BMW 328i or Acura TL

[NewYorksFinest]

My old used car is starting to break. I am stuck in between the TL and the 328i. I want a car that accelerates and brakes quickly and can spend ~40-50K. Thanks!

 

[G73S]

BMW 328i FTW.

1) German quality, not some japanese plasticy crap

2) Has a ton of modification options for looks and performance (so does the Acura, but just saying)

3) Looks way better and prestigious

4) Handles better and can take corners at higher speed due to its weight / stability

 

[KDKPSJ]

Despite they are in similar price range, they are quite different if you actually drive or ride them.

TL is way way bigger and softer, and you can definitely feel. Even with SH-AWD, what I felt was that it is more of family sedan than sports sedan. In other word, closer to Lexus ES350 than 3 series. F30 3 series got a lot softer than E90, and yet, I felt it's still more fun and involved than TL.

My preference is small and fun (Have owned 1st gen TSX, E90 325i ZSP, G37 Coupe, and now Z4 sDrive35i), therefore, if I have to choose between BMW and Acura, I'd go for 3 series for now, or wait for TLX V6. Acura right now has no car qualifies my favor.

 

[cyclistca]

2014 Lexus IS350

 

[drbrock]

2014 TL over the BMW. Everydae is right two completely different cars. I prefer the bigger body cars so I like my TL. I cannot fit more than two people in a 3 series. They are great for women but not for men. If you are keeping the car more than three years. The TL is the no brainer just because of reliability and cheaper maintenance costs.

My boss has the 3.28 and I can't tell a difference in performance between our cars.

I don't know how much a z4 costs but I would rather get that then the 3.28 if they are in the same price range.

Accelerating and braking are both great in my TL btw. If you want a track car though the TL is not your best choice.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

My old used car is starting to break. I am stuck in between the TL and the 328i. I want a car that accelerates and brakes quickly and can spend ~40-50K. Thanks!

If accelerating and braking are the top priority then the BMW is the winner.

 

[dguy6789]

TL

 

[dbk]

Get a TLX..or at least wait until it comes out to get the TL at a discount.. get the BMW but don't keep it beyond the warranty period.

 

[pauldun170]

How long do you plan on keeping the car?
Short term - You lease the BMW
Long term -You buy the TL

Do you want AWD?
TL-SH over 328I X-DRIVE
Don't care about AWD?
328i

Need room?
Acura
Just you?
328i

Neither car is a bad car. BMW's just have a rep for being money-pits as they age.

 

[Midwayman]

If accelerating and braking are the top priority then the BMW is the winner.

From C&D
328
70-0 191ft
0-60 5.6s

TL
70-0 178ft
0-60 6.2s

You're half right.

I had a 3G TL and have zero bad to say about it. Reliable as hell, decent fuel mileage, great resale. Its not the sportiest car in the world, but its plenty quick. However there is a new 2015 TLX coming in June. Completely new body, new transmissions, and (I think engines) It should be worth waiting for if you don't need to do this now.

 

[Midwayman]

BMW 328i FTW.

1) German quality, not some japanese plasticy crap

2) Has a ton of modification options for looks and performance (so does the Acura, but just saying)

3) Looks way better and prestigious

4) Handles better and can take corners at higher speed due to its weight / stability

1) Japanese reliability, not a german that will cost $$$$ in the shop all the time. (Besides have you compared a low end 3 series vs a TL? They're not exactly far apart in interior quality)

3) Looks are in the eye of the beholder. I don't care much for the 4G TL looks myself. The prestige.... well Its a 328. They're a dime a dozen. If it were a 335 at least...

4) .86g vs .87g cornering. Meh. BMW is probably the more sporty ride but they've been softening up their cars and its showing in the more recent comparison tests. Its no longer a given they are going to win the vehicle dynamics section.

 

[sontakke]

Wow, those are great numbers.

 

[ViviTheMage]

i'd bump that up to a 335

 

[ballmode]

Second on that 2014+ IS350.

328 with the 4banger turbo is nice better driving feel than the TL, but both aren't top of the class imo.

 

[Subyman]

Best thing you can do is go try all the cars in your price range. Looking at specs is pointless. I tried Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Acura, and VW before making my purchase. All felt completely different. Checking out Car and Driver was fun for taking a dump on the toilet, but for actually picking a car, you have to go drive them.

 

[Drako]

RWD beats FWD

 

[Midwayman]

Second on that 2014+ IS350.

328 with the 4banger turbo is nice better driving feel than the TL, but both aren't top of the class imo.

Right. However the TL is also almost $10k list than similar is350 or 328 *AND* they are more willing to discount. Dive them all. Decide if they're worth the extra cost.

 

[BurnItDwn]

TL and 328 both are nice cars.

TL is more practical, 328 will likely be a bit more fun.

I generally don't like BMW's interiors because the ceiling is too low and the windshield is too close to my face for the front seats, and, the back seats are even worse. There is not much room in the trunk, and for a car of that size, the fuel economy could be a LOT better. Then there's the cost of parts for when things break....

 

[NewYorksFinest]

I want the one that will last for ~5-6 years. I want to be able to hit 100MPH within 10-15 seconds and gets at least 20MPG. I need comfy seats. How about the BMW 328i 2 door coupe?

 

[PhoKingGuy]

I want the one that will last for ~5-6 years. I want to be able to hit 100MPH within 10-15 seconds and gets at least 20MPG. I need comfy seats. How about the BMW 328i 2 door coupe?

CPO 335i Sedan would probably be your best bet IMO.

 

[Sidekicknichola]

I drove both you listed, as well as the 335i, C350, G37, and IS350.

I want the one that will last for ~5-6 years. I want to be able to hit 100MPH within 10-15 seconds and gets at least 20MPG. I need comfy seats. How about the BMW 328i 2 door coupe?

IS350 by a landslide. I'm bias though, I'm on my third IS350 ...all driven past over 130k miles and haven't had a single problem yet, knock on wood. They're awesome cars, I get 34+ mpgs when I keep it to 60 mph. 28 mpgs at 75 mph. 24 mpg around the city.

0-60 in 5 seconds is nice too.


From Car and Driver:
C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 5.1 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 12.8 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 5.3 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 13.7 sec @ 104 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 142 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 167 ft

 

[evident]

i would get the IS350 over either car. a big + to it is it even has fold down rear seats!

 

[GoatMonkey]

I own an older TL a 2006. It's a good car, but I wouldn't buy the current generation. Wait for the reviews of the TLX that is coming out soon. If you can't wait, get the 328. It's a great car.

 

[hans007]

I have a current 328 m sport. I think the TL given its ugly as sin and a bloated fat pig of a car would not even be in the conversation.

I used to drive an 05 tsx and that was when acura could make a car worth buying. Get the 3 series. If its not that really an is350 ( ugly IMHO but its up to you) a w205 c class when it comes out or even a q50 (little bland looking but the sport model still has non run flats and hydraulic steering probably the most connected in the segment these days) are more fun rwd choices

 

[Wild Thing]

OP are you buying new or used?
If used I would go for a 2005-2006 E46 BMW M3 coupe....its sooo sweet.