PainCakesx

Hello all,

I can probably get both for the same amount of money.

Here's the scenario,

I have been planning on getting a 2004 e46 BMW 330i in a few months. I am interested in the BMW because I've always liked the style and performance coupled with luxury in a single package.

Recently, however, my mother's boyfriend has decided to sell his 2005 Acura TL. Being my relationship to him, I can probably get a good deal on it, comparable to the price of a 2004 BMW. It's got 160,000 miles on it and has a minor tear in the leather on the front seat, but the rest of it is well maintained and in good condition (he's a bit of a neat freak).

I'm torn here, because the TL seems to be the better value and a more reliable purchase, but the BMW does have a certain appeal to me.

My questions are:

1) How does the TL handle? I've test driven it, but I was afraid to really try it out because at the time I was afraid to ruin a car that didn't belong to me - he wasn't selling it then.

2) Which do you think is a better value?

3) Which would you go for in my position?

Thanks for any input.

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

havent driven the 330 but im pretty sure it can handle better than a tl being that its a bmw. but there are plenty of upgrades for the tl that can help it handle better

Jcaron9gt4

What's considered a good deal? Without seeing the TL and judging by miles only, I wouldn't pay more than 8k for that TL.

allin

Bmw handles better. I had an 06 3 series. However, the reason I HAD one and don't HAVE one is that it had horrible electrical issues. But that was just my case. In general, Acura will be better on reliability than Bmw. However, it still comes down to whether you picked a good one that has been well maintained. Make sure you take that into consideration when you decide on VALUE.

Either car is a great car though.

JD TL-S

iTrader: (1)

Acura TL unless the BMW has a Certified Warranty. BE CAREFUL . Just a STRONG suggestion.

ez12a

Long term: TL
Short term: 330i

The TL esp with the 6MT is just as fast if not faster than all of the E46s except the M.

1. 330i has better weight distribution and is probably more fun to drive. BMW mos def in this category.

2. TL. Cheaper to maintain, depreciation is the same if not a little better than BMW. The window regulators in the E46s were horrendous. My dad's 01 with sub 50k miles broke all 4 @ $100 a piece doing it yourself. Also crap like pulleys and stuff are all plastic and require replacement after so many miles. Expansion tank, stock water pump, etc. I've said it before, but BMW has a real fascination with plastics (not even good plastic). Uncle's old e46 330ci manual transmission had a stuck spring that let the stick rest on the right at the 5th gear gate while in neutral. Fix? Open up transmission.

3. If you want something to play with for a few years and you're the type to hop from car to car, 330. If you want long term DD then TL.

Will Y.

See http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...mparison-tests

Note the 330i's electrical and brake issues during the testing, despite which it won.

You may also want to check out Consumer Reports' reliability histories for the different models.

x 294875 on having a second car or extended warranty on an older BMW.

Welcome to AZ.

PainCakesx

Thanks for the responses. How does the Acura handle? Is it more like a sports sedan, or is it a straight luxury car?

I don't want a sports car, but I do want a car with some fun to it (one reason why I like the BMW).

I've driven the TL before, but I never really pushed it because I didn't want to ruin a car that wasn't mine.

I'll be test driving the BMW this weekend to see what I think of it.

PainCakesx

I know I asked this in my OP, but I was wondering how how it handles on its own merits. Is taking it through twisites still fun, or is it just average?

LaCostaRacer

The TL handles pretty well for a front-drive sedan. Physics will preclude a TL from ultimately out-handling a 3 series and you need to weigh how important that is to you.
I had a Maxima with Eibach springs, Tokico shocks, and some massive swaybars and my TL handles amazingly close to that setup and rides a lot better. I just upgraded the rear bar only. With my setup, my car outhandles probably 70% of the cars on the road and that's good enough for me.

I think you need to prioritize all your requirements for a car and I think you'll see a TL is a pretty good choice for: performance, comfort, reliability, economy, features, resale, and looks. Not to mention, you have a great forum to get information from.

djDANNY

It's really what you care about more. I currently have an 05 6MT TL. Before that I had a 1996 E36 (MT as well). Hands down the BMW in terms of performance and feel on the road beats the TL. The reason I chose to get the TL was because I needed a daily driver (about 60 miles a day round trip for me for work) that wouldn't cost an arm and a leg to maintain (which the BMW did).

So in the end, as other posters have said, it's up to you and what you're looking for. Fun car = BMW. More economical and practical car = TL.

Will Y.

Sports sedan-- basically the best-handling FWD sedan in that '05 Car & Driver comparo. The TL's stock ride and suspension are pretty firm and responsive compared to "luxury" sedans. It handles well at the limit, doesn't understeer/plow as much as most FWD cars and is pretty satisfying to drive in the twisties-- much more than the Camry, Accord, Lexus GS(which is RWD) and various other mid-size sedans.

sleeper22

I wouldn't touch a BMW unless it had a shit ton of warranty. They will cost you an arm and a leg on repairs. They engineer BMW's to break so you will take them in for service. A buddy of mine had a 2000 3 series and electrical issues were abundant. Nice looking car and drive great but cost of ownerships sucks ass.

