How funny that lakeman would just post the same sort of review. For my trip, I had a Gs430 and a G35 auto along.

1. I replaced the tires with very HP Goodyear F1s and I no longer have much gripe with overboosted steering. It's as good as fwd gets and hardly lighter than my 330i.

2. Lower the suspension, I don't think so. I nailed the nose a half dozen times coming out of driveways.

3. After a few hundred enthusiastic miles, the clutch engagement lifts off the floor to just about the right height.

4. Don't trust the car to parking valets. I'm certain that one took my car on a "road test." All the valets drooled on it.

5. The brakes were great.

6. It's a great "luxury sport" car. It is way quieter and rides way better than the G35, besides having a far better driver's compartment and it's at least as quiet and comfortable as the $57K Lexus, with better seats, better handling and less jerky throttle tip in..

6. It's different, a revver, but ran right with the GS and G at any speed.

7. The throttle is not mapped nearly as aggressively as the G or GS. It is as fast. These were public roads in the LA hills so we couldn't go over 90 but the three cars were a dead heat with different strong power ranges.

8. The G was Jekyll and Hyde, really unstable in the wet but great up to 8/10ths dry. The GS430 understeered and body rolled too much. The TL was as good as the G up to 8/10ths.

9. Above 8/10ths, I would rather drive the TL as it just gets harder to push as it understeers. The G becomes unstable.

10. None of these three cars , in any way comes close to the 330i as a pure handler.

11. For virtually any trip, freeway or a run through the sierras, I would choose the TL. The only exception being an ocassional more aggressive jaunt in the 330i.

 

Tire question: Do your new Goodyear F1 (GSD3, I assume) have the flat-spotting problem like the stock Bridgestone EL42 tires? Researching their construction, I see they also contain some nylon. Nylon is frequently mentioned as the root of the flat spotting problem in tires. How are the Goodyears for noise and ride harshness compared to stock?

I think even the Bridgestones wouldn't exhibit the problem (much) if driven daily or more. The Goodyear's are on my list of possible replacements if I go with summer tires, along with Toyo Proxes T1-S (also contain nylon). If I go with all-seasons, the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, and Pirelli P Zero Nero are possibilities. Neither of these mention nylon in their construction.

 

I have Pilot Sports on my 330i and I really like them. I thought long and hard about the Neros. I finally chose the F1s based upon the Tirerack reviews rating them best for traction, wet or dry, noise and ride. I've had S03s and didn't like the rramlining or noise. Even after getting the F1s, I agonized over the Neros.

Yes, they are noisier and harsher than stock. But after 700 miles with lots of slab freeway, I have felt no vibrations and the noise level and ride in the car are still excellent. On a rough road, you hear tires but not as bad as many and still better than my limit. And, boy do they improve the steering and cornering stability, None of the unstable hunting felt with the stockers.

 

Very interesting on the tires change, particularly the impact on steering feel. Did you change the size at all? Have you got 17" rims?

 

Stock size and 17s. I'm not a fan of 18s, noise, cost, ride. The better tires made a 200% difference in steering fel and accuracy. The stockers were very vague and the HPT 030s are not good.

 

I couldn't agree more on the stock tires. They are very limited at high speeds and its a very uneasy feeling - I also think they are contributing to the road/feel vibration issue. Well, your information is greatly appreciated. I have snow to contend with and I don't want to switch tires all the time; I will have to do my research.

 

what do you consider high speeds?

 

Everybody I talk to about the PZero Neros is high on them, as is Tirerack. Even though I live in a land where it snows every 30 or so years I damn near got them.

 

Well, anything over 120 km/h is high in my view. Under safe conditions, I've had the car up near its top speed. I have a 5AT. It is very, very skiddish at that speed. (with stock tires)

 

I pushed the stockers into a weird hunting sensation at 60 in back to back sweepers. It was like I had to keep steering to stay on line and would rebound from any change.

 

The "hunting sensation" is a good description when they are pushed. At very high speeds, its like you're almost separated from the road...very dissapointing. From the posts, I've drawn some consolation that its not the car. But I'm not happy. This is my third TL and I've owned Honda's since '85. There will be some discussion with Acura tomorrow.

 

The tires fixed it.

 

partagas, nice write up

I totally agree with your assessment, but I didn't have other cars readily available to compare - except from memory.

1) I feel the 030's give pretty good grip, but did not do much to reduce the over-boosted feel. Eventually, I would like to switch to the F1's in a 245 width to see if that helps.

2,5,6) very much agree

9) and 10) these are some key points for anyone considering the G, 330, and TL. Since I rarely drive over 8/10ths, and want a predictable car should I go over that, that makes the TL the best choice for me.

partagas, one more thought. How do you think the TL (if it has at least HPT or better rubber) will fare in a side-by-side comparison test. IMHO, I think it could surprise a lot of testers. Considering value, I think it could take most of the competition.

 

Its numbers will work. Acceleration, even slalom speeds but the C&D people will continue to slaughter the fwd and the heavy nose when tossing it from turn to turn. Probably the same a s last time. So, BMW #1, Audi #2, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the TL beat the G35 again because of the G's noise, rotten ride, rotten driver compartment and unpredictable tail. This is the same thing that happened with the last TL at both C&D and Edmunds.

R&T and Motor Trend chase fads too much to be credible.

 

hmm that's 75mph. On a 3-4 hour highway drive, my average speed was about 85, sometimes higher, and the car felt totally solid every step of the way. on a deserted, straight highway i took my hands off the wheel for a minute or so to test and the car tracked straight on, again very solid.

 

Nice write-up Partagas...you've provided some insightful details on comparisons to the TL - especially your 330i which I also looked at when car shopping.

Thanks for all your insight as I greatly appreciate it on this board, along with everyone else's insight/opinion.