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I don’t think any car in it’s class looks better than the 2nd Gen TLX, especially Type S. Acura may have left a lot on the table in regards to performance but it’s the best looking of the bunch. Love my Type S except the fact I’ve already curbed my rims twice. 😂
Glad you are happy with your car. I agree that the M340 is overpriced. And even loaded up it does not offer all the features of many other cars in its class.
M340i doesn't have fog lights and has cerium gray colored grill, mirror caps and lower bumper trim.
Other differences are the blue or red calipers, non circle exhaust tips and misc other items.
Base trim has fogs, circle exhaust tips, body colored mirror caps and misc other items.
It's the same with the A-spec vs Type-s. They look very similar till you spot the differences as I mentioned above. (exhaust tips, fogs ect)
There is no need to go to such equipment level details to differential a base trim, an A-spec trim,, and a Type-S trim Acuras. The presence or the absence of the eye-catching "A-spec" or "Type-S" emblems located on all 4 sides of the vehicle tells all.
There is no need to go to such equipment level details to differential a base trim, an A-spec trim,, and a Type-S trim Acuras. The presence or the absence of the eye-catching "A-spec" or "Type-S" emblems located on all 4 sides of the vehicle tells all.
Ah yes! How did I forget that the TLX-S and TLX A-spec wear their MANY badges proudly. Thank you
There is no need to go to such equipment level details to differential a base trim, an A-spec trim,, and a Type-S trim Acuras. The presence or the absence of the eye-catching "A-spec" or "Type-S" emblems located on all 4 sides of the vehicle tells all.
On the M340 no extra labels. Its a mid level car all of which have the model on the right side of the trunk. Single M340 or M340IX on the trunk. It is designated an M340i to show its an M-Sport version. M-Sports have some M parts but are not M cars. Non-M-Sport just have numbers like 330i. M-Sport cars delivered in non USA markets may have a ///M logo on the front fenders but no grill label.
That said if some one glanced at the M-Sport M340I they would see every opening on the front is functional. No plastic panels that simulate real ducts. Wheel air curtains on both sides. brake cooling ducts both sides, oil cooler right side, secondary coolant radiator left side, intercooler heat exchanger lower center, main coolant with shutters mid center, engine air intake top center. Solid air management package that is really hard to miss.
That said I don't think many people know one BMW from the next. The M might ring its a fast one bell in a few. As for the TLX labels they will have no significance to anyone outside of the Honda group. Car A has an Aspec car B has a Type-S so what, who knows what the acronyms mean.
Traditionally BMW only uses grill labels on full M series cars built by BMW M GmbH. Started that way with the first production M series cars in 1972. Not all have the M grill badge but all will have the trunk badge. Some also have side badges built into engine compartment heat exhaust vents.
BMW M GmbH, formerly known as BMW Motorsport GmbH, is a subsidiary of BMW AG that manufactures high-performance cars. It was initially created to facilitate BMW's racing program, which was very successful in the 1960s and 1970s.
Last edited by BEAR-AvHistory; 12-28-2021 at 09:09 PM.
LOL for one nobody , absolutely nobody pays 71k for an M340. Second You can order performance parts to make it look as aggressive as you want. Unlike the TLX trying to look fast but isn’t the M340 is fast and you can make it look just as aggressive. I realize this is an Acura fan page but the reality is if price being equal nobody into cars is picking that all show TLX. FYI I paid under 60K for mine. I wouldn’t say the TLX looks 10x better than the M Performance 340i.
I guess the TLX is Acura's version of the Celica with the TRD Action Package. I remember they even had a whole marketing campaign with the tagline "Looks Fast."
That said I don't think many people know one BMW from the next. The M might ring its a fast one bell in a few. As for the TLX labels they will have no significance to anyone outside of the Honda group. Car A has an Aspec car B has a Type-S so what, who knows what the acronyms mean.
I guess this holds true for BMW;s too, as who knows what the M number designation means.
There has always been the M3 all right. But here comes a new M340i designation.
Umm. The number '340' is a higher number than '3'. So BMW-outsiders will inevitably thinks that the M340i is a more expensive, more higher performance, and more upper trim level than the M3, which is obviously not true to someone who knows BMW well.
Back in the "Angel Hair" car show days, of the muscle car golden era, there was a saying by those of us who actually raced. "If it don't go Chrome It". Seems like the ghost of "Angel Hair Past" lingers on with some manufactures.
