Hey guys, help me out with this one. Been looking at BMW 325i, priced w/ the options I want, it's about $37k. I can get the TL w/ Navi under invoice and great financing. What's a guy to do?

I test drove the TL today and my only problem with it is it somewhat feels like driving my Accord. When/where do you guys really feel the power come into play? Did anyone else consider a BMW and regret not getting one?

My practical (value-minded) side is leaning towards the TL. The BMW has 4 years free maintenance, but there are things not included such as their expensive to replace run-flat tires. I just need some nudging from you guys. Thanks.

 

First off... buy what YOU like the most... you are the one driving the car, not me...

Second... I do not understand your statement of 'when does the power come on' when you are comparing to a 325... the TL can take a 330... I know.. I have done it... so a 225 must feel VERY WEAK in comparison.. since I have not driven the BMW as I wanted a car that did not have all the problems of the Germans I do not know about the handling.. but almost everything I read the BMW is hands down the winner... but... the TL handles more than I am willing to try... I have taken turns at 30 with no problem... I would not want to do it at much higher speed.. so I am happy with what I have..

 

i was in the same boat as you...was about to buy an 06 325i 6 sp w/ the sport package. BMW dealer pissed me off and ended up with my first love... my 05 TL w/ navi.

But keep this in mind, though the 4 yr maintenance sounds good on the BMW, they will only let u change the oil every 15k miles - dont expect a free oil change every 3k.

For a better value - the TL. oh btw - the backseat of the 325i is tiny compared to the TL.

 

TL all the way. I too was in the same boat but feel confidant that i made the right decision. every time i get into my car i have a smile on my face. I love my TL. The TL will destroy a 325 those things are pretty damn slow.
BUT>>> get what you think will make you happy just like formula 350 said,"your the only one driving it."

 

Here is my .02. There is nothing like a BMW. I have an E46 325i with Sports, Premium, Xenons, and Harmon Kardon. I never knew what the hype was until I owned one. The best way to describe the feeling is that you have total control of all four wheels and the cars feels perfectly balanced. They make the best automatic transmission in the industry hands down. It's shifts are smooth as silk (you don't feel the clunky shifting) and it keep the engine in the perfect RPM range for quick response. I was looking at an e90 before I bought my TL, but decided against it due to wanting a different driving experience for my other vehicle. I have the benefit of having both and I can tell you that they have their pros and cons.

The BMW is great as a daily driver and is extremely fun to drive. Although the automatic transmission is flawless, the car feels faster than it actually is. You really notice it here in the Vegas heat. There are times when I am accelerating from a light and see cars pull away from me that I would never consider as quick. The car does corner like it's on rails (sports package with PZero Neros ) and once you get going the car is fairly quick for the HP/weight ratio. It has been in for engine lights three times, is notorious for bad window regulator designs and I have also had sensors/air valves fail. The BMW service departments also leave something to be desired. It almost feels like they are doing me a favor bringing my car in for service. I have been to two here in Vegas and it's the same story. The car did start to feel a bit to small as time went on. I'm 6'1 which makes the seat behind me close to unusable. Dash/gauges make me feel like I'm driving in the 80's.

The TL is great as a daily driver, but has the raw speed and quickness that I was lacking in the 325i. It's a bit skewed due to my TL being MT 6SPD, but I have driven a MT in the 325i and the TL is about as good as a MT tranny gets. The cornering is not as tight as the BMW, but it still plants on the road well. I do not feel the torque steer some complain about. The TL interior is quieter and feels much bigger than the specs would indicate. I know a lot of TL owners complain about the leather, but I prefer the leather in my TL than in my BMW. The leather feels more supple and soft. Dash/gauges are modern and look great any time of day.

Here is my comparison between the cars.

