theoptimisticpessimist
theoptimisticpessimist
No matter where you go, there you are. -Buckaroo Bonzai
View My AgentPage

Print this Page | Digg It | del.icio.us

Tags: BMW, 335xi, Mitsubishi,Lancer, Evolution,Subaru,WRX, STI.

Tag Links: BMW, 335xi, Mitsubishi, Lancer, Evolution, Subaru, WRX, STI.

Automoblie Tests:BMW 335xi, vs. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Subaru Impreza WRX STI
You've no doubt heard endless praise for both Subaru's wicked Impreza WRX STI and Mitsubishi's wild Lancer Evolution. It's well-deserved. With an intoxicating mixture of monster horsepower and magical four-wheel-drive systems, these little rockets have hexed a generation of boy racers into spending more than thirty grand on what are, in essence, tarted-up, entry-level economy cars.

But what happens when the boy racer grows up? Subaru says he turns into Jason, a fictional character its marketing department has developed and affectionately refers to as the "affluent man-child." Jason shares more than just his name with your humble author - at thirty-two, he's the same age, also has no kids, watches little or no television, and works in a creative field. Jason must be newly interested in cushy refinement because, to ensure that their new 2008 STI and Evo models continue to appeal to him, Subaru and Mitsubishi have kept the same blistering performance recipe - about 300 turbocharged horsepower and four-wheel drive - but added lots more everyday livability and convenience features.

They've added a lot more price, too. In fact, both cars, when fully loaded, come perilously close to the base price of a certain BMW, the 335xi - the car that Jason will surely want in another few years, when he grows from affluent man-child into affluent man. Although you might not realize it, the BMW is similar in size to the Japanese cars, and its powertrain cauldron is cooking up the same ingredients: a turbocharged, 300-hp engine and four-wheel drive. Read Article



Comments:

Images hosted in your AgentSpace can now be posted in the comments section using the following syntax (case matters):
[img]IMAGE URL[/img]
Example: [img]http://agent004.myautospies.com/users/150/Sample-Gallery/sample1.JPG[/img]
Htay7500Htay7500 - 4/7/2008 4:22:42 PM
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
the mitsu is more track-prepped rather than luxury. same with the subaru and both have great AWD systems given their rally history. the 3 series is good though the awd in the 3er is usually slower than its RWD variant so it wouldn't be proper to take it on a rally-x. its got good ride quality and driving dynamics though.

reply to this comment
bmwdrvrbmwdrvr - 4/7/2008 4:48:07 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
the 335xi actually has faster factory estimated times than the 335i


Htay7500Htay7500 - 4/7/2008 5:00:06 PM
+3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
manual or auto? and where did you hear that?


bmwdrvrbmwdrvr - 4/7/2008 6:04:33 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
from the bmw website but it looks like someone already posted the numbers


EnnNorakEnnNorak - 4/7/2008 8:34:50 PM
-3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I love the STI because of its drive train which includes front and rear LSD with the rear LSD being a Torsen®. However, I would not buy a vehicle unless it has automatic transmission.


MunichRobMunichRob - 4/8/2008 12:31:28 AMView My AgentSpace
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Yeah this is true. The 335xi is faster to 60MPH & that's about it, once the RWD variant has full traction it should pull ahead.


theoptimisticpessimisttheoptimisticpessimist - 4/7/2008 5:55:19 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Read the review.

reply to this comment
EL34EL34 - 4/7/2008 4:30:43 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
The BMW beats those plastic cars.

Get behind the wheel and find out what I mean.

reply to this comment
Htay7500Htay7500 - 4/7/2008 4:34:49 PM
+3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
"The BMW beats those plastic cars."

I thought all cars have plastic?










Htay7500Htay7500 - 4/7/2008 4:39:51 PM
+3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
oh and you complain too much. I thought everyone was adults, not babies?


BremboBrembo - 4/7/2008 4:47:51 PM
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
BMW uses plastic composite in order to lighten the weight.


