135i or 08 STi or EVO X??

[Crowley]

Originally Posted by Scuderia

Sooner or later all three of these cars will put up lap times in Top Gear's test track. IMO, and unless it's raining, the 135i walks away from these two.

I bet it turns out like this :

Striaght (1/4 mile)

135i
STI
Evo

Curves

Evo
STI
135i


Crowley

[MrRoboto]

Originally Posted by Evolved

It seems as though many of you don't understand the purpose or reason for the the STi/Evo being built. Performance is the one and only goal. If flat out performance isn't the only criteria you look for in a car than obviously you're not going to like these cars. I have a very short commute each day therefore I want a car that's a lot of fun to drive and is easily modded. If I had a longer commute I would definitely want something different but the primary use of a vehicle for me is fun/entertainment. Now with the introduction of the 135i there is another vehicle that can fit in this demographic for me but before that, if you wanted a car that offers the same level of performance as a STi/Evo you would have to get a vette, M3 or Porsche.


Long story short, the STi/Evo are a single purpose cars.

Agreed. The problem with that is you can have the same/better performance with the 135, including all the comforts you need, at a cheaper price. The argument for the EVO/STI is very weak now that the 135 is here.

[MrRoboto]

Originally Posted by Crowley

I bet it turns out like this :

Striaght (1/4 mile)

135i
STI
Evo

Curves

Evo
STI
135i


Crowley

I suspect with a better set of sneakers and perhaps some slight suspension tuning the 135 will come out on top in all categories.

[damian]

Originally Posted by MrRoboto

I suspect with a better set of sneakers and perhaps some slight suspension tuning the 135 will come out on top in all categories.

Then you have to do the same to the other two cars. Rock/paper/scissors.

I don't understand the necessity to have one car declared the victor. In the end, they're all amazing cars and it comes down to taste and specific preferences.

[BForbes]

Originally Posted by damian

Then you have to do the same to the other two cars. Rock/paper/scissors.

I don't understand the necessity to have one car declared the victor. In the end, they're all amazing cars and it comes down to taste and specific preferences.

Come on now, you know there isnt room for 3 number 1's.

[damian]

Originally Posted by onehots2k

Come on now, you know there isnt room for 3 number 1's.

#1 at what? Rough roads and snow? The track? The street?

[MrRoboto]

Originally Posted by damian

Then you have to do the same to the other two cars. Rock/paper/scissors.

I don't understand the necessity to have one car declared the victor. In the end, they're all amazing cars and it comes down to taste and specific preferences.

As said earlier the STI and EVO are purpose built cars whereas the 135 is a more all rounder. I agree if we are track testing then all cars should have the same rubber.

[sciamop]

I think it's great that BMW jumped into the segment owned by Subaru/Mitsubishi/VW(maybe).

The big difference between the 1er and the other cars in this segment is that it is not based on an economy-car FWD/AWD platform. Regardless of their aspirations, each of the above cars make significant engineering concessions to their parent econobox platform.

Not so for the BMW -- based on a RWD sport sedan platform, this car was engineered to be what it is marketed as: A true sports <strike>sedan</strike> coupe. Additionally, BMW has a small sports sedan history that reaches back to the late 1960s; a time when the other brands were struggling to make odd utilitarian transportation (VW wasn't struggling, but, hey, they were making odd utilitarian transportation).

I think better comparison vehicles to the 1er would be the RX8 and 350Z. Mazda and Nissan have had RWD sporty cars since around the same time the iconic BMW 2002 was released. Unfortunately, lack of power/utility make both of these cars also-rans in the segment... If Toyota had only stayed in the game with a Supra Turbo, there might be a real competitor to the 1.

PS Not bagging on the Evo/STI/R32 -- I think they are awesome cars and I'm extremely excited to see the new models of the Evo/STI on the streets! I'm definitely going to cross shop the 1 to these cars.

[MrRoboto]

It is interesting that the 135 has such broad appeal. Some compare it against the STI/EVO and others compare it against the Cayman S.

[damian]

Originally Posted by MrRoboto

It is interesting that the 135 has such broad appeal. Some compare it against the STI/EVO and others compare it against the Cayman S.

