Why would someone want to buy a TL? Give me some reasons, I need a good reason to make up my mind between a TL or a BMW 330i.

Very ...

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<A HREF="http://www.BMWExperience.com" TARGET=_blank>www.BMWExperience.com
</A>'98 ///M3 ///Fast!

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">[This message has been edited by Ken on March 07, 2001 @ ]</font>

 

Price.

Really, once you compare an equally equipped 330 you are looking at 8k or more difference from the TL. From a price comparision the TL wins.

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'00 Firepepper Red TL

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">[This message has been edited by TLinKC on March 07, 2001 @ ]</font>

 

also the TL will also win big, when it comes to service and routine maintenance....all the trip computers that BMW crams into its cars are known to fail , and more importantly are expensive to maintain......The TL will win also in that area.............think about it

 

Since you own an M3, you probably aren't in the same boat as most of us.

However, my friend has a 330i and he is jealous of our 220 hp. Plus, the standard 330i is already about $2,000 more than our TL's. Oh, I'm sorry did you want automatic? $1400
Did you want heated seats? $400 How about heated mirrors, bose premium sound with 9" subwoofer, Sport-Shift? Ka-ching, Ka-ching, Ka-ching.

Too many a la carte options on the bimmer which drive the price way up just to get a decent package.


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1999 Firepepper Red
Under Body Kit/Rear Wing Spoiler/26 Piece Wood Grain Console/BurlWood Shift Knob/
30% Smoke Tint/Comptech Sways & Springs (not installed yet)

More Pics

 

BMW is smaller but drives really well. Cost is significantly more. Computers and electronics have a history of inconsistant problems. Service included for 36kmiles.

TL is larger with more bang for the buck. Better reliability reputation. Has cool fellow TL drivers to back you up and assist you if you get one. Has Snook as a source for fun mods.

If money is no object, get the BMW and deal with the reliabliity questions. Otherwise, how can you turn down hanging out with a bunch of TL lunatics like us ???

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1999 Satin Silver TL Dunlop SP9000 215-45/17-mounted on CL-S 17" Rims
H&R Springs-Axiss MetalMasterPads-Crossdrilled Rotors
-Inspire Tailights-20/30/40 tint

Y2k S2K Honda Roadster
- Mingster Aeroscreen, Smokin Front mesh Grill, Clear Sidemarkers...

 

I just unloaded my '96 328is for a 2001 TL. The primary consideration was space. We recently had twins, and I needed 4 doors.

I chose not to go the BMW route again because the 3-series sedans do not have enough room, and the 5-series are too expensive.

I really liked my 328, and it served its purpose, but I grew out of it. If I didn't have to consider passengers 3 and 4, I would have kept the 328. It was a lot of fun to drive.

Having said that, the TL so far is also a lot of fun, has more power than my 328, is extremely smooth, and has many more bells and whistles. It probably will never handle as well as my 328, but with suspension mods you never know. You definitely get a lot of bang for your buck with the TL.

 

If money is not a problem, go with 330CI.

BTW, BMW offers free 3 year maint. Which would save you about $2k in maint.

But you do know that BMW depreciates very quickly and tends to suffer from problems after 1-2 years.

PS- I have ordered a 530i and is taking the BMW plunge as well.

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2000-Laguna Gree TL
2001-Solar Yellow IS300
2001-Titanium Silver 530i

 

Yeah, if money is no issue get the 330. Better handling, a little quicker, and if you can get the AWD option, go for it.

For your bang for the buck, I'd geta TL. Thats why I got it over a 328.

 

The BMW offers free scheduled maintenance right ? Does that mean 5 oil changes + inspections during the oil changes ? Or do they replace the tires/brakes/wiper blades etc as they wear out ?

My understanding is that they offer the 5 scheduled oil changes (10,000 mile synthetic oil changes) which is basically the "Free Maintenance" during the 50,000 mile warranty period......if that is so, then it is wonderful marketing...Correct me if I am wrong, but I would think that when purchasing the Acura, you can bargain those 5 oil changes into your deal !!!!

just my 2c


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2000 Naples Gold 3.2TL/Navi - Factory Stock but with up-graded tires

 

Pop the hood on a TL. What is written on every part you see? (given there are no mods) -- HONDA. In other words, you are getting a reliable car with a much lower cost of ownership for the long haul. That was my big reason for getting a TL. I'll agree that other cars have options and upsides that the TL may not have, but with me, money talks.

 

I've seen quite a few 330's around, and quite frankly, I think the coupe (in silver or black) looks awesome. The wheels and tires are very nice, and it is a great car. Although I'm only 23, I was considering a 528I and the 3.2 TL. I opted for the TL for one main reason: price. I never wanted a 3 series coupe (although I think they are awesome, practically they are too small for me). I used to have a 96 Prelude Si, and was sick of the cramped car. I know the 3 series is a little bigger but still... The other reason, for the TL is that being a business major, it kills me when I don't get a good deal on something. The TL in my honest opinion is the biggest bang for the buck right now hands down. Of course you can go for an american car for probably cheaper, but I don't even touch American. Japanese and German is the way to go. If you have the money, which it seems you do, go for the TL S with Navigation. it will be 260 hp (?) and will beat the 330. By the way, our car is 225 hp, not 220. If 8k to you is like 2k for most other people, then I'd say go for the 330. But keep in mind that with 8k to spend on modifying your TL, you will make it one hell of a better car than the 330. But if you decide to get the 330..get the coupe in black or silver.. those are the phattest...

peace

 

Watch out for the crap front TL seats. BMW seat blow doors on the TL seats.

