56 Votes

Who Wins The STUD Test? BMW 135i Or Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR

Agent001 submitted on 4/12/2008 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 9:54:10 PM

77 user comments | Category: Spy Shots | Source: | SOURCE: www.motortrend.com

Tag Links: 2008 BMW 135i, 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR

"There we found the perfect 135i competitor: a 300-horsepower, two-door, four-passenger, rear-drive sports car that comes in at $28,000, but can hit the mid-30s fully loaded.

Then we sobered up and realized that nobody cross-shops a BMW against a Mustang. So we rolled up our sleeves and dug past some of the usual disqualifiers to focus on concepts like pure performance and fun factor.

Which is how we arrived at the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR-two extra doors, two fewer cylinders, and one fewer turbocharger, yes, but two more driven wheels, similar engine output, and class-leading performance. Most important, the Evo is the kind of vehicle a true driving enthusiast can honestly consider against the 135i."

Looks like AutoSpies.com was ahead of the curve giving the 135i the 2008 AutoSpies.com car of the year...

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Who Wins The STUD Test? BMW 135i Or Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR

About the Author

FWD Torque Steer. Absolute proof the Devil exists.
— Agent001 (View Profile)

User Comments

The BMW wins the best looking car contest by a mile.
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2008 10:09:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -13

The evo is gorgeous.
— CLK63BlackSeries (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 2:02:06 AM | | Votes: 5

When I see the 135's head lamps, my eyes hurt for some reason. It has the looks of an ugly insect, so what looks are you talking about? I would take the Evo over it any day.
— Designer1 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 2:44:40 AM | | Votes: 2

The Mitsubishi EVO/Zero looks like a Dodge Charger, but with way too many lines and trendy lines at that.

The tail lights look like the typical crap from this company and look at that crummy interior.

Don't get me going woth the Mitsu.
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 11:42:39 AM | | Votes: -3

EL34 is right about the looks. The Evo does remind me a lot of my brother's Dodge Charger. And I've never been a fan of "boy racer" looks. The 135i is definitely the better-looking of the two.

But alas, I am too tall to fit in either car, so the point is moot for me.
— Audiphile (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 1:42:13 PM | | Votes: 0

cant say who the winner is, but the biggest loser sure is audi. guess winning le mans doesnt mean better cars.
— gsh23 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2008 10:17:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -6

Thanks for the ignorance lesson.
— Matthew1 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 12:05:10 AM | | Votes: 8

Huh? An Audi wasn't even in this comparison. What are you talking about?
— Audiphile (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 1:39:24 PM | | Votes: 5

Ummm..I did cross shop a BMW (325i) and a Mustang...actually, a Shelby GT. I bought the Shelby GT. I love the car and have an extra $8K in my pocket.
— ilmor (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2008 10:18:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

Which will soon dissipate in repair costs
— henbmw (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 7:32:27 AM | | Votes: 8

lmao
— dimitri_010 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 10:03:40 AM | | Votes: 2

lol Hen, you must not own a BMW if you think it has better reliability than a Mustang.
— Obliv (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 1:27:25 PM | | Votes: 3

"Which will soon dissipate in repair costs"
Actually the new Mustangs have been very reliable none of my customers have had any complaints. Whereas BMW, i won't even go down that road. Especially the 7 series. Most of my customers regret the purchase.
— zorbeeze (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 1:51:10 PM | | Votes: 1

thats why most are leased
— stash84 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 8:44:30 PM | | Votes: 2

Or may I say least bad looking of these 2. I like BMW, but the 1 is ugly.
— dragvorl (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2008 10:18:38 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 10

And the 135i doesn't start at $28K but rather $35K.
— investor27 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2008 10:20:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 8

He's talking about the Mustang starting at 28k...not the 135i.

Then he states that noboby compares the Mustang to any BMW and then explains that's how they picked the EVO.

Read the beginning of his article:

What's left? We put together a matrix to compare (see it on page 4).

There we found the perfect 135i competitor: a 300-horsepower, two-door, four-passenger, rear-drive sports car that comes in at $28,000, but can hit the mid-30s fully loaded.

