 for parts alone! OK, I went aftermarket on the rotors and used BMW pads for $400 and did it myself. I can tell you that the stuff is incredibly beefy, though, and brakes like a dream now. Clutch will need replacing soon, BMW wants about $1500 to do it. Wow, time to find an independent mechanic.

These E39 BMWs have a problem with a shimmy between 50-60mph due to a bushing that wears out in the front thrust arms, and I have that issue. Gonna cost about $500 at an independent mechanic, or I can try it myself. This is annoying on such an expensive car, but apparently it's due to having such a cornering-oriented suspension with a soft ride. The bushings are soft, while spring and strut rates firm. Speaking of, my rear shocks are worn and also need to be replaced. The price you pay for performance, huh? ;-)

One last thing: instead of using simple mileage driven as a guide for when to inspect/replace stuff on the car, an onboard computer tells you when to change oil and have the various inspections done. About every 10,000 miles(!) it asks for service including oil change, and every other interval is an Inspection I or II. "Inspection II" includes some service such as new spark plugs, but mostly inspection of various systems, and costs about $700 assuming nothing is found that needs to be done. Those lucky folks who bought new will have all this done for free for the first 36,000 miles, but not me. Again, I will likely do this stuff myself or farm it out to a good independent mechanic.

DniCeE TL

ahhh i rather get a 540 or a m5

BlackShadow

Those prices for the parts were ! If I'm going to get any BMW, it would have to be a 540i, M5, or M3. IMO, anything below a 530 is a waste of $$$.

Gomez

Ya gotta drive one before you say that! Also, only the 6-cyl 5-series have rack-and-pinion steering, while the 8s have recirculating ball. Sure, I'd rather have an M5 but with the 530 now showing more power than the old 528, I think I'd take the more precise steering and the wonderfully smooth inline six over the grunting eight.

Some drivers on bimmer.org have complained about the "numb" and "imprecise" steering in their 540s after having driven a 6-cyl with the rack-and-pinion. It's incredibly precise, and really makes the car. It sold me!

mentl

Gomez: bottom-line it for me. Are you happy with your purchase?

Sounds like a very nice car, but a lot of hassle.

rockinTLS

Gomez,

I'm glad you are happy(?) with your new toy. IMO, the Bimmers are beautiful vehicles. Out of my league, though. The maintenance looks a might painful too.

Best of luck.

BTW - You might consider modding your sig.

wbr

I just traded my wife's 98 528i in on a new X-5 4.4. They're both great vehicles. The 5 car platform really is the benchmark most manufacturers aim for, but the Acura service is far and away better. We just took the X-5 in to have a door handle and weather strip replaced, and they would get us a rental for a discounted rate only. Discounted rate only? For a $56K vehicle? I took my 02 TL-P in to have a minor scratch removed in one of the wood-grain panels, and I had a loner completely paid for by Acura. No questions asked. Congrats on the 5 car, but keep this in mind when service comes up.

AC

C'mon Gomez, you mean you'd take the 528 over the 540 simply cuz of the steering? I drove the 528i SP and thought it handled great, but that wasn't enough for me to not take the 540i over it.

In any case, don't you just love how car car feels?

bachviet

Don't want the underpowered 528i... If I bought a BMW, I have to get either a 540i, M3, or M5.... I'll settle for a Lexus GS430 though!

Mojo

Nice choice man. BMWs are great cars, but on the pricey side. Although the 5 series is considered the best performance sedan. But I guess you gotta pay for what you want. I would go for the TL instead of the 528 though. The 528 seems overpriced for what you get (in terms of purchasing it new). The TL is a steal. Like many others here, I wouldn't get a 5 series unless it was a 540 or M5.

LagunaTL

i tried both 528 and 328 before i bought my '00 TL. the 528 is way too heavy to feel athletic and its under powered. i was not all that impressed by the 528i. no offense, but i would never buy a 528i. maybe 540i or even 530i, but then for that much money i would rather buy a GS 430 with upgraded suspension.

mola

I'd hate to jump in the middle of this as the New Guy however.

I have a 528i (E39 body) which is the same body as a 540i and 530i - 1997 ~ present


My wife has the 1998 Acura TL 3.2.
I drive the BMW 528i (E39)

The E39 has much more pick up than the TL 3.2... It's not as nimble as the BMW 330i but still powerful. I can rip a long skid in the 528i with the DSC off in dry or wet condition. I haven't tried that in the TL 3.2 but the 528 isn't too bad for a 2.8L engine.


