Hi Guys.... I'm obviously expecting a biased answer here lol but seriously considering trading in my 08 bimmer... There are no problems with the BMW at all, but my paranoia tells me maybe I should get rid of the car before warranty is up. I wanted to stick with something luxurious and RELIABLE. The car also had to be MANUAL. Acura almost nailed it on the head for me... the technology in the TL looks amazing. AWD is definitely a plus... I may be getting low balled ~ 18-19k for trade in, but insurance definitely drops. I want a car that I will be purchasing to KEEP... with minor maintenance, and great reliability. Chip in your thoughts.. thanks

 

You prefer the styling of the 11 or the 12+?

 

If you are looking to keep your car for a long time and not wanting to live in a state of paranoia then the TL is the way to go. Extremely reliable and the cost of the services you will incur are half the price of BMW's. I would highly recommend a 2012 over the 2011. The "beak" is greatly subdued which is more appealing to me at least.

 

thank you for your input. I am looking for '12 models now in 6MT. how about '12 vs '13 models? anything different there?

 

No difference in '12 versus '13 models to my knowledge.

 

Depends on the trim level. If you are going all out and looking for a SHAWD with a 6MT and the Advance package then there is a difference in the wheels between 2012 and 2013. I like the 2012 Advance's wheels better.

 

Gunnnnzzz, my experience is right up your alley. I turned in my leased 2007 335i with 6MT in May 2010 for a new TL SH-AWD 6MT. I originally planned on purchasing the BMW at the end of the lease, but oil consumption, and, especially, coolant consumption, made me think major engine work was in that car's future, after the warranty expired (ie BMW stated such consumption of coolant was "normal" at the time). The car had its original HPFP, but I did have a letter from BMW that stated they'd replace it for free as long as I had the car. During the 43,000 miles I drove it, one of the fuel injectors failed, and something had to be done to the brakes (I forgot what, specifically). I was told the piezoelectric fuel injector replacement would have cost $1100 if the car hadn't been under warranty. When the injector failed, the car went into 3-cylinder limp mode - not fun to drive, but I got great gas mileage on my way to the dealership...

There are still some things I miss about the BMW: Big, flat torque curve, auto dimming side mirrors, auto up/down windows on all four doors, auto-leveling bixenon headlights that moved with the steering wheel. The steering on that generation BMW also has a little better weight and road feel than the TL electro hydraulic system; but I have gotten accustomed to the TL 6MT's steering feel - it does have some feel of the road - I think it's a compromise for light effort (my understanding is the new BMWs' electric steering have heavier effort, but that seems to cover up any sense of road feel). Also, my insurance on the BMW was actually lower than the TL... Finally, the BMW gas mileage (rwd) was a few mpg better than the AWD TL.

The clutch/shifter is "different" between the two cars - I wouldn't say one is really "better" than the other. I read all this fuss about BMW's clutches being "progressive"; but I don't think the TL's clutch is particularly grabby - maybe a little less pedal travel than the 335; but, again, you get accustomed to it. I seemed to have compensated for the clutch delay valve and longer shifter throws in the BMW, which required me to take some time in getting accustomed to the TL.

Here's why I don't regret leaving BMW (in addition to reliability): The TL has more rear seat room for the kids. The TL puts its power down much, much better than the rwd open differential BMW (it should be a crime for BMW to sell such high torque engines with open diffs). In standard mode, it seemed the BMW traction control light would come on at the drop of a hat, kill power, etc.; and DSC mode would just allow you to light up the tire with the least traction. Even though the car had a ton of power, I didn't have a lot of confidence turning onto a busy highway on a damp morning....The TL, OTOH, puts the power when and where you need it, and even lets you oversteer a fair amount before the safety nannies kick in. IMHO, the SH-AWD does a fantastic job making up for fwd architecture with its weight distribution much less optimal than the BMW's. The TL's ELS sound system is the best of any OEM system I've ever owned - makes the Logic 7 sound "tinny" by comparison, and the Bose in the Maxima I had before that sound "muddy". For the same money as the lesser equipped 2007 BMW, the TL 6MT also came with navigation and the rear backup camera, which I now couldn't live without. The TL's tinted side mirrors are an OK compromise for saving on MSRP; but the lack of auto-up/down on the rear windows seems a little cheap... Auto-leveling bixenons would be nice on the TL, too; but I think they also compromised that to save profit margin, and possibly reliability, given it *is* more moving parts to fail for auto-leveling, articulating lenses, and a moving shutter to make them "bi". I also find the TL's seats to be more comfortable over the long haul than the BMW's sport package seats, although the thigh extenders were a nicety the TL doesn't have.

Bottom line: After almost 4-years of TL ownership, I miss the BMW less. If you go with the 2011 TL, there will no doubt be things you miss about your BMW, but there are plenty of "better" things than just reliability to give you sufficient rationale for the decision.

...and don't forget the TL has a real dipstick.

BTW, you can't get Advance package with 6MT - only technology package. Also, if you want a "color" vs. black, white, silver, or gray, you need to look at 2010 and 2011...If you want an interior color with 6MT other than black, you have to look at 2010 and 2011.