h_curtis

Okay, I had a 330i bmw with sport premium and a 6sp. Can I even compare a car that lists for $43K to my new TSX that was $26K? Pretty big difference in price. What did I find out???

Handling goes to the 330i. The 330 didn't have much roll at all and it feels solid at over 130 mph. The TSX is very good, but just a little lighter in feel and not as solid. Still impressive though.

Speed in general also goes to the 40+k bmw. It is not slow for a sedan. I still am impressed with the tsx in this test though.

interior ergonomics is a toss up. I like the BMW seats better, but the wheel and rest I give to the TSX.

Interior noise. The TSX wins in this catigory. Pretty quiet car. This is important to a musician.

Being a show off the BMW wins. What can you say, it reeks yuppie.

MPG. I am not sure who will win, but from what I read the TSX will come out on top. Be careful of assuming so however. My 330i was getting 28.3 mpg in a mix of driving. That is impressive. I expect to get 30ish from the TSX, due to me knowing how to drive. It doesn't go unnoticed that the bmw is so powerful and still somehow gets such mileage. The bmw is a standard when it comes to this.

gear box. They are equal. I am impressed that the TSX can hang for such a price.

trunk space. TSX wins. Deeper and just a little more room

Front seats. TSX is a little more roomy. In width, not length.

Rear seats. TSX wins. I like the arm rest with holders as well.


Now can I compare cars that far off in price? I think I just did. I am very impressed with the TSX and for the price it is excellent. I needed a car that is a little less showy and the TSX fits the bill. For some reason in Pittsburgh the 330i is a little too yuppieish.

I am very happy with the car so far. I have read very good things about how low the maintenance that is involved compared to the 330i is. Hope that holds true.

Over all the 330i is the car at which all are compared. Does the TSX hold its own? I think so. For the price it is hard to beat. I am very happy with the purchase and feel that it will last a long time. Handles well and is quiet. It is loaded with lots of features, but lacks the on board computer of the bmw.

For me to even be able to compare the tsx to the 330i is impressive. Great car for the $$.

Curt

West6MT

Glad you like your TSX

slo007

The TSX is a nice value car, considering the market it is oriented for: entry level sport luxury sedan.

Powered by Honda

330i > TSX

In my humble opinion.

With that being said I would still get the TSX...because cars are not worth 50k.

I just cant spend that much on a car. I know too much about them.

bluewave75

To me it's somewhat unfair to compare the TSX and 330i mainly because of the large price gap.

If its between the TSX and 325i then it's a fairer comparison...and having test driven a few 325s in the past few months, I can tell you the TSX more than holds its own...which is why I decided to purchase the TSX.

vidgamer

As for the suspension, I wonder how the cars would compare with, say, the A-spec suspension on the TSX? (Cheaper, by the way, than the sport option for a BMW 3-series....)

Roogs

Thanks for the review Curt.
I guess if money were not an issue, most of us would prefer the 330...I know that I personally had a struggle between Acura and BMW before opting for Acura on price alone. Handling and performance are the main issues with me and BMW and Honda outshine many other car companies in this regard which is why they were always my only options. But in the end, you just can't ignore the price difference. The difference is enough to buy a small second family car....or a nice family vacation. Since life is more than just cars (more, but barely yes...LOL!) I felt it there was more value in the Acura than in the BMW...even though every time one drives by I have to clean the drool off my shirt.

But man, when I test drove the BMW, they had to pry my away from the driver's seat.

GIBSON6594

Pretty fair comparo, congrats on the TSX

I disagree with your gearbox decision, I've driven both and I say the TSX gearbox blows away the beamer, but I agree on the rest...

ilitig8

The Sport package on the E46 coupe (not sure about the sedan) was $1,000 and besides wheels and tires and suspension included sport seats, I think the Sport on the new Sedan is 1,600 with wheels tires, suspension, sport seats with memory and sport steering wheel. Given the extras the price isn't that far off particularly when you consider the install costs.

Powered by Honda

Exactly. BMW sport packages are cheap.

Acuras sport package 4000 canadain. WOW!! No seat upgrade and no breaks. Just spring and struts.

Black_6spd

If you had the 330i ZHP, you could've traded me straight up.

I test drove the TL, G35 sedan, and 330i ZHP. Although the 330 had the "lowest" horsepower out of the group, it really seemed the fastest. Looking at the bimmer boards, it not surprising -- low 14's stock!

You'll love the refinement of the TSX. The interior quality is on par with cars 2x the cost.

h_curtis

You drove the 6sp? Pretty tight feel on the BMW.

ianS

The 6sp from zhp is way better than the regular 5sp. I really hate the 5sp from my 328i. Even I already spent $500+ to put UUC SSK + DSSR + steel shift knob but still not even close to the sweet 6sp on TSX. May I suggest you to get the a-spec suspension kit and comptech RSB, it will make your tsx ride and handle as good as E46. So enjoy your TSX and now you dun need to worry about the vanos, control arm, sunroof, window regulator problems and most important is dun need to worry about the sub frame tearing off!


And the sport package for 330 is not include the sport suspension because all 330 already equipped with sport suspension. And memory seat are not from sport package, it is from preminum package. And the "upgrade" of wheels are just from 1 style of 17" to another style of 17" and tires from 205 to 225. So unless it is the zhp package which is $6900 Cdn package, otherwise it is not really a true upgrade.

GIBSON6594

Yea, it was pretty good, much better than Audi's, but nowhere near as good as the TSX gearbox

Badkharma

Man, if you had a 330i ZHP I would've traded you straight up too. That car is the bomb - a perfect daily driver, IMHO. But then again, nothing beats the TSX because it's price is so attractive - but if a 330i ZHP was the same price, I'd have to get that. One of the slickest driving cars I've ever had the pleasure of driving. That, and a Porsche 911, 911 turbo, M5, M3....okay there are a few other slick cars.

The one thing that the TSX has that the 330i doesn't which I really hate the most is the FWD. I can't stand it. But then, I chill back in the seat, relax in the quiet drive early in the morning as the xenons cut the darkness on my 50 mile commute (each way) getting 31+ mpg (I did 460 miles my last tank) as I cruise along at 74 mph listening to some standup comedy on XM and it all comes back.

S2peed

h_curtis

"Interior noise. The TSX wins in this catigory. Pretty quiet car. This is important to a musician."

wow you sure dude, normally bmws are more refine, solid, with a very quiet interior minimal road noise.

h_curtis

Well, I am not sure now. I think the BMW wins at high speed, due to tire noise on rough roads in the TSX. In town the TSX is very quiet and at idle it seems the TSX is not even running.

Curt

ExHack

I wish I could say I had been able to test a 3-series before I picked the TSX. Unfortunately, I couldn't fit in the seat (I'm 6'/240 - supersized, but not too much). Plus the salesboy was an arrogant little asshat, which didn't encourage me to stay long.

Congratulations! If you choose to keep it awhile, your TSX will last longer than the 330ci, too.