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">[This message has been edited by macfarlj on March 07, 2001 @ ]</font>

 

I'm biased, so I would pick the TL.

But I'm sure $$$ is an issue for everyone. Othwise you would be buying a $100k+ car and be asking the BMW forum guys about M5 vs Z8...

Get this: I was at the insurance drive-in estimates office and was talking to the guy. So when we're almost done, he says watch this, he closes the profile for my TL, brings up the profile for a 2000 Dodge Viper GTS. Then prices the hood (unpainted, in the box) and get this ... $9,700 and change. WTF!

 

"However, my friend has a 330i and he is jealous of our 220 hp. Plus, the standard 330i is already about $2,000 more than our TL's. Oh, I'm sorry did you want automatic? $1400
Did you want heated seats? $400 How about heated mirrors, bose premium sound with 9" subwoofer, Sport-Shift? Ka-ching, Ka-ching, Ka-ching."


why would he be jealous? the car will pull 14 second time slip and has the same amount of hp.

IMO though, i would not buy a 330i nor the TL. the 330i is fast yes, but the steering response have gradually gotten away from the sporty aspect of BMW. i would go for an S4, which is around the same price category (as the 330) and will out perform both cars. plus, bmw is mainly performance while the TL is for daily driving praticality.

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'01 Lexus IS300
'91 Acura NSX
'95 Nissan Maxima

 

Actually the 330ci has almost the exact same performance figures as the e36 m3. Also, we have 225 hp not 220. get your facts striahgt beofre you post something stupid please.

 

So why did you buy your IS300, from what ive seen on magazines, when they tested the 3 series with the IS, the 3 series came out on top of the IS is the performance/handling category...I am hardly biased, so my question is, so are you saying that you bought the IS for a comprimised version of a BMW 3 series??? Since you said BMW has gotten away from the sporty aspect, I think IS's are less sportier...just my opinion...and please dont bash my quote by saying, well the IS would romp on the TL in the handling category, I never said that...It just seemed ironic that you would say that about a BMW but you drive an IS and know that BMW has better handling characteristics....my 2 cents

 

It's the best bang for your buck. Easy to modify and fun to drive. Plus you get to swap ideas with everone here at the forum thanks to Snook.

 

well, ive always wanted the IS300, ever since the "altezza" debuted in japan. i knew i had to have one. i am an ex-bmw owner ('99 m3 coupe). that was the car i traded in for my IS300, some people ask me why the hell i did that. i've never looked back or regret it. as for handling for the 3series and IS300. bmw are drifting away from handling/performance aspect for the 3series since the e36. if you have test driven both cars, the 330 steering and cornering DOES NOT match up to IS300, although i would say bmw's chassis is about 15% stiffer than is300's. even "bimmer", R&T have confessed this. bmw have gotten soft with the 3series. the is300's personality also matched with me well, as well as its exterior/interior. plus, the IS300 fully loaded was wayyy cheaper than a 330i. well those are just a couple of reasons.


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'01 Lexus IS300
'91 Acura NSX
'95 Nissan Maxima

 

those are good reasons and i respect that, maybe i should go and test drive both cars this weekend, always wanted to feel them both...well its good that your happy with your car...I love my TL, especially after i installed the piaa 1700x my light are dope at night...

next mod: h&r springs or comptech?!?!?!

 

Nope. BMW is now offering free schedule maint. for 3 years /36k miles. It's not free oil change. I believe MB is 2 year 24k.

Also for $800.00 more you can extend the coverage to 7 year 84k.

 

chiawei:

You have basically confirmed what I suspected. Basically, every 10,000 miles, you will have to go in for an oil change during which the BMW dealer would do also do things like rotate tires or whatever they do during major oil change intervals. So during the first 3 years of the warranty period, they would basically do maybe 4 scheduled oil changes (along with other things like valve adjustments or whatever else they do during the major oil change intervals)....which in my reckoning is not a big deal - but a fantastic marketing ploy by BMW .....what happens after the warranty, is a totally different matter altogether...

The exact same thing, you can bargain into the TL deal when you purchase the vehicle......

Also, I was observing the reliability ratings of the 2000 3.2TL by Consumer Reports - which is the only truly statistically significant and un-biased reliability survey in the country - and they have rated the TL an "EXCELLENT" in all categories including Engine, Transmission, Electrical Components......only one category was accorded a "VERY GOOD" rating...

just my 2c

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2000 Naples Gold 3.2TL/Navi - Factory Stock but with up-graded tires

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">[This message has been edited by hunter001 on March 08, 2001 @ ]</font>