Project_CLean

iTrader: (2)

^ im with sleeper on this. a bmw that old; its gotta be hitting close to 100k now. I owned an E46 330Ci ; no bueno. Electrical problems up ze butt. lol. Seriously; faulty coil packs,secondary air pump, fuel pump. It ended up being a huge headache..BMW is a car that either needs to be bought new(ish) with a warranty 2008 and up! or as a project car,expected to dump money into it. Unless you want it soo bad that you can't sleep at night;annnd got the money and patience and at least some diy know how- don't do it. Honestly. The TL handles a little smoother,softer obviously not as sporty. but the reliability on these is great. and if you can get a good deal; even better.

dannyboy10

Comes down to driving dynamics and can you afford BMW maintenance /repairs. The E46 was the benchmark for driving dynamics during that period.


Do not buy the E46 if you will need to rely on a BMW dealer for "common" repairs:

Leaking valve cover gasket ? $300.
Thermostat ? $500.
Window regulator? $425.
Leaking oil filter housing gasket ? $400.
Front control arm bushings ? $500.

BMW enthusiasts recommend a cooling system overhaul after 75,000 miles. $1,500 and up at BMW !!

Deerole

if your on a budget...i wouldnt go the beema route...dealer will rape u and rape u again until you bleed dry. remember ur not buying a new bmw. so if u can get a cpo go for it

ttribe

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

ttribe, i found that funny as well. LOL

sleeper22

Dude get your head out of the sand. Why do you think there are tons of plastic parts and electrical issues, window motors going out, etc...They are designed that way. Do some research and get back to me please.

Japanese cars don't have those problems consistently do they? All German cars have electrical gremlins. Look at VW/Audi. Good gawd those cars are awful.

JD TL-S

iTrader: (1)

I was on 2 BMW forums for 2 years. I was going to buy a New 2008 135i turbo. MANY people on the BMW forums told me to LEASE DONT BUY A BMW, they said they have tranny and electrical problems. I personally will NEVER BUY A BMW thats not Certified. I found 2 335i sedans loaded with about 30,000 miles both 2008's for $31,000 fully Certified by BMW with warranties until 2014 or 100,000 miles. I decided on buying a 2006 TL. The last TL I had was a manual 2006 TL NAV. It had the brembo breaks, I installed Tein SS coilovers, a Progess rear 24mm rear stabilizer, a j-pipe, an ATLP catback, it was VERY QUICK AND HANDLED AWESOME...IT DIDNT FEEL LIKE A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CAR.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

until you torque steer into a wall or curb

ttribe

Are you serious? "Do some research"? I'll tell you what, how about I just got get in my car to "research" it? Or, maybe (on your suggestion of course) I'll compare its quality to the 6 Hondas and Acuras my wife and I have owned over the past 18 years?

Note to you - get a little context with who you're talking to before you start acting like a know-it-all.

sleeper22

Obviously you don't believe me. You drive a BMW correct? That explains it.

ttribe

Read my edit.

sleeper22

I love BMW's to be honest but wouldn't want the headache of cost of ownership if not under a warranty. German cars are fantastic minus the electrical issues.

sleeper22

Damn nice Beemer ttribe. I see you sold it and now have a 06 TL. I almost got a 06 but got a fantastic deal on my 05. I can tell you this. A buddy of mine is a mechanical engineer and knows cars and motorcycles very well. He has owned several BMW cars and bikes. We had an extensive talk about the cars and he told me why do you think small shit fails on them all the time. I said not sure but it seems they are designed that way which sounded almost ludicrous to me. He said you are correct. Sad but true. In this day and time do you think Germans can build a car that doesn't have a multitude of electrical issues? Of course they can because the rest of the car is a fantastic design and well engineered. Japanese cars hardly ever have electrical issues like German cars. Much more dependable. Why did you sell the BMW and get the TL? Was it dependability or cost of ownership? Just asking?

ttribe

No electrical issues on my M5. Can't even count the number of window actuators I replaced on our various Hondas and Acuras over the years (not to mention motor mounts...uggh), and a rather expensive Bluetooth module on my TL.

Thanks.

Here's my car history (for context) - https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...postcount=3122

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

:ibinbeforethelock:

ttribe

Actually, it was the other way around. I sold the TL and bought the M5.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

I was confused when I read his statement.
I thought we were traveling back in time.

ttribe

I installed a flux capacitor on the M5. Still need to add it to my sig line.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

ttribe, I'm only a few states away from you.
I would love to hear that V10!

ttribe

I might have considered it before this: https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-photograph-gallery-96/starting-new-year-off-bang-843110/

Now...can't let you near the car.

ETA: BTW Justin, here's the latest: https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...&postcount=385

ttribe

Naaa, I think we're good...right sleeper?


BTW, my bad on the hijack.

sleeper22

I'm not trying to "act like a no it all" trust me. I base my information on experience of others, forums and a close friend who knows cars.

I misread that you sold your TL and got the M5. It came after your extensive mod list for the M5. My bad. Again nice ride

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Well played, my good sir.

sleeper22

Oh hell yes we're good

ttribe

AZine's restriction on the number of lines allowable in a sig causes that. Sorry. BTW, my TL mod list was a little more extensive...but another board member owns it now, so it's his to list.

sleeper22

Sorry I didn't mean to threadjack to the original poster.

NIGHTEHAWK

I guess sleeper22 didn't know you drive an M5 huh! , what an amazing car ttribe