m630

DVD-A I expect will die a betamax death - the masses don't care about it.

I also can't believe you compared HK to Bose while implying that panasonic was better. Just b/c something is at best buy doesn't mean it is bad. Yes - you won't find Macintosh amps there but you won't see them in a production car either.

Did you listen to the TL for long? Where you only listening to DVD-As at low volume? The stereo was fine but distorts easily at higher volumes. Hey fine - maybe there was something wrong with the car I was in....
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my brother has the TL, and its nice, but its not that nice, and the sound is OK, not better than my HK in my E46...

I havent heard the RL yet, but I doubt highly that its clearer than the Logic 7...panasonic is nice, but not better than HK or BOSE --IMHO

KenTO

I ordered a 545 (delivery in two weeks!), but I also looked at the Acura RL. I think it is a matter of personal taste. I found the RL somewhat boring, both in exterior and interior design. It is something my dad would love, it is the ideal middle-class close to retirement car, like a Mercedes S-class but half the price. It will be reliable, safe and pleasant to drive, like all other hondas and acuras.

The 545 excited me in a different way. It seemed more modern and youthful in design. It also looked more powerful.

Let's face it, owning a car is not only about personal enjoyment, but also on how others see us in our vehicles. You also have to ask yourself this, if you did own an Acura and you saw someone pull up in a BMW, would you have thought "what-if"?

Owning a car is always a difficult decision but you can never really go wrong, bucause in 2-5 years you can always get something different.

Buyer's remorse will always be there because there is no perfect car, and there will always be something new on the market. Really, owning a car is an emotional decision, because for basic transportation all you really need is an econo-box. I would suggest go with the car you love more, not which you think is a more practical decision (ie. more features for less money, etc). You will be happier in the long run.

subterFUSE

Panasonic does make some aftermarket that is good quality. Some of their headunits are pretty good. But, I'm not a big Panasonic fan either. For quality headunits, I always preferred Eclipse (for sound quality). Bose is absolute garbage, and Harmon Kardon is definitly better, but not a whole lot better. They are both companies which market better than they make audio gear. That's why people think they are so good.... it's just name recognition. How many people think Conrad Johnson makes great preamps? Not many, because they don't know about them.

Like I said before.... my viewpoint is a bit slanted because I've have experience with high-end audio for both home and car. I think that BMW is a high-end car, and I wish they would put in a truly high-end audio system. But, I understand that few people care about high-end audio enough to warrant BMW putting more expensive gear in their vehicles. It's more cost effective to put in a recognizable name brand like Harmon Kardon, which people think is excellent.


As for the Acura, I listened to it during a test drive. I turned the volume up pretty high. Didn't blast it, but it was running decent. I'm sure it distorts at higher volumes, though. All factory systems do. The Logic 7 distorts at high volume. I did not listen to DVD audio. Just the satellite radio, and one of my own CDs. Granted I did not listen to both cars back-to-back... But my impression was, after listening.... that I felt the Acura sounded better.

I obviously ended up getting the BMW, though.... but it was for other resons, obviously.

Nazzdeq

Well, I never had this problem because I only ever considered a BMW or Audi. Didn't even look at a Mercedes as they are way too plain for me.

The Acura RL? Not even in the same league as BMW to me. I admit that I never test drove it, but I certainly wouldn't pay 50k for an Acura. The prestige & class just are not there imho.

The BMW 530i handles like a charm, runs decent and my NAV and Heads Up Display are sweet. Bluetooth works great too. The only feature I would really want on the BMW is the intelligent key like that on the new 7-series.

-Nazz

Jerzguju

Overall the BMW has a ride of its own, driving at high RPM's giving you that extra jist you need, and the Acura wont give you that. Yes it may give you everything for the Dollar although a BMW will always be a BMW while a Acura will stand behind...although dont get me wrong it is a solid car for the price and options existed in it but a BMW is BM W

Iceman

Welcome aboard, Jerzguju !

alohalc

welcome aboard, jerzguju !

subterFUSE

And that's why I bought the 545i. Having owned my 545i SMG for a month now, I can easily say it is the finest automobile I've ever owned.

Before this, my 1994 Acura Legend LS 2 door was my favorite car I ever had.


All I was saying was.... I wish BMW would install a better stereo. I want to change out the OEM system.... but I'm afraid to disassemble a nearly $70,000 car.

heezy545i

I agree. Go ahead and start on your system already. I'm waiting on someone to post a DIY for me to follow.

subterFUSE

I have no plans to alter the audio system in my 545.

For me, with audio.... it's either all or nothing. Either I change out the whole thing, or I just live with it.

I'm just not going to risk tearing up an expensive BMW. I'm able to design and wire a system well on my own, but I just don't trust myself taking apart the car. Taking apart my old Acura was one thing.... taking apart a new BMW, that's another.

Besides, I think that there is too much risk of problems with the electrical system of the car if I add the additonal current load of amplifiers. In the past I've used Deep Cycle batteries and capacitors to suplement the power, but even with all that you still put a strain on the car. With a touchy piece of electrical gear like the iDrive, I just see the potential for serious problems.