Engine - TL
Transmission - Manual TL wins, Automatic BMW wins
Interior - TL
Exterior - BMW (Sheet metal feels so much stronger)
Paint - BMW
Stereo System - BMW (HK otherwise TL wins)
A/C- TL
Leather - TL
Highway driving - TL
City Driving - Tie
Xenons - BMW (auto leveling)
Value - TL

Either way you can't go wrong with either car. Both are exceptional. The BMW is the ultimate driving machine, but it does have it's weaknesses. I have owned three Acuras in my life and I'll tell you that for the money, there is nothing out there that comes close.

Good luck.

 

add the rear sway bar (100), aspec suspension (600) and cold air intake (200) to the tl and you've got a bimmer killer.

 

I had 2 TL's and then a BMW 330i it was the worst car! it always needed something and even so you can't compare the 2 the TL is 2 inches longer then a 5Series the 3 Series is a smaller car

 

One more thing. Some TL owners with the Brembo brakes complain about brake dust. Try owning a BMW. The brake dust is horrendous in the BMW. I can wash them, polish them, and wax them. They still look like crap a day later. No big deal you say... until you are washing your brake dust covered rims every other day.

 

Acurafan1, thanks for the great reply. I can trust your opinion because I see what's sitting in your driveway. Formula350, of course my wallet is gonna go with what I feel is right for me.. but I wish I could afford both of these cars. But if I had to pick one right now, I'm leaning towards the TL.

325i costs more and has less power. Acurafan1, you are right.. the 325i feels fast, but I'm sure it would lose in a race. I did notice that it's fairly small inside, your TL looks huge next to your 325i haha. Navigation's not as good as TL. My biggest complaint about it right now is probably the tires. I can't imagine paying another $1-2k to replace tires, and have no spare.

Hey, I'm only 28, so when I make more money, I'll be a PIMP like Acurafan1 and buy both ; ) I think i'm 85% positive of the TL. Just gotta get a quote from a few dealerships and it's mine. Thanks again guys.

 

Acurafan1 is totally correct. I've driven a 325i and can attest to the driving experience--there's nothing like it, it's like the car is an extension of your body. The only way to get the TL even close to that is the buy an A-Spec suspension AND the Comptech rear sway bar. Those two make the TL MUCH more neutral. It comes surprisingly close.....but the TL is a nose-heavy, FWD car and the Beemer is a nearly perfectly balanced RWD, and that makes the difference.

The TL is much faster, though, is larger, more comfortable, and more more bang for the buck overall, so it still wins in my book. You would do well with either car, though. Some people just need that little roundel on their decklid to make them feel better, and that's OK.

 

Great comparison. Th think you made the same camparisons that I would have especially the paint and sheet metal. I owned a '99 323i with sport, premium and zenons for 3 years than upgraded to a '01 330i with sport, premium and zenons. 323 was the automatic and 330 was the 5 speed. Both transmissions in the BMW are better than the TL. The manual was easier to drive because of the clutch engagement not being so quick. The TL gives you a better interior except for maybe just the guages (I like the guages on the BMW better but I like the center console MUCH better in the TL.

I own a TL now. The TL is quick and responsive and should make the 325 feel slow in comparison. The TL gives you more room inside which I welcomed now that baby #2 is due in September. As others said, pick the one YOU like as you will have to live with it everyday. You won't go wrong with either car as they are both fun to drive. You do get the WOW factor from others with BMW over the TL though. BMW is still in a higher league to most drivers.

 

This is dead on to what my wife and I found when testing both cars. If I was single with no kids and didn't care about the rear seating (we moved from the Honda Pilot) I would have gotten the BMW. But since my wife is the main driver of the car and we still need room in the back we went with the TL. Really to my wife it was TL all the way after she test drove it. She didn't even give the BMW a 2nd thought. I however can still remember taking the long sweeper off ramp at speed and feeling like the car was glued to the road!!! but in the end the TL with the options is less money and a better value, imo.

 

acurafan1 - I completely agree with your description, I've test driven a few TLs and just last week, I test drove a performance package equipped 330Ci (06 Model) at a local dealership and I will attest that I have never felt the way I did when I pushed the car.... and that too test driving it in the RAIN.

