downtown

I was closing in on my 6mt Anthracite/Ebony (non-nav)) for around 31K, and now the BMW dealer offered me an '05 330 Sport/Premium 6mt for 34k, and I think I can get them lower.

Acura
- pros - Lower maint, love interior, size, bluetooth, stereo
- cons - fwd, many outthere, fwd

BMW
- pros - most balanced, awesome handler, driver, period. Not as common in w/ this package, and look sharp.
- cons - maint, cost...BUT would have same 4 year warranty.

What now?

rets

Yes, BMW is BMW, but I'll get '06. IMHO.

downtown

Yeah, but you'd have to pay for it. I dunno, I thought if I can get close to Acura price, I should consider it.

ndx2

haha that's some dilemma you got there.

i ruled out bmw loooong ago, as i only like high-end models for their performance & elegance. plus, i don't like the image of 20 year old kid driving a bimmer.

go with whatever better suits your lifestyle & location. i wouldn't get an rwd daily driver where i live... (michigan, where it's actually snowing right now).

you can't go wrong with those two cars... both have awesome engine, 6MT, and style.

good luck with your decision

MR1

Is that a lease or purchase? Is that the same as the 04 or the new soon to be delivered one?

If it's like the 04, BMW is clearing out the old to bring in the new. How does that make you feel? Can you live with the one that will be instantly dated?
Might want to do some research on the new one.

Both nice cars, depends on what your wants/needs are.

subinf

I see way more BMW's than TL's on the road, probably 15-1 or 20-1 sighting...and yes that is only for the 330's.

downtown

Not the sport/premium w/ big wheels.

Big difference between base and sport loaded model.

downtown

Yes, same as '04.

BMW's IMO have done well over time (date/style, etc.) And this model still finishes at the top in terms of overall driver.

I don't buy cars every few years, I drive them into the ground. No, this car isn't an appliance, but it could be a classic for years.

Don't get me wrong, I love the Acura. It's a tough decision for me.

TLyoung'un

Wow 34k and possibly lower? Freakin hard decision....

ASPEC05

I second the guy who said that the 330i is more more than the TL. BTW you cant beat the look of the TL. I had my fair share with BMWs. I had a 02 540, 98 M3, and currently have a 05 530i. Go with the TL and u will not regret it. Screw rear wheel drive. Did u ever try to drive in the rain or worse in the snow? OMG its so hard

ayethetiense

new 3 series comes out soon. thats why your getting such a good deal/desperate salesman

keep that in mind

A-TLvic882

Drive TL & BMW ----- you'll see & let us know, what you have.

mickey3c

Demographic is big factor when looking at TLs on the road. If you live on the west coast, it appears that the BMW is a more popular car. If you live in NJ however, it seems that every 6th person has one. Alot also depends on where you are in your life. If you live in a area of expensive homes, then you probably find fewer TLs and more BMW/MB/Caddies. This is not to say that the TL is not a worthy car, it is just that some people are playing keep up with the jones' game.

downtown

That's why I'm considering it. I don't mind having this older model.

downtown

Driven both many times.

Interior of Acura blows away near anything south of 45K in my opinion.

But it doesn't drive like a BMW.

The best way to explain it is like this...

In straight line acceleration, boy, the Acura is tough to beat. But start turning the wheels, and you see the immediate difference in these cars. You can continue to accelerate into or out of turns w/ the same (TL straight line) excitement in the BMW. If you go over bumps, the car still holds. In fact you can accelerate through bumps on the road. The car hugs and stays on the ground. In yet it's still comfortable (something the Germans still do best).

Remember, I'm talking about the 330i sport, not the base model (GIGANTIC DIFFERENCE...TL blows away all other models IMO, until you add the Sport, ZHP, & Premium.).

In everyday driving the TL wins (IMO) - mostly due to interior reasons. But, at this price, I need to consider both options.

carguyrob

If you run cars into the ground, it isn't the first 4 years that will kill you on maintenance, it is the second 4 (or 6 years).

My brother had a '97 BMW 540i that he just sold last year with 92K miles on it. That car was the family standing joke. He would send me monthly e-mail updates on all the things that were broken on the car. He usually had one to two power windows that didn't work, cup holder that were broken off, tail lights burned out, etc...and those were the minor things. He was on his third alternator at the end of his 7 year stint. In total, the car left him stranded 5 times in 7 years.

At trade in, his list had 11 items on it there broken or didn't work. I couldn't live with that sort of (lack of) reliability...and I also strong considered the 330i before buying my TL.

cM3go

um... isn't the new 330 out already? the other models are still the older design, but the 330 is the new design.. check BMWs site..

mickey3c

each car maker has its good points and bad.. My acura has left me stranded before. Some people I know have owned BMWs for years with no complaints. All relative I guess... German cars are pricy to fix, but labor rates on many jap makes are up to 90/hour now. It is all relative.

There are so many vendors providing parts to the automakers and each one is pushed to provide a lower cost product. In the end the overall reliability suffers.

downtown

We'll stated. I recall you also being a G35 owner (which I understand are very reliable).

I'm of the same opinion you are on this. I'm still leaning toward TL, unless they tempt me even more.