All are 2006 models and have similar price range (~33gs) and similar ratings on most of the websites. I am leaning towards the beamer for its look and certain tiny but nice features like run-flat tires, curve tracking headlights etc. I know I probably get a better bang for the buck if I go with the Acura. Besides the ~250 hp (as opposed to 215 hp of BMW) and power front seats etc, it's got a lot of features like Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, GPS as standard features. The Merc fits somewhere in between the BMW and Acura in price and in hp.

Any suggestions based on personal / your friend's experience? My heart is set on BMW, but I need a reason more than looks to put my money on it. Any input on their trade-in values / blue book value after say 5 years would be great to know.

As an aside question, would you buy / lease such a vehicle if you wanted not to loose a lot of money down the line?? (This might seem ironic but hey, I had to ask!)

12/15/2005 8:00:25 PM

First, don't buy a new car. Get a 2005 and save the 35% off the sticker.

Second, I would get the Acura based on looks, comfort, and reliability.

12/15/2005 8:07:32 PM

which is a good website to look for used cars? The used cars listed (2004 models) on cars.com / carmax.com / autotrader.com are about the same price as a brand new 2006 model!

12/15/2005 8:22:16 PM

IS300 or IS250

12/15/2005 8:24:48 PM

IS 350 is too expensive -- might as well get the 325xi. The 250 is underpowered. The 280 is not worth it -- just get the 325xi for the price. The TL is the best value.

^, ^^ the IS and 325xi are new models. The old IS 300 is not worth it. The old 325i is still good, but I think it looks inferior to the new model. TL is exactly the same as last year's model, so it will be even cheaper.


In summary, 325xi if you can afford it, TL if you can't.

[Edited on December 15, 2005 at 8:39 PM. Reason : sdf]

12/15/2005 8:37:10 PM

you forgot A4

12/15/2005 8:37:42 PM

I think he wanted his car to run without problems

12/15/2005 8:39:29 PM

the reliability in audi/vw is *much* better in the b7

12/15/2005 8:41:16 PM

audi a4 reliability is much worse than the other cars that he mentioned and other cars in the class.

12/15/2005 8:44:24 PM

skokiaan - Thanks for reinforcing my choice Acura is very solid but I would still go for the new beamer as it is getting rave reviews except for some problems with its iDrive thing! Another complaint: Price! A lot of nice features are optional in the beamer (like Automatic transmission!!) Has anyone tried their Automanual transmission ?? They say you can drive it like a stick shift, except that there's no clutch.

Scud: A4 did not impress me in looks, although it is a lil easier on the pocket.

Between the beamer and Acura, does one score better than the other when it comes to KBB ??

12/15/2005 8:51:02 PM

acura holds its value slightly better, apparently.

Really, the BIG difference between the TL and bmw is rear wheel drive. As a result, the bmw is more sporty and probably a better handling car. For some people, not having RWD is a deal breaker.

If you dont mind FWD, the TL is a perfect car. All the reviews say this. Yes, you will have to pay for the BMW. A lot of the shit that is standard on the TL is extra on the 325. Oh yeah, reliability and cost of repair is also a difference b/w the BMW and the TL (the TL being better).

[Edited on December 15, 2005 at 8:59 PM. Reason : sdf]

12/15/2005 8:57:00 PM

why dont you goto KBB and find out, youre the one who wants to know.

its gonna be pretty much all acura votes here, and youd be stupid not to go with the TL over your other candidates.

i dont believe curve tracking headlights arent a huge benefit over standard headlights as much as they are another BS feature in attempt to lure easily impressionable "go for the gimmick" buyers. unless i am mistaken all three of those options have HID headlights, and thats gonna be more than enough.

run flat tires makes you want the BMW more? you can have them put on virtually any car, you know that right? although when they wear out and cost $$$$$$$$$$$$ to replace youll probably not like them so much anymore. another gimmick.

12/15/2005 9:02:11 PM

I wouldn't get the BMW simply due to the future upkeep costs.

12/15/2005 9:02:21 PM

Thanks y'all. I really wanted a 4 wheel drive and 325xi is just that. But yeah, Acura has a lot more standard features (and more hp/$) and after this thread, I think I need to look more closely. The sole purpose of this thread was to compare the Acura TL with the beamer... coz I know I'll end up buying one of them!

If there's not a lot of difference between the 2005 and 2006 models of TL, I might end up saving some $$ as well Where's a good place to look for used 2005 cars ? And what's the take on Acura certified used cars??

[Edited on December 15, 2005 at 9:17 PM. Reason : 5]

12/15/2005 9:16:09 PM

lease v buy depends on what you want to keep for a long time. If you went with the TL, for example, you would be much more comfortable keeping it past any warranty. With the BMW, you wouldnt want to be saddled with $texas repairs.

