I am in the process of getting a used car. I have narrowed it down to a TL and a 04 BMW 530i. The prices are close enough for me; so that is a toss up. For insurance the 530i is actually cheaper by 300 a year. So it comes to the interior. I am 6'4" and in the 530i I felt very comfortable and I really like how roomy it was. I have not been in the TL yet due to being in germany. I am looking for any information that would help. I know that there is alot of TL guys moving to the 5 series so I just wanted to get pros and cons. Thanks any information provided.

 

the TL can accomadate a tall guy. Im 6'2. i fit with plenty of room to spare... kind of sacrifice the back seat, but i rarely/never drive with 3 or 4 people in the car

 

When I went to BMW to test drive the 335i, aside from also test driving the new 535, I test drove an 04 5-series. I was definitely impressed and if I had a choice between an 04 Acura and an 04 BMW, I would choose the BMW simply because I know it'll retain its value in the long run. However, even though I can’t say much about the 04 TL cuz I have an 08, I've read many stories of the problems ppl have with that year 5-series. Good luck.

 

When I went to BMW to test drive the 335i, aside from also test driving the new 535, I test drove an 04 5-series. I was definitely impressed and if I had a choice between an 04 Acura and an 04 BMW, I would choose the BMW simply because I know it'll retain its value in the long run. However, even though I can’t say much about the 04 TL cuz I have an 08, I've read many stories of the problems ppl have with that year 5-series.

You mentioned the prices on the 2 are close. The 04 I test drove was selling for 33k. You can get a brand new TL for that.

Good luck.

 

Just like BLACKURA said, I don't think you'll personally have any problems with roominess in the TL's interior. It might be a different story for the passenger behind you if you frequently have people in the back seat.

Regarding the quality of the interior, aesthetically/ergonomically, I say the TL is superior to the Bimmer hands down.

 

I've driven both, the TL feels a bit roomier.
The material qualities in the BMW seemed better, but the materials in my 07 seem better than the 04's.

 

I was going originally for 535i but I went with 08 TLS.

When it cames to finances the 08 TLS made more sense, both are great and roomy cars.

You must sit in both, again, you must sit in both and experience it for yourself. It will be you who will be driving the car, not us...

Let us know what you've picked and why I want my bmw next!

 

I know my peers here will hate me but I am a BMW junkie. My opinion of the 2004 530i is that it's in a completely different league. It's not entry luxury like the TL. It is smack middle in the luxury segment. it's not really fair to compare both cars. RL is more like it.

I am a bigger fan of the old E39 5-series that was around 97-03. As good as the interior is on a TL the E39 had one of the best interiors of any car. The only car that was as good was the old Mercedes S-Class. Now the Germans have gone on a new direction of styling which I don't like. The newer E60 BMW's interior is yuck. TL's is better.

In terms of interior volume, the 5-series is actually a sub-compact and not mid-size. (Just like the TL) People like to call it a "mid-size car". The interior is much smaller than you think. I think the TL is the opposite. It is a "mid-size car" too but I think the interior is much larger than you'd think. I think the TL has much better rear passenger space too. So I think if the 5-series fits you then you'll be fine with a TL.

 

'04 TL sells for high teens, '04 BMW 530i would be more like high 20-low 30's. When brand new, you are comparing a 35K car with a $50K car. Not sure what prices are in Germany-where longboots currently is, but if you can pickup a low mileage 5-series for that cheap, and bring it stateside, go for it, and resell for a profit.

TEKNOKING ne pizdi ) if you were really considering 535i then you would have gotten something nicer than a TL. You know I was considering a Porsche GT3 but ended up in Acura TL lol

IMHO current gen BMW interiors as well as exteriors suck compared to any Honda product. If you want to have a Beemer for its image then get one under warranty and rid of before it expires.

 

Let's keep the discussion on-topic here guys or else if this ends up into a BMW vs. Acura thing, it will get locked.

To the OP- test drive the TL and see which one between the two best accomodates you.

Kostyan- word of advice, read the sticky that was updated by trancemission recently about rules of posting. Cliffnotes- you don't know teknoking and there is no need to call him out on the decision he made.

 

qqesq, if you dont like this thread then lock it.

I personally don't understand why anyone with 55k in hand to buy a car would settle for entry-level luxury sedan half the price when there are so many options available, it is merely a blasphemy.

 

A lot of people can afford a $100K car, but they don't buy it because they don't think it's worth it.
I was looking at the 535 too, and yes I can afford it, but I didn't buy it because I didn't think it was worth putting 20K/year on a $60K car.

 

You sure about that? BMW seems to depreciate faster than acuras if you compare it by percentages.

From my research comparison on the 04TL vs: 04 530i. The BMW is expected to depreciate 5% more than the TL, and the True Cost to Own over a 5 yr period is about $12K more compared to the TL. Of course these are estimated averages, and they could be scewed a little one way or the other, but I would not expect to be too inaccurate.

 

Let me clarify. Blue book on an 04 TL is 25k. Blue book on an 04 530i is 33k. Of course this is assuming that both cars have similar mileage and are both in excellent condition.

The OP stated that "The prices are close enough for me;". If that’s the case, depreciation figures don’t play a factor and when it comes time to sell, he’ll get more for the BMW. Besides, as someone mentioned before, the 5-series and the TL are in 2 totally different classes. There really is no comparison.

 

Since you responded in the thread and not via PM, I'll return the favor for everyone's benefit. I'm not going to lock it because the (1) OP is a brand new member of this forum and (2) who asked an on-topic genuine question - asking for reviews of the TL's interior.