They kinda do that whenever a new upstart enters the ring. I remember STi -> Porsche -> M3 comparos.

Although the cars in this thread are arguably marketed differently, i think they all attract the same kind of buyer, to a certain extent. I also think the success of the niche that the STi and EVO found paved the way for the 135i in some ways. BMW is not stupid, and it was easy to see that there is indeed a market for pocket rockets, and they want to steal these 25-40 year olds away with an entry level vehicle. That's why I think it's silly when i hear things like "there is no competition." I guarantee BMW intended to go after this market.

[BForbes]

Originally Posted by damian

#1 at what? Rough roads and snow? The track? The street?

I meant there can only be a number 1 in each separate category.

[damian]

Originally Posted by onehots2k

I meant there can only be a number 1 in each separate category.

Oh, the acceleration and handling? Yeah. I thought you meant in a "#1 overall car champion that everyone smart should pick" sorta way.

[PrematureApex]

Originally Posted by Crowley

I bet it turns out like this :

Striaght (1/4 mile)

135i
STI
Evo

Curves

Evo
STI
135i


Crowley

The 335i runs Leguna Seca only a second slower than an EVO IX MR. The X hs been track proven slower than the IX MR on multiple occasions. I wouldn't be surprised if we see the 135, on a large enough track, outrun those two.

[BForbes]

Originally Posted by damian

Oh, the acceleration and handling? Yeah. I thought you meant in a "#1 overall car champion that everyone smart should pick" sorta way.

Thats yet to be determined...but I hope you picked your side. I sure as hell picked mine.

[looking]

I have to agree when you guys mention that the STi and EVo are purpose built but, the problem is when you have cars like 135 that are more all around cars performing the same or close to the STi and EVO you can't help but cross shop them.

Plus, the idea behind the 135 is very similar to that of the STi/Evo.

[damian]

Originally Posted by onehots2k

Thats yet to be determined...but I hope you picked your side. I sure as hell picked mine.

I already ordered a 135i, if that's what you mean.

[BForbes]

Originally Posted by damian

I already ordered a 135i, if that's what you mean.

:wink:

[bryan@mwerks]

I've driven both the 135i and the STI.

The current STI is a far better car than past ones in terms of refinement.It feels very dialed in as a performance car, almost like an aftermarket-tuned car. Also, it handles unbelievably well, partly because of the tires it comes with from the factory. Simply unbelievable how well it stick in corners and shoots out of them like a slingshot. Its power delivery is uneventful, especially in the lower revs, but once it's on the boost it moves out.

As for it being overpriced, there's a shedload of technology in there- Subaru doesn't skimp on the engineering. Interior materials are far better than past ones, but their design philosophy is different than the Germans. If you're a dashstroker, the STI will still be a letdown. The seats are comfortable too, but no substitute for a BMW sport seat.

On the road, the 135i is a far more refined daily car, but not it lacks the sharp focus of the STI. And that's fine, because it doesn't claim to be a world rally contender. It's designed to be a fun, engaging car to drive; BMW will let the aftermarket sharpen it into something else.

As for styling, neither one of them are outright beauties. The Subie looks far better in person than on a screen, and so does the BMW.

[Dave]

Well said Bryan

[OniKoroshi]

These comparisons keep coming up. I'm in the same boat, can't decide between a 135 and Evo X. At first I was leaning far to the 135 but now I'm almost decided on an Evo X. I'll make a final decision when I can flog 'em both

The extra 2 doors on the Evo X is a big plus for me for where I am in my life right now. If I was still in college, it'd probably be a 135 hands down. The extra torque of an inline 6 is extremely tempting. The Evo X spools fast but it still lacks that great low end torque.

[looking]

good break down Bryan

[sethchan]

Originally Posted by 04__STi

Man ! I cannot decide on which one i want! STi and EVO X will out handle the 135i but i think the 135i will end up being faster straight line...DECISIONS DECISIONS!

...you should pick the STi or the EVO X. But whenever I see one of those, I always think of these commercials:

It's all matter of taste, but I'd rather have a car that's faster than it looks than a car that looks faster than it is.