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It might be just me, but IMO that lower unpainted matte black plastic is an eyesore. It's essentially a fake diffuser but they aren't even trying. It really should at least be gloss black or body color.
It might be just me, but IMO that lower unpainted matte black plastic is an eyesore. It's essentially a fake diffuser but they aren't even trying. It really should at least be gloss black or body color.
Gloss wouldn’t work on a part that will get the lion’s share of dirt and scuffing. Matte makes more sense and should look less dated with time.
It might be just me, but IMO that lower unpainted matte black plastic is an eyesore. It's essentially a fake diffuser but they aren't even trying. It really should at least be gloss black or body color.
I’ve always seen it as an eye sore. The treatment looks really bad on the X-3 and incredibly cheap on the 5 series.
I am wondering if anyone has changed the exhausts in their new TLX? I think the 1st G A-SPEC had sick exhausts.
I guess you’re not aware that the external exhaust tip is part of the bumper assembly on the 1G. It is purely ornamental and not connected in anyway to the exhaust system.
I’ve always seen it as an eye sore. The treatment looks really bad on the X-3 and incredibly cheap on the 5 series.
Yeah beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Style evolution takes on different forums. Acura went from G3 to G4 to TLX-1 with no coherent sense of history or visual brand identity.
Others evolve & maintain a recognizable image so older cars are not immediately obsolete in their visuals. Its nice to see them pulling their act together with TLX-2 maintaining some commonality with the TLX-1 with some Germanic touches front & rear.
Outside of the 2013 135is these were my last 3 from 2011. The red is a stock picture mine was space gray a darker silver.
Just a small black area on the bumper. Thought I would add why the TypeS was never really a factor. It's remembered performance image is stronger than the reality. Be interesting to see how the new 2121 Type S would have done in 2011.
2011 BMW 335IS
C/D TEST RESULTS:
Displacement: 182 cu in, 2979 cc
Power: 320 bhp @ 5900 rpm
Torque: 370 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual
Zero to 60 mph: 4.6 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 11.4 sec
Zero to 140 mph: 25.7 sec
Street start, 5-60 mph: 5.0 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 13.3 sec @ 108 mph C&D 2011 BMW 335is
2014 435 matt black on black has grown to go side to side.
2018 Matt Black on Mineral Gray. The 2121 has evolved from that like it or not its still a recognizable design cue covering 3 generations E,F & G.
Here's a snapshot of underneath the exhausts from SG's video review. Notice the tiny pipe after each muffler. How could this be improved?
Don't think there would be any point. Most important part of the exhaust is upstream at the engine. You would need piping from the manifolds back through the cats to make a difference other than sound.
This is a spare stock BMW muffler & the inlet is the same size as the outlets. Will support over 400whp. When I was still active at the strip it was cut open & the packing & some baffles removed as an experiment. Great sound but no material increase in performance.
Device on the pipe is a valve that opens & closes to regulate the sound in stock applications. Most of us lock it open through a software hack to keep it open. Z4 has the same deal & its open all the time
This is the muffler on the 440 performance pack. A bit fancier that the stock version
Last edited by BEAR-AvHistory; 12-31-2020 at 01:18 PM.
I guess you’re not aware that the external exhaust tip is part of the bumper assembly on the 1G. It is purely ornamental and not connected in anyway to the exhaust system.
100% i know that! But it just looks good. I find Acura cheaped out by having the same exhausts tips for A-SPEC and non A-SPEC models.
Curious: People lost their minds on Azine when the old Mazdaspeed6 and Lexus IS-F went this direction on exhaust tips. Seems like when Audi joined them, they then let bygones be bygones.
But I agree; seems like an indication of cost cutting for the A-Spec to have the same exhaust system/tips as every other 2.0T trim. It's those small things that causes me to wonder where else they may have 'cut corners'.
Curious: People lost their minds on Azine when the old Mazdaspeed6 and Lexus IS-F went this direction on exhaust tips. Seems like when Audi joined them, they then let bygones be bygones.
I think it's because ... if someone tags your bumper (or the wife backs-into a low curb) it doesn't wreck your exhaust-system. Anyway, what we see now-days are "bumper covers" ... very expensive, color-matched, bumper covers.
Another advantage is that it frees the outer body designers from the constraints of power-train engineers.
The more I see of these on the road, the more ... I actually don't like the styling of them. I dunno, I think the proportions just look "off" to me. It's like a chick with huge tits and a concave ass .... just, weird.