A lot of calculations I have seen have the TCO for buying or leasing about the same.

12/15/2005 9:19:00 PM

first of all beamers are bmw motorcycles. word you want is bimmer. feature wise acura and audi are you best bets. don't listen to horseshit about vw/audi reliability. they had a slight slip in their pre '02 models due to coil packs, window regulators and sludge buildup among others. past '2 most of the problems have been resolved. BMW will hold its value more than anything on that list and handling wise it will be the best deal.

now, if you are into status, rwd handling then end the story and get a bmw. if you want every day practicality, luxury get a audi or acura. unless you are 40 i would forget about lexus or benz.

12/15/2005 11:54:47 PM

^Thanks! I've decided to go with the latest models, if it's a BMW, then I will go for a 325xi else I'll go for a TL / TSX. I am kinda surprised that the number of available standard options on a TSX > BMW. I guess I'll have to just test drive both the cars and get a feeling for what I like more. It's great to hear your comments though.

12/16/2005 12:13:41 AM

the tsx will not even compare to the 325. totally different class of cars

12/16/2005 12:16:55 AM

You can also try to find a 2004 TL, same thing as 05 and 06, just a little bit older, but still damn new.

and the A4 is like the dsm of that luxary group, and a little bit harder to work on.

12/16/2005 12:42:00 AM

330i. if u want 4 wheel drive get an audi.

12/16/2005 3:21:02 AM

I just got an 06 TL with NAV and I love it. I shopped all of the other aforementioned cars but couldn't get past the standard features offered on the Acura for such a reasonable price. I went with the 06 instead of 05 b/c of the 6 year powertrain vs. 4 year powertrain warranty. The only other changes that I know of are the tire pressure management system and horsepower changed from 270 to 258 (just because of different measurement standards)

12/16/2005 8:36:59 AM

325xi and then throw a supercharger on that bitch and have a badass AWD bimmer.

12/16/2005 8:54:04 AM

Does Acura offer free maintenance like the Bimmer?

12/16/2005 10:00:19 AM

^no

12/16/2005 10:56:56 AM

the horsepower didn't change - it's the same - it is becuase they changed how it's measured though

12/16/2005 11:02:37 AM

Quote :

"and the A4 is like the dsm of that luxary group, and a little bit harder to work on."

what are you trying to say here?

12/16/2005 11:05:30 AM

Quote :

"330i. if u want 4 wheel drive get an audi. "

I'm with sparky...

03-04 330i zhp and CPO..

http://www.e46fanatics.com
Read up on the XI's IMO

[Edited on December 16, 2005 at 11:21 AM. Reason : .]

[Edited on December 16, 2005 at 11:22 AM. Reason : keep thinking of stuff to add]

12/16/2005 11:20:29 AM

Quote :

"BMW 325Xi / Acura TL / Mercedes C280 ?"

Infiniti G35... better looking, and better performance (287-300 hp) than all of the above.

[/thread]

[Edited on December 16, 2005 at 11:28 AM. Reason : also comes with 4-wheel drive]

12/16/2005 11:25:30 AM

Quote :

"330i. if u want 4 wheel drive get an audi."

12/16/2005 11:25:40 AM

Quote :

"330i. if u want 4 wheel drive get an audi"

12/16/2005 1:01:13 PM

You seem to have an aversion to manual transmission cars, so I'm gonna say forget the Bimmer and go with either the TL, G35, or MB.

12/16/2005 1:16:49 PM

get the benz

12/16/2005 1:45:03 PM

I know it's not what you asked for... BUT

A IS250 AWD or a 350 RWD is going to be more reliable than a TL/BMW/Merc.

like joel said, run flats suck. they're heavy, loud, and suck $ from your wallet.

Quote :

"And what's the take on Acura certified used cars??"

gimmick. i wouldn't trust them. the 100k warranty only applies after subtracting the mileage it has currently. so you aren't getting the full amount.

Quote :

"first of all beamers are bmw motorcycles. word you want is bimmer."

that's just stupid.

Quote :

"don't listen to horseshit about vw/audi reliability."

what do you mean? they still have problems.

Quote :

"I went with the 06 instead of 05 b/c of the 6 year powertrain vs. 4 year powertrain warranty."

I'm glad they decided to extend it. It's sad when Kia has a longer warranty.

Quote :

"Infiniti G35... better looking, and better performance (287-300 hp) than all of the above."

The interior seems like it's a little higher than GM quality.

[Edited on December 16, 2005 at 1:51 PM. Reason : down with acura]

12/16/2005 1:47:11 PM