I know this comparison has been made before, but I actually own both cars. I have a 2006 TSX (automatic) I purchased about 7 or 8 months ago. Three weeks ago, my wife's car was totaled when an SUV inexplicablly turned left into oncoming moving traffic, missing the first two lanes but getting hit by my wife in the third lane (everyone was shaken, but relatively ok).

We struggled for two weeks to find a car, particulalry since the TSX is so new and we didn't plan on buying another car. We test drove the RDX, Accord V6, A3, A4, S40, IS250(AWD and RWD), 325i/xi and the Civic. Except for the Civic and S40, we really considered all of these cars, including another TSX. We were actually talking numbers on the IS250 but the dealership was being ridiculously stubborn. we also put down a deposit on the Accord, but ended up canceling because we thought it was just a little too big. The RDX would have been nice too but the actual MPG we experienced in our test drive was really poor and I've read bad things online. All things considered, the 2006 325i (at about invoice) was slightly cheaper than the 2007 IS250 and the free maintenance made it even more appealing. We really don't need AWD in the area where we live, so we didn't pay extra for it.

After two weeks of driving the 325i everyday, I can make some fair comparisons.

325i (automatic)- The 325i pedal is less responsive from a stop. Once it gets going, the acceleration is smoother and certainly no worse than the TSX. This is something I had to get used to though. Now when I drive the TSX, which has become my wifes car, I frequently find myself surging past other traffic for the first few seconds. For highway driving, the 325i has more useable torque. I find that it is easier to pass cars and change lanes while accelerating. Ths TSX is not bad, mind you, it just needs to wind up more so the acceleration is rougher. Overall, I prefer the smoother power delivery in the 325i. Handling in the BMW is truly remarkable. I feel like I'm wearing the car. This feeling gives me a sense of security and control that I've not had before with any car. Ths TSX handles great too, just some quite as good as the BMW, but still one of the best I've driven. The 325i interior feels smaller. Not by much, but it is noticeable. The quality of the leather is a bit better. The wood is nicer that the fake aluminum I have on the TSX. Other than that, the plastics feel about the same.

TSX (non-nav, auto)- The TSX ride is more comfortable. I think this is mostly due to the BMW runflats, but neither is bad. Road noise is about the same. The layout of the interior is much better in the TSX. The buttons are more intuitive and not as complicated. I'm also not a big fan of the push button start on the 325i. The stereo on the TSX is better. IMO, with the exception of really low bass the TSX, the TSX stereo is the best I've ever had on a car. Granted, I do not yet have sirius hooked up the BMW, but the regular radio does not sound as good. The voice recognition on the TSX is much better, consequently, my bluetooth phone works better. That said, the BMW bluetooth is more sophisticated and integrates with my phone better when it does work. Ths TSX cupholders and interior storage space are designed much better. In fact, the BMW has much less storage space. Reliability should be better on the TSX, but I've had mine in the shop for minor things a few times, including sensor issues. So right now, I do not consider the TSX to be a clear winner on reliability. Time will tell. Lots of people say the TSX is underpowered. The difference between these two cars is not that great, especially for everyday driving. Anybody who thinks a car is better simply because it goes 0-60 faster would be missing out on two great cars.


Conclusions- Both cars are great. I love driving both. Is the BMW worth 6 or 7 grand more than a comparably equipped TSX? No, its not, but there really isn't any car in this class that can beat the TSX for value- and we weren't going to buy two of the same car. Knowing we were going to spend over 30K unless we got the accord or civic, I'm glad I purchased the BMW. Do I like it more than the TSX? Yes, because the BMW is so much fun to drive. But it is new and I think that influences my answer somewhat. Ask me after driving the cars for two years and I may have the same answet, or I may not.