Htay7500Htay7500 - 4/7/2008 4:59:24 PM
+3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
*everyone here.


EnnNorakEnnNorak - 4/7/2008 8:43:46 PM
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
A word about plastic: anything I have ever owned that was made of plastic eventually cracked in the sun or broke when dropped. The plastics industry needs to start certifying plastic products for their durability and other desirable properties. Having said that, let me also say that I once sold industrial thermocouple connectors that were made of a unique unbreakable aerospace plastic which could be dropped or thrown hard against a concrete wall or floor --that was basically my demo and it resulted in an instant sale each time since all competitive products had a reputation for breaking much to the annoyance of instrumentation engineers in the process industries.


simmonsdpsimmonsdp - 4/7/2008 5:19:05 PM
-4 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
bmwdrvr, I seriously doubt that an 335xi has a faster factory estimated time than a 335i.....

reply to this comment
supermotosupermoto - 4/7/2008 5:53:04 PM
+4 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I guess you haven't been reading the BMW forums, Simmonsdp. The reduced wheelspin of the 335xi indeed does quicken the acceleration vs the RWD model.


theoptimisticpessimisttheoptimisticpessimist - 4/7/2008 5:58:50 PM
+5 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
From BMW USA website.

335xi - 0-60

Man. 5.3
Auto. 5.4

335i - 0-60
Man. 5.4
Auto. 5.6


huu76huu76 - 4/7/2008 6:14:22 PM
-9 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Suddenly a BMW is all about city driving and nothing about tossability (of course, there's hardly any mention of driving dynamics since the BMW is outmatched).

Of course there's no problem with the 335xi looking no different than the budget 323i. Criticism like that is reserved for Lexus.

Thanks to more cylinders and larger displacement, this BMW manages to squeak out a faster straightline but gets left in the dust when you need to make a turn.

BMW's marketing department must've just heard of WRC and figured adding AWD is all it takes.

Why would true enthusiasts want to downgrade to a me-too BMW when they can upgrade to something more exclusive?

It's ironic that BMW drivers ar e probably the worst drivers since they're mostly fobs and cougars.

reply to this comment
S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 4/7/2008 7:12:16 PMView My AgentSpace
+6 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Yup, you're right huu, as usual. All the magazines are against Lexus and biased towards BMW, as usual. It's all a huge conspiracy.


EnnNorakEnnNorak - 4/7/2008 8:46:49 PM
+5 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
The thing I like about BMWs is their precise steering -- the car goes exactly where you want it to go. What I don't like is the lack of proper rubber side moldings to prevent lo-lifes from dinging your door in parking lots.


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 4/7/2008 8:53:00 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
as usual huu, your insights are right on! we just can't hold a candle to you.


KingerKinger - 4/8/2008 4:39:36 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
"Of course there's no problem with the 335xi looking no different than the budget 323i. Criticism like that is reserved for Lexus."

Pfft, they're both 3-series models you dumbass, the criticism with Lexus models is that they share design cues with some Toyota models, it's a totally different comparison.


rockerrocker - 4/7/2008 10:25:19 PM
+8 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Give me an EVO for the price and the cornering and will use the extra cash to boost the HP.

reply to this comment
bmwfan1513bmwfan1513 - 4/7/2008 10:29:32 PM
-7 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
BIMMERS RULE!!!!!!!!!

reply to this comment
adamsaf723adamsaf723 - 4/7/2008 11:28:57 PM
+3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I'd feel more comfortable ragging out a Lancer than a Bimmer... but they all look great... All three cars are gonna throw you back in your seat!!

reply to this comment
M35MTM35MT - 4/8/2008 12:40:23 PMView My AgentSpace
+3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
A better comparison would have been against the S4. Quattro is far superior to BMW xdrive (not bashing the bmw system fyi) but I realize they did this based on price.

I'd rather thrash a rally car around on dirt roads. The BMW is made for pavement w/ the ability to charge through snow when necessary.