I agree the type S is the best car in terms of exterior design by a long shot. I think both the Benz and BMW look boring but I’m sure their next generation design will be amazing. Although for some I’m sure the performance of the bmw makes up for the exterior design. I would put the S5 behind the type s.
I guess this holds true for BMW;s too, as who knows what the M number designation means.
There has always been the M3 all right. But here comes a new M340i designation.
Umm. The number '340' is a higher number than '3'. So BMW-outsiders will inevitably thinks that the M340i is a more expensive, more higher performance, and more upper trim level than the M3, which is obviously not true to someone who knows BMW well.
I believe I said that. Most of the logo conventions & model identifiers are generally known only to the brand buyers. I would suggest that the M logo having been around for 50 years has some general population recognition & high recognition by car people as a performance ID . That said if there is any confusion by a passerby on the street as to the M3/4C's purpose vs the M340/440 this ID grill & trunk might help the viewer out.
It does not denote the more expensive car but I don't think most care. Some BMW purists are not happy with the Mxxx so there are always some that have to get their "I have bucks" ticket punched. My Z4 is an M-Sport ID'd ///M40i expect it breaks their hearts for M brand dilution. Maybe, but it will run with most pure 3/4 M's up to this "G" series so from that point of view BMW does put the power into M-light.
From a personal point of view why would I care if someone thought the M440, a lot bigger number by 436 points was more expensive? I bought the car for me, not people I don't even know. I know what it is every time I push the start button & 503BHP rumble through the black exhaust tips which BTW are smaller than the 4 Chromed Type-S exhaust pipes. Ghost of angel hair past lingering in the background.
Last edited by BEAR-AvHistory; 12-29-2021 at 05:27 AM.
I agree the type S is the best car in terms of exterior design by a long shot. I think both the Benz and BMW look boring but I’m sure their next generation design will be amazing. Although for some I’m sure the performance of the bmw makes up for the exterior design. I would put the S5 behind the type s.
I don't see any big change in BMW or other German design style as all the current ones are new generations & will be around for 6 years or so with a mid cycle update a few years in. The style is evolutionary & the buyers seem to like that. They spend a significant number of dollars on a car & its nice to not have the body design obsolete in a few years. My first one was a 2004 current 2022. Both are easily connected to each other visually. In the same period of time my 2006 TL has no connection other than name plate to any generation that came before it or after it.
That's why Acura has very little brand identity. Acura management needs to decide what they want the brand to be then build the cars that will create that identity over time. Acura builds very nice cars but, big but, too many people still say "what's an Acura?" Zero continuity across generations will do that.
Last edited by BEAR-AvHistory; 12-29-2021 at 05:54 AM.
Copy and paste my response to this article from another thread:
"If you read the review correctly, they fault both vehicles and praise them at the same time. Each has their own purpose and depending on your needs and wants, one might be better than the other. There are options on the BMW that the Acura doesn't offer and vice versa. Not here to defend either one, if you're all about true performance with proven engine / transmission, M340i is your pick. If you're all about the most bang for your buck (without over paying at the dealership with their bs markup) the Type-s is your best pick. As for resale values, we all know as of today, this no longer means shit as everything is sky high used or new. If you're looking for aftermarket support, the M340i is your option. Styling, sound, performance and comfort are all personal preference. I make my own judgements on that. Remember, there are people out there that think a straight pipe TL sounds incredible, but to me it sounds like raspy pile of shit. You get my point"
I think someone picked the wrong view of the BMW. The only view a TLX-S is likely to have is more like this:
I ate your lunch & stole your candy money.
Now that's Fugly and how much is that 60K plus? Don't get me wrong SOME bmw's are nice and those being nice are big big money. Now the TLX type s comes out and that's a car worth while comparing. Sure bmw is faster but to get the most for ur money? I think Acura is the way to go.
Now that's Fugly and how much is that 60K plus? Don't get me wrong SOME bmw's are nice and those being nice are big big money. Now the TLX type s comes out and that's a car worth while comparing. Sure bmw is faster but to get the most for ur money? I think Acura is the way to go.
Your opinion, didn't expect anything less from an Acura TLX-S owner.
Last that I've checked, aren't most TLX-S around the 60K mark because dealerships have an additional 5-10K markup on these?
Even without a markup, by the time you pay taxes, fee's ect you're right at 60K for the TLX-S no?
