silkk8482

The title says it all. These are the only two cars that I want and would like peoples opinion on the two cars. I know it's like comparing oranges and apples. I already test drove a 05 TL 6spd. I love how smooth the shifting is. I have yet to test drive a BMW and will be doing so hopefully next week (as long the army aint acting the fool). So comments or advive are welcome.

This is the BMW I am going to look at.

http://www.triangle-imports.com/newa...W-5Series.aspx

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

the center console looks soo BLEH compared to the TL's.
but that would be a fun car to DD.

hows the maintenance on those things?

Crazy Bimmer

Get the TL. Its MUCH newer.

007Acura

^
+1

that bmw could cost you thousands in repairs/maintenance

Keanu's mrs. T

TL is WAY more reliable and WAY less costly to maintain. The 5er has way to many electrical & mechanical gremlins.

03tLsNBP

iTrader: (9)

im a sucker for that BMW but id have to agree with the others. the TL WILL be MUCH more reliable. its almost guaranteed.

Aretardedorange

iTrader: (2)

To all the people that replied to the OP's question...how many of you have actually owned a BMW that has costed thousands to maintain?

Now OP reliability depends on the type of 5 series your are wanting to get. If you want the 525i/528i/530i RELIABLE CARS. I know because I have one. NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. The cars have I6 3.0 engine which is bulletproof. The ONLY problem you should experience is the water pump around 80-90 thousand miles which costs $800 to replace.

If you are wanting the 535i with I6 TWIN TURBO 300HP.. its also a sweet ride but not very reliable. The HPFP High Pressure Fuel Pump is a known problem on BMW's with the N54 engine. Its covered under a 10/120k mile warranty so no need to worry. The 535i N54 has lots of potential if your into modifications. With a simple chip and intake you can increase 110HP. With simple bolt on modifications it can keep up with a M3.

If you are interested in the 545i 4.4L V8 333HP, or 550i 4.8L V8 400HP.. I would say pick the 550i over the 545i. The 4.4L V8 has some issues. These V8 models get great MPG my cousins 2006 550i gets 23MPG combined.

I would recommend looking at 2008+ 5 series. In 2008 BMW rolled out the LCI 5 series (LCI is Life Cycle Refresh). The LCI models have LED tails, Angle Eyes as DRL, and small interior tweaks. Its worth it for sure.

Maintenance is expensive. Its not a "Honda Accord". Expect to pay $120 for oil changes but if you find a local Indy Shop that specializes in BMW you can get oil changes for around $70.

If you have any more questions feel free to come ask questions at 5series.net. You can learn more about the model(s) you are interested in and ask anymore questions you may have. Once you drive the 5 series the Honda Accord will be crossed off the list. I GUARANTEE it.

Crazy Bimmer

^ Did you even click on his link? Hes looking at a E39 2000 540i with over 100k miles on it. Not the E60 like you talked about.


http://www.540i6.com/probsfixes.html

Im one of the biggest BMW nutswingers on the forum for years but im not blind when its a situation comparing a 10 year old car vs a 5 year old one.

Aretardedorange

iTrader: (2)

^ WOW! I didn't even see the link. I thought 2005 TL... must be looking at a E60. (2004-2010).

In that case OP the TL would be a MUCH BETTER car. The 540i your looking at has the troublesome 4.4l V8 engine. Not to mention the E39 body style started in 1997 and its very dated. 13 years old. The 3G TL looks modern and fresh compared to the E39.

The E39 540i you are looking at has had 7 previous owners according to the carfax. I am certain that maintenance has been neglected on that E39. In this case from issues like the clutch to vanos to a whole cooling system overhaul can rack you up several thousands of $$$.

STAY AWAY!

My apologies to anyone offended in my previous post "bashing the Acura TL as the Honda Accord". I have driven the TL while its not the same as my 5 series I would take it over my ES350 any day.

Crazy Acura how do you like your M3? What color do you have? Do you have DCT or 6 speed?

Crazy Bimmer

Phew, your post worried me there for a bit when you suggested the 5er.

I have a Interlagos sedan with DCT. Love the car, im known to swap cars often but this one is a keeper. Actually gets better with mileage.

Aretardedorange

iTrader: (2)

What a GORGEOUS COLOR. Interlagos Blue oh man! Any modifications done to it? How do you like the DCT?

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

I used to own a BMW 535i. The damn thing nickeled and dimed me to death in repairs. I know this is nitpicky, but it has an M Series shift knob-it's not an M. Don't ask me why I noticed that.....

Crazy Bimmer

Why thank you. You have a nice motor yourself, had the same in the 328i that i used to have. Very silky smooth.