Was coming onto a 270 degree On-Ramp leading to the freeway, it was raining pretty hard and I was in the far left lane. I realized late I had to turn and seeing no one was behind me, I floored it and cut across 2 lanes (was doing about 55 mph when I hit the gas). By the time I was halfway onto the Ramp, the car was betyween 70-75 with NO signs of slipping/losing grip.

At this point, the car was so fast that in comparison to my 97 TL (and most cars I test drove till date), I would have pretty much slipped off the road, but seeing how the 330Ci was pinned to the ground, I just let the speed climb. My internals were just flooded with Adrenaline at this stage because my mind had pretty much gone way beyond the normal "Speed Vs. Turning Capacity". But this Bimmer just wanted more.

Finally I was done with the turn and on the interstate and the Dealer (sitting in the back) said "Thank God my boss isn't around".

Best test drive I've ever had......

So if you want to feed your "thrill" side, I'd go with the sentiment shared with most and get a 3 series. For the best bang for your buck, I'd go with the TL

 

TL you get your money's worth. If suspension is a gripe for you, then upgrade it and still you'll be paying less than the 325. To me the BMW is just a status statement to say I have a BMW, the only Bimmer that is worth it's tag is the M series.

 

Depending on where you live, you would HAVE to get the 325xi or just not drive it in the winter. A friend of mine has an '02 325i and couldnt even take it out b/c it was so bad in the snow (as expected w/ a RWD)...so if you live in an area with snow...expect to shell out another 2-3k for the AWD...

 

Wait for Acura to get the memo and build a RWD TL.

 

Not true at all. Rear wheel drive cars of today are not even close to the rear wheel drive cars of the 70's and 80's. With traction control, braking assist etc a rear wheel drive car will do pretty good. It won't plow through 6" of snow but I wouldn't plow a TL through 6" of snow either. If it were me, and i do, make sure you have a 4wd or all wheel drive car in your stable. You can pick up a Jeep Cherokee from the early 90's for next to nothing and with that you get 4wd and an inline 4.0 liter 6 cylinder engine that will last forever. I would not go with an xi BMW. You can't get the sport package on the all wheel drive models(at least you couldn't the first few years they offered them).

 

I traded in a BMW X5 for the TL and regret not getting another BMW. The TL is a great all around value and the best car for your money. The BMW is more expensive, but the engineering and quality that goes into that car are unmatched.

it may not be as fast, but it out handles the TL. I have an A-Spec with a comptech RSB and it still feels like a BOAT compared to a 3 series. Hell, my X5 non-sport handled better stock than the TL did stock, that's sad.

The TL has a great resale, looks good, nice interior, great technology/electronics and is very reliable.

The BMW covers all maintainance(EVERYTHING, even wipers), looks better, higher status symbol, handles better and ride quality is unmtached for the money.

i wanted to save money so i bought the TL, i now wish i spent more and got a 330

 

I actually just got my TL yesterday and I had the choice between a 325ci convertible and my TL. The TL is a great choice to make and I dont regeret not getting a BMW.

 

My son's father-in-law has that exact car. The performance package gives it a little stiffer ride than I like, but it is a FANTASTIC car. There is no way my TL will run with it. I seriously considered a Beemer when I bought the TL...but I wanted the 330 performance package with Navi...and that would have been way too much money for me. And finding a used one like that was impossible. A 325 or 328 didn't light my fire. I don't regret my decision.

By the way, BMW is suffering through some quality issues right now. Their warranty rate is up there. I found this very interesting as German cars have such a perceived high quality reputation. It turns out that BMW's big issues right now are their electronics. That's what the majority of their warranty claims are for. I'm not sure if it's an issue with switching to the CAN bus or what, but they are struggling with that right now.

 

The 330Ci I tested had the "M" edition Sports Steering, M Sports Tuned Suspension, 10 HP more (around 235), Navigation, Spoiler, Aerodynamic Package (which included the front lip and sides) and 18' Wheels.

It's got about 18,000 miles on her and they were selling it for around $37,500. It's still sitting there. PM me if you're interested

 

It really comes down to personal choice and what you are looking for a vehicle.

