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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BMW E90/E92/E93 3-series General Forums > General E90 Sedan / E91 Wagon / E92 Coupe / E93 Cabrio > Is it true that Acura TL is faster than 330i? And, handles like RWD?



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      02-22-2006, 12:16 PM   #45
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When i told my acura dealership (i have an RSX until my 330i gets here in about 2 weeks!) i was going to buy a BMW as my next car, they offered me an Acura TL to keep for a few days.

The TL is a very nice car, certainly a huge step up from my rsx. The interior was pretty nice (i don't particularly care for aluminum trim, but the rest of it was really nice) and the car felt like it had some serious power. In fact, i'd say it felt like it pulled harder than the e90, particularly off the line. However, like every other japanese car i've driven (except the rsx and the s2000), i never felt like i had control over the car under hard acceleration. The front tires had a mind of their own and the car didn't inspire enough confidence in me to attempt any of my usual antics.

Sure, it felt faster, but we're bmw people. If the only thing we were looking for in a car was to get off the line the fastest, we could spend a lot less money on american muscle or tricking out a japanese econocar.
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      02-22-2006, 12:30 PM   #46
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It is mainly a matter of feel. The E90 just feels better at handling, although not like day and night.

Here is an old comparo (E46 and TL).
http://www.caranddriver.com/article....rticle_id=7785
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      02-22-2006, 12:51 PM   #47
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Scrooge, that's what I was trying to convey. Having both a TL and the 330 in my garage, both manual, and both being driven by me, I know the TL pulls off the line harder than the 330. However, like what you wrote, the 330 feels more suited to handling under speed, while the TL, whether it's b/c of the weight or FWD, feels more unpredictable. I agree w/most articles in regards to a TL when they write, "All that HP in a FWD is a waste."
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      02-22-2006, 12:56 PM   #48
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Saintor
It is mainly a matter of feel. The E90 just feels better at handling, although not like day and night.

Here is an old comparo (E46 and TL).
http://www.caranddriver.com/article....rticle_id=7785
Thank you for that comparison article. Good read.
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      02-22-2006, 01:43 PM   #49
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bimmerista
It has 255 Hp and I completely disagree with your assessment of RWD vs FWD, RWD cars handle better that fronties, at the limit, once a frontie oversteers you can call your insurance company a RWD understeer is more easely controlled, and the limit is reached sooner on frontie because of the weight distribution going into a turn. FWD problems extend well beyon the launch. And then the Acura has the weight distribution issue as well.

As for the weight, from memory it is in fact heavier, but I truly do not recall.

The 5.4 acceleration figure... I call

I thought it was 270...oh well....I don't give a rats ass about jap cars anyways. To me...RWD and FWD doesn't really have a diff except from launch. i highly doubt u'll ever take it to the limit unless you race for a living or death...
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      02-22-2006, 01:46 PM   #50
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yeah right, i just raced a 6speed manual transmission 06 TL. No contest.
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      02-22-2006, 02:41 PM   #51
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Quote:
Originally Posted by e90fanatic
i highly doubt u'll ever take it to the limit unless you race for a living or death...
I often take it to its limit on tight cloverleaf interstate entrance/exit ramps.

The E90, with even a slightly above-average driver, can take it to its limit, survive AND have fun!

The TL? Nah, you better be wearing a diaper when you hit it's limit.

How many front wheel drive race cars are there? Why?
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      02-22-2006, 02:45 PM   #52
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Good Thread! I really enjoyed reading the posts as I always do on this forum.

I am not an expert like many on this forum, but I love the way the 330i drives. I do have a question as many of the posts are from stick drivers. Does an E90 Automatic against a TL automatic change anything? Is the E90 faster, handle better, etc.., Or, does the automatic close the gap, or give an edge to the TL?
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      02-22-2006, 02:56 PM   #53
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WooBah
Does an E90 Automatic against a TL automatic change anything?
Nope. E90 6MT > TL 6MT / E90 6AT > TL 5AT

Our E90's N52 engine has enough low-end and very refined power throughout the whole RPM range. so it still moves very nicely with the auto. Wider gear ratio of automatics(especially bigger gap for the Acura MT vs AT comparison, since they go from 6MT to 5AT, while we go from 6MT to 6AT. but don't forget, even if given same 6spd gears, MT is superior in terms of performance) must take advantage of much more "beefy" powerband throughout, which Honda/Acura V6 lacks, the low-end and mid-range power. They do have great top-end however, but top > low isn't a good idea when it comes down to automatics.
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      02-22-2006, 05:41 PM   #54
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Quote:
Originally Posted by e90fanatic
I thought it was 270...oh well....I don't give a rats ass about jap cars anyways. To me...RWD and FWD doesn't really have a diff except from launch. i highly doubt u'll ever take it to the limit unless you race for a living or death...
Don't have to take them to the limit to hit over/understeer. And the TL waggs across when pushed due to torque steer like a puppy.

