For the last approximately twenty-five years, I’ve owned only Acura automobiles. They have all been great cars with zero problems on my last one and very few on the others!

I just retired and wanted to get a “present” for myself. I initially planned to order a new car in January after test driving a number of models: Corvette (too big), Cadillac CTS Coupe (insufficient head room), and Volvo S60 T5 (reminded me of 05 TL), et al.

I held off hoping the restyled 4th generation TL would “wow” me. Sadly, an early-June test drive proved just OK. IMO, the engine is just as good as ever; the car is sufficiently quick. The 6-speed automatic transmission seemed fine. The steering felt numb. I couldn’t really judge the handling during the test drive. The interior struck me as busy but acceptable. Here it comes… The new grill and rear-end are improved, but still ugly. I just couldn’t buy a car that would be an eye-sore [to me]. Honda/Acura needs to hire new designers. Its latest creations leave a lot to be desired. Accord (bland), CrossTour (ugly), new Civic (OK but not very imaginative), RL (snoozer), TL (see above).

Last week, I pulled the trigger. I bought a 2011 BMW 335ix Coupe in Mineral White with a Saddle Brown interior. Visually and performance-wise, it’s everything I wanted. Now, if it only proves as reliable as all of the Acuras, I’ll be happy.

Good luck to all. Thanks for some interesting and helpful discussions.

 

Do you have any pictures of your old and new car?

 

Good luck with the Bimmer and you'll not need to spend a dime for at least 4/50k unless you do some burnouts and ruin the tires.

 

Good choice. I have a 2006 TL, previously had 3 e46 BMWs.
While the TL is the best car I have ever owned, I truly miss my last BMW. 335 is out of my budget at this time. Good luck with it.

 

Interesting thoughts. I think very few here would disagree. You made a great choice. The 3 Series coupe is great looking has perfect handling and power-o-plenty. To really appreciate a BMW you just gotta drive one. It is truly impressive (IMO). And hey, it doesn't make your mid life crisis look so obvious

Enjoy your "present" and congratulations on retirement. Just don't pack the 3 with fishing equipment.

 

Congrats with your purchase. I couldn't pull the trigger on a 4th Gen TL either when it was time to move on.

Enjoy the car.

 

Did you drive an SH-AWD? And was it a 6MT?

IMO.... 335i during warranty period and TL SH-AWD out of warranty. Hate to be the magazine racer but in multiple comparisons, a 6MT SH-AWD was faster around a road course and twisty road than the new S4 and was also found to be faster than an Evo X MR as well. It was also neck and neck with a 335i as well, despite being much heavier than the BMW.

I know you guys love your BMWs, so do I. Just sayin. For what it's worth, I would take a 335i over a TL as well, but the first thing I'd do is get a UUC short shifter and CDV delete.

 

Welcome to bimmerzine!

 

Nice pick up, and color combo. Congrats on retirement.

 

Great pick up! Congrats!

I would definitely pick a 335i over 4G TL in a heartbeat!

 

Amen!

Congrats on your choice of car and on your retirement. Enjoy both in good health.

 

Congratulations. I had a similar experience when looking at the current HondaAcura lineup in general.

I don't think you can expect the BMW to match Acura's reliability, but you have a great warranty and an tremendously fun, responsive car.

 

Congrats!

+1

 

Congrats on the BMW!! I saw one just like yours trolling the supermarket parking lot a few days ago and couldn't help but think, Damn, that's a good looking car!

 

Darn, Crazy Acura beat me to it. There are many former multiple Acura owners here.

OP, you will find many of us in complete agreement. Acura has successfully turned away many repeat customers, myself included, with its current styling and by not updating the flagship RL sufficiently. I love Honda/Acura innovation but the company has simply messed up the last few years. They have started to make amends stylewise (TSX wagon, attempting to change the 4G TL styling) and hopefully they'll improve.

Hopefully they hired new designers for the next model go-round.

 

Enjoy the BMW...Its good that you are retired, you can just wait for it and not leave it at the dealership during your maintenance visits

 

another convert.

 

 

Congrats on the BMW and retirement. I also don't care for the 4G TL from both looks and size. Doesn't matter since I intend to keep my 3G TL for another decade. Maybe when I retire the 6G/7G TL or something else will have my interest.

 

With the exception of the retirement part, this post could have been mine. My wife and I have owned Hondas and Acuras for the past 17+ years. When I decided it was time to part with my beloved '06 TL, I'd already decided another Acura wasn't in the picture for me. I've driven the 4G SH-AWD and it was just...meh...nothing to excite me at all. So, I went out and bought a used BMW instead - https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...&postcount=185.

Best wishes on your retirement!

 

Not to derail - but I wonder if we could start an "Alumni" section of "Off Topic" for those of us who've moved on from our Acura, but still love this community, to congregate?

 

Congrats~~

 

It seems as though, that is pretty much what Car Talk is.

 

I suppose. I was just thinking something centralized where you could have threads dedicated to the move from one to the other only. Anyway, just a thought.

 

...I thought it was funny

 

on your new puchase.

...and isn't it nice to stop drinking the kool-aid?

The world is too big and life is too short to just stay with one car maker.

 

Mean spirited and stupid.

 

Congrats.

 

 

Im sorry

 

Don't blame you. If I could afford the 335, I'd be all over it. BMW's are great. They just don't match up financially.

 

You are not alone

June 2011 Sales

TL 2296
3-series 9155

If you insist, you can add the 1808 TSX.

Conclusion; Acura screwed up big time lately.

 

Some of that difference is due to the earthquake/tsunami which have caused large amount of supply chain problems for some components used by the Japanese automakers.

None the less 4G TL sales have never been close to the 3 series.

 

2G/3G were much more competing.

The sales should be the other way around, really.

When the E90 replaced the E46 sedan in 2005, nobody could have figured out that it would do so well for so long.

 

I still personally think 3G TL-S 6MT is one of the most well balanced sport sedan in the world.

 

FYI for the 2007-2010 BMW 135i/335i drivers, a cobb tune makes boosts you wouldn't believe. I don't sell them, I know it sounds like it, but I just think its' really cool. like +50 HP, and +90 ft/lb torque that comes on earlier and stronger than stock.

How does the stiffness of the 335 compare to the TL-S? I'm looking for something a little more comfortable. The 335 is the coolest car I have driven to date. Brakes are AMAZING, engine GROWLS like a tiger, tranny is smooth as silk. But the sporty ride was VERY rough, every crack and bump in the road was very very obvious.

 

Oh man! she's sexy!
Good luck ttribe!
I'll miss you over here on the 3g side

 

Thanks man. I'll still be around at 3G. My TL is the car the renewed my real love for cars and modding them; can't just walk away altogether.

 

Congrats on retiring and the BMW, Dad. It's beautiful - to look at and especially drive. You deserve every bit of it.



Here are both his TL's a few years ago


Here's what I did to the 2nd gen (over the years) after he got the 3rd gen (LOL, don't hate me guys)


I just sold the 2nd gen and bought his 3rd gen - staying in the family.

 

Read it and weep Acura... Wave goodbye to your formerly loyal customers.