can't decide between a 2005 TL with NAVI costing around 36 grand driveout and the BMW 525i with automatic only. No premium or sports package or any other upgrades. Would do European delivery to get the cost to around 40 grand driveout. The 525i would at least get the 4 year 50k maintenance program while the TL at most would get the 2 years of oil changes for free therefore I would think both of them would come out even in price. Both are nice looking cars and have such a tough time deciding.

 

But the TL interior takes the cake baby

5 interior ==

 

TL blows away 5 interior.... faster... there was a thing from I THINK car and driver comparing the 5 series and the TL...tl won in all categories except braking...

maint. on the TL is very low cost.....

 

i was also considering the 5 series but could not justify spending 40k on a car with no options. the tl cant compete with the bmw in handling however i am more than happy with getting all the goodies that the car comes with while spending 5k less for the TL with navi (the only option). how often do you think you will need to change the oil or wipers? 3 times at most in a year for the oil and once for the wipers. the national average milage per year is 11k... so the 5k in savings will more than make up the difference in price in getting your oil/wiper changes. everyone is different, so which ever you decide to buy, congrats.

 

I've owned BOTH cars and even with Euro Delivery you CAN'T get a 525 with as much equipment as a TL for the same price.

A comparably equipped 525 would sticker for $45k whereas the TL would $35k. Euro Delivery would knock off a few thousand but it will cost you that much to travel to Europe and have the car shipped. So its still $10k more for a full-equipped 525.

Here's the worst news....the 525 has only 185 horsepower and weighs the same as the TL. At least mine was a manual transmission which shaved a full second off the 0-60 time. The 525 automatic takes over 8 seconds to 60. Its a dog. The only advantage is you may look wealthier and can tell everyone "I drive a new BMW."

 

And you wouldn't really enjoy a Bimmer with no leather no moonroof no legendary BMW sport suspension.... the premium and sports package are important...most of those features are all standard on TL.

 

2 sides to every story...

many complaints posted about TL's interior, from cracking/butt printed seats to annoying noises.

i test drove a 3 series, pretty darn nice, but in the end i got TL.