Tennisjon2002

Can someone please compare these for me and help me out. My friends dad is lookin at these and asked for my help. I told him RL= More luxury but very powerful, better value M3= Very powerful not as much luxury

Ken1997TL

Well thats a good start.

For one thing the M3 is a 2 door vehicle, the RL is 4 door.

The RL is fun to drive but definitely not a highstrung sports car.

The M3 is faster, quite a bit faster.


Apples to Oranges really.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Plus, the RL is AWD and the M3 is RWD. Features, comfort, a useable and easily accessible back seat...

There are a lot of things that separate these two cars. I think you can't really compare the two except for the price. Gotta see what they want more: a sports car or a luxury car.

Tennisjon2002

yea i asked him that and he said his dad was really looking for anything just not and suv and he wanted a really nice car and had a budget of upto 60k. Any suggestions? I just really can't see his dad using all of the power in the M3, but he could use the luxury. Well i told him to look at the RL and the Acura dealer is right next door to the BMW Dealer so he will probably stop by and check it out and I will let him make the decision for himself. and isn't there a redesign next year for the M3 or is it jsut a face lift? is it worth waiting for?

phile

Well if he's gong to stop by the BMW dealership, the 530i is more in line with the RL than the M3!

justinjsw

Compare www.acura.com
Compare www.bmwusa.com

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

If he's looking for luxury, then the RL is the better choice.

legendguy

If he has 60K, he should compare RL, BMW5, Mercedes E, A6, Infiniti M if he is shopping for luxury sedan. M3 is completely different market and he might as well look at Corvette, Infinity G35 coupe, etc in that category. Just be sure that he likes to play with electronic gizmos if he goes the RL route since it is a technological powerhouse and can make your drive easier once you get past the learning curve. Some people get into the tech stuff but a lot of others don't care for it.

SilverCL225hp

Why can't you compare these two? They are priced very close. If you want total performance and excellent handling go for M3. If you want more class and comfort and nice gadgets, get the RL. I guess RL is suitable for someone over 40, while M3 is good for someone under 50.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

You just answered your own question. The two cars are intended for completely different things. They do not make for a good comparison as a result of that fact.

justinjsw

Its not a matter of comparing. The post was too vague. We have no clue what the buyer wants...is it performance? or comfort? a high power coupe or a freeway tourer?

EmuMessenger

the comparisons across the Zine sites has been pretty strange lately.

We have had a TL v. C6 debate, TL v. SLK350, all nice cars, but I cannot imagine shopping for both at the same time.

Bitium

M3 if maintained properly = $$$$$$$$$

RL more reliable. With both inexperience drivers, the RL mgith beat the M3 on a close circuit race.

M3 very fun to drive, awesome transmission. Sport coupe

RL fun to drive, cheaper, awesome AWD system, more luxury.

Personally I would buy the RL, but I'll take an M3 any day. I'm a sedan kind of guy.

My friend drives an 04 M3, very nice. He gave me a test drive on the autobahn here in germany and is fast.

savageTL

M3 maintained properly for the first 4 years/50k miles = FREE

Not to sound like a broken record but it is apples and oranges. If you want lots of stares (OK the RL will get a lot NOW but not in 6 months) and a very capable track car with a cockpit like interior the M3 makes sense, if you want a more lux ride with solid handling the RL is a great choice.

Vandy

hemants

These two cars are not comparable.

I think your dad has to decide what his needs are first and then pick a car.

ie. if he doesn't need 4 doors then look at the CL55, M3, G35 coupe

frebay

isn't the current m3 up for a redesign next year?

hemants

Yes, it's going to get bangled in a couple of years.

Hiei

There is no comparision between the M3 and the RL. One was created as a sport car and the other was created as a flagship luxury sedan. They are in different class. If you really insist on comparing it, I can give you some info. Currently, I'm shopping for a 2005 RL. I also has a 2005 M3 that is expecting for delivery in January.

Overvall, I will buy the RL over the M3 for several reasons. The RL is more useful, more room and the SH-AWD is a plus. The M3 is impossible to drive in the snow.

You get all the car fully load for just 50k. If you want to suit up the M3 in the same level of gadgets as the RL, you are looking for 58k on MSRP. Also, the RL comes with a spare tire and the M3 never come with the spare tire. BMW give you a M-mobility system and it is horrible. For the M3, you have to pay 1000 for gas/guzzle tax. That is like a penalty for buying the M3.

The RL is more reliable. There are so many problems with the M3 such as the rod recall, and the SMG stall at the second gear. Another problem with the M3 is that many people had been experiencing with electroical problems, such as navigation screen won't fold down, side marker light keep on burning out. If you seat 2 people in the back of the M3, it may trigger the flat tire warning system while the tire is pefectly fine.

ou sig

HAHAAH, or maybe just my roommate by himself! I have always loved the look of a M3...kinda in a lustfull way. My opinion, the M3 is like that chick you got with once cause she was crazy like you, but you would never marry her. The RL is like a girl I would marry. Ok I feel weird after that, but Ive been studying all day so just try to understand me!

pgeorg10

All wheel drive/4 door. Just about as fast as M3. More reliable than M3 less than RL. If he lives in snow country this is a great alternative.

fele

Someone needs to check the #'s. Rl is nowhere near the M3 category in handling, speed and pleasure to drive fast. Also AWD is great, but as far as handling is concerned RWD rules.

RL is a great luxury sedan, and M3 is a sports car, nothing close. There is no way you can compare them.

Hiei

I doubt the RL is nearly as quick as the M3. Believe me, I'm a hardcore Acura fan. Even the 3.2 NSX 6 speed can make it in-line with the M3. The M3 is better than the RL in both handling and speed. If you switch the DSC off, S6 in SMG mode and let go the gas pedal in 3000rpm, you will see the big difference. Not even the RL with A-Spec will catch up to it.