Acura TL vs BMW 330i

[Swift]

Ok, what's the better value here?

Acura TL : Car and Driver synopsis

BMW 330i: Car and Driver Synopsis

The BMW goes stock at $37K the Acura for $33.5K. The BMW has 255HP the Acura has 270hp.

The main difference I see in these cars and the thing that gives the BMW the advantage is the FR drivetrain. Even though the Acura has a better skidpad rating of .91(vs the BMW at .89)that made it the best of this particular comparo.

The ONLY reason I can see to get the BMW over the Acura is the drivetrain. Everything else is very even.

What do you guys think and which one would you spend your 35K on?

 

[MrktMkr1986]

Neither, buy a Volvo or Saab instead. If I had to choose between the two, I'd pick the Acura (having driven one in real life; it was an automatic though).

 

[retsmah]

I'd have to drive both of them I guess, skidpad really isn't a good measure of how a car handles. Putting 270hp to the front wheels just doesn't seem like a great idea to me

 

[Swift]

Neither, buy a Volvo or Saab instead. If I had to choose between the two, I'd pick the Acura (having driven one in real life; it was an automatic though).

I will not buy a volvo because they have the most numb steering ever. I've had the chance to drive on hard andit was the most boring thing ever.

I haven't had a first hand experience with the Saab.

The reason I posted this thread is that pound for pound, the TL stacks up to the 330i. So besides the status symbol, why go for the BMW?

 

[MrktMkr1986]

I will not buy a volvo because they have the most numb steering ever. I've had the chance to drive on hard andit was the most boring thing ever.

Which model? I've driven an 850 and (of course) my 740 and both have tight steering. My Dad's S80 is another story on the other hand -- very numb.

I haven't had a first hand experience with the Saab.

I've driven, albeit briefly, a Saab 9-5 Sportwagon. Very exciting, but the turbo lag was noticeable (I like that, though).

The reason I posted this thread is that pound for pound, the TL stacks up to the 330i. So besides the status symbol, why go for the BMW?

Rear-wheel drive.

 

[retsmah]

The BMW may be more fun to drive, especially since it's not front wheel drive. I don't know if that's a big deal for most people... it is for me, but then I wouldn't be buying a family sedan

 

[Swift]

Which model? I've driven an 850 and (of course) my 740 and both have tight steering. My Dad's S80 is another story on the other hand -- very numb.

Exactly, the S models of the volvos are horrible for steering.

I've driven, albeit briefly, a Saab 9-5 Sportwagon. Very exciting, but the turbo lag was noticeable (I like that, though).

You LIKE turbo lag?

Rear-wheel drive.

As I said in my original post.

The BMW may be more fun to drive, especially since it's not front wheel drive. I don't know if that's a big deal for most people... it is for me, but then I wouldn't be buying a family sedan

I'd call the 330 a sports sedan rather then a family sedan. That be more like a Camry or Accord.

 

[emad]

I say go for the TL - honda reliability, a bit more powerful, and the better skidpad rating. Because it's got Honda's v6, it's likely to be more fuel efficient as well.

Why a saab MrktMkr? The majority of their cars share parts from low end chevys and the quality shows. My friend's family is on their 4th or 5th saab in the past 10 years. They still refuse to touch the newer generations because of GM's magical touch.

 

[xcsti]

I'd take the tl. My dad has owned owned and I've driven the new one a few times and ridden in it for a few longish trips. The interior is extremely nice. Handles real well (though I recall it bombing into understeer after being put past it's limit). I wouldn't buy either for sporting reasons so I'd go for the cheaper one with an interior that is still very nice and with good get up and handling.

 

[Carl.]

Better value? Given its price, it's obviously the TL, by a length. If I didn't live in a place with bad winters, I'd prefer the 330 though. This thing handles like a dream, especially with the M package, and skidpad numbers don't tell much, IMO. Bring the two cars on a racetrack, and I'd bet my paycheck on the BMW. Some cars, especially fwds, have impressive levels of grips, but driving them near their limits just won't feel as good as it does with the BMW. I've also seen an idiot almost losing it in his TL because of torque steer while passing someone on the shoulder (right after cutting through two lanes...). Acceleration was impressive though.

