Hey guys I used to browse this forum alot in hopes of getting a tsx years ago, but plans fell through. I'm back now.

I'm going for either a 2007 323i bmw 6mt base *canada only model 200hp* about 35,600

or 2007 TSX 6mt 35,900.

The tsx is a bit more money but I'm still considering it due to love.

Things that bother me:

Dated key design. (shallow yes but its important to me)
Wind noise? dunno how bad it will be on my 2001 Accord Coupe ex v6 its alright but I want better then that for sure.

Shifting seat. My accord does this aswell and man its annoying.

Rattles my accord passenger and my door rattles.

These were all problems we used to disscuss years ago. I'm wondering how they are now.


Opinions guys?

 

Doors in the TSX will rattle with specific bass heavy music.

2006 TSX has a front seat squeak problem that is a known issue. My dealer fixed this, well so far so good, fingers crossed.

Those are my only issues, I am planning to upgrade the front speakers so I will probably dynamat the door and eliminate the rattle at that time.

 

Well im not familiar with that base model BMW, but the 2007 US 328i sedan base model is kinda of garbage for the money compared to the TSX. Thats an easy one if your looking for the value purchase...

 

They're very different cars. The TSX is a much better value. It's loaded. Usually everything on a BMW is optional. Then there's the whole rwd/rwd discussion. So far, my seat doesn't "shift" and no rattles. Did you drive both cars? what do you think??

 

no rattles or squeeks for me. Got in april of 06

 

No squeeks or rattles for me... the only thing is the clutch pedal creaking (reported and well documented in this forum).

I'm going to the dealership for an oil change and will get the CMC linkage lubricated...

Overall, I'm very happy with my TSX!

 

Wind noise/road noise is pretty bad on highway. I usually have to turn the volumn up 2-3 when cruising over 55mph.

 

I wonder if changing the OEM tires would fix that problem...

 

Damm really? What if you put dynamat on the inside of the fenders?

 

Does it?

 

Some folks have swapped out their tires and experienced decreased road noise. It bugs me, but not enough to get new tires immediately.

I did have the infamous driver's seat creak but it was fixed yesterday.

 

2006 TSX 5AT here .......... I'm not sure what you guys are used to, but I'd say road noise is minimal on the highway. I surely don't notice it. No squeeks or rattles or anything at all to complain about. I'm only 6 weeks in and loving it!!!!

 

Have you tried optioning out that 323?

Enjoy the stock hubcaps.

Edit: My bad, their actually 16" Alloys. But look horrible on that car.

 

Just quickly built a 323 and the price with sport and premium package which are absolute musts if you plan to comparably equip it to the TSX. It came out to $40,100. Still has 16's too.

IMO, TSX all the way. If it were a 328 at that price then yes.

 

There are options. Accord (US) key, new TL key... but really just stick to the original. Its a silly nitpick but I understand.

I haven't considered it bad, and I came from a very quiet last-gen E320. I still have stock tires on too. I also agree that changing tires to something better will reduce noise even more.

I have an 2006, purchased in Jan 2006. Never had this problem.

I have a sub (designed by ElDuderino) and upgraded cabin speakers (infinitys), and do not have any rattles. No extra dynamat applied.

Maybe I got lucky to avoid some of the small issues, but I've had 0 problems and love mine to death.

 

Yes I did.
Yeah they limit the options you can get. The Premium package is not really premium at all so I would just probably go with Sport package for the suspension. Rims can always be changed.

 

Sounds good. Luck is one of your skills eh? hahaha I love that.

 

I've got a 2006 6MT that I picked up in July. The only problem has been the noisy wipers and that has been mentioned in another thread.

Wind noise is relative. Honda has never been the best at wind/road noise isolation. Lexus is the champ at this, but Honda's a great for other reasons....

At the prices you're quoting, the TSX is a much better deal. Based on the BMW Canada website, the 323 at the base price doesn't include a sunroof, auto-dimming mirror, heated seats, cruise control, or a 6 disc CD changer. These are all standard on the TSX and would add $3000 cdn to the price of the 323. The difference in maintenance costs between Acura and BMW vehicles is another factor.

 

You'll also have to add HID headlights to that list of features standard on the TSX. I don't think they are even available on the 323.

 

I looked at exactly the same model: 2006 BMW 323i vs 2006 Acura TSX
Although the price might appear the same initially, but the BMW charges like CDN$2500 for the freight and delivery vs $1430 for the TSX. Both base models compared price-wise; the TSX is still cheaper.

BMW is much more prestige and the 3-series is probably IMHO the best known series in BMW line.

Reason why I picked the TSX was because:
- Made & Assembled in Japan
- Contains all the cool gadgets (sunroof, leather seats, Xenon headlights, power adjustable seats, etc.)
- FWD (never driven a RWD in winter...heard it sucks big time if you never driven it before).

The key fob was cool on BMW, I have to agree. Wish the TSX has one too.

Cons of the 323i base model:
- spring + manual adjust seat height. You had to hop up while pushing the lever for the seat to come back up. So dumb for a 40k+ car!
- RWD (better get a 325xi that has AWD) better in Canadian Winter.
- no xenon (at least on 2006 model)
- German engineering (A LOT of MINOR computer & electrical problems)

But it comes with 4 year maintenance free on the BMW!!

Hope this helps!

 

 

2006 TSX.

No seat rattling problem

Door's rattle with certain music due to bass. Will replace front speakers to eliminate rattle.

Wind noise on highway is not too bad for me, changing the tires will decrease road noise.

Owner since February 28th 2006. Love it to this day, no regrets, just pure enjoyment of my TSX.

 

The dealer never had a 323i around to test, and while I believe it's a good 4-seater, don't forget to add: $1,000 for paint; $1,000 for folding rear seat; $2,000 for cruise control; $500 premium for any snow/tire package - everytime; and no 80,000km brake warranty for Canucks.

Against the TSX: DBW throttle and some redundant gearing; it can be a more demanding car to drive. BMW gives you 12 years rust perforation protection on the body.

Both cars come with lousy OEM tires, and even the TSX's replacements are expensive for Canadians.

 

Against the TSX: DBW throttle and some redundant gearing; it can be a more demanding car to drive.

I have to agree about the DBW. It's the one thing I would change (if I could) with the TSX. Still, you get used to it and it doesn't end up taking too much away from the driving experience. Doesn't the current 3 series also have DBW?

WRT to the gearing, I don't think it's redundant, it's just that the engine loves to rev, and in normal driving you could easily survive with just 3 or 4 of the cogs. I find myself short shifting each gear just to be able to run through all the gears and with the TSX's gearbox, running through the gears has to put a smile on your face.