[PoliticalAid007]

I saw this post on another Forum, so I thought I would post it here to see the responses. I really enjoy the caliber of posts on this forum.

Is an Acura TL really faster than a 330i? That seems to be the consensus on the Acura Forums and the Car and Driver Forums. I realize that the Acura Forums are biased. But, on the Car and Driver Forums, the posters claim the TL beat the 330i in slalom tests, skid pad tests, and lane change tests?

If true, it would seem to negate some of the pitfalls of FWD, and give credibility to the Acura Engineering claim that they have computer enhanced their drive system to allow the TL to handle at a level pretty close to RWD.

[smellygas]

Originally Posted by PoliticalAid007

I saw this post on another Forum, so I thought I would post it here to see the responses. I really enjoy the caliber of posts on this forum.

Is an Acura TL really faster than a 330i? That seems to be the consensus on the Acura Forums and the Car and Driver Forums. I realize that the Acura Forums are biased. But, on the Car and Driver Forums, the posters claim the TL beat the 330i in slalom tests, skid pad tests, and lane change tests?

If true, it would seem to negate some of the pitfalls of FWD, and give credibility to the Acura Engineering claim that they have computer enhanced their drive system to allow the TL to handle at a level pretty close to RWD.

Yep, all true.

SmellyGas

[docbolo]

I drove my friends 2005 TL and, IMO, the e90 was like a breath of fresh air. I don't care what Acura claims, they can't compensate for a FWD, 60/40 weight distribution. Its a load of crap and you can feel it when you drive.

I hope lots of people buy the TL. They already are like camrys around here, all over the place. The e90s are rare by comparison. TL is for the masses. E90 is for the discriminating driver.

E90 is to TL as Rolex is to Timex

[aapriadi]

anyone has driven the TL before? i think the car is rather big to handle as well as the e90 but thats just my opinion

[Romulus]

i drove one and wasn't impressed. the damn thing vibrated like it had a big cam in it.

[younghov85]

its 0.1 seconds slower(C&D)
but if it were RWD it would be faster

[Steve P.]

I test drove The TL, the G35 and the E90 325i when I was shopping around. The TL is by far the worse car of the bunch. The G35 is awsome though. But back to the topic... The Acura TL is not a good car, I was not pleased at all with it.

[ChineseGuy]

THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!!~

Acura TL faster than 330i?.......u F@CKING KIDDING ME!!~

can someone post videos of the TL beating the 330i??~....if not....i'm not gonna beleive in this non-sense

Either way i pick the E90 over the TL.....the torque is just ugly.....no response at all when my friend drove it. He bought one......and sold it.

[Matt_UKTX]

1) No it's not true
2) The TL is a family sedan designed to make "Dad" feel a little better about the fact that he has to drive a family sedan. It's not even in the same league as the E90. It's a lovely car, but not the ultimate driving machine. The closest rival to the 325 is probably the TSX from the Acura line up. It's a LOT cheaper, and more sporty feeling. With that said, it's still miles apart from a BMW.

Originally Posted by PoliticalAid007

I saw this post on another Forum, so I thought I would post it here to see the responses. I really enjoy the caliber of posts on this forum.

Is an Acura TL really faster than a 330i? That seems to be the consensus on the Acura Forums and the Car and Driver Forums. I realize that the Acura Forums are biased. But, on the Car and Driver Forums, the posters claim the TL beat the 330i in slalom tests, skid pad tests, and lane change tests?

If true, it would seem to negate some of the pitfalls of FWD, and give credibility to the Acura Engineering claim that they have computer enhanced their drive system to allow the TL to handle at a level pretty close to RWD.

[Nikki]

Why don't you drive one and then tell us what you think?
I don't know about handling, but it definitely has a horrible truning diameter of 40 ft, just like the TSX, which is worse than basically anything on the road including huge SUVs like the Escalade and H2.

[mykcheng]

It's actually true. The TL has more hp than my 330xi. I also know b/c I have both cars in my garage right now. The TL belongs to my dad and I've been driving that around for 8 months before I bought my 330. The TL definitely pulls and you can feel the acceleration. But, when I test drove my 330, I knew this was the one for me. It handles better and I definitely felt more secure in the twisties which I drive through on a regular basis. Coming out of a turn in the TL, my steering wheel will suddenly tweak depending on how much gas I'm putting in. The stick on my 330 is quicker and cleaner than the stick in the TL. The TL has too much slop and I've still never found the correct engagement point of the clutch for clean and fast shifts. I don't have that problem in the 330. The TL is a definite family sedan and has, for the price, better accessories than the 330. The touch screen nav and the ability to store your own address book is a plus though you have to manually add everything. My 330 w/iDrive is great, but I miss the touchscreen and the ability to change stations w/presets. Also, though the 330 downloads my phonebook directly from my phone, I had to give up a good Nokia 6280 and switch to a Motorola SLVR for that to happen. I prefer my Nokia. In the end, the 330xi is mine and the TL is my dad's. AND, I'm glad I'm the owner of the 330xi. Heck, my dad, who currently owns a 98 735iL (or is it a 740? i forget.) is looking at maybe eventually trading in the TL for another BMW. Hope this helps.

[HRC]

Even if it was, I would still have my e90. I just don't care...