I want to drive the new Evo. Not sure I'd want to unload 40k for it but can't tell until I drive it. A used Evo IX still seems like a good idea...nice automatic luxury car, and a racous car for the weekends/rough weather.

reply to this comment
M35MTM35MT - 4/8/2008 12:41:43 PMView My AgentSpace
+3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
To clarify it would be nice to have a luxury car, i.e. the 335i and have the Evo IX as a tuner car. You get a taste of both worlds.


JRobUSCJRobUSC - 4/8/2008 1:26:30 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
for $1800 you could Dinan the 335xi to 384hp, 421lb-ft. I'm sure that would be plenty quick.


germanautoaddictgermanautoaddict - 4/9/2008 9:47:31 AM
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I think the sti and the lancer are fun toys. but if i am going to drop 40k on a car I want it to built right from the outside in. The BMW does not sound like it is going to fall apart when it is close to redline. At 10k miles the BMW sounds like it it did the day you bought When the other two sounds of rattle and creeping keep me from the actual purchase.

reply to this comment
To post a comment for this story, you must first Login.

If you do not have an account, you will need to Register (It's Free!).

Most Recent Stories
Ford's Model T celebrates 100 yearsMercedes wants a Grand Prix team of its ownBat-tastic! Batman’s Rides from The Dark Knight, Up Close and Personal2008 Volvo C30 WTCC Green RacerCarlsson Mercedes-Benz Cl 65 Looks AMAZING!Which retro ride is the coolest? Challenger, Camaro or Mustang. And how dead IS retro?Mercedes - Benz Review: The GLK, CLC Sport Coupe And SLK-ClassComparison - 2008 Ferrari 599GTB Fiorano and 2008 Aston Martin DBS2010 Chevrolet Camaro OFFICIAL Pictures - The Wait is ALMOST Over!New Photos BMW 3 Series Touring2009 BMW 3 Series New High-Res Wallpapers2009 BMW 6-Series with New Sport Package2009 Maserati Quattroporte S - First DriveFirst Video Of The 2009 BMW 3-SeriesNew M3 Convertible: A disappointment? Audi R8: GT3 spec race car up for saleHonda Releases Civic Type S Fireblade ReplicaIncredible Mercedes SLR McLaren crash in QatarLeaked memo: 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX to get 265 horsepowerThe VW Up! could be changed front-wheel-driveExclusive iPhone Pouch Premiers At Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin Am I the Only Person Alive Bored Silly By the SLR McLaren?First Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Delivered in USElfin’s Caterham Bashing ‘Type 5’100% Electric Mitsubishi i MiEV Confirmed in 2009BMW M3 vs. BMW 335iAudi RS5: Will it look like this?New BMW 7 And Mercedes S-Class Side By Side: S-Class Still The King?French Auto Spies Get Nabbed By Authorities-So Much For Freedom Of The Press?$27 Million Jaguar XJ13 Le Mans Race Car to Run at Bradford Classic Jaguar Tops J D Power CSI Study For Second Year In a RowThe First Crash of a Maserati GranTurismo (pics)GM dealers buy $1 million in GM stockCadillac CTS coupe and wagon to be produced in LansingSpy Shots: Mercedes SLR McLaren Speedster hits the NurburgringThis Just In: Not All HUMMER Owners Gas-Guzzling Jerks2008 Toyota RAV4 SR180 On Sale UK2009 Infiniti FX50 vs 2009 BMW X6 xDrive50i Subaru WRX STi Spec C - Spy ShotsThe Top 5 Most Beautifully Designed Cars from the Designer of the CenturyThe 2009 Honda Fit and the New American Way2009 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Suv Unveiled at Moscow Show2008 Nissan Micra 25 Special EditionIs there an uglier pick truck made anywhere?Spy Shots: 2010 Acura NSX interiorMercedes boss confirms full turbocharged lineup within 3 yearsVideo: Porsche’s PDK Gearbox, how it worksBMW's X5 hybrid spied in USMercedes Benz Top QualityTh!nk Ox Electric-car could arrive in 2011