TITAN3.2TL

Looking for honest, subjective opinions!!

If you had the choice would you purchase a NEW Acura TL (TL-S) or a certified pre-owned BMW 528i (like a 1997 or 1998)? Which one and why?

------------------
1999 Acura 3.2TL
Black with Ebony
Bridgestone Potenza RE730 (size: 225/55ZR-16 on stock rims)
AEM Cold Air Intake and Bi-Pass Valve
Comptech Headers
Mugen Exhaust
Comptech Sport Springs
Comptech Swaybars
Wings West Spoiler
Burlwood Shift Knob

Guest

TL, used bmws aren't such great cars. If you get the TL-S you will not be disappointed.

BrightTL

I would still buy the TL. For a few thousand $ I have moded my car to be much faster than a 528.

The TL handles much better in snow than a rear wheel drive BMW. Where I live thats important. A few weeks ago I watched a 5 series driving almost sideways as his rear end slipped out on a bit of snow.

For the price, I would have a new, fully loaded car with a good reputation for reliability, a full warranty and great performance.

The BMW would cost the same but be used.

For new BMWs
I have a price list here for 2001. In Canada a new 528 starts at $56,000. With options it equal to the TL I'm sure its well over 60k. The TL costs $36,000 cdn. The Type S is rumoured to cost $40,000 cdn. End of arguement.

------------------

• 2000 Laguna Green
• Mahogany Shifter
• Bridgestone P0-2 Pole Position 225/55 16 tires on stock rims
• Comptech Headers
• AEM CAI
• Mugen Exhausts

TLinBama

I'd go with the TL too. Especially if it was the Type S. You'd have a 4 year 50000 mile warranty on the car (main reason), have tons more equipment, more cash in pocket, and stand out from the rest of the yuppie crowd. There are a ton of Mercedes running around Birmingham because there's a plant near here. When the valet brings up your TL with the navi glowing brightly and your HIDs beaming, people take notice because your not driving "another German car." Kinda weird that a Benz or BMW would be blase. If you're not part of the yuppie crowd, but have a more gangsta flava, it's still a phat ride. It has an OK stereo, looks great with rims, can be ordered with gold emblems. If you're neither yuppie nor gangsta, you can rice this thing out like crazy. If you're country, um... get a pickup truck because a gun rack doesn't look quite right in this car. I'm not trying to stereotype at all, but just say that you can do all the things I've seen done to BMWs with a TL and have it fit right in or do nothing at all to it and still have a nice ride. Bottom line IMHO: warranty, price, and it still has that WOW factor.

------------------
John

2000 TL WDP Nav

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">[This message has been edited by TLinBama on February 15, 2001 @ ]</font>

Shyne

Hey, I detailed a BMW 528i today and I got to drive it back to my garage and work on it there. The steering on those things is incredible! Its tight as hell, you know what that means; nice handling around those curves. If you stomp the gas at the very top of the pedal, that thing will fly. I was very impressed by the speed, handling, and looks after I cleaned it... The TL, much better value, and also the car will look good for a long ass time. YOu need a Bimmer if you can afford to lease one every 2-3 years. Thats about all they good fo'...

Shyne--Open 24-7 lika 7-11

BlackShadow

Definitely go with the TL. Better yet, go with the TL-S. Even a stock TL is faster than a 528. Plus all the standard features that comes with the TL. A similarly equipped 528 will cost well over $60K. Not to mention the reliability factor. Especially since it is used, there will be a lot of electrical problems (from what I heard about BMW).

Imagine what you can do with all the money you'll be saving and not have to worry about the car breaking down anytime soon.

Honestly, if you want the prestige than buy the BMW. But if you want a car that will last a very long time with little or no maintenance (compare to the BMW), than go with the TL. Hands down.

Eskimo

Let's see. A brand new car versus a used car. With a used car you have no idea how it was driven or cared for. No contest here.

