Acura TL or BMW 5 Series - BMW Forum

smackay · 09-19-2008, 09:23 AM

Hi,

I am looking at a brand new 2008 Acura TL with Navigation for $30,000 or a CPO 2006 BMW 530xi for $34,000 with 40,000 miles on it.

I will have one year left on the original BMW warranty and then 2 more years with the CPO warranty.

Being my first BMW, will this be an expensive car to own and should I count on it giving me problems?

I am used to the reliability of Acura, but am enticed with the prospect of owning a BMW. Any feedback would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

witeshark · 09-19-2008, 10:00 AM

What do you prefer, front, or rear wheel drive?

smackay · 09-19-2008, 10:13 AM

I live in Mass, so I would need front or all wheel drive. Not considering rear.

RoadsterMadness · 09-19-2008, 10:38 AM

The 530Xi is all wheel drive and will perform like a champion! Plus, you are protected with the certified pre-owned status and warranty. This is a no brainer, spend the little extra $$ and get the vastly superior German car. You will NEVER go back!

smackay · 09-19-2008, 10:51 AM

Thanks for the response. But is it true that BMW's will have more issues and problems? My issue is that I will be financing the BMW for 5 years on an already 2 year old model. The last 3 years of financing will not be covered under warranty. When do they have their problems? Early on, throughout or later on?

johnnybayonne · 09-19-2008, 11:47 AM

I'm tired of hearing that BMW has certain issues
Every car manufacturer has a specific issue at one point or another.........Some are more reliable than the other....for example: Honda is suppose to be extremely reliable, but my 2000 Honda Odyssey needed a new transmission @ 81,000 miles & only 8 years old, I was told this was a common problem with the 99' to 01' models.......I was an auto-tech for 15 years & I worked for the Japanese manufacturers & the American manufacturers.....Acura, Honda, Toyota, Ford, Oldsmobile, & Used cars, they all have their issues.......Japanese being much more reliable than American......but since owning my 11 YEAR OLD BMW which has 96,000 miles on it, with no major issues, as matter of fact, I just did a transmission service & the fluid was cherry, no metal in the pan, & it shifts perfectly. I have worked on & owned a lot of different cars, I can honestly say that my Bimmer is the best car I have ever been around, meaning from just the way the doors close, tight & solid, to the way that inline 6 performs when I step on the gas @ practically, 100,000 miles on it......Most people can't believe my car is 11 years old........Acura makes a good car, but its not a Bimmer!
johnny,

RoadsterMadness · 09-19-2008, 12:24 PM

^^^^ Agree and +1! All cars have problems, but if the car you purchase is in good shapes as seems to be the case, I would not expect any major problems as BMW's are built extremely well and also are built for the long haul (most BMW engines are well able to last 400,000-500,000 miles and still be going strong!). I highly doubt you will be disappointed. The 530xi/E60 is a great car - get it and enjoy it. You will never go back to a Japanese econobox (credit this term to Demon-Dave!).

GET THE BIMMER.

chinonca · 09-19-2008, 12:28 PM

I agree with johnny, I've been a tech for years and I have worked on so many makes and they all have there flaws.. BMW's are well engineered vehicles and if maintained regularly you shouldnt have major problems.

marti5 · 09-19-2008, 01:05 PM

AGREE + 3, Why the hell do people think BM's are expensive to run, well I say try a Lexus Ls 400 or Jaguar or a private jet !!!

TxAg98 · 09-19-2008, 01:13 PM

Keep in mind, youre going to get a pretty biased opinion on your question seeing where you posted this.

Nick_318is · 09-19-2008, 01:49 PM

Go with the BMW, and take care of it, perform the maintence when it needs to be done and it will be a great car for years.

johnnybayonne · 09-19-2008, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick_318is

Go with the BMW, and take care of it, perform the maintence when it needs to be done and it will be a great car for years.

^^^Very true!
I could not have put it better.............

johnny,

Dudesky_E36 · 09-20-2008, 06:44 AM

I thought CPO BMWs were covered up to 100k??

My thoughts- the TL will smoke the 530xi as far as speed, but I don't know about the handling differences. They both have a pretty decent track record since their redesign. But a BMW is, well, a BMW. You'd have to take a leap of faith to find out what this owner loyalty is all about