I guess we'll see when the Type-S comes out, but it's not so much the design, but the proportions.
I love the front view and front angle view, side view is OK, back end I just don’t like it. Then they likely won’t get my business for a multitude of reasons, starting with the decontented Type-S, then with the pandemic it now looks like I will be WFH on going this in 2.5 years my 2019 ASPEC has 13K miles so not sure I need anything other than a local errand driver car. Wife is eying the new MDX so we may do the MDX and then I am thinking a small EV for around town errands.
Thought the ones on the Z4 were fake as they had the rectangle outlets instead of the traditional round ones. Turns out they are part of the exhaust system & part 18 what you actually see comes in a few different flavors & colors. Pricey, the base which I have are $73 each to replace. Carbon fiber requires a mortgage.
Since they are basically non functional just trim rings don't think it matters much if they are part of the exhaust or part of the bumper unless you want to change them. They look good in both cases although the old fart in me still likes the traditional round outlets.
I actually drove a 21 TLX A-Spec a couple of days ago and it was good test drive. I was surprised like a lot of people that they didn't make a model with 300hp (This Infiniti Q50 on the highway let me know quickly, fall back ). I think this car needs that much to feel really good and confident, Just IMO. Interior was similar to my 16 Maxima just smaller in the back, but at this point I'm cool with a 4 door 2 seater. Driver seat felt less snug than the Max, Infotainment scree could be closer or bigger. I wish I would had drove an Advance model just to see what the suspension felt like but it was still cool. I think if you are cool with 270hp, its a nice car. Overpriced? yes but you can feel the difference in quality from the previous model. If they want to reach those sales numbers, they are going to have to give out some serious incentives. Types-S Should feel great, we'll see.
Respectfully, DISAGREE/100%; I LOVE my new ASPEC; its everything I'd hoped for, & more; dollar for dollar, it's the best vehicle on the radar; IMHO
After 7 previous Acura's, they hit a HOME RUN!
Can't complain about anything; I'm 69 years young, & don't need 355HP
In NYC, where are you going to use it? lol
Power side mirrors, & a heated steering wheel, would be nice
I have a heated garage, so they aren't imperative
Anyway, LOVE my TLX; GREAT daily driver
If I could only get the ELS Demo USB/5,1 Stick;(been waiting over 5 weeks; dealer is seriously trying)
Miss my Surround music, & have no clue how to transfer to USB
Here's a snapshot of underneath the exhausts from SG's video review. Notice the tiny pipe after each muffler. How could this be improved?
Pretty sure it does not need "improvement". They put a lot of engineering into the intake & exhaust systems. You might see a change the sound but don't believe you will see any performance or mileage improvement by going with a larger diameter pipe. Thing a lot of guys don't realize is pipes that are to big are just as bad as pipes that are too small because the diameter of the pipe effects the velocity of the exhaust flow.
General info not pure by car info.
Mine is rated at 382BHP. Guys have dynoed pure stock Z4 & Supra's (same BMW engine) at 399/400 at the wheels so actual crank horsepower is unknown.
Good review. Think a lot of the guys will see the same thing. My "not like very much" thing is the push button shifter. Stick does a lot more & it very institutive. Second issue is the Touch Pad. IMHO about the worse way you can go. One of the best inside features are the buttons. I use mine almost as much as the touch screen or mouse.
There's clearly a strong positive consensus on it's driving dynamics and the powertrain is generally well received as is the design's general execution. Maybe some tweaks with the 2.5G will remedy a couple of its shortcomings, which are minimal IMHO.
Traction control can’t be defeated w/o pulling wires...
They pulled the fuses. Not something I would do. I have two levels of shut down through a console button (1.push button 2.push & hold button for 10 seconds) I never no matter what I am doing go to level 2. Learned as I managed to put one of BMW's cars into the dirt at BMWPCD with both levels shut down. My daughter turned in a better time for the first time. At a regular performance driving school won 2 out of three timed events at driver school. Lost the third event & a clean sweep showing off when I blew the wet track Rat Race on the last turn. Turned a sure win to the first loser (2nd place) by inches. Look the final turn in 8 lap race too fast with the system shut down & did a really cool unintentional donut.