Tann@808

Yup, I'd have to agree I'd rather get a new car than a used one!!! more so, it's a TL-typeS but of course a BMW 5 series, dam!! this is a good question for AC!! IMO, I'd go for the TL-typeS

------------------
13" Teady Bear Ronal Wheels, 185/70/13 Fulda Tires,
Dual SuperTrapp Exhaust, 2" Cut OEM Springs,
Shopping Cart Racing Wing, Triple Blade Wiper's...

Red Hot TL

I'd go with regular TL cuz I like the front end better, and spend about 4000 dollars on it for mods (headers, intake, springs, tails, new tires, body kit, spoiler) then it'll looks so much better and faster than the 528i

------------------
2000 Red Hot TL w/o nav
Burlwood Trim and Shift Knob
Wood Trim Set
Gutter Guard Grill
Nebraska Legal Darkest Tint
Goodyear Eagle HP Ultra Plus 225/55/16
Photos Of My RED HOT TL
I DON'T HAVE A LIFE

Guest

Definitely go for the TL or TL-S. I'd take either over the 528. I like bimmers, but our car has more power, Japanese reliability and, I think, a certain sleeper factor which is cool when you're dusting some smug 528 driver. The one caveat, however, is that you can get the 528 with stick and you can't get our car with anything but auto.

If you get the TL, you will not be dissapointed.

TITAN3.2TL

You guys are right. I went and drove a 2000 528i this morning. It was nice, but definately not worth the money. The TL is a much better value. Oh well, that solved my curiosity!

I think I will hold on to the my '99 and maybe get a 2001 or 2002 TL w/navi for my wife when her Explorer lease is up next Feburary!

------------------
1999 Acura 3.2TL
Black with Ebony
Bridgestone Potenza RE730 (size: 225/55ZR-16 on stock rims)
AEM Cold Air Intake and Bi-Pass Valve
Comptech Headers
Mugen Exhaust
Comptech Sport Springs
Comptech Swaybars
Wings West Spoiler
Burlwood Shift Knob

BostonTL

I'd go for the TL man , but if it's a 540 , I say go for the 540 , If you're lucky you can get 540s for 35k or less. Besides 5 series is going to be totally redesign next year.

Guest

TL. When that Bimmer warranty expires, man, you'll be regrettin' it.

------------------
2001 3.2 TL w/Nav
White Diamond Pearl
Alpine 6-Disc CD Changer
Burlwood Shift Knob
Valentine One
15 Year Financing at 22%

Black TL

The only reason I wouldn't want to buy a used car is you cant tell if they have been tortured.

SL1200MK4

Okay, I just want to say that my TL have more troubles than my friend's BMW... So it really depends. I would consider the bimmer... But it depends on what you want. The bimmer is more FUN to drive. The TL-S will be faster. The TL might do better in snow. Three out of four of my Bimmer owner friends crashed their car in winter. I think it's mostly the driver, but a guy had a Prelude and then got the 323i. He said that RWD makes a BIG difference. Even thought his Prelude was lowed, and the BMW got the DSC. He rather take the Prelude in bad weather.

I might lease the Bimmer, and make sure that the lease ends before the warranty. Because BMW covers everything including oil changes under warranty. But if you break anything yourself.. Man that's $$$$....

just my $0.02

AC

Gentlemen, as far as warranty issues, certified Bimmers will come with 2yr/50000 mile on top of remaining factory warranty. So you'll end up with 7yr/100000 bumper to bumper. As far as the 528, I don't think it's a bad car but depending on the cost I'd get a new car. In one of my posts I stated that the TL IMO was overall slightly better than my 540i. Whoa guys, ofcourse the 540i is much faster and handles better and interior is much more soothing. The TL is so smooth and the steering feel is so soft. Because we're not comparing apples to apples it is very hard to say. I don't think any 5 series compete with the TL...too much price gap. Best thing to do is go out and test drive one. You already have a TL, why get another one? This may be just me but I would NEVER buy another car that is the same as my current car.