Hanga Piko

I'm enjoying the '09 TSX a lot, but I don't want to hang on to it forever mostly due to the I4. It's fun to drive but depressing to realize my minivan has more oomph. I would look at the V6 TSX but there's no MT, and the new TL is ... which forces me to look at BMW because they readily offer MT. I'd really rather not be associated with BMW due to their reliability and to a lesser extent the BMW connotation, but Acura seems bent on strictly making commuter cars and vehicles that challenge the eyes.

Would you ever consider BMW?

whatarussh

Would you ever consider BMW?[/quote]


Been there and never again! BMtroubleyou!

dom

Yes I would. If you're worried about reliability, maybe consider leasing.

I drove my 04 MT TSX back to back with a 335, 328, A4, IS and C300 and there's no question in my mind the BMW was the most rewarding driving experience. I know there's much more to factor into a car buying decision but at what point do we start focusing on the car itself, rather than whether it has an MP3 input jack and Navigation.

DerwoodEE

Nope, would never buy a BMW. Worked for BMW once and I learned far too much about them. While they have some amazing cars (M3 & M5 drooool!), I still wouldn't want to own one simply because the "fun-to-drive" factor is quickly curbed by the headache factor.

Lexus and Infinity would be my personal alternatives.

shmork53

Yeah BMW is not really the best route. They are fun as hell to drive, but I think their interiors on the newer 3 series is ugly, and the reliability sucks. My parents have had 2 3 series BMWs and after hearing the crap they have to put up with, I don't think I will ever go that route.

Izzy-Type-S

iTrader: (1)

only an M5.

stlswagger

My wife is on her second 3 series and hasn't had any issues. First was an 06 and now driving a 09. Neither is leased and neither has had any issues. She just traded the 06 on Saturday with 42K problem free miles. I wouldn't pay for service out of pocket but their 50K free service on 100% of everything is awesome. My audi warranty was the same way but they've cut back how long their free service (100%) lasts now.

omelet1978

Certified Pre Owned BMW's come with a warranty up to 100,000 miles, so that should help with the reliability. Especially if you can find one in good condition with low miles.

I bought mine with carmax and I was able to buy an extended warranty for 3yrs/36k miles.

ressling

If I didn't go with my TSX and were to opt for a BMW, I'd lease a new 1 series.

I wouldn't consider buying a BMW.

ed_423

i have never driven an BMW before, tho many of my freinds own it. but if the realiability is as bad as u guys said, then i agree with derwood. lexus or infinity

bbbuzzy

You know, if you get a "bad one" that's always in the shop, then sure, it's a frustrating ownership experience. However, many are relatively problem-free and the much better driving experience makes a difference and makes it worth few trips to the mechanic. I'm impressed with mine so far, after owning 3 Acuras the BMW is just a more rewarding drive. I sincerely hope Acura builds a sport sedan that matches the 3 series one day. It will undoubtedly be a more reliable vehicle but it seems Acura's priorities have changed.

xenonhid

Unattractive/cluttered Interior design + Reliability Issues

I stay away from BMW and Audi's.

Hanga Piko

I like the exterior of BMWs but the interior it a tough pill to swallow. I think Acura has knocked it out of the park with its interior designs.

I also dream on an M5 but the MSRP is $85k, combining that with maintenance costs and depreciation I don't think I can justify blowing that kind of money for a good long time, if ever. I'd sooner entertain a Lexus IS-F, I don't know anything about it except that it's $30k cheaper and produced by a more reliable automaker.

Nedmundo

I did consider the 328i, and almost bought one. I went with the TSX due to, in order of importance: (1) its much lower price, especially when comparably equipped; (2) its presumably superior reliability; (3) the hassle associated with BMW's insistence on run-flat tires; and (4) concerns about my wife driving a RWD car in bad weather.

I'm happy with the TSX, but miss the better steering feel from European cars. Aside from the TSX's uncomfortably numb on-center steering feel, I think it's a nearly perfect sport sedan for the price. Its chassis dynamics are comparable to a 328i without sport package, and better than the 328i X-drive, which is amazing considering the Acura's front wheel drive. The suspension tuning is awesome, and while the motor lacks power compared to some others, the classic Honda VTEC character has its own special appeal.

But I will definitely consider BMW next time around, especially if Acura (and Honda generally) keep drifting further from the enthusiast market.

Farage

ed_423

^lol!

Luchin

The people I know that have and have had BMW's ranging from late 90's to current models seem to spend more time in courtesy cars then their own cars. That said, most people who purchase these cars don't seem to care a whole lot about reliability. Unfortunately all car manufacturers ride on their name and produce crap once in a while but it seems like BMW has more models that are unreliable then they do models that are reliable.

All that said, if my first experience with Honda was my 97 Prelude I would not be driving my TSX today. The prelude was a POS which was in the shop more then my garage.

Why not look at the Lexus IS-F.

Hanga Piko

That Lexus IS-F is looking pretty good. It's a damn shame that Acura has neither the platform nor the inclination to make a similar vehicle.

Hanga Piko

Just in case someone is thinking I showed up just to trash on the TSX and Acura, if they release a TSX type-s with the V6 and a manual transmission I would definately go that route because the TSX is otherwise perfect and I have brand loyalty to Acura, I'm on my 4th Acura vehicle and I'm looking at an MDX for my wife. Since they've already announced they're bringing over the TSX wagon for 2011 and axing their plans to move upscale I think the chances of some sort of type-s are well below 50%.

Life Dies

Not anymore. Had 3 M3's in the past, great cars. They haven't kept up with the times. My Acura TSX exceeds the build quality of BMW.

omelet1978

As a guy that actually owns an 06 BMW 330i I think I should chime in!

