You got that right. I have both. The TL is a wonderful car. My wife drives a BMW 3 series 325i. I can tell you from experience the following:
The 2005 Acura TL (84,000 miles) never has had a major problem. Only had the Handsfree electronic module replaced under warrantee. It handles great, gets decent gas mileage (about same as the lessor powered BMW) Has lots of decent gadgets like Navigation, Bluetooth, 10 speaker dynamite stero.
(The (2004) BMW 325i (83,000 miles) has had a new transmission replaced $5,000 (out of warrantee) - wiring harness (warrantee), Waterpump failed and took out radiator and fan mechanism $1,770 (out of warrantee) and recently a broken rear spring to the tune of $750 (out of warrantee).
Yes, the "BMW" is great to drive - nothing drives like it (but TL close and faster). So the moral is:
Acrua - Fun and bulletproof.
BMW - Fun and very costly to maintain.
And I've followed this forum enough to know these are systemic problems with BMWs. The just don't build them like Japan does.
PS if possible get the extended service agreement. Brakes alone all around are over $1000 (basically the cost of the 50,000 extended warrantee.)
I would *never* purchase another BMW without full 100,000 extended coverage - both mechanical and maintenance. PERIOD . . .