Danny

[ksfrogman]

Originally Posted by docbolo

E90 is to TL as Rolex is to Timex

Yeah, but Acuras take a licking and keep on ticking.

[ksfrogman]

2006 Acura TL Specifications (Acura.com website):
Engine: Aluminum-alloy 3.2L V-6
Compression ratio: 11.0:1
Bore/stroke: 3.50/3.39 inch

Horsepower (SAE net): 258 bhp @ 6200 rpm
Torque: 233 lbs-ft @ 5000 rpm
Weight (manual gearbox without Navigation): 3483

0-60 mph (MT): 6.2 secs (auto.consumerguide.com)
0-60 mph (auto): 7.0 secs ( " )
0-60 mph (auto): 5.4 secs (http://www.acura.tl/specs.php)


2006 BMW 330i Specifications (BMWUSA.com website):

Engine: Aluminum-Magnesium allow 3.0L Inline-6
Compression ratio: 10.7:1
Bore/stroke: 3.35/3.46 inch (NOTE: Despite the TL's larger engine displacement and larger cylinder bore, the 330i's stroke is longer.)

Nominal output/rpm: 255 bhp @ 6600 rpm
Torque: 220 lbs-ft @ 2750 rpm (peak torque at a much lower rpm)
Weight: 3450 lbs

0-60 mph (6MT): 6.1 secs
0-60 mph (auto): 6.3 secs

[Artz 330]

"I test drove the TL about 9 months ago(was thinking about getting one). FWD in that car is horrible, Lots of wheel spin in first, some in second. Massive amounts of tourqe steer, which was a pain in the ass. And that car just doesnt feel as fast as the 330. One of my friends who owns a 6MT TL (he purhased in November 05) we go at it all the time. And i alwayz leave him hanging Off the line and from a roll. We drive on some twisties sometime. Now he just says hell I dont wanna do this i can never keep up. Dont get me wrong, the TL is a nice a$$ car. I think Acura needs to start producing some cars that puts power to the rear wheels. I wish i knew how car and drive got a 0-60 time of 5.7 seconds. Its more like 6.5. One of my other buddies with an 05 RSX Type S Pulls pretty even with the TL and he ran a track time of 15.3 and 15.2, once he got lucky and ran a 15.0. I would say the TL is somewhere in the 14.8-15.1 Range. Each magazine test Different. I have seen from mag to mag the e90 330 Being test anywhere from 5.4-6.3, so it all depends on whos the drive, climate, elevation, and location."

[ksfrogman]

If you scroll up a couple of posts and look at those specs I posted, the website that quoted those quicker 0-60 TL times also listed sub-14 sec quarter-miles @ 102 mph for the TL. This sounds a little optimistic to me.

[lux.sh]

TL > E90

[flipmde786]

Originally Posted by ksfrogman

2006 Acura TL Specifications (Acura.com website):
Engine: Aluminum-alloy 3.2L V-6
Compression ratio: 11.0:1
Bore/stroke: 3.50/3.39 inch

Horsepower (SAE net): 258 bhp @ 6200 rpm
Torque: 233 lbs-ft @ 5000 rpm
Weight (manual gearbox without Navigation): 3483

0-60 mph (MT): 6.2 secs (auto.consumerguide.com)
0-60 mph (auto): 7.0 secs ( " )
0-60 mph (auto): 5.4 secs (http://www.acura.tl/specs.php)

The auto TL does 0-60 in 5.4? That's the biggest BS ever. The auto TL is closer to 7.0 sec, and car magazines such as C&D and MT consistently do 5.9 with stick. It might do better on skidpad according to numbers, but I don't know about the slalom. MT does 67.8 mph slalom with ZSP 330i. Even if the C&D review says the Acura does better on the skidpad or whatever, it still finished 4th, and 330i finished 1st. Any review of the 330i raves about its handling and integration of car. The TL gets props for handling good for a FWD, but its not at the level of the 330i, or even the G35. Maybe you can go through the slalom at 67.8 in a TL, but I'm sure it won't feel nice to do it with the front-heavy FWD.

One of my friends has a TL and I hate it. The steering feels too light, and although it can take curves quick (for a FWD), it feels like its not glued to the road; it's like barely hanging on with some unwanted lateral movements. Perhaps the A-spec model takes care of that, but the TL is not on my favorites list. Not to mention its a pretty big car. Honestly, I feel like the Type-S model from the last generation had better steering feel and was more satisfying to drive. Still, it has nothing on the 330i or G35 when talking about the overall picture.

A 330xi is slower going straight (at least in manual form) but go take a curve as fast as you can with xDrive and then try to do the same with FWD TL...

[mykcheng]

If the TL was a RWD, I would seriously consider it. But, I love the way my 330 handles the twisties and I honestly feel comfortable and confident in it compared to the TL when driving in weather through the mountains.

[lux.sh]

When you try to put the power down to the pavement and steer at the same time with 2 front wheels = there goes your handling.

Whoever thinks TL is "nimble", I highly suggest you stay off the road.

[flipmde786]

I've heard rumors of SH-AWD making its way into the TL at some point. That would be interesting.

[lux.sh]

Originally Posted by flipmde786

I've heard rumors of SH-AWD making its way into the TL at some point. That would be interesting.

Acura should work on their glass-made automatic trannies before thinking about putting Type-R-SH-iVTEC-AWD stuff in there.