128i vs WRX

[Tracer]

128i, its a BMW

[Stohlen]

Originally Posted by brusk

The biggest problem with snow is people not using proper winter tires. A RWD car with the proper winter tires can go anywhere that an AWD car can go with standard performance tires.

[kobeballer96]

This thread is full of LOL! No kill story but when I first bought my 128i ran my buddy on the autobahn for shits and giggles he had a stage 2 wrx, dp and catback and a tune not a ots map and he had a passenger and only yanked me by two cars. 40 to 130mph and then I passed him going 150mph because his top end sucked. Yes I was stock. On the track on the ring lots of wrx and sti guys are big headed with their AWD most of the end of crashing because they rely on the AWD to do all the work. I keep up with with mild bolt on wrx on the track with my 128i and simple suspension mods. While I still enjoy the luxury. No fan boy here. I came from a Mazdaspeed 3 making 412qt and 378whp on e85. And the power loss to a 128i was a good sacrifice, the 128i is a fun car and the last of the n/a being made.

[ajc]

Originally Posted by 128Convertibleguy

For a daily driver, I'd choose the 128 (and did). Much nicer to live with.

But, for "enthusiastic" driving, the WRX crushes the 128. Much faster, better handling, etc. Among other things, to get even close in responsiveness you'd have to seriously mod the 128, with it's uncompliant run flats and soft suspension, particularly the bushings. Thousands of dollars, and a lot of time and trouble.

Even the new M235 can't match a 2014 WRX for overall performance, stock for stock.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...social20430864

Note that the WRX is both cheaper and better equipped, also. Since there was no automatic, manuals are easy to find.

Thanks for the link to the review. I drove a 2014 WRX over the weekend and I have to tell you "that was the most 45 minutes of FUN I had driving a car". I had a smile on my face for the entire 45 minutes. I can't wait for the 2015 next month to drive.

[TheSt|G]

Are we pretending that the WRX and the STI are the same car?

[Stohlen]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Are we pretending that the WRX and the STI are the same car?

Apparently

[Huecifer]

Let's see, I have a 128, and my roommate has a WRX. Here's my opinion:

128i is nicer on the inside, quieter, more comfortable, etc. The engine sounds better and the power delivery is smoother. It has great headlights (if you get the xenons). It gets worse gas mileage, is more expensive to fix (and breaks more, so far), and can't carry as many people/as much stuff.

WRX is slightly faster, especially in gear/already moving, and it has lighter steering, pedals/clutch. It really can hold a ton (she has the hatchback) and there's nice little things that every car should have that the BMW doesn't (cargo nets, spare tire). 4wd is great in bad weather. The tires are cheaper/easier to find, and all 4 are the same size.

The WRX is more practical, easier to drive, and easier to live with. Ultimately the BMW is better to drive and more comfortable. So choose one depending on your priorities.

[vertebra]

Originally Posted by Stohlen

Quote:

Originally Posted by 631twentyeighteye

edit: To those saying you NEED awd to drive in the snow.. don't take that so critically. Throw a set of snow tires on the 128i and it's a tank in the snow. NY has had an asston of snow this winter i've had zero problems getting where i need to go. I've driven in snow higher than the bumper and it kept chugging a long.

Long island doesn't have hills...

Obviously you have not been to Port Jeff or Selden. Port Jeff has some huge hills heading up to Belle Terre an Selden has one road that is called Adirondack Drive that is like driving on a roller coaster.




Posted from 1addicts.com App for Android

[chris82]

BMW

[brusk]

Originally Posted by Huecifer

Let's see, I have a 128, and my roommate has a WRX. Here's my opinion:

128i is nicer on the inside, quieter, more comfortable, etc. The engine sounds better and the power delivery is smoother. It has great headlights (if you get the xenons). It gets worse gas mileage, is more expensive to fix (and breaks more, so far), and can't carry as many people/as much stuff.

WRX is slightly faster, especially in gear/already moving, and it has lighter steering, pedals/clutch. It really can hold a ton (she has the hatchback) and there's nice little things that every car should have that the BMW doesn't (cargo nets, spare tire). 4wd is great in bad weather. The tires are cheaper/easier to find, and all 4 are the same size.

The WRX is more practical, easier to drive, and easier to live with. Ultimately the BMW is better to drive and more comfortable. So choose one depending on your priorities.

What kind of gas mileage is each getting? The 128 is rated at 28 and the Turbo Subies at either 23 or 25 depending on trans. Most 128's I've heard get high 20's low 30's.

[631twentyeighteye]

Originally Posted by brusk

What kind of gas mileage is each getting? The 128 is rated at 28 and the Turbo Subies at either 23 or 25 depending on trans. Most 128's I've heard get high 20's low 30's.

i get 26.5 100% highway driving with mine. That about 1mpg better than i got when it was bone stock, ironically. I'm not a slow driver, I'm usually doing 70-80 and heavy accelerating.

