Thinking about switching from 545 to the new Acura
10-13-2004, 06:06 AM
#41
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Originally Posted by mrbelk' date='Oct 13 2004, 06:51 AM
I respectfully disagree about BMW priorities.? I think that BMW is a driver's car first and foremost, and the luxury is there just because that's expected of a "premium car."? It seems that the US market is really the only one that considers BMW a "luxury car."? I mean, one can still get cloth seats in a BMW in other markets.? Let's not forget how terribly cold and ascetic BMW interiors were as recently as the E36 3er.
If anything, I think it's the Acuras and Infinitis and Lexuses that are luxury cars at their core that are trying to be drivers' cars.
I think this same fundamental philosophy difference exists between BMW and Merc.? A BMW is a "drivers' car;" while a Merc is a "riders' car."
Everything else you said, I agree with 100%.
-MrB
If anything, I think it's the Acuras and Infinitis and Lexuses that are luxury cars at their core that are trying to be drivers' cars.
I think this same fundamental philosophy difference exists between BMW and Merc.? A BMW is a "drivers' car;" while a Merc is a "riders' car."
Everything else you said, I agree with 100%.
-MrB
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10-13-2004, 07:04 AM
#42
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My Ride: MY05 545i Jet Black with Auburn interior. SMG, Logic7, Sport Package, Comfort Seats, Navigation.
Do ask this same question in Acura's forum. You will always get a bias response here. I know I will too.
That being said, do buy the RL and save some money. If you have already owned BMW's then why not change flavor sometimes
That being said, do buy the RL and save some money. If you have already owned BMW's then why not change flavor sometimes
10-13-2004, 07:43 AM
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Originally Posted by speedracerF4i' date='Oct 13 2004, 09:04 AM
Do ask this same question in Acura's forum.? You will always get a bias response here. I know I will too.
That being said, do buy the RL and save some money.? If you have already owned BMW's then why not change flavor sometimes
That being said, do buy the RL and save some money.? If you have already owned BMW's then why not change flavor sometimes
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I would say there is a pretty easy test to deternime whether you should go with an RL or a 545. Drive both, and forget about checking out any of the 'features' such as bluetooth or nav or whatever. Just drive both cars a few times in a variety of situations that you feel really test the car's driving ability. Then, if you enjoy driving the 545 more, ask yourself if the added enjoyment is worth $16,000. If it is, buy the 545, if not get the RL.
10-13-2004, 07:54 AM
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Guys, it is a Honda...
I wonder if on a Honda forum there posts from somebody considering trading in his car for bus passes at half the price..
It is a Honda.
My lawnmower is a Honda.
My out board engine is a Honda.
I wonder if on a Honda forum there posts from somebody considering trading in his car for bus passes at half the price..
It is a Honda.
My lawnmower is a Honda.
My out board engine is a Honda.
10-16-2004, 08:09 PM
#45
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My Ride: On Order:
2006 525i
Alpine White
Auburn Interior
Premium Pkg
Sport Pkg
Cold Weather Pkg
Xenons
Sunshades
Sat Radio
Navigation
I went to look at the Acura RL today (why do I continue to doubt myself).
The RL is a nice car...but that's it. It looks OK, it drives OK, and it feels just OK (interior feel, touch, etc.). The thing I like about BMW is that it has an emotional appeal to me. It feels solid, sounds solid, the leather feels durable yet soft and it is different from the others out there. I cannot buy a car and not feel something for it. It is hard to explain, but if I were a practical person, I could say for 50k, I get all of these gadgets, decent hps, nice looks, etc. But I need more than practicality when making a purchase like this. I need to feel special when driving it. I need to want to drive it for many many years to come. I need to feel proud in what I have spent my money on. The BMW does that for me. I am not knocking anyone who likes this car, it is a nice car, but for me, nothing beats a BMW.
Keep in mind, I am planning on getting a 525, so even the added hp of the RL, it still doesn't make me want to switch. I have looked at them all, Cadillac STS, RL, Merc, etc. I keep coming back to BMW and it just puts a smile on my face everytime! For those of you already with your cars, you made the right choice, and I hope you feel special everytime you drive!
The RL is a nice car...but that's it. It looks OK, it drives OK, and it feels just OK (interior feel, touch, etc.). The thing I like about BMW is that it has an emotional appeal to me. It feels solid, sounds solid, the leather feels durable yet soft and it is different from the others out there. I cannot buy a car and not feel something for it. It is hard to explain, but if I were a practical person, I could say for 50k, I get all of these gadgets, decent hps, nice looks, etc. But I need more than practicality when making a purchase like this. I need to feel special when driving it. I need to want to drive it for many many years to come. I need to feel proud in what I have spent my money on. The BMW does that for me. I am not knocking anyone who likes this car, it is a nice car, but for me, nothing beats a BMW.
