As some of you know, I had an order placed for a black on black '04 TL w/ the A-SPEC package, but ended up cancelling it for various reasons (mostly FWD and crappy dealership). I test drove a BMW 330 with the Performance Package and was sold on it. After a couple of months of waiting, my new BMW 330Ci came in a couple of days ago. Thought I'd share some pics...

 

Nice, I like that very much!

 

nice....well done man

now's the time to grab a 3 series, before mr. chris bangle and his crew of thugs decides to butcher the new model when it comes out like they've done on the 7, the z4, and now the 5 (shudder)

 

Exactly. They probably [hopefully] won't screw up the 3 series as much as the 5, 7, and Z, but I wanted to be on the safe side. And the new coupes won't be released until a year after the sedan, probably Fall 2006.

 

That's funny, the new 7 series and 5 series are the first bimmers I've liked in over a decade.

 

Nice choice. Sweet car.

 

The design of the 7 has grown on me and the new M5 might help to turn me around a bit on the 5 (V10 w/ that much power can do that), but it's not so much the exteriors that bother me as it is the overall design direction that BMW has taken. The interior ergonomics and appearance have taken a step in the wrong direction IMO. The new designs also feel less connected with the road.

I'm not really worried about the exterior appearance of the new 3. I think it'll look great. I'm VERY worried about the interior and driving dynamics of the new 3 though.

 

I am struggling with this very decision right now. BMW 330i vs Acura TL.

My current car is a 1997 BMW M3. After 7 years of ownership, my M3's ultra-tight suspension is starting to get on my nerves in terms of comfort. My wife is also asking for a more comfortable car. The response and handling on my M3, however, is unparalled as you might imagine. I also need to carry rear passengers more often than before, so the need for a more comfortable 4-door sedan is weighing into the equation.

So, my dillemma is - give up the performance and handling of an M3 and move to a more "comfortable" 5-series, 330i or TL. My problem with the 330i is that unless you have the performance package, the exterior is not as sporty or aggressive as I'd like it to be. And if I did get the performance package, the ride is getting pretty close to where I am at with my M3 in terms of stiffness...so I might as well stick with my car (it's paid off). Also, the BMWs are not nearly as feature-rich on the interior as the TL, which is becoming more important to me as I grow old (36)

So, where do I stand at the moment? I currently have a $500 deposit on the next Silver TL 5AT with NAVI that comes off the truck (which happened this morning, it's being cleaned up now as I type).

I will likely install the A-SPEC kit...but I'd like to drive one first...don't want to give up too much comfort in the process. I am also concerned about moving to a front-wheel drive vehicle.

Anyway, once I purchased my M3 years ago, I swore I would never drive anything other than a BMW. The TL has been the first car to send me to a non-BMW dealership. My friends think I'm crazy for switching. I think some people have a problem with Acura's image...unlike Lexus, they lost the "upscale" market perception after the $20k Legend became their bread and butter years ago. It will take some time to get that back, but the TL is a step in the right direction.

 

i dunno man, i just saw a picture of the new 4 series coupes.....replacing the 3 series coupes, and it don't look pretty

to me, the designs just looked forced, and i hate that.....you shouldn't have to think and think and justify the design of a car.....it should just be gorgeous, inexplicably attractive

and yes, the overall designs of the cars is what concerns me most....they seem almost anti-BMW

i mean, come on, a big freakin computer knob that controls almost all of the car's functions??
it's not only distracting, but unnecessary

likewise, almost all the car magazines have commented on the artificial feeling of the steering systems...which is something BMW has usually been renowned for

it just seems like BMW is TRYING to lead to pack, and be progressive, rather than actually leading the pack and pushing the envelop of automobile design

 

I would recommend that you test drive the 330i w/ the performance package (ZHP). I think I was really looking for exactly the same things that you are (except I decided I could live with the coupe). I really wanted good road feel and handling, but without compromising comfort. My emphasis was more on the former. My gf, on the other hand, loves "floaty" cars (she drives a Lexus RX330 and loves the way it feels). When we test drove the 350Z, for example, she found the ride much too harsh and vetoed that car right off the bat. My ZHP makes us both VERY happy. Even on awful Houston roads, the ride is NEVER jarring or uncomfortable (I've ridden in an E36 M3 so I know how it can get). At the same time, the car handles in an unbelievable fashion.

The TL with the A-SPEC package is good, very good even, but it still didn't give me the same "oneness" with the road. If you do get the TL though, definitely get the A-SPEC package or an aftermarket suspension upgrade or you will find that it is too much of a compromise towards comfort after your M3.

I understand what you mean by wanting more features as you get older. My choice was made easy because I realized that I didn't need a navigation system. I have a good sense of direction and am pretty adept at finding my way around. I have also installed bluetooth in my 330Ci, which is the feature that I really craved in the TL. So, I really feel like I got my cake and I'm eating it too. I have to also say that the new BMWs are filled with lots of little features that really make driving a pleasure, many of which I didn't even know about until my first day of ownership.

With the current pricing incentives on the 330i, I would really encourage you to take a look at the BMW. Right now you get $2,400 cash back and 1.9% financing through the end of August. If you get a good deal on the BMW ($1,000 or so over invoice before the cash incentive), you end up getting the 330i for about $1,400 under invoice, which puts you in the ballpark or even better than the TL w/ navi and A-SPEC.