The handling difference is evident even for non-pros or street racers.

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      02-22-2006, 06:20 PM   #55
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Yeah, i agree that the Acura is faster, and even feels faster while driving as apposed to the more linear power of my 330i, but it is not all about who is faster, and 1/4 mile numbers. Otherwise, I would have bought a Dodge Neon SRT4 for around 20 grand and blew away all of these cars mentioned above, and would keep up w/ a vette (in a straight line). However, I think that what separates us from "THEM" is that we appriciate and NEED the feeling of nimble handling and balance, and the predictability of what our car is going to do in certain handling situations. I also looked at the TL before getting the 330i, and you need hands of steel to overcome the rediculous torque steer each time you try to take off. Try having the steering wheel turned slightly while hitting the gas, and the balance of the car goes nuts. Overall a nice car, but not great. Maybe I'm just too damn picky or demand too much from my cars, but that's why I got a BMW.
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      02-22-2006, 06:29 PM   #56
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hotsand5
Yeah, i agree that the Acura is faster, and even feels faster while driving as apposed to the more linear power of my 330i...
What are you nucking futs? You have a 6 speed MT 330i and you think the TL is faster? WOW.
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      02-22-2006, 06:33 PM   #57
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the 3 feels slower than it is, due to the linear power delivery

tl might feel faster though
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      02-22-2006, 06:46 PM   #58
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Acura TL was .1 seconds faster 0-60 and .02 G's more grip. These tests were done in 100+ Farenheit, so its not a representation of real world situations. Such small spec differences shouldn't matter to anybody. And TL is a Honda Accord, handles nice but not like a Bimmer, not even close.
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      02-22-2006, 07:24 PM   #59
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DTM
And TL is a Honda Accord, handles nice but not like a Bimmer, not even close.
My 6G AV6 didn't handle nice at all..
or at least now that I drive this e90 thing....
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      02-22-2006, 07:58 PM   #60
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i drove an 03 tl type s before my 325 and i can tell u that the tl is much faster then the 325, especially when u get into vtec rage around 5200 rpm. ive driven a 330 and i can still say that atleast the 03 tl type s is faster when u rev it into vtec range. but the tl still handles like my mom Honada Pilot
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      02-22-2006, 08:31 PM   #61
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Here's a more updated comparo featuring the TL and the E90. The TL is definitely faster than the 330 but does not handle as well. Only car faster in it's class is the IS350. Still, C/D awards the crown to the 330. Damn good article.

http://www.caranddriver.com/article....rticle_id=9993
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      02-22-2006, 09:13 PM   #62
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Quote:
Originally Posted by desibimmer
ive driven a 330 and i can still say that atleast the 03 tl type s is faster when u rev it into vtec range. but the tl still handles like my mom Honada Pilot
Righttttt. You've driven the 330 6MT which is capable of hitting low 14s? 03 TL type-s isn't even offered in manual. At near 3600pds, with 5hp/10tq advantage and HUGE disadvantage in gear ratios 6MT vs 5AT, Im SURE it "felt" a lot faster.

Damn, everyone is "trippin'" over VTEC syndrom. Even bmw owners.
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      02-22-2006, 09:19 PM   #63
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you guys should listen to Lux here, he knows his shit.
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      02-22-2006, 09:22 PM   #64
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The Acura has greater peak torque that occurs at higher RPM, so it will pull harder and feel faster. It should pull ahead of the 3 to stay from third gear on up. But no, it won't handle like an RWD, and it's heavier (only about by the weight of a spare tire and jack). It will not be able to stay with the 3 at the track, especially in auto form because those do not come with Brembos and have softer suspension.
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      02-22-2006, 09:34 PM   #65
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DTM
Acura TL was .1 seconds faster 0-60 and .02 G's more grip.
I dont think skidpad numbers directly corespond to how well a car handles. It might have to do with the rubber their wearing. Others on here might be able to explain it better, but I believe that when your throwing the weight of the car back and forth in the twisties that the BMW will settle on its springs better and so on....

Skid pad is driving in a circle.....
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      02-22-2006, 10:00 PM   #66
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ACZakka325i
I dont think skidpad numbers directly corespond to how well a car handles. It might have to do with the rubber their wearing. Others on here might be able to explain it better, but I believe that when your throwing the weight of the car back and forth in the twisties that the BMW will settle on its springs better and so on....

Skid pad is driving in a circle.....
I'm not sure if you misread what I wrote or I misread what you wrote, but in my post I [attempted] to state that .02 doesn't say shit about a car.
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