Keep in mind, I am planning on getting a 525, so even the added hp of the RL, it still doesn't make me want to switch. I have looked at them all, Cadillac STS, RL, Merc, etc. I keep coming back to BMW and it just puts a smile on my face everytime! For those of you already with your cars, you made the right choice, and I hope you feel special everytime you drive!
10-16-2004, 08:19 PM
#47
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My Ride: On Order:
2006 525i
Alpine White
Auburn Interior
Premium Pkg
Sport Pkg
Cold Weather Pkg
Xenons
Sunshades
Sat Radio
Navigation
I know, I know...soon enough! 
10-16-2004, 08:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Rudy' date='Oct 16 2004, 09:12 PM
I think you're preaching to the choir Aaron.? Now go out and get yourself a car! 
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10-16-2004, 09:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Aaron' date='Oct 16 2004, 06:09 PM
I went to look at the Acura RL today (why do I continue to doubt myself).
The RL is a nice car...but that's it.? It looks OK, it drives OK, and it feels just OK (interior feel, touch, etc.).? The thing I like about BMW is that it has an emotional appeal to me.? It feels solid, sounds solid, the leather feels durable yet soft and it is different from the others out there.? I cannot buy a car and not feel something for it.? It is hard to explain, but if I were a practical person, I could say for 50k, I get all of these gadgets, decent hps, nice looks, etc.? But I need more than practicality when making a purchase like this.? I need to feel special when driving it.? I need to want to drive it for many many years to come.? I need to feel proud in what I have spent my money on.? The BMW does that for me.? I am not knocking anyone who likes this car, it is a nice car, but for me, nothing beats a BMW.?
Keep in mind, I am planning on getting a 525, so even the added hp of the RL, it still doesn't make me want to switch.? I have looked at them all, Cadillac STS, RL, Merc, etc.? I keep coming back to BMW and it just puts a smile on my face everytime!? For those of you already with your cars, you made the right choice, and I hope you feel special everytime you drive!
The RL is a nice car...but that's it.? It looks OK, it drives OK, and it feels just OK (interior feel, touch, etc.).? The thing I like about BMW is that it has an emotional appeal to me.? It feels solid, sounds solid, the leather feels durable yet soft and it is different from the others out there.? I cannot buy a car and not feel something for it.? It is hard to explain, but if I were a practical person, I could say for 50k, I get all of these gadgets, decent hps, nice looks, etc.? But I need more than practicality when making a purchase like this.? I need to feel special when driving it.? I need to want to drive it for many many years to come.? I need to feel proud in what I have spent my money on.? The BMW does that for me.? I am not knocking anyone who likes this car, it is a nice car, but for me, nothing beats a BMW.?
Keep in mind, I am planning on getting a 525, so even the added hp of the RL, it still doesn't make me want to switch.? I have looked at them all, Cadillac STS, RL, Merc, etc.? I keep coming back to BMW and it just puts a smile on my face everytime!? For those of you already with your cars, you made the right choice, and I hope you feel special everytime you drive!
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! stick with you choice and you'll be another happy e60 owner 
.
10-17-2004, 01:18 AM
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My Ride: 2006 BMW M5, Silverstone with black extended leather, brushed aluminium trim, Nav Pro, Logic 7, PDC, 35 % tint.
I think you need to know what you want to do with your car. If you don't want 50:50 balance, want torque steer, and don't understand understeer or oversteer and how to correct them, then get an Acura. My wife has an Acura and I just bought a 545.
BMW's are designed to be safe but they assume the driver knows what he is doing. For example, go in a full circle at 50 km/hr and slam on the gas. Your car will start spinning once you lose rear tracktion (oversteer). BMW understands this, and corrects with DSC, but they also unable a driver to retain enough control of a situation to get out quickly and confidently.
Acura has good products but I dont' know of their commitment to serious drivers.
My advice is take a few advanced drivers courses (race based), get a BMW and drive the heck out of it. You'll never have so much fun in your life.
BMW's are designed to be safe but they assume the driver knows what he is doing. For example, go in a full circle at 50 km/hr and slam on the gas. Your car will start spinning once you lose rear tracktion (oversteer). BMW understands this, and corrects with DSC, but they also unable a driver to retain enough control of a situation to get out quickly and confidently.
Acura has good products but I dont' know of their commitment to serious drivers.
My advice is take a few advanced drivers courses (race based), get a BMW and drive the heck out of it. You'll never have so much fun in your life.