Before a certain someone comes in to say "We are now including taxes?!!!" yes, because you still pay taxes.
Two things in life are certain. One is death and the other is paying taxes. It's still an expense paid no matter what.
This post makes no sense. You have to add taxes to the BMW as well. It's not tax free. Also, no one is forcing you to pay ADM. Shop around and pay MSRP. No one is discounting BMWS during this shortage, if they are, they can't move them so that tells you something as well.
This post makes no sense. You have to add taxes to the BMW as well. It's not tax free. Also, no one is forcing you to pay ADM. Shop around and pay MSRP. No one is discounting BMWS during this shortage, if they are, they can't move them so that tells you something as well.
Where did I say that taxes only apply to the Acura only? Do you have selective reading? Yeah nobody is forcing me to pay ADM (which I never will) but lets be real here, I asked you this once before and I will ask it again, ARE YOU willing to travel beyond X amount of distance to find one that is at MSRP? you never answered me. I believe you were the same one that said something about only poor people can't afford the TLX which is why they are haters? If you did made that statement, did you lease yours or did you buy it out right?
We all know there was a very small limit batch of TLX-S made. 2000 or so? Out of 2000 produced, how many were sold at MSRP vs how many were sold with additional items like ceramic coating for 2k, tinted windows for 1K, lo-jack, adjusted market price ect?
This post makes no sense. You have to add taxes to the BMW as well. It's not tax free. Also, no one is forcing you to pay ADM. Shop around and pay MSRP. No one is discounting BMWS during this shortage, if they are, they can't move them so that tells you something as well.
Where did I say that taxes only apply to the Acura only? Do you have selective reading? Yeah nobody is forcing me to pay ADM (which I never will) but lets be real here, I asked you this once before and I will ask it again, ARE YOU willing to travel beyond X amount of distance to find one that is at MSRP? you never answered me. I believe you were the same one that said something about only poor people can't afford the TLX which is why they are haters? If you did made that statement, did you lease yours or did you buy it out right?
We all know there was a very small limit batch of TLX-S made. 2000 or so? Out of 2000 produced, how many were sold at MSRP vs how many were sold with additional items like ceramic coating for 2k, tinted windows for 1K, lo-jack, adjusted market price ect?
I'll wait for those figures fam.
Actually you missed the point in your comparison. When you include taxes the BMW is actually that much more expensive than the Type S. Deduct $4,000 for the custom paint on the BMW used in the comparo and you’re left with a price differential of $13,000. Here in CA you’d need to add another 10% to that amount to cover fees. When all is said and done assuming both sell at MSRP (I’m truly doubtful that any dealer right now is giving discounts on the M340) the final cost for the Type S would be $59,500 compared to $73,700. That’s quite the premium for .9 seconds advantage 0-60.
Daughters boyfriend just picked up a new 330i black with blacked out trim. It's a pretty damn good looking vehicle. Not the M340 but it's about the same performance as the type S. Looks are really personal preference. The type S styling is more aggressive for sure but the BMW imo is a pretty attractive car when I saw it up close. Particularly in the black with the blacked out trim package.
I don’t think any car in it’s class looks better than the 2nd Gen TLX, especially Type S. Acura may have left a lot on the table in regards to performance but it’s the best looking of the bunch. Love my Type S except the fact I’ve already curbed my rims twice. 😂
100% agree. And this extends all the way down to the base model. My only complaint is that the excellent styling came at the cost of probably about ~400 lbs of additional weight and poor rear seat space. Hear you with the rims, I've had to be extremely careful with the mine (both curbs and potholes) lol.
Originally Posted by mike03a3
I think someone picked the wrong view of the BMW. The only view a TLX-S is likely to have is more like this:
True but also applies to every other cars in the class. The m340i is just ridiculously fast. I actually like the styling in darker colors and vastly prefer it over the G82 M4. Only problem is that you can barely tell it from a 330i.
I believe the M340 @ $71,000 lacks common sense. Why pick $71,000 for an M340? To check every box for every option available? You are not locked into that price to buy a M340. Acura locks you in with the "S" pricing with no choices other than tires to pick what you want & drops off items from lower models like a HUD. Don't know how happy I would be to pay more & give up items from lower lines.
As I said before I never had more than a $63,000 MSRP for the more expensive coupe.