But since I had a few disappointing experiences driving rwd luxury cars in snow (yes, nannies helps a lot, but I simply hate relying on such systems to keep the car on the road, and it still can be quite scary at times), the TL would be a better choice for me. I drove a previous gen TL in a very bad snowstorm on a trip to Northern Ontario (many roads were closed), and there's no way I could have kept the same pace with any rwd BMW or Mercedes.

 

[MrktMkr1986]

You LIKE turbo lag?

Definitely!

As I said in my original post.

Missed it.

Why a saab MrktMkr? The majority of their cars share parts from low end chevys and the quality shows.

True -- but that's all part of the fun of owning one! Quality issues aside, Saabs are fun to drive.

My friend's family is on their 4th or 5th saab in the past 10 years. They still refuse to touch the newer generations because of GM's magical touch.

The newer ones aren't all that great I admit; but I'd still buy one because of the turbo.

 

[Sage]

I’d take the TL, simply because it has an incredible interior compared to the BMW. Have you ever sat in a BMW made in the last year or two? – the interior plastics are **ittier than the plastics used in most economy cars. It’s like the fake leather used on plastic footballs, but worse.

That said, if you value handling above all else, definitely get the Beamer. However, I’m personally willing to give up a little handling in exchange for a much better interior (after all, you’ll experience the interior a lot more than you’ll be able to unwind the car on a mountain road) and the much better price.

 

[rollazn]

The 2006 Acura TL has less power than the 2005 I believe. The latest 2006 TL has around 258 hp (stated on Acura's website). I'm not sure why the power decreased - but that just to aware you - if you didn't know already.

If I were you I would really consider the new Lexus IS350. It has a 306hp V6 with a FR layout.. the only down fall is that it has a 6 speed automatic transmission with paddle shifting. If you don't mind that - I say the Lexus will be a great buy. It will probably be around 38K. It will have the power advantage and straight line performance over both BMW and Acura.

 

[xcsti]

The new SAE standards probably affected the tl's horsepower.

I'd say throw in the g35 sedan in this comparo. It kind of stands inbetween the beemer and acura.

 

[Duke]

Well, let me put it this way - I love my wife's TSX, but I'm also shopping for used 330is. The TL, while more powerful, does not handle nearly as well as the TSX. And the TSX is down on handling by half a mile from the sports BMWs, thanks to the FWD platform.

That being said, I'm also shopping for TSXs, because despite the modest power, it's got enough, and the fun-to-drive factor is as high as any FWD car I've ever driven, including my stiff-as-a-truck ACR.

If you're looking for an 80%-hard-driving car, I'd definitely consider the TL and pocket the price difference. But if you're looking for 100%, RWD is going to carry the day, particularly with the legendary BMW handling.

 

[Omnis]

I love the TL's interior, and, suprisingly, it's one of the better fits of all the cars i've been in the driver's seat of.

 

[neanderthal]

wrong wheel drive vs RWD..

RWD wins hands down if its even approaching close.

 

[JCE]

Rear-wheel drive.

+1

That's the easiest decision ever...that and it's a BMW. BMW > Honda (errrr...ACURA). No Honda other than the S2000 is worth $35k in my opinion.

I'd say throw in the g35 sedan in this comparo. It kind of stands inbetween the beemer and acura.

+1

The G35 Sedan is easily the best Sport Saloon in NA for the price. I like the IS350 but the G35 has a much better interior and exterior design for me. I'd take the G35 over the BMW in a heartbeat.

 

[Carl.]

Indeed, the G35 is a good alternative, especially from a driving point of view. It doesn't come close to the Acura for the interior though (design, quality, and materials, an issue with the whole infinity lineup), and seriously, they should include a Prozac dispenser along with that dashboard lighting...

