I know there has been numerous posts about the tl vs 325.Would you all consider that he TL is more expensive than a comparable 325 because of the maintenenace issues. Acura dos not give any maintenenace while BMW gives 4yr/50k miles all included maintenenac. Do you all think this would make the BMW less expensive than the TL?

 

 

I dont think so... add up the simple math

4 yr warranty covers the TL for "out of bounds" maintenance. So, forget the heavy stuff. YOu're left with basically oil changes and such. Lets assume your acura dealer is REALLY screwing you for $200 each visit for that. You do it 4 times a year (1200m/year, 3000 each change). That adds up to 800 a year. Times 4 years, $2400. I think the BMW is more expensive than that.. sure thats over simplified, but thats my initial thought on it... i cant see it being much worse...

 

The cost of ownership for a modestly optioned 325 will be about 1k more over 5 years compared to a non-nav TL. This according to Intellichoice.

Vandy

 

MYl : hmm 800 x 4 is 3200 dollars a year. If you add 3200 dollars to a TL, that probably would make it a little more than the BMW 325 with standard options.

 

Not sure if you got it and just mistyped, but let me clarify:

thats 3200 over the course of *4* years. But lemme do some quick research...

According to cars.msn.com, the 325xi sedan with no toys is 30500 (with dest.) . So thats cheaper than TL. I dunno what the options end up running it up to, but probably push it over the TL. But sure, you'd have to add a couple key pricey options to make it go over 3200 that price.

Me, I'd say its close enough to just choose what you like. I think you're counting pennies. Also, note that I personally know of no dealer charging 200 per service. Thats a pretty outside estimate.

 

Intellichoice also breaks out the cost of maintaining the car, for the TL it is 1,879 over 5 years (I think they use 70k miles).

Vandy

 

Well I priced a 330 4door with Performance package and loaded for 46500. The only difference was the BMW had a Sport suspension and lowered the car with 18 inch wheels and only 235hp PAddle shifters and Navi. If I compared a TL with maintainence and Comptech springs and 18s Not even close. Payments on a lease with 3000 down was 560 a month BMW still alot more than the TL.

 

Although, it does not change your basic cost observations the ZHP (performance package) does not have paddle shifters, those are on the Sequential manual gearbox cars (SMG), the ZHP 330 only comes with a 6spd manual. Also not sure how you priced it but the 330 ZHP is less than that with every available option but you can get over 45k.

Actually, the ZHP package is arguably a better deal than the A-spec package since for $3900 you get:

Sport suspension
Double Spoke (Styling 135M) cast alloy wheels, 18 x 8.0 front, 18 x 8.5 rear;,225/40R-18 front, 255/35R-18 rear performance tires
Aerodynamic package
Matte stainless steel, 35mm dual exhaust pipes
High-gloss shadowline trim
8-way power front sport seats with 2-way manual headrests and thigh support; 3-driver memory for exterior mirror and seat positions; automatic tilt-down of passenger’s side-view mirror when vehicle is shifted into reverse gear
Alcantara/cloth upholstery
Anthracite interior headliner
M 3-spoke Alcantara-wrapped multi-function sport steering wheel with fingertip cruise, audio and accessory phone controls
Aluminum “black cube” interior trim
Tachometer with 300 rpm-higher redline and red needle
Short, sport gearshift lever

Plus it is factory installed.


Vandy

 

The 325 compares more to a TSX in terms of vehicle size and HP

 

Don't forget to add in how much your time is worth sitting in BMW service waiting your your car to be fixed. Haven't been back to my dealer since I bought the car in October.

 

While that's true about the shoptime (vs TL), if I'm getting a Z4 loaner (like a couple of my BMW friends) I wouldnt get too upset.