The interior of the BMW I have is not as fancy as the TSX, but it is pretty high quality. Everything from the dash to the leather looks brand new and I bought a 4 year old used on.

When I bought it from carmax I had to have the power steering and air conditioning module replaced and they paid for it. Makes me a little nervous about maintenance but I've put a good 7,000 miles on it since with no issues.

I replaced my runflats with regular tires and got a AAA account in case one goes flat.

Overall, I like my car. It feels like a good vehicle, so hopefully I can keep it for a few years.

03CoupeV6

As the owner of a 135i with a 6MT.. absolutely you should consider it. The driving experience is not something I can quantify in words to you. It is something you would just have to experience for yourself.

When I registered on Acurazine years back, I had a 2002 Acura TL. The car was an absolute nightmare. It spent a huge amount of time in the shop and because of that, I spent a great deal of time in the 1G TSX and 3G TL. Does this mean that Acura is unreliable? No, I would own another Acura - I just had a bad one.

Both the TSX and TL are nice cars with nice features but when it comes to mechanical automotive enjoyment, neither stacks up with a BMW - especially the twin-turbo N54 ones.

MrOtocinclus

I would definitely consider BMW for my next vehicle. I have 2 years left on my lease and I've already started daydreaming about what my next car will be...

Hanga Piko

I never cared for BMW interiors, something says 80s throwback to me, but upon closer inspection it looks like Acura borrowed some cues from BMW, including the high recessed nav screen with a rounded hood cover over the top and a joy stick / iDrive type system. The 2G TSX has made me accustomed to these design elements, and now I'm not quite so averse to the BMW interiors. I think Acura has inadvertently given me a gateway drug in the TSX.

HeavyDuty

Nope.

Had an 02 330ci, and it was a POS.

I'm not just snakebit by my experience, but also witnessed others who decided the 'driving experience' wasn't worth the hassle of ownership and 'stupid stuff' breaking/malfunctioning.

JAB00

The 335 coupe is awesome. I'd get it.

YeuEmMaiMai

why would you go from a car with well above average reliability to one that is below average?

007Acura

avarice

dave_ramkumar

iTrader: (5)

only a m3....its so fast and sexccc

bbbuzzy

If you really had insatiable desire for wealth, why would you buy a more expensive car that depreciates a lot every day? Many choose BMW because it's more fun to drive. Go see for yourself. Take a test drive, it costs you nothing.

Hanga Piko

I think that's part of what makes BMW a status symbol, not only does it cost a lot but the owner will never see a fraction of that money ever again, and presumably doesn't care. I'm pretty frugal, I don't think I'll be able to pull trigger on a BMW.

YeuEmMaiMai

go see what for myself? how a BMW drives? Already have but there is no way I would ever own one...I actually depend upon my car to reliably get me to and from work......

03CoupeV6

This hyperbole on BMW reliability is annoying. You guys who act like a BMW can't function on a day to day basis are full of it, sorry. Both my Germans have been more reliable than my recent Japanese ventures.

Nedmundo

I agree some folks exaggerate BMW's reliability problems, at least regarding the normally aspirated 3 Series. A close friend of mine has a MY2002 330i, and literally nothing has gone wrong in almost eight years, and the current generation of non-turbo cars has done well. But the twin-turbo 335i has been a different story, with many fuel pump failures, and the 5 Series and previous 7 Series were saddled with serious problems, especially early on, and particularly their electronics. Despite this, I believe for reliability BMW has consistently outperformed Audi, M-B, Saab, and even Volvo in recent years. Consumer Reports even recommends some models. For European brands, I believe only Porsche does better, but Audi and M-B have apparently improved lately.

Even so, BMW doesn't compare with Honda and Toyota. Some BMW's will be more reliable than some Hondas and Toyotas, just as my 1989 Pontiac Grand Am was more reliable than most Japanese cars, and just as some folks have no trouble with Saabs, of all things. But on average Honda and Toyota will spend less time in the shop.

nj2pa2nc

I have considered bmw's and even went to test drive and almost but did not buy one. I am extremely pleased with my 06 tsx. It now has almost 96,000 problem free miles. I also would only consider cars with 6MT-I test drove a 2010 Subaru Legacy Premium GT-very impressed with the 6MT, turbo, awd and other things it had.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Looking at new cars, not a chance. BMW has priced itself right out of what I deem to be reasonable spending limits on a new car.

As a used car, possibly. While BMWs generally retain their values ok, the high end car market has seen atrocious valuations lately in the used car markets and as a result, you can pick up some really impressive cars for surprisingly little money (e.g. 2006 BMW M5 for around $35k). Recent wholesale auction prices of the BMW 335i have been well into the mid $20k range for 2007 models.

Hanga Piko

Why are BMW resale values so poor?

Nedmundo

I think the upper end has taken the biggest hit, and not just BMW. Used Mercedes E-class models can be absurdly cheap when you consider their cost new, and I've seen the same with the S-class. It appears the less expensive the car is new, the more it retains its value percentage-wise, like the 3 Series and some 5. That's why I wouldn't bother with a used 3 Series; I'd rather spend the additional $6,000 for a new car. Might be a different story with a super clean CPO car, but good luck finding one with sport package and 6MT, and without all the nav and I-Drive bull$h!t. I bought the TSX instead.

Hanga Piko

Ya know, I speculate that the markup on the premium models such as the M5 is a lot higher than the lower end models. Maybe the used car market simply reflects their inherent value of the car as opposed to the values dictated by car makers.

nj2pa2nc

just wondering exactly what service was done on yours wife's BMW in the time she owned it.