I also prefer K1 over TSL, but I'm only going to comment on a couple of your points here.
First, you mentioned how both games ended in the spiral of combat sequences. I think that one thing that makes K1 better in this regard is the fact that the long combat-filled sequence is part of a climactic battle, while TSL's is just slogging through a wasteland of a planet, with not much seeming to matter on a grander scale. Also add the fact that K1's is without a doubt the hardest combat sequence in the game, while for me TSL's was never that challenging and more of a chore than anything else. (As it happens, it's been several playthroughs since I actually finished the ending of TSL - I always seem to end up stopping after the Jedi Enclave visit anymore, because the rest is just boring.)
The other point I wanted to comment on is Kreia. You say that she's one of the best parts of TSL. I mostly just find her annoying, which probably contributes to my liking K1 more.
Oh, and one point of superiority that TSL does have that you didn't mention is its sequences where you control your party members on their own missions. I always liked that part.