The Acura TLX has been available since 2014, when it was introduced for the 2015 model year, with the 2021 second-gen relaunch bringing the Type S, a high-performance variant powered by a 3.0-liter single twin-scroll V6. We liked this car back when we first took it for a spin in 2021, praising its 355-horsepower powertrain and its all-wheel drive handling.There were, and there are, more impressive performance models out there, but the price wasn't bad, with the 2021 model first hitting the market at $52,300. Now, five years later, the car is selling for around half its original sticker price, with some models going for even less, making it the perfect time to buy in. The 2021-2023 Acura TLX Type S Has Never Been More Affordable Acura The recently discontinued Type S launched at an attractive mid-range price of $52,300. Add in the delivery cost, and you were spending $53,325 on this car, brand-new. Five years later, that price has come down by tens of thousands of dollars.Our price-tracking tool uses up-to-the-minute sales data on recently sold listings. At last check, the Type S price was based on 38 listings, with the lowest price at just $15,999, and the highest price paid being $35,998, in March. These numbers may be up or down a few points by the time you read this, but should give you an idea of what to expect.If we check in with our marketplace, we find the following listings up for grabs... A 48,507-mile 2021 Type S is selling for $31,995 in Nebraska. A 56,467-mile 2023 Type S is selling for $36,600 in New Mexico. A 40,744-mile 2023 Type S is selling for $40,495 in Illinois. A 14,469-mile 2023 Type S is selling for $36,100 in Texas. Based on our latest trending price data, these numbers actually seem a bit high, but, none of them have packed on all that many miles. Expect to see numbers closer to 100,000 on the odometer if you're looking for something under $30,000.In any event, you could spend around half the car's MSRP on a model with higher mileage, while $37,000 will grab you your pick of low mileage models. A TLX is an Acura, and an Acura is just a fancy Honda, so 50,000–100,000 miles is just getting started for these cars. How Does The Type S Compare To A BMW M340i? BMW The fairest comparison we can make between an Acura TLX Type S and a BMW would be the 2021 M340i xDrive, an all-wheel drive performance sedan competing in the same segment and price range.The BMW M340i has 17 horses on the TLX, plus a little extra torque, which translates to a 0-60 mph difference of around half a second. The BMW is ultimately the quicker vehicle of the two, but by a fairly narrow margin.Pricing was a big part of the Acura's appeal over the BMW back in 2021. The M340i xDrive launched at an MSRP of $56,700, putting it $5,400 over the Type S. Five years later, the price difference still favors the TLX by about the same margin.Of course, these numbers can only tell you so much, whether we're talking 0-60 times or sticker prices. A better question is which one of these cars feels better to drive. The Type S Beats The M430i In Some Surprising Ways Acura When we first reviewed the 2021 Acura TLX Type S, we said that the car will satisfy you if you "approach with reasonable expectations". That is, this is a performance variant of a mid-range luxury car. We really enjoyed the car's sporty styling, and it's hard not to like spirited all-wheel drive handling.Where the Type S really shines is in the suspension. Compared to not only the BMW, but other German sports sedans like the Audi S4, the TLX simply offers a better ride at any speed. The 3 Series is a little firmer, which makes for a fun drive, but not always a comfortable one.Finally, these are both luxury cars, so it's worth comparing luxury features in both models.The word of the day for the M430i is "optional". A fully loaded M430i xDrive is, without a doubt, the more luxurious of the two cars. But, before you throw in all the extras, the Acura TLX Type S ultimately provides a cushier interior. Since we're talking used cars, finding a BMW M430i with all the fixings might not be doable in the first place, at any price. It's Hard To Compete With Acura On Reliability Acura At the end of the day, Acura's stellar record of reliability is what makes the TLX Type S so attractive five years since it first hit the market. Where used BMWs often sell for cheap, only to turn into a money pit with frequent, and expensive repairs, an Acura TLX is basically a souped-up Honda Accord, and an Accord is one of the most dependable daily-drivers on the market.According toJD Power, a 2021 Acura TLX holds a Quality & Reliability rating of 73/100. This number is based on frequency of repairs moreso than severity, and luxury cars tend to have lower Q&R ratings simply because they're packed with so many additional features that can malfunction. For reference, a 2021 Honda Accord scores an 80/100, despite being effectively the same car as a TLX.RepairPalputs annual maintenance costs for a 2021 TLX at just $440, with the following accounting for the most expensive common fixes: Powertrain control module replacement $1,198–$1,259 Parking brake activation switch replacement $456–$491 Heater hose replacement $349–$409 HVAC blend door actuator replacement $200–$266 Engine leak inspection $153–$224 Hood latch replacement $110–$146 Brake light switch replacement $89–$112 Stabilizer bushing replacement $87–$116 Air filter replacement $80–$101 Active suspension system diagnosis & testing $76–$112 These jobs are mostly routine maintenance procedures, inspections, and replacements for items that are expected to wear out after five or six years on the road. The 2022 TLX Shows Zero Reports With CarComplaints.com Acura The "first version" of the Acura TLX Type S would be those dated from the 2021 to 2023 model years. The car received a facelift for the 2024 model year, with a larger touchscreen and some updated safety features, along with some cosmetic tweaks. For those first three years, CarComplaints.comshows 10 reports for the 2021 model, two for the 2023 TLX, and zero for 2022.The most worrying report for the 2023 model states that the car jumped when the speed went down to 28 mph, at a mileage of 3,150. For 2021, the most worrying complaints consist of one driver reporting loss of power steering at 18,000 miles, and two reporting total transmission failure at an average of just 10,450 miles.Based on this admittedly limited data, we would advise looking for a 2022 model Acura TLX Type S in order to avoid these potential problems, but these reports are so scarce as to be almost a non-issue. Even so, if you were to experience these problems in a 2022 TLX, you would, apparently, be the first.