[128Convertibleguy]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Are we pretending that the WRX and the STI are the same car?

I don't know. Are we pretending the comparison is with a stock 128, with the very soggy suspension with massive understeer that jumps sideways when cornered over bumps, and run flats, or an M-sport or modded one?

There is no such thing as a Suburu STI, BTW. It's a Suburu WRX STI.

[Dafttt]

Originally Posted by 128Convertibleguy

I don't know. Are we pretending the comparison is with a stock 128, with the very soggy suspension with massive understeer that jumps sideways when cornered over bumps, and run flats, or an M-sport or modded one?

There is no such thing as a Suburu STI, BTW. It's a Suburu WRX STI.

The stock suspension isn't that bad. Some people prefer it.

There is no such thing as a Suburu WRX STI, BTW. It's a Subaru WRX STI.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by 128Convertibleguy

I don't know. Are we pretending the comparison is with a stock 128, with the very soggy suspension with massive understeer that jumps sideways when cornered over bumps, and run flats, or an M-sport or modded one?

There is no such thing as a Suburu STI, BTW. It's a Suburu WRX STI.

Msport is little more than interior and exterior trim. The suspension is trash either way.

[Huecifer]

Originally Posted by brusk

What kind of gas mileage is each getting? The 128 is rated at 28 and the Turbo Subies at either 23 or 25 depending on trans. Most 128's I've heard get high 20's low 30's.

I've never even seen 26mpg. Never. Not once. And I calculate my gas mileage for every tank of gas. City driving nets me 19, highway 25. Because the Subaru is a turbo, if you keep the revs low, you get decent gas mileage. 26 highway, and up to 22 city, I think.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Huecifer

I've never even seen 26mpg. Never. Not once. And I calculate my gas mileage for every tank of gas. City driving nets me 19, highway 25. Because the Subaru is a turbo, if you keep the revs low, you get decent gas mileage. 26 highway, and up to 22 city, I think.

You can get 30 on the highway if you go a consistant 60mph. But seeing as that is completely impossible....

[Jockey]

Originally Posted by Daft Auto

There is no such thing as a Suburu WRX STI, BTW. It's a Subaru WRX STI.

It's STi btw.

Anyways, I owned 3 Subarus (GC8, WRX, and an STi). Out of those 3, only had to go to service once for a recall on squeaky rear shocks, that's it. My 135 on the other hand has been in 5 times for repairs (outside of normal mx). So as for reliability, it wasn't even close.

Driving experience, the Subarus were much more fun to drive. However, my 135 is everything those cars weren't, refined. The 135 is so much nicer than an Subaru there really isn't even a comparison. I sat in an WRX at a car show a month ago and I remembered how cheap the interior was. But that's what a Subaru is and makes no excuses for itself.

I could never replace my BMW for a Subaru, ever. I could see myself replacing my Jeep with a Subaru though. The AWD coupled with reliability and utility makes it a perfect 2nd car.



PS: The RWD w/snow tires is better than AWD with all-season/summers is a stupid argument. That's not an apples to apples comparison. AWD w/snow tires is better than RWD w/snows no matter how you look at it (especially a RWD w/o an LSD like our 1-series). It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out.

[edisapimp]

Originally Posted by Jockey

PS: The RWD w/snow tires is better than AWD with all-season/summers is a stupid argument. That's not an apples to apples comparison. AWD w/snow tires is better than RWD w/snows no matter how you look at it (especially a RWD w/o an LSD like our 1-series). It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out.

We're not short of non-rocket scientists here.

[Jockey]

Originally Posted by edisapimp

We're not short of non-rocket scientists here.

Very true

[bmw1racer]

AFTER /DRIVE discusses the 2015 WRX STI:

[Ghent]

Originally Posted by 2tonik

Sound-wise, there's no comparison. I still haven't heard a WRX that doesn't sound like a popcorn popper.

I always say they sound like a wind up toy

[GrizzNazzty]

Originally Posted by mturo

I actually just sold my 2014 wrx and purchased a 2012 135i with 10k miles (i know its not a 128i). The wrx was fun to drive, but the interior quality was (literally no better words to put it other than) shit. It started rattling the same day i got it but i was expecting that from the car so I was fine with it. All modification performance wise other than a cat back exhaust will require you to tune the car and most likely void your warranty (even a after market drop-in filter needs a tune). The engine is very sensitive a lot of people have ringland issues requiring a motor rebuild. Not trying to scare you, just want to let you be informed. If you keep the wrx stock it is a good reliable car, if you mod it you risk a 5-6k motor build.

Exactly why I just sold my WRX and bought a 135i