 

[niky]

I agree with Carl... skidpad numbers are meaningless in terms of handling... lane change and slaloms are a better indicator. But a good skidpad never hurt anyone.

Actually, rear-wheel drive would only be better for 10/10ths driving. The rest of the time, you won't notice. I'd rather get the Acura. If I could afford to maintain one, I'd get a Beemer. But that's just me.

 

[Omnis]

How about the new IS? Is that in the same class? Seems like a fantastic car. My dad loves it.

 

[RobcioPL]

Other cars that should also me looked at:
Infiniti G35
Infiniti M35
IS300

 

[Ev0]

Frankly, I'd go with a G35 Sedan, simply because it's a better value than the BMW. The G35 has a better engine (not to put down BMW's straight 6, but I absolutely love the VQ35DE), it handles nearly as well as the BMW, and it costs thousands less. But having sat in both cars, I'd say the BMW has the better interior; I just love it. I can't compare it to the TL's interior since I have not been in one.

As far as FWD cars go, the TL is very good. But when the time comes for me to buy a car, handling will be at the top of my non-practical considerations. So that instantly makes the BMW or the G35 the better car in my eyes, since no matter how well you get the handling sorted out for a FWD car, you'll still have to deal with throttle on understeer. Especially if you want to attach a powerful engine to that drivetrain.

 

[akhbhaat]

I'd have expected a far more elevated level of technical discussion on a forum dedicated to supposed driving enthusiasts, but I digress.

Re: the 258 vs 270 hp change. This is due to a recent revision in SAE power measurement standards. The TL hasn't actually lost any power, it simply didn't have as much as was claimed originally; this was only allowable because there was an apparent loophole in the pre-revision SAE standards that allowed manufacturers to legally inflate rated power outputs under certain conditions. Or, at least, something roughly to that effect...don't quote me on it.

 

[Burnout]

TL.

On a dry day on a curvy mountain road, the BMW would be more fun, absolutely. On any other kind of road or weather, TL all the way.

 

[Wolfe]

I honestly don't understand how people prefer FWD to RWD so strongly when it comes to snow and such... Having driven my parents' Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme in the winter two years ago ( ), and then my own car last winter ( ), I definitely know which drivetrain I would trust in an emergency situation...

...and it wouldn't be the one that can do nothing but understeer...

In this comparo, I would choose the BMW, hands-down. Not for the image (I don't give a **** about that ), but for the drivetrain, the value retention, the engine (straight six all the way ), and for a reason that was quite nicely summed up by Jeremy Clarkson once..."When you buy a Honda, you get...a Honda."

 

[Young_Warrior]

I wouldnt get the bmw cause its ugly and I wouldnt get the honda because for that money you could get a BMW.

So Id get a Audi A4 3.2 Quattro with the S-line sport Kit. The S-line sport kit makes it the sportiest looking compact executive available today. And it has the best interior in its class and uber efficient engine. 30mpg!!!! All this starting at $35k

Oh yeah and it pawns both FR and RWD come rains snow or ice and it holds its value better than a 3 series and especially the honda. Also audis are very fast on the track with of lately bringing disputes in some publication as to who exactly is faster round a track.

 

[Duke]

Actually, the current A4 is getting pretty old in terms of engineering. Having driven them before we bought the TSX, I was highly underwhelmed by the A4, particularly the 1.8T which was gutless and buzzy. The 6-cylinder might be better, but I've not heard good things about it, though I admit I haven't driven one. The car felt very heavy - because it is very heavy - and the stiff suspension was did not help the handling that much, but did make for a somewhat annoying ride.

The interior was nice, but highly Germanic. That's not entirely a bad thing, but a little joy might have been nice.

 

[Young_Warrior]

Was it FWD or quattro and did it have the audi beard front end?

 

[Duke]

I drove two, both quattro 2003 models. One had the Sport package with the larger 17"wheels; the other had the standard 16s. The 2005s are not mechanically that different, in the suspension department.