belcom

iTrader: (1)

Been a while for me and I have not visited the forum for quite some time. Still have my 2001 CL-S and recently got an MDX for my wife to drive our newborn daughter around. Love the MDX. It's a really nice car. I can really relax and enjoy the ride in it. It's not too powerfull so when I drive it I just chill basically.

Anyways... the time has come and I am in a position to replace the CL. I am going to go see a black 09 TL SH-AWD TECH on umber interior tomorrow but I have to make a decision tomorrow pretty much. Has 60kms on it and apparently in mint condition. They're asking $28k CDN for it with extended warranty till 160k. I can only finance this thing and don't want to get into leases and all that crap.

On the other hand before I started looking at TLs I was also looking at BMW 335xi coupe. Which is also a very nice car. And like everyone says, it is a drivers car. So the handling, power and everything else is just super. I had a chance to play around with my buddy's 08 M3 and it was pretty awesome. and there is actually one available now for the same $28k with all the bells and whistles and same mileage but its RWD. what is great is that it is 6spd as well. But one negative is that there is no extended warranty.

Anyway, maybe there is someone here who drove both and can comment on how they compare. I understand this is an Acura TL forum but nonetheless we all like our cars and are enthusiats. I need a non-biased opinion here. Should I get a TL and be happy with it or a beamer and really enjoy that one.

JM2010 SH-AWD

If you haven't driven the TL AWD, I think you'll be surprised at the competence of the handling. Because you're looking at an '09 it must be an auto, which I do think takes a bit of the driving experience away compared to the 6MT (which started with the '10 model year).

I would not buy a used BMW without an extended warranty, especially the earlier model 335s or 535s. Just google "BMW high pressure fuel pump," and I think you'll see what I mean.

When I bought my car, I was initially attracted to the 335 coupe because of the styling. Once I researched further and saw the price/car ratio, I turned more towards the 535. Once I drove that and learned more about HPFP issues, I ran towards the Infiniti G and Acura TL. I have not looked back once.

Good luck.

Paprides

Both are great cars to drive.
But to own?
"Unplanned maintenance," for the BMW may outweigh any of the performance benefits, either real or perceived.

MoAbbas

+1000000 ^^^^^^

i basically did the same thing. 2009 335xi with navi and decent color combo, was around 33k pre owned with warranty. i got my 2009 tl sh-awd tech PMM with ebony interior, for 26.5k with gap and ttl at 2.9%apr. it had 35k miles on it, and i got the extended warranty and tire/rim package for 28.5k total. the commercials are on point when they say aggressiveness in its most elegant form.

CerberusKy

iTrader: (1)

My father just traded his 330 in, and was thrilled to get rid of it. I have driven the car a bunch and it is a nice car, handles great, good ride. I'll take the TL SH-AWD over it any day. The maintenance costs were killing him.

saturno_v

Tough choice, it all depends....the BMW will be definitely more fun to drive with the stick compared to the 5AT TL SH-AWD and it will blast away the TL in acceleration....if you could get a warranty on the 335 I would definitely go for the Bimmer for the fun factor and power/weight ratio....it is definitely more the driver car between the two, but you will give up some comfort compared the the TL....

g37guy01

The 335 is a blast, and as others have said you need that warranty. However, in all fairness I wouldn't get the Acura without the warranty either.

boss2k

I have both cars and you just cant compare as they are different vehicles. Its true that BMW is more expensive to maintain but the 335 is a blast to drive and handling is way better than a TL.

However overall TL is very smooth and comfortable to drive and a great car , i enjoy my BMW more because its a stick shift.

JM2010 SH-AWD

I think you'd find the handling much closer (with some giving the edge to the TL) in the case of the SH-AWD model.

gibbyisgibby

For sure get the 335i. Im trying to sell my TL right now with absolutely no luck... my next car will be a n54 335i e92 or 93.

You can get an additional 80whp by chipping it. 400whp is easy in that car.

docboy

Same experience here. 3 years ago, I was initially set on the 335xi 6MT.