I'm not trying to sell you on the BMW or anything. The TL might be a better car for you. I just hope you take a look at both cars because you don't want a raging case of buyers remorse, whichever car you choose. Good luck and let us know which way you go...

P.S. It was hard not being able to test drive the A-SPEC TL before I made my decision on the TL. I was actually able to drive it after cancelling my TL order and ordering the BMW, but it only confirmed that my second choice was the right one for me.

 

I've seen a bunch of different spy shots and photochops of the new 3 series coupes (BMW decided not to call it the 4 series after all), but I'm reserving judgment until I see a definite clear photo or one in person. I'm trying to stay optimistic about it, but at the same time I'm happy I got my coupe when I did.

I agree with you 100% about BMW's recent designs looking tried and forced. They are more revolutionary than progressively evolutionary. In doing that, I think BMW has lost a lot of the heart and soul of what made their cars great (both inside and outside and in terms of driving dynamics). None of the recent designs have immediately appealed to me. With each one, I've kind of had to evaluate it from a technical perspective and let it grow on me. On the other hand (and I'm not trying to brag here), I look at my car and immediately think to myself that it's a gorgeous car (no thinking or analysis required).

The new adaptive steering systems do make the car "easier" to drive well, but you're right, they do take away from the connection with the road and overall driver control.

And don't even get me started on the interiors, they have gone to hell in a handbasket, getting progressively worse with each year. The materials are becoming more and more cheap looking, and I'm not a fan of the overall trend in style either.

As far as the I-drive system goes, I hated it when I first played with it in the 7 series, but the more simplified version in the 5 series isn't bad. I'm a gadget nut, but I think that even an average person could figure out the new, simplified I-drive system fairly quickly. I do think that this is a trend that all car companies will eventually follow (in some form or fashion), especially as automobiles become increasingly complex (Mercedes has already begun following BMW down this path).

Just my $.02.

 

These BMW's don't really impress me. It wouldn't stop me dead in my tracks as a TL did for me the other day. You can even put 20 inch wheels and etc...just doesn't strike me.

Something about that style...too bland.

 

I would trade my TL-S for the 330 anytime!

 

IMO, whether or not a TL or a 330 impresses me is very dependent on the specific car. For example, the other day I saw a WDP TL and it looked very bland, but I saw a black A-SPEC TL a little later, and it looked INCREDIBLE. I was definitely staring.

The same thing goes for the 330. In some combinations of colors and wheels/add-ons, the 330 looks fairly boring. Very often the 330 doesn't even catch my eye (mostly because they're so common). However, the 330 can really stand out and look beautiful if done right.

I don't like how the 330 is so common, so I tried my best to get a car that you won't see on the road very often. A silver gray coupe with the performance package is a rare (less than 50 in the country when I ordered mine) and beautiful (IMO) car, that really has to be seen in person to be appreciated (my crappy pics don't do it justice).

But of course everyone is entitled to their own opinion...

 

I am not impressed. BMW's are the car a guy chooses after chopping off the mullet and parting ways with the '86 IROC Camaro. Keep the Camaro and put some flames on it on it DUDE!!! Maybe I would be super impressed with your BMW if I drove a Corolla.

I am not hatin' , I just hope that you feel happy with your overpriced vehicle. A 2004 TL is loaded with options, space, and power. The BMW comes with some nice wheels and a name.

Good Luck!

 

Yeh, I was at the Pickering ESSO station filling up. An Asian girl in her M3 pulls up for fuel up. That car looked bland even with its stock 18 inches compared to my TL.

And she bought a carwash at the same gas station, but it wasn’t a touch less car wash! She went into a normal car wash with an M3! OUCH!

 

I have a TL as well and i love my car,but,the new 6 series is the nicest car on the road
much nicer than the M3

 

that's a great lookin car. i especially like the back lights and the shape of the sidemarkers.

 

[QUOTE=ozone]I am struggling with this very decision right now. BMW 330i vs Acura TL....



Ozone-I would have considered the 330 as well, but living in New England, I was attracted to the front wheel drive of the TL (the looks of the TL are fantastic, and the content so high that it doesn't bear repeating by me here). More important to me, there is substantially more room in the back of the TL, which with a new baby sealed it for me. Perhaps my next performance sedan will be from Germany (this will be my first Japanese car), as I really like the feel of rear wheel drive, with on-demand all wheel drive becoming more common (or just buying the 330 XI). As you are from CA, weather is a non-issue for you. So, it boils down to which car will fullfill your needs, as I don't think one is clearly superior to the other. Good luck, you can't loose either way.

 

You probably don't know much more about cars than what Car and Driver tells you.

That car is hot, the real deal. Congrats, good choice. Glad BMW made the decision to offer this package on the coupe instead of just the sedan.

 

Nice 330, I have to agree thoguh with some of the folkson the thread, the new design of the 7, 5, an z4 are not my cup of tea.... the design looks nasty and looks like they forced it.... the lines are not attractive.... hopefully they don't butcher more cars...

 

Thanks for all the comments everyone. I just finished installing the bluetooth system (very similar to the one in the TL with voice and HFL controls) and an Escort SRX stealth radar detection/laser shfting system this weekend. I can post some pics and a description if anyone is interested in either...

Congrats, Bonedoc, on the new addition to the family!

 

Very nice car. Enjoy!

 

Thanks Aegir. As I've told you before, I love your A-Spec TL.

 

Beautiful Car - Congratulations