I mean absolutely no offence by this, but I must take issue with this article.
The provided list of parts adds to $22,835, not $18,000. Without the cosmetic iCarbon bits, the total modifications cost is $20,038 (and is labor included in the numbers given?). With the listed msrp of $40,375 (although a 2012 that I spec'd to have the same options as a 2011 1M ran $44,500), the total cost of a tuned 135i (without the cosmetic bits), is $60,413. 2011 1M optioned the same is $54,035.
Also, I don't know if all dealerships in the States are tuner friendly, but up here in Canada, most aren't. So how much gas would you have to spend to make up for that?
So if "we're comparing apples to apples, then the cost of the two cars should be a determining factor in the selection of a winner": where does risking warranty and paying $6378 more for the car, come into play?
Not flaming, just curious
(I've dumped massive amounts of money into a WRX before, for it to only marginally beat a STI at best, while having run me a lot more money than a STI, so truly, no disrepect here)