I was about to order one from the dealer, and then I heard about the HPFP issues, and it scared me away. I could have settled for the 328xi, but the base engine didn't excite me. The 5 series I felt back then was too much money for too little car.

The A4 is a good choice and per CR has had decent reliablity, but then I heard about the front suspension issues the 09+ models were having; plus I thought the 2.0T engine was abit underwhelming considering a $45k loaded prestige model. The S4 and the TL-6MT have comparable performance, but I didn't want to shell out $55k back then and also scared away by the S4s water pump issues.

Hence the TL 6MT, IMHO a good bang for your buck considering its size, comfort, and Acura reliability.

To be honest though, if the 335xi didn't have HPFP issues back then, I would have probably bought that vehicle instead of the TL.

boss2k

How does it matter if 335 has HPFP issues as it backed by a 10yr/ 120k mile warranty from BMW.

docboy

Back in 2009, BMW did not grant the HPFP a 10yyr/120k mile warranty. It wasn't until recently (2011?) BMW was scrutinized by the government, BMW finally caved in and issued a recall on the HPFP, and upped the warranty on the HPFP.

I spend a good deal of time commuting between home and my office. Lost time = lost productivity, and I don't have the patience or the inclination to get to know the service adviser.

g37guy01

I always get to know my service advisor by tipping them nicely. You never know when you will need them.

The op should get the appropriate car. But make sure your bases are covered no matter which side of the pond the car comes from.

Booya4139

Will you be owning either car out of warranty? That should answer your question rather quickly...

012TL-GLM

The 335xi is no where near the car the TL SH-AWD is. BMW's AWD is horrible in comparison and I wouldn't waste any money on it. If you're going BMW, stick to the 335i. I had a 335xi for a few days (auto) and there was nothing I liked about that car. It was too small, the seats sucked, the road noise was terrible, and the acceleration was not *as advertised*; by my butt dyno anyway...

If you've got passengers they'll thank you for getting the TL after getting in the backseat of a 335

If reliability was there I'd have considered the 335i for driver enjoyment, however as soon as my better half and the daughter got in it the choice was clear.

I drove a 535x for a few days as well, and honestly didn't think it was much better as far as comfort and size.

If the new GS 350 had been available when I picked up my TL it would have been a tough decision which to choose, that said, I love my TL and have never regretted the choice

belcom

iTrader: (1)

Well... didn't take me long to think. I got the 09 TL SH-AWD TECH black on umber with 66kms with extended power train warranty. Overall in perfect condition. Can't wait to pick it up. I never drove one before but just having 5 minute alone time with it did the trick. This would be the nicest car I owned so far. Would love a new one but $800 a month lease payments would be little over my budget.

ucf_bronco

iTrader: (1)

Great choice! I'm sure you won't regret it.

MoAbbas

One of us.....One of us.... One of us....:gheywave:

Pseudomaniac

iTrader: (1)

Wilkomen; and good choice.

Only 3.35 I'd consider would be a hard-top convertible coupe, just because the genre has so few appealing performance models that aren't M3 dollars - and it would be a toy; I'd never trust it for a daily.

Omu

Smart move on TL! Congrats!

I've recently have changed from 2002 BMW e46 330i Sedan (modded w/ catback exhaust, lowered w/ spring, double din stereo, .. etc) to 2012 TL Elite (Advance) (2 weeks ago). I still do miss and love my 330i. My car has been served me well up to 154000km.

If you have the time for DIY and put time & "love my ride" heart, definitely a car to keep. You will go thru most of issues that are identical to same year/model, and similar mileage like other BMW owners do.

My reasons for the change to Acura were simple. Reliability and best bang for the value (Tech package, AWD, roomier backseat, cockpit style driver's side dash, ELS system.. etc).

veges

I just bought a 09 TL/W Tech over a 525i , main reason is the reliability issue between BMW and Acura.