I'm trying to get my wife to agree to new larger rims and less tires after the 15"s run low... Maybe I should get my [D4] Dashboard light fixed first. :-)


Acura TL 1998 Auto stock
BMW 528i (E39) Auto - w/ Navi and Sport 17" package.

By the way, If I could do it again, I'd get the 540i but didn't think it was worth the extra... thousands of bucks for the 540i vs 528i.
I dont regret it since I'm satisfied with the power/pickup on the 528i.


Mola

LagunaTL

i agree the 98 3.2 TL is slow compared to 528. i have both '96 3.2 TL and '00 TL. the two are totally different car. the 96 TL is more like a camry, the '00 on the other hand is much faster and feels more sporty. 0-60 for 95-98 TL is about 8.2 secs vs 6.7 secs for '00 TL and ~7.6 for 528 auto. i would agree a stock 528 handles better than a stock '00TL, but with upgraded tires and a set of sway bar, the TL will easily kill a 528. of course you can easily upgrade the suspension of a bimmer, but then we are talking about at least 10k difference at the end. i agree the 528 is a great car, but when it comes to sportiness, it's underpowed and weighs too much to have a high fun factor.

gohawks63

I the look of the 5 series, but at this point in my life, a little too expensive to maintain. Maybe in a few years.

AC

I have a 540i SP and believe me it's worth the extra thousands of $. There huge noticeable power at every gear and RPM range if you're into speeding and power (like I am). I did drive the 528 SP and thought it handled better than my car, I'll admit that. Plus, we get that "REST" feature that you guys don't... BTW, is DSP available on the 528? What are the options that the 540i has that the 528 cannot get? Also, your wife's TL is not as peppy as the the current gen TL. My recommendation, get bigger wheels my friend! Good luck convincing your wife, and welcome aboard.

black2000

540i's are a lot more expensive and, given my economic circumstances, it wouldn't make sense.

The 528 is adequately quick; I wouldn't worry about getting on a crowded highway or passing slow traffic on a two-lane. Realistically, that's all I need to do. I was nevera street-racer.

The 3-series is the best-handling BMW, but the 5-series is the best-handling mid-sized sedan. I'll take mine in dark grey metallic, please.

Gomez

Don't get me wrong - 540SP is the bomb! Not quite as nimble, but still sweet. If I had the cash I'd get a new 530SP stick loaded to the gills with goodies instead of the 540 just because I LOVE the feel of the rack on the 6-cyl Bimmers.

As for "REST" feature, well my 528 has it but I doube I'll use it often here in Texas (heater works while car off). DSP? Yeah, I have that too - it was an $1100 option on the car when new. No way was it worth it, although the Nokia bandpass subwoofers are a novelty (mine are blown, replace soon).

Speed/power? Well, I'm convinced the 528 5-speed (no way an auto tranny) could nearly keep up with my old 2001 TL off the line, and atfer you get up to speed it'll beat the TL. Barely...

Value? Hmm, it cost me my TL plus $900 in trade, that seems pretty equitable to me. Of course, TL had 21,500 miles while the 528 has 51,000 miles. I think if you add 25,000 miles and a year to both then the 528 will be worth more down the road, so I see it as a "free trade" - at least, that's what I told the wife. It was hard to pass up a $24K trade in offer on my 21,500 mile smoker's TL with a busted windshield and scratched bumper.

All in all I'm thrilled with the car, but may change my mind 50,000 miles down the road with repairs. Luckily, mine seems to be free of the electrical gremlins and the dealer's service history on the car was clean.

One last thing: the BMW enthusiasts are pretty dedicated, and I've already joined the club and some local members are coming to my house so I can show them how to change their rotors themselves. As far as I know, there is no official Acura club like the BMW CCA.

Okay, carry on! ("Die, yuppie scum, die" chant the Acura faithful)

mentl

Keep us updated.

Oh, and die yuppie scum.

Lawaia

$h!t...51K miles and you are in need of brakes AND a clutch. What the heck did the previous owner do to that poor car! I personally like the 6-series coupes. Had a 635CSI and that thing ran me to the ground on repairs, so I know how you feel about the 1k brake job! Good luck on the new ride!