My 2004 TL/Navi/6MT replaced a 1994 BMW 325i/5MT and was replaced by a 2003 BMW M3/6MT. The TL was the right car at the time and I don't regret owning it for 2 years and 45,000 miles.

Don't worry about the pissing contests over which is 'better'. Find out which is better for you.

I am about to pick up a 1988 BMW M5 and I'll be back in an early NSX by next summer. Neither is the fastest or cheapest you can buy for the money, but they bring a smile to my face like nothing else for twice the price.

 

The M edition is somewhat of a misnomer, although there are M badges on the vehicle. The official name is the Performance Package, aka ZHP.

I am somewhat of a defender of M-badge purity. I have been known to remove M-badges from poser vehicles and leave a note . . .

 

buy the auto club package with the beemer. it comes to just over $1/month in your financing. i just did when i traded in my tl.

 

buy the auto club package with the beemer. it comes to just over $1/month in your financing. i just did when i traded in my tl.

it covers bent rims (up to $500 per rim) and replacement tires.

 

I am a fan of both Acura and BMW. Owned an Acura Ledgend for 10 years. Currently own a 2004 TL/Auto w Nav. Previously owned a BMW 325. Plan to add a BMW conv within the next year unless something else catches my eye first.

Both brands make great vehicles. You can't go wrong with either the TL or the 325. As so many have said, it comes down to your personal preference.

The analysis everyone has offered above is pretty comphrensive. The TL size is comparable to a 5 series, not the 3 series. But the 325 small size was never a problem and I am over 6'. The back seat is more useable in the TL, especially for any trip with adults back there. I had the E36 3, the new E90 3 looks bigger inside, especially the back seat. The BMW wins on handling potential, but most drivers will get just as much enjoyment out of the TL which is no slouch. Winter handling is closer to equal; buy 4 winter tires/wheels for either one you choose, if you will be driving in such conditions. I am not aware of electronics problems with the 3, only the larger BMWs.

Good luck with your decision!

 

Up until March last year, my wife and I were co-owners of a '96 328i automatic (she was the primary driver). That's why she now has an '05 automatic TL. After 6 years 3 months of ownership and over $8300 in "abnormal" maintenance, enough was enough. Her TL is a far better car than her BMW was. If her BMW is an example of German engineering, I am not impressed with the product. Some really poor engineering ideas.

 

Your comparing an '05 TL to a '96 BMW. Get real. Cars typically improve year after year. I had no problems with my '00 or '01 BMW. I couldn't say the same about the '96 Dodge Intrepid that needed a new tranny at 100k miles though. BMW's are probably the best German engineered cars made and they have come a LONG way since the day of people saying owning a BMW will cost you dearly.

 

Yet another reason why I guess I made the right decision. If I had purchased an 06 E90 BMW I would be livid! The 330 gets a 45 HP update and the 325 gets a 15 HP update.

 

Number 1 - I am most certainly "real", and number 2 - I was not comparing her former BMW with her current '05 TL. I was simply stating a fact in the context of the cost of "abnormal" maintenance and her satisfaction with her TL over her BMW.

Mind you, a fair amount of the time she had her Bimmer, she liked it.. the size and the looks (I suspect the status of the car offered some points). But I look at cars differently than does she. I am an enthusiast and I like cars that are more than washing machines.. things to take you from point A to point B. This is in no way to imply that a 3-series BWM is in any way, a "washing machine"; quite the contrary.

When she got her BMW, I had also just purchased a new 2000 SVT Contour. Sir, I have to tell you in all honesty that the SVT Contour would run rings around her BMW in the twisties (a .92 vs a .86 skid pad in favor of the SVT). In addition, it would also accelerate more quickly (my favorite piece of performance).

The problems with her BMW were happening on what I would call a fairly regular basis. In my opinion, over $8300 in fix-it type maintenance is high.. more than I have ever paid with past cars. So it's gone and she is happy with her TL and in the end, isn't that all that really matters?