As far as your opinion in regards to the way teknoking spends his money is his business. He didn't start this thread asking for opinions. Don't ruin this thread by starting a flame war with another member regarding an off-topic matter.

Kudos to tekno and all the other members reading this thread for not responding to your comment.

Next time you want to call out a mod do it via PM. I trust you read trancemission's sticky at the top of the forum.....I'll let you read between the lines. If you have nothing positive to share, move on.

 

Thanks to everyone. I the reason I am asking about the TL is because I have always been soft hearted when it comes to the honda company. So I want to make sure I am not just doing this out of hast. To me it all comes down to the interior room with these to cars. I don't have a chance to test drive a TL being that I am stuck at a military base in Germany. I really do not care about if the car value drops faster then the other. I plan to keep the car until... lets just say the wheels fall off.

 

I am a tad under 6' 1" and have no problems in the TL. As comfortable (if not more so) than any car I've owned/driven.

IMO, the interior knobs, buttons, switches, etc feel good. Solid, not like some of the cheap feeling controls in other "entry level lux" cars.

Can't comment on the BMW's except that some of the mechanical gadgetry (the instantaneous MPG swinging needle "readout" specifically) had the feel of what a 1st year engineering student might devise - no subtlety or elegance at all; crude and ugly.

 

Lets see, 04 TL new(nav): $35K sticker / 04 BMW 530i new: $55-60K

Current blue book: TL: $25K / BMW: $35K

- Clearly ~10% less depreciation on the TL...
And if/when he did sell the BMW, at the obvious > rate of depreciation, he may not get more for it at time of sale than he would from an 04TL - despite the fact that he paid $10K more for the B'mer etc..

But, as the OP/you mentioned, he obviously is not buying either car for resale value... If he is at all concerned about the overall cost of ownership however, factoring in sale price, maintenance, insurance etc,,,, In my opinion the TL would probably win hands down.

As with many purchases, it really comes down to what you want - and are willing to sacrifice/justify ($) in order to have it.

Best of luck with either car you choose hbootlegz!

 

IMHO current gen BMW interiors as well as exteriors suck compared to any Honda product. If you want to have a Beemer for its image then get one under warranty and rid of before it expires.[/QUOTE]

I agree with this 100% : if you opt for a bimmer, better make sure the warranty is still effective or else the repairing bills will pile up ...

 

Back to your question again ... I've riden in friends' 04 540i & 06 550 and neither interior was so much better than that of TL's IMHO ... so unless you factor in other specs, interiors alone won't give the Bimmer the nod ...

 

^ how is a s550 interior worst than a TL?

to bootlegz. this is a TL forum. IMO. if you dont want bias answers. I suggest you just test drive both cars and see which one you like. everyone has different preferences.

 

this thread is getting interesting, yet still does not answer the OP's question.

Go with what you like. My major decision was FWD vs RWD, I wanted my mind at peace when it snows/rains considering my TL is my main commute to work. I've owned a 328i before, and I was nervous in the bad weather driving it, in the TL I feel confident. The 535xi, fyi, awd works under 19mph, so it's only good for getting out of spots; this is not useful for me.

To Kostyan, thanks for using the colorful language on me, making over 6 figures, I can afford much more, but my business experience suggests me to be a more scrupulous consumer. It took a me month to pick one car over the other in terms of what I would enjoy driving for 3 years...I have commitment issues. (I lease)

All the best guys... and hbootlegs, let us know what you've picked and why. Take care.

 

Good plan, but ....

 

To get a more unbiased response, check the specs for both cars if possible. Car & Driver tested both in the same issue back in 2004, all specifications and dimensions were included. As I recall, they are almost exactly the same size.

That issue may still be available online, see if you can find it. If not, and you are interested, PM me and I'll scan it and email to you. Good luck, both great cars.

 

I think the OP is asking which interior is better, bmw is more refined, thus you pay more. The TL interior feels more sporty and thrilling. Plus I really like how easily I can access all the controls, and let's not forget the voice activated navi/radio/phone.

bootleg, when are you coming back to the states so you can test out the TL? Don't get me wrong, if you are in Germany now, and you are getting a great deal on bmw, go for it.

 

^ the beamer have it also. But it all depends on what packages it come with. Since I saw above, you said you want to keep the car till the wheels come off. I think a acura is more reliable. But if you got the money for maint. on a beamer, i think you should get a beamer.

also, the 530i is slow ass hell. My friend drives one and he took me for a spin. I told him to floor it, it feels nothing compared to a TL. I didn't feel any pull at all. but for interior. I gotta give it to the BMW. alot more roomier than the TL.

 

Good luck with a USED BMW. OH SHIT, GOOD LUCK.

 

get the bimmer and be happy =).. the 04 tl had tons of little glitches..

 

Well, I picked up a 2005 TL. I really like it. Only a few quirks to it. The 3rd gear popping out (already picked up the GM syncromesh) and the steering wheel shaking from 55mph up. Probably either the rims or the tires. I have the Tein springs ready to be installed, I am just to lazy right now. The last thing I picked up was a set of 19" Axis Hiros wrapped in Toyos for $700 from a friend back home. I will take some pixs as soon as it stops raining here in Germany.

 

I would say the same. The 'leather' seat in the 04 TL dont even feel like real leather.

 

Congrats on getting a TL. Looking forward to seeing some pics.

 

shoulda got the 530