I drive at level one, first button push, on the street & with full nanny on when its wet or very cold
A little off topic. Just of an example of good marketing. Almost every year something shows up from BMW. Could be a copy of an original body design sketch of the car I bought, driving school invitation, pen & pencils sets, key fobs, shirts, ect. Just got this:
A little off topic. Just of an example of good marketing. Almost every year something shows up from BMW. Could be a copy of an original body design sketch of the car I bought, driving school invitation, pen & pencils sets, key fobs, shirts, ect. Just got this:
That's a nice perk! When I was with Benz, they didn't do anything like that. You had to pay a nominal fee to be part of a Benz club to receive notice of monthly events and a magazine. With Audi, the magazine was free and it was pretty HQ. I've never received anything like that from Acura as an owner. They could really use a magazine to foment anticipation and sales.
I've asked for a key chain in the past from Acura and never gotten one. These little things shouldn't be too hard with some effort!
Ok, so I'm not crazy. Even the guys at TH think the proportions are weird. It makes the car look way longer than it actually is.
Weird is relative. I've leased Acuras for less than 3 yrs and would have never considered the TLX if it looked like Gen1. There were some reviews that hit the mark when they said Acura accomplished "rear-wheel drive bias" look in a front-wheel drive-biased car. This makes the car look sportier and closer to the German competition they believe they are a part of. If you preferred the look of Gen1, you probably have to stick to the Honda lineup since Acura is trying to pull away from that connection.
By the way, as you can see by the dimensions in the pic below, the latest TLX is long and exterior dimensions are right up there with the next class up (5 series, A6, and E Class).
For me the main competitor to the 21 TLX was Lexus. Many of the online reviewers have directly compared it to the '21 IS and I personally compared it to that in terms of cross-shopping, as well as the ES. ES with comparable options to the TLX is more expensive, but not by much. Extremely refined V6. I think it's an inch or 2 longer and has a better back seat. For me personally it just seemed somewhat frumpy and dated compared to the TLX 2 - even in the F Sport trim. IS was a stronger competitor at least for me personally. Love how it looks - gorgeous car. I prefer a smaller car as well. But for value and fuel economy it comes up short and although Lexus made a token effort to update the infotainment it still seems dated compared to the TLX 2. In 5 years, who knows, I could very well end up in an IS; hopefully Lexus doesn't kill it. As for sales - so far here in the Chicago area the TLX's definitely don't seem to be moving, the lone F Sport ES 350 in stock in blue at my preferred Lexus dealership has been sitting on the lot for 3 months, and the local Lexus dealerships in general seem to be only stocking a few of the '21 IS's - so hard to judge - but if they were anticipated to fly off lots the dealerships sure haven't been heavily stocking the thing. Special ordering seems to be the way to go with the '21 IS. As I have mentioned in other posts, the idea of special-ordering a car to get it in the right color/options combination just goes against my personal grain way too far.
That's a nice perk! When I was with Benz, they didn't do anything like that. You had to pay a nominal fee to be part of a Benz club to receive notice of monthly events and a magazine. With Audi, the magazine was free and it was pretty HQ. I've never received anything like that from Acura as an owner. They could really use a magazine to foment anticipation and sales.
I've asked for a key chain in the past from Acura and never gotten one. These little things shouldn't be too hard with some effort!
Although the goodies come from BMW & BMWFS the BMW Car Club has a lot of great features.
The BMWCCA is fee based around $40 a year. What it gives back is $500 to $1500 check when you buy a new BMW. This is outside of the system & not part of the selling price you apply after you buy or lease the car, Discounts on any item or service at the dealer, HPDS, Monthly magazine about twice the page count of C&D, national championship members racing series in a number of classes. My local chapter the Tarheel also does a monthly magazine.
Tarheel race.
Tarheel Club Race. Club has produced a number of national champions who are also instructors at our VIR driving schools Think only Miata has more cars running nationally & Porsche Club is the third major player.
For me the main competitor to the 21 TLX was Lexus. Many of the online reviewers have directly compared it to the '21 IS and I personally compared it to that in terms of cross-shopping, as well as the ES. ES with comparable options to the TLX is more expensive, but not by much. Extremely refined V6. I think it's an inch or 2 longer and has a better back seat. For me personally it just seemed somewhat frumpy and dated compared to the TLX 2 - even in the F Sport trim. IS was a stronger competitor at least for me personally. Love how it looks - gorgeous car. I prefer a smaller car as well. But for value and fuel economy it comes up short and although Lexus made a token effort to update the infotainment it still seems dated compared to the TLX 2. In 5 years, who knows, I could very well end up in an IS; hopefully Lexus doesn't kill it. As for sales - so far here in the Chicago area the TLX's definitely don't seem to be moving, the lone F Sport ES 350 in stock in blue at my preferred Lexus dealership has been sitting on the lot for 3 months, and the local Lexus dealerships in general seem to be only stocking a few of the '21 IS's - so hard to judge - but if they were anticipated to fly off lots the dealerships sure haven't been heavily stocking the thing. Special ordering seems to be the way to go with the '21 IS. As I have mentioned in other posts, the idea of special-ordering a car to get it in the right color/options combination just goes against my personal grain way too far.