 

Umm... Prepare to be livid. The 07 TL is getting a 15 HP increase, and the "speculated", ALMOST confirmed TL-S get 30+ HP increase...

Bad example.

 

BMW is better car.

 

Alright..it's done. Picked her up yesterday.. TL w/ Navi, $31,400 before taxes. Got him to throw in the iPod musiclink. The drive home was much nicer than my previous testdrive. It had been a tiring day with work and then haggling w/ 3 dealerships and I realized what is different about the TL vs. 3series.

You really do feel attached to the 325/330 and the road and are much more involved in the driving process, especially w/ MT. With the TL, I was tired, just left the dealership at 8:30p and I was so relaxed in the car. It was smooth, comfortable, and much quieter than I remembered from the testdrive. That's really what I need, to get me to and from work in a much more relaxed state of mind so I don't go insane from the stress at work.

I got an interesting email from the BMW dealer, who wrote a lengthy comparison of the 2 cars, saying much of what we've said here. That the TL is front heavy, FWD vs. RWD pro's/con's, but all those advantages to the BMW's handling are really important in mainly 2 situations: 1) you drive like a maniac, weaving in/out of traffic 2) you are trying to avoid obstacles and accidents. I don't doubt the BMW will outmaneuver the TL in those scenarios..but the TL's a much bigger car when you look at them side to side. All in all, I'm happy with the purchase.

 

Amen

 

O.K., here is my input:

2002 BMW 530I with cold weather package. Presently has 60,000 miles.
At 42000 miles the torque converter went out, 51000 miles front axle needed replacing, 55000 miles the ABS/DSC (stability control) went haywire. Wifey and I have owned 6 Honda/Acura cars over 12 years and one BMW. The BMW has given us the most trouble. It is a pretty car, but I'm not impressed by the reliability... so far.

 

Hmmm. Looks like my '04 (I have the Ebony interior with Nav). Except one thing. Mine's a manual. Did you consider the manual or was it an automatic all the way (BMW and TL)?

My other TL (an '05 Silver/Quartz/Nav) is an automatic (wife is primary driver - yes, she drives a manual better than most). I can tell you there IS a difference between the manual TL and the automatic TL.

Anyway, congratulations. You were deciding between two really nice machines.

 

How solid is this info?

 

Yes, I did consider the manual. I use to drive MT and I was starting to miss it. However, my commute has a lot of traffic and I'm planning to move back to Los Angeles, which has even WORSE traffic, so it didn't really make sense to get MT. In the BMW 3series, the Steptronic sequential shifting was pretty damn good. It really did feel like "semi-manual". In the TL, it's basically useless. It doesn't really feel like you're doing anything, especially when it quickly shifts for you if you try to get the RPM up.

My other major gripe about the TL sequential shifter is that it's non-intuitive. You push up to shift up, pull towards you to shift down. LOGICALLY, it makes sense... but for some reason, the opposite is the natural feeling.. BMW pulls towards you to shift up. I think this wasn't just arbitrary for them, they probably did research on this.

It ultimately doesn't matter, because I keep it in automatic 95% of the time anyway. These days, we are so preoccupied in our cars with Navi, XM radio, cell p hones, bluetooth, etc, that trying to work an AT isn't as easy as it use to be. MT is fun 10% of the time, but the other 90% you're just stuck in 6th gear anyway (unless you live out in the country w/ curvy roads.)

 

Great price and nice color combo. I have 2k miles on my TL and i do like it a lot. I agree with the handling comparison. Unless you push your car to the limits or drive very aggressively all the time the TL will suit 99% of your driving needs.

 

I couldn't see myself getting a BMW 3-series with the G35 around. After a great deal of time shopping, I ended up with the TL for similar reasons you did. Plus the TL is faster day-to-day than the 325, with a larger and much nicer interior, and is less expensive ($37K??! You're not alone in getting that quote, which should be 330 territory...). You will also miss the large maintenance bills you would otherwise get down the road with the BMW!