[WooBah]

Hi to all. I realize this is an E90 Forum, hence the reason I am posting. I love the looks of the E90 and the driving dynamics. I do, however, have some concerns/questions.

I am in the market for a new car. I have been looking at a 2006 325i, 330i, and a 2006 Acura TL with Navigation. I need an automatic, due to a lot of city driving. The price difference between comparable equipped cars is about $6500 more than a TL for the 325i, and about $10,000 more than a TL for the 330i.

I have only been able to test drive a 330 and 325, so I have not had a long drive in one. Therefore, I have questions:

How do you feel about the freeway ride of the 325i/330i? Is it comfortable, absorb bumps, little road noise? Or, just the opposite? I am trying to compare the ride to that of a TL.

How do you feel the back seat comfort is for two adults? I am 6'2, but will be in the front seat, how will back seat occupants 6' tall fair?

I could tell the 330i and the 325 can cut up curves, the test drive was short, but the car gripped turns, much better than a TL, no question about that. But, how does it do acceleration, from a stop, passing on freeway, and mountain pass?

The Acura TL navigation is the best I have used. How is the navigation in the E90? How is IDrive in the real world?

Thank you for any comments, suggestions, opinions.

[kobechrome]

TL is a smoother more luxurious ride - I had an 06 as a loaner when my 03 was getting serviced. The 325 is way more fun to drive. Back seats are noticeably larger in the TL. The TL has more HP than the 325, about the same as 330. Since the 3 series have torque peak at lower RPMs - you will "feel" like you are driving faster in the 3.

I have a 325 and an 03 TL so its probably not a fair comparison but I'll take the 3 series cornering, accelerating, and ride anyday over the size and smoothness of the TL. The 06 TL is undoubtedly much improved over the 03 version (redesign of body and engine).

The bottom line is that the TL is an excellent car - reliable, smooth, fast, roomy. However, it just doesn't inspire me to WANT to drive like my 325 does. The 3 feels like I'm driving on rails. I feel the road more - but not in a bad way.... just more connected. It's not a tangible feeling I can explain and I think most 3 series owners feel the same way.

You are also on an e90 forum so you're responses will be biased - which makes me think you are leaning towards the 325/330 anyway

Go post this on an Acura forum and see what happens...

[docbolo]

My buddy wrecked his 2004 330 coupe and got a TL. He worshipped the beemer and the TL is just a car. The bottom line here is that there is truth in advertising. it is the ultimate driving machine. I have enjoyed every second of my commute with it. It is the best purchase I've ever made. I worship this car. I drove my buddies TL and it was just a car. If you want a pretty LCD screen and amazing reliability but don't care about driving, then get TL. As far as iDrive comments, if you know how to post on this forum then iDrive is simple to use. I love it.


Post the pics when you take delivery on your new e90 :rocks:

[findtom]

Honestly, I love my E90... but if all the options that the TL comes with are important to you and you plan on buying it and keeping it for a while, I'd be extremely tempted by the TL.

I like the look and style of the TL but the residual for a lease was 42% vs. 63% for the E90... so even though the MSRP is about the same the lease cost was much higher for the TL. The 325i in Canada also happens to come equipped with everything I wanted, so many things the TL comes with (i.e. sunroof, CD changer, automatic) I didn't care about or want to be "paying for" even though they come standard. The bluetooth on the TL is awesome though, and I love the interior.

It will never have the "driver's car" appeal and character of a BMW though...

[arcrox]

If you are going to get a luxury sedan, don't get a FWD TL. Even with more horse power, it won't be able to translate that performance onto the (often curvy) road nearly as well as the BMW (the roadhugging, confidence inspiring, ultimate driving machine)

[Go]

I recently ordered a 330i and will be trading in my 2004 TL, the BMW is sportier and feels faster. The tiptronic in the TL is sluggish also...

[BMW F22]

the new TL only have 258hp I think. Costs about the same so I would go with a BMW.

[Pretender]

dude, I didn't plan to buy BMW a90 at all. I wanted to get either TL or G35. I tested both of them, and they were nice to drive. But on the way home, I just dropped by the BMW dealer, tried the 330i, and I was sold. That's it.
Right now, you can get a 330I with steptronic, premium, sport and idrive for around $41K, without sport package ~ < $40K, plus free maintenance for 4 years. That's around 6-7K more than the TL (~$34K). Believe me, your 7 grands worth. One more thing, I let the TL guy smell my smoke when he tried to race me.

[D&G]

You would not go wrong going with either vehicle. Here are the benefits I find comparing the TL and 330i:

1) TL is faster if comparing auto to auto/manual to manual.
2) TL has a better Navigation System if not one of the best in the market today. Voice activated and touch screan and ease of use.
3) TL is more roomier and feels more luxury and has nicer interior. (Guages are glowing blue/red with blue ambient light)
4) TL you will save yourself a good $4000-7000 because the TL comes fully loaded and the 330i you would have to add sport/premium package just to get what the TL comes with.
5) BMW 330i is a more fun vehicle to drive overall.
6) BMW handles better and is a true Sporty Sedan
7) BMW is a more solid built car over the TL.
8) BMW over Acura....Branding!!!!