Love DCT, there is few days where i miss having a manual but overall very happy with the DCT. Its really the only part of the car that concerns me reliability wise. No one knows how it will hold up in higher mileage.

Few mods.
Eibach Springs with e36 bumpstops
Fabspeed Xpipe with stock cats
Eisenmann Sport exhaust
Challenge SS brake lines
Challenge rear diffuser
Vorsteiner front lip
20inch HRE P40s

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...ighlight=jesal





You say the same exact thing in every BMW thread. Please mention that it was a mid 80s 535i so you dont confuse people.

BMW has come a long way since the 80s.

Aretardedorange

iTrader: (2)

Amazing car! Love the rims. Jesal? Are you indian or desi by any chance? Ahaha!?

silkk8482

Thanks for all the responses. Haven't seen the BMW in person but that is my favorite model. I was going to test drive it next weekend. Aretaredorange, I didn't even realize it have 7 different owners. I still want a 5 series, just not a new one. I will keep looking for one.

The TL and the BMW are really hard to find in a 6spd. Once again thank you all or your responses.

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

I just spent an hour looking through that thread and your European delivery one. Awesome. That's my dream someday.

Eoanou

If you're looking for a car in that price range get the TL, it's really a nice compromise. Decent brand image, great looks and affordable. Also the aftermarket is quite substantial in size.

ParaSurfer1979

Not to mention the bmw's 15/23mpg epa rating is crazy low compared to what most people get in there TL's (31 to 35mpg). Thats a lot of savings right there. Now if you want speed, the tl can't touch the feel of a v8 6spd. but reliability and price to maintain should go a long way.

jr27

TL man i choose TL over a 2004 528i. i just liked it better and thought it would be more reliable. but if i could afford a m5 i would ditch my tl in no time...lol.

and to crazy acura, dddaaammmnnn that m3 looks sick man...

thevikas87

iTrader: (2)

What do you mean by "troublesome 4.4l V8" ? I have that same car, and it sure isn't "troublesome" by any means. I understand opinions will vary, but what troubles are you referring to. Please be specific, thanks.

finalcross

iTrader: (3)

TL for sure unless it were an E60, then I would get the E60 for sure. You could pick up an 04' 525i or even a 530i for around the same price.

Gfaze

If you get a BMW, get the 6 cylinder, not the V8. Your wallet will thank you later.

My sister's 97 328i is about to hit 200K miles and it runs perfect.

SpiderX1016

I'm not sure if I missed this but what are you planning to do with the TSX?

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

Get the TL.

odehboy

Get the TL.... me VS my cousins 02 530I


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2xojF1sOO4

odehboy

Oh and I used to live right down the street from that dealer where the bmw is for sale at. Do they still have that yellow M3 parked out there?

cM3go

3G TL, 6spd, Navi.... fucking awesome car.

thevikas87

iTrader: (2)

Did you seriously just compare a car thats heavier AND that has a smaller engine to your TL in terms of 0-60?

Go take the two cars through a road course through some twisties and we'll see how the TL does.

ghttf

Probably faster than a 540i without the sport pkg. My friend has one and there is body roll everywhere


Anyway that is a horrible price for that age and miles. You should be able to at get an 02-03 for the same price

ParaSurfer1979

It's EXACTLY the bmw Edminds.com uses to compare the TL. Its not acuras faulf BMW chose to put a 3.0 Liter in their 04 530i or make it so heavy.

Here is the article. Enjoy... BTW get the Acura .
http://www.insideline.com/acura/tl/2...-acura-tl.html

thevikas87

iTrader: (2)

Just because almighty Edmunds did the comparison does not make it a fair one by any means. I once saw them wanting to use a CLK320 for a comparison but all they could get for the test was a CLK430, is that still fair? Didn't think so.

And your second point about it not being Acura's fault? I never said it was, I was simply pointing out the disadvantages the 530i happened to have right off the bat when comparing it to a TL.

I do agree, though, get the TL, it will be cheaper to maintain over the long term, and it is a newer design.

thevikas87

iTrader: (2)

Nope, a 530i is not faster than a 540i even without the sport package. You know the sport package doesn't add any engine performance right?

No way a FWD TL would out handle a RWD 540i.

ghttf

I didnt say anything about a 530i and you were talking about on a road course. I know what it is and you are taking this pretty personally just because you own one

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

FWIW...But you have a 540 and most of us have 3G TLs. No one is going to win the argument.

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But to the OP, it'd be dumb to buy the 5. Yeah yeah its a BMW, woo hoo, but the Acura is much newer and would be the more sensible option. You couldn't pay me enough (well...in maintenance fees maybe) to buy a BMW that's 10 years old. The 540i by no means is going to take a total shit on the TL in terms of performance. M5 vs TL? Yes.