Using the same criteria, whiteout any discounts, in choosing options as I did for the 335, 340 & 440 a new M340 would cost me at @ MSRP $61,250. So is the guys whole $71,000 really a strawman to make himself feel good? Its interesting how obsessed he is with people buying a more expensive car than he did. Don't think anyone here has not had someone buy a more expensive car than they owned. My most expensive car was a Porsche 911 Carrera 4S. Some of my neighbors have more expensive cars than the 911 was. Thing is to remember if they bought a more expensive one it also means the could have bought what you did but chose not to.
True but also applies to every other cars in the class. The m340i is just ridiculously fast. I actually like the styling in darker colors and vastly prefer it over the G82 M4. Only problem is that you can barely tell it from a 330i.
Style is in the eye of the beholder. Have no issues with people not likening the M4C design because I like it. That said why is it important that there is a big visual difference between 3 series cars at different price points. To prove you spent more money for yours?
Last edited by BEAR-AvHistory; 12-29-2021 at 11:30 AM.
Actually you missed the point in your comparison. When you include taxes the BMW is actually that much more expensive than the Type S. Deduct $4,000 for the custom paint on the BMW used in the comparo and you’re left with a price differential of $13,000. Here in CA you’d need to add another 10% to that amount to cover fees. When all is said and done assuming both sell at MSRP (I’m truly doubtful that any dealer right now is giving discounts on the M340) the final cost for the Type S would be $59,500 compared to $73,700. That’s quite the premium for .9 seconds advantage 0-60.
Lets get back to reality here, As someone with the actual car itself I didn't pay $13K more for it than a TLX my OTD price with taxes included was $59,950, I got the car right as the pandemic was taking off before all the current madness with car prices. The only thing my car doesn't have is Individual paint, wireless charging and the self driving BS that I never get anyways. I even added the Cooling package, M performance Lip and Side Skirts and Blacked out Grille. I got almost $8000 off MSRP. Most people on Bimmerpost paid around what I did as well some lower. So if you want to Really know what people actually pay talk to people who have the car because that's what really matters not googled numbers.
Daughters boyfriend just picked up a new 330i black with blacked out trim. It's a pretty damn good looking vehicle. Not the M340 but it's about the same performance as the type S. Looks are really personal preference. The type S styling is more aggressive for sure but the BMW imo is a pretty attractive car when I saw it up close. Particularly in the black with the blacked out trim package.
People like posting base model versions of the car to say see it's ugly. That goes for just about any car, base models rarely look good. it's a nice, conservative, grown up classic 3 series design that's not overdone and will not look dated in a few years like the Type S will. Look at the Infiniti Q50. It looks dated and goofy now. Over aggressive body styles look like the era they came from. It's why Porsche, Audi, etc make gradual changes through the years. Even the 1rst Gen TL still looks great because it wasn't over styled.
Lets get back to reality here, As someone with the actual car itself I didn't pay $13K more for it than a TLX my OTD price with taxes included was $59,950, I got the car right as the pandemic was taking off before all the current madness with car prices. The only thing my car doesn't have is Individual paint, wireless charging and the self driving BS that I never get anyways. I even added the Cooling package, M performance Lip and Side Skirts and Blacked out Grille. I got almost $8000 off MSRP. Most people on Bimmerpost paid around what I did as well some lower. So if you want to Really know what people actually pay talk to people who have the car because that's what really matters not googled numbers.
Not sure why you feel I googled numbers when my only reference to prices was the article in question. As to available discounts what you got in 2019 is simply old news. It is not relevant in today’s market place. Bottom line is that even if you go RWD only and match Type S features the M340i is going to sticker at least $8,000 more than the Type S. Why folks want to negate this is mystifying to me. Yes, from a performance standpoint the M340 is a better car than the Type S, but you got to pay for that additional performance.
The problem that I see with the M340i styling is that it’s hard to distinguish from a 330i and where it does differ as in the rear bumper the styling is rather pedestrian. Unlike Kense I actually think the Q50 styling has aged very well. In looking at my Aspec daily I’d say that the stying will age about as well as my 2006 Aspec which still was eye catching after 8 years of ownership. As to the M340i, in 5 years it will be just another car on the road not attracting much attention. To be honest it doesn’t attract much attention even now.
The problem that I see with the M340i styling is that it’s hard to distinguish from a 330i and where it does differ as in the rear bumper the styling is rather pedestrian. Unlike Kense I actually think the Q50 styling has aged very well. In looking at my Aspec daily I’d say that the stying will age about as well as my 2006 Aspec which still was eye catching after 8 years of ownership. As to the M340i, in 5 years it will be just another car on the road not attracting much attention. To be honest it doesn’t attract much attention even now.
