Well, I can stop asking theoretical questions here and start asking practical ones. I traded in my BMW 330 and picked up my TL (6-speed, Nav) yesterday. Whoo-who! Cool car.

One quick question: am I correct in my understanding that there is no way to randomize all the discs simultaneously - you can only randomize one at a time.

Thanks. Now I gotta go drive somewhere...

 

Congrats! So what's your color combo?

 

Thanks for asking....Black and Black (my personal favorite color combo, obviously -- think the car in black looks more European).

For what it's worth, about my only gripe about the car (so far) is that it doesn't have an AUX jack. How can a car with such a sophisticated audio system opt for a cassette and no AUX jack for iPODS? (I've seen it posted that Acura "chose" not to have their system play mp3s cuz of their inferior sounc quality -- sense when do cassettes have superior sound quality?)

Just a minor rant...in a sea of praise for the car.

 

A common gripe, I'm afraid. I've simply adjusted to using my iTrip with the iPod. The sound quality is not all that bad when you're at wide open throttle. Congrats on the new TL! Just curious, why did you give up your 330i, it in itself is not a bad car.

 

Why did I trade in the 330i? No good reason at all, other than the fact that:
[1] I'm a gadget nut, and the TL's gadget-quotient is about 100 x's better than the BMW

and, more imporantly,

[2] I'm a complete, utter, promiscuous whore when it comes to cars and I can't seem to stay with one for very long.

Seriously, though, the only advantage I see in the 330 over the TL is very slightly better handling (quite subjective -- give me another day or two with the TL and I'll see how I feel). I'm convinced that all the car mags that review the TL go into the test knowing it's FWD, so they always find torque steer. I haven't detected any (tho I'm not sure I'm enought of a sophisticated driver to notice it if it's subtle).

Also, I love trading "down" (prestige-wise) from a BMW to an Acura, to prove to all my friends my cars aren't about status, but about the gadgets...

 

good choice, smart move.

 

Yeah, the BMW 330 is a nice care but a bit dated now and more importantly about US$10K more than an equivalent TL.

 

Congrtas on the new TL. I'll be interested to hear your comparison after you've had it for a few days!

EZ

 

Great point about “trading down” for the gadgets. Some of us want a computer that doubles as a car.

I look forward to reading your handling comparison between the 330 and the TL.

 

Congrats dude.

 

Amen and amen.

I had a BMW too. A 318i that was fun to drive. No problems just loved the TL's gadgets and it suited me, a tech geek. A couple of friends were like because I traded "down". "Down"??? 4cyl/138hp vs. 6cyl/270hp plus all the gadgets I could want! It's not about status!

Thx for your post.

 

Congrats. Now keep driving so we can get that comparison.

 

Go for an FM Modulator in your car for your iPod. I have one, along with the iPod 12V charger and the iPod cupholder mount thing and it is an awesome setup. The FM modulator jack is a male cord, for me, that comes out from under the center console on the passenger side. I just pull it up and plug it into the iPod. As for the switch to turn the modulator on/off, that is mounted in the passenger leg well near the center console as well. I highly recommend one. Have fun!

 

RG congrats on the excellent color choice (same as mine) I would like to extend an offer for you to join Team Nighthawk. We are a group dedicated to our excellent color . Feel free to do a search on Team Nighthawk. If you would like to join...contact me.

 

Congrats RGH!

Now all you have to do to make your new TL handle more like the 330i is get rid of the standard Bridgestone EL-42 tires that came with it. Strong recommendation in an excellent all season replacement, Falken Ziex 512's. They completely change the handling characteristics of the car, they're Comsumer Reports top rated high performance all season tire, and they're cheap. I put them on my 6MT and have NEVER looked back.

 

Good point. I've owned BMW in the past also. It's just amazing the "baggage" that owning a BMW carries, at least where I live. People at work notice you own a BMW and make comments suggesting you're rich, overpaid, or whatever. Yet right next to the BMW are a bunch of SUVs that cost more than the BMW. No comments on those, and if you point out that fact, they look at you like you have two heads. People also seem to make assumptions about BMW drivers in traffic, it seems, taking special efforts to cut them off and other things - all based on ignorance.

 

The CR test was actually of "performance all-season tires" not high-performance. The price range of the tires tested was between $60 each and $120 each (for the size they tested). That leaves out a lot of true or claimed "high performance" tires. (Pirelli P Zeron Nero, Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, are among those not tested). The Falken did top their tests, looks like a bargain, and I have no doubt that its a lot better than the much more expensive stock Bridgestone EL42.

 

I totally agree. Why? Oh why? did they put an analogue tape player in the new TL?! They may have well as put in an 8-track player!!

By the way RGHessel; how's the handling of the TL compared to the 330 BMW? I'm currently driving my sister's 325i and I've gotten used to the 'stiffer' handling of this automobile. I test drove the TL last week and it felt more 'loose' handling wise.

 

Congrats, RGH.

It seems that fewer and fewer changers offer the TRUE random action. I had it in my 95 Millenia S, but not in my 99Solara, although Toyota said SOME of the changers did it. I tried to get one but to no avail. I BELIEVE that the problem is that the true random causes excessive wear on the changer mechanism, and the makers are not willing to make them strong enough.

Also - There IS a way to add an AUX input. The XM receiver in the trunk has line level outputs with RCA connectors. A savvy installer can add an electronic switch there with a cable to connect toyour iPod. You should look into this, as ALL FM modulators offer very poor quality, especially compared to your direct digital outputs.

Good Luck and Have Fun!

Don't forget to keep the RPMs below 2500 for 1000 miles or so - it will be worth it in the long run.

 

BTW guys, I've got a large collection of cassette tapes. I personally recorded every one on a Nakamichi cassette recorder, using a Lynn Sondek turntable, Kisiki moving coil cartridge, and tube electronics. These tapes sound better than most CD's. Now, granted a well recorded DVD-A will blow them away, but don't just lump cassette's into the same category as 8 tracks. If you record them yourself, and use good equipment, they are quite adequate for use in a car.

 

Congrats and kudos! Greetings from the Land of Conspicuous Consumption. Most people living in this area feel like they've "made it" if they drive a Mercedes, BMW or Lexus. I traded in a Lexus GS w/ 5,000 miles for my TL and have never looked back.

IMO, this car can hang with cars costing almost $50k. I don't need a Mercedes, BMW or Lexus to make me feel special. They're all great cars, but for me they don't provide any additional satisfaction for the additional $$$. The TL is a great value for the money. Great decision!

 

I had a 2001 BMW 330i and I traded it in, after 3 years of problems I had it with BMW. Here's the list of problems:
1- cooling system
2- sunroof switch didn't work
3- computer failed, they said someone poured soda in to the computer and they didn't know how it got in and I had to pay $2800 to change
4- vent fan making noise
5- lower arm bushing worn out
6- brake noise

Seems like every 6 months something goes wrong, top it off the BMW dealers has the worst customer service. Trade in was the worse, I lost more then half the value after 3 years and I couldn't even try and sell it myself because tons of people are selling it too.

My 330 had the Dinan upgrade Stage 3 with throttle body, intake, exhaust and a bunch of other stuff, it had torque, but I think the TL will whip the 330 anyday.

 

One of my co-workers just returned his 1 yr old 300 series after the transmition blew on it. Has leased a TL and is very happy for it.