Those are my honest opinion so take your pick. Let us know what you end up with.

[BMW F22]

simply put

OMG you drive a BMW?!?!!? or Oh you drive a TL? It's a nice car.

make your pick...

[Pretender]

Damn. I don't know why people compare TL with 330i. TL is just like an Accord with luxury packages. It makes more sense to compare G35 with 330i. No bias tho. If not bmw, the next choice should be G35, not TL.

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by Pretender

If not bmw, the next choice should be G35, not TL.

true true

[David328M-Sport]

e90 steptronic in DS mode. no worries mate.

i cant wait to drive mycar again.

[ben1364]

Pretender said it well. The originator of this thread must decide as the comparison of an E 90 with a front drive car is lkie comparing apples to oranges. I like 'em both, by the way.

BMW AG should be prepared to hitch up it's corporate britches when
Infinity division releases the replacement to the G35 sedan.

[ap1994]

I personally cant buy a Japanese 'luxury car' that is for the most part re-badged. I give credit to Nissan, Toyota, and Honda though for applealing to Americans luxury tastes.

The Acura is more refined from an interior and end user technology standpoint, but that nothing drives like a BMW. I went for my test drive (initially a 325i) with my friend and his fiance. We were all floored with the drive (his fiance is not a car person). I wound up going with a 330i as the extra power made a difference to me.

Of course this is a BMW forum so you may want to post the same question in another forum. I buy a car to drive it and if you are the same its a no brainer.

Andy

[F32Fleet]

Be honest with yourself by taking a look at what your transportation needs really are. If you're going to spend lots of time idling along in rush hour traffic save your money and buy the TL because the bimmer will be going to waste.

Afterall, there's no point in having all that performance if it can't be used on a regular basis.

[330Inewbie]

I think this board is slightly biased. You might want to try the TL Forum to see it from both perspectives.

[vladinecko]

Originally Posted by 330Inewbie

I think this board is slightly biased. You might want to try the TL Forum to see it from both perspectives.

hey, at least people here tell you from which perspective is bmw vs. acura better or worse. how is that biased? as far as i know, you'll find nothing but bashing and discrediting BMWs on acura forums...

members of E90post tend to criticize other bimmers (325 vs. 330, this mod vs. that mod, arctic vs. TiAg, aluminum vs. wood, etc. etc) more than any other car. and that is what i really like about it. most people here keep it real so when a better non-bmw car comes in, you do hear good things about it.

[swu]

E90 = driver's car

TL = passenger's car

[ksfrogman]

When the latest version of the TL first came out, I thought it looked pretty nice. I even visited the Acura dealership and sat in one, but the front wheel drive was a deal breaker.

When I was a kid, I had two identical toy dump trucks with two wheel wind-up drive mechanisms. I used to wind them both up and place them bumper to bumper against each other, one facing backwards, the other forwards. The one with "rear-wheel" power always pushed the one with "front-wheel" power, because the former had more downward force (weight distributed) that increased friction (force x coefficient of friction). I decided at an early age that I didn't want front wheel drive.

Front wheel drive torque steer is also no fun.

[itznin]

Originally Posted by swu

E90 = driver's car

TL = passenger's car

Good summary here!

I came from a 2002 Acura-TL Type-S, and I also drove the redesigned model (loaner when it was in for service).

The 2001-2003 models are a disaster with the transmission recall and defects. (Check out the Acura forums for an exact description on this problem, basically your tranny has to be replaced every 25-35k miles)

Anyway the newer TL 2004+ is a nice car in terms of options but I still feel it is poorly made (made in Ohio). I've had a list of problems - some small and some big on my 2002 TL and most were due to poor build quality.

The 2004+ TL vibrates when around 55-60mph due to the transmission shifting to 6th gear too early (automatic obviously).

This is a HUGE problem in the TL community.

[ksfrogman]

Originally Posted by itznin

Good summary here!

I came from a 2002 Acura-TL Type-S, and I also drove the redesigned model (loaner when it was in for service).

The 2001-2003 models are a disaster with the transmission recall and defects. (Check out the Acura forums for an exact description on this problem, basically your tranny has to be replaced every 25-35k miles)

Anyway the newer TL 2004+ is a nice car in terms of options but I still feel it is poorly made (made in Ohio). I've had a list of problems - some small and some big on my 2002 TL and most were due to poor build quality.

The 2004+ TL vibrates when around 55-60mph due to the transmission shifting to 6th gear too early (automatic obviously).

This is a HUGE problem in the TL community.

Wow, I didn't know all that.