Not everyone want's to attract attention. Some prefer a more understated look but want performance over a lot of flash. One of the reasons I grew to dislike my 18 a-spec in blue as it was too much flash for my taste. It's a nice look but was a but overall I wish I had gone with a more toned down color. The type S will get some looks in general just because there are not a ton of 2nd gen TLX's on the road that I have seen. Never seen a type S. BMW's are all over and most don't know the difference between an M340 or 330i. Style is nice but much more understated than the TLX. Each style will have it's buyers.
Lets get back to reality here, As someone with the actual car itself I didn't pay $13K more for it than a TLX my OTD price with taxes included was $59,950, I got the car right as the pandemic was taking off before all the current madness with car prices. The only thing my car doesn't have is Individual paint, wireless charging and the self driving BS that I never get anyways. I even added the Cooling package, M performance Lip and Side Skirts and Blacked out Grille. I got almost $8000 off MSRP. Most people on Bimmerpost paid around what I did as well some lower. So if you want to Really know what people actually pay talk to people who have the car because that's what really matters not googled numbers.
Thank you Kense. As a member on bimmerpost and other groups, I can vouch with your statement.
Originally Posted by jhb31
Not everyone want's to attract attention. Some prefer a more understated look but want performance over a lot of flash. One of the reasons I grew to dislike my 18 a-spec in blue as it was too much flash for my taste. It's a nice look but was a but overall I wish I had gone with a more toned down color. The type S will get some looks in general just because there are not a ton of 2nd gen TLX's on the road that I have seen. Never seen a type S. BMW's are all over and most don't know the difference between an M340 or 330i. Style is nice but much more understated than the TLX. Each style will have it's buyers.
I like the style on both. I'm more on the conservative side.
Not everyone want's to attract attention. Some prefer a more understated look but want performance over a lot of flash. One of the reasons I grew to dislike my 18 a-spec in blue as it was too much flash for my taste. It's a nice look but was a but overall I wish I had gone with a more toned down color. The type S will get some looks in general just because there are not a ton of 2nd gen TLX's on the road that I have seen. Never seen a type S. BMW's are all over and most don't know the difference between an M340 or 330i. Style is nice but much more understated than the TLX. Each style will have it's buyers.
Absolutely, I can only speak from my perspective and you from yours. I prefer to stand out a bit.
Agreed with both perspectives. My last two cars (black 16 TLX 3.5 then a black 19 TLX 3.5, both base models) were as anonymous as one could get; even the base 18+ Accord has more flash. This time around I went A-Spec in Performance Red!! A number people have since approached me to mention how beautiful my A-Spec looks.
Needless to say, I sort of enjoy the attention....just hope it doesnt draw the wrong attention. (Lord knows this can go both ways.)
Not sure why you feel I googled numbers when my only reference to prices was the article in question. As to available discounts what you got in 2019 is simply old news. It is not relevant in today’s market place. Bottom line is that even if you go RWD only and match Type S features the M340i is going to sticker at least $8,000 more than the Type S. Why folks want to negate this is mystifying to me. Yes, from a performance standpoint the M340 is a better car than the Type S, but you got to pay for that additional performance.
I got my car in Nov of 2020 and considering most people I’ve seen are paying MSRP and above for the type S . No you’re not getting a bargain
Where did I say that taxes only apply to the Acura only? Do you have selective reading? Yeah nobody is forcing me to pay ADM (which I never will) but lets be real here, I asked you this once before and I will ask it again, ARE YOU willing to travel beyond X amount of distance to find one that is at MSRP? you never answered me. I believe you were the same one that said something about only poor people can't afford the TLX which is why they are haters? If you did made that statement, did you lease yours or did you buy it out right?
We all know there was a very small limit batch of TLX-S made. 2000 or so? Out of 2000 produced, how many were sold at MSRP vs how many were sold with additional items like ceramic coating for 2k, tinted windows for 1K, lo-jack, adjusted market price ect?
I'll wait for those figures fam.
Wrong person...lol.
Also, why mention taxes in the first place since they apply to both cars and given BMW's higher price tag it only adds more to the final OTD price.
12-27-2021, 06:24 PM
+1, agree to all that