Yeah that is a tossup as far as opinion. The realities of the market say dealers will stock versions that will move the fastest. They generally order bland non-offensive cars to put on the lot. Its nice to have a manufacturing system that lets you order exactly what you want without much or any compromise. Of the cars I bought since 2004 only my current one came off the dealers lot. It was in the same trim I would have ordered. Its a low volume 2 seater, not exclusive just low demand for two seat cars, geared toward performance enthuses so dealers typically order them that way. Had the choice of 3 cars all the same at two dealers.
Yeah that is a tossup as far as opinion. The realities of the market say dealers will stock versions that will move the fastest. They generally order bland non-offensive cars to put on the lot. Its nice to have a manufacturing system that lets you order exactly what you want without much or any compromise. Of the cars I bought since 2004 only my current one came off the dealers lot. It was in the same trim I would have ordered. Its a low volume 2 seater, not exclusive just low demand for two seat cars, geared toward performance enthuses so dealers typically order them that way. Had the choice of 3 cars all the same at two dealers.
I envy your patience! I always say to myself next time I'll be patient and special order, and I never actually do. Current vehicle - fortunately - is pretty much exactly the way I wanted it, right off the lot.
1. I always say to myself next time I'll be patient and special order, and I never actually do.
2. Current vehicle - fortunately - is pretty much exactly the way I wanted it, right off the lot.
1. Same here. Well, did special-order the wife's old 2014-MDX Tech/SH-AWD back in 2013.
2. Same here. Dealer had both Audi vehicles on the lot. Really, could not have built them better myself. Refreshing to find a car-dealer that knew enough to have these spec-cars built the right way. In the proper colors we wanted is just luck/timing I think.
Brake pedal and feel seemed fine to me also. Brakes worked fine I thought.
Thinking back on this, I actually did notice that the brake pedal felt more linear, which might feel odd to some folks. In a lot of other cars (including the 1G), you don't actually get any braking force or pedal resistance until your foot is deep into the pedal. Lets say your foot is already 30% of the way into the pedal travel before you get some pedal pressure and the car feels like it's slowing down. With the 2G, I felt like the car started braking much sooner, maybe 10% of the way into the pedal travel, which would mean you get to spread the braking across a larger portion of the pedal travel. In that sense, I suppose it could give the sensation that you have to press harder and deeper to get the car to stop because you start feeling resistance earlier, even though the actual amount of pedal travel is the same.
Thinking back on this, I actually did notice that the brake pedal felt more linear, which might feel odd to some folks. In a lot of other cars (including the 1G), you don't actually get any braking force or pedal resistance until your foot is deep into the pedal. Lets say your foot is already 30% of the way into the pedal travel before you get some pedal pressure and the car feels like it's slowing down. With the 2G, I felt like the car started braking much sooner, maybe 10% of the way into the pedal travel, which would mean you get to spread the braking across a larger portion of the pedal travel. In that sense, I suppose it could give the sensation that you have to press harder and deeper to get the car to stop because you start feeling resistance earlier, even though the actual amount of pedal travel is the same.
Did anyone else have a similar experience?
Agreed, and that's a spot-on description of the way the brakes feel.
Curious: People lost their minds on Azine when the old Mazdaspeed6 and Lexus IS-F went this direction on exhaust tips. Seems like when Audi joined them, they then let bygones be bygones.
But I agree; seems like an indication of cost cutting for the A-Spec to have the same exhaust system/tips as every other 2.0T trim. It's those small things that causes me to wonder where else they may have 'cut corners'.
They cut corners under the hood with lack of plastic coverings, rear deck shelf hard plastic, rear seat backs hard plastic, trunk area no carpet under rear deck,no felt lined glove box, no wood or metal trim or ambient lighting on rear doors, which my 4G TL all had except the ambient lighting. I guess they had to cut somewhere to improve over the lackluster 1G TLX, but why cake we have the full package especially when they are trying to crawl back in the game.
12-31-2020, 06:23 AM