Then we sobered up and realized that nobody cross-shops a BMW against a Mustang. So we rolled up our sleeves and dug past some of the usual disqualifiers to focus on concepts like pure performance and fun factor.

001
— Agent001 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2008 10:24:29 PM | | Votes: 7

Id take the Mustang over either of these. So I guess your right!
— Obliv (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 1:30:28 PM | | Votes: -1

BMW is better. They have been doing everything right.
— bmwfan1513 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2008 10:48:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -7

The mitsubishi looks tons better than the 135i, but the BMW is more practical one, while also containing as much performance credibility as the EVO X. But if you are going for pure performance, then the BMW can not match the road going missile that we call EVO GR.
— farabira1 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2008 10:48:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7

Yeah, because Toyota does such a good job engineering they have practically no problems with recal...

...er...wait..
— Obliv (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 1:28:56 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

BMW wins again....
— SixxFive (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2008 11:38:52 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4

Appeals to wildly different demographics....
— Matthew1 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 12:06:11 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 8

you shouldnt care so much about what people think about you..be yourself..
— stash84 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 8:47:07 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

This car is obviously best bang for the buck as long as you don't want any options. I think BMW shouldn't offer any options for the 135i. The msrp can be misleading as this car offers very little at 35k with exception of the engine / handling.
— useridinuse (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 12:28:30 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

I can get all those safety equipment you refer to in a 20 000$ Kia. Most safety equipment are standard in all cars nowadays. Everybody uses these stupid terms regarding safety equipment. It's all an advertising gimmick and you don`t realise you`re being fooled.
— zorbeeze (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 1:55:36 PM | | Votes: 2

"If you want more luxury and convenience and don't mind adding a few pounds there are options."

the more options you add, the more sacrifice in performance and a gain in weight. the MR doesn't have a nice interior, but its a sports car, not a luxury car so you'll be more focused with its performance than luxury.
— Htay7500 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 2:37:34 PM | | Votes: 1

the 135 isnt a luxury car either..its also a sports car
— stash84 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 8:48:50 PM | | Votes: 1

i'm really not a fan of the mitsubishi's styling. it finally has a well styled silhouette, but the fascia is one designed for a tasteless teenager. can you imagine if your daughter was picked up by some guy driving it? he may as well wear a shirt saying "i deal ecstacy".

the bimmer is classy. it has beautiful flowing lines and proportions which remind me of a bull terrier (though many think they are ugly).

the mitsubishi is a decent car. but the 135i is THE car.

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 1:24:49 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -10

Much as I like the radical new look of the EVo, I hate to say it's Harry's cousin Dudley compared to the One.
— BMWRU (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 2:27:06 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

Both are great cars so it just comes down to a matter of personal taste. Try this on for size (for those that can think outside the box):

Mentally remove the badges and brand association of each vehicle.

Compare and evaluate the underpinnings, drive train, dynamics, technology, etc.

Examine the design elements and think about each cars intention based on looks alone.

I personally think that both are studs. The BMW gives the impression of a "nice guy that can be mischievous at times, and may have one tattoo that isn't visible" feel. On the other hand, the Mitsubishi has more of a "tough guy with a chip on his shoulders, major tattoos, and a few piercings" presence.

So it comes down to what you want (if one even cross shopped those two cars): BMW's "feel" or Mitsubishi's "presence AND feel".

Verdict: EVO - Alpha stud, BMW - jock LOL
— aeyjay (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 3:56:24 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

Good analogy...I agree it really boils down to the consumers taste as both cars are great. I'd even give the thumbs-up to the Evo over the 135i in the looks department if it weren't for its tacky wing; which isn't an option.
— MunichRob (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 5:56:17 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Thanks ;-)
— aeyjay (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 6:17:17 AM | | Votes: 1

I can honestly say I have no clue which would be best. And everyone one here making comments all think this is a beauty pageant. Come on people... there are more to both of these cars than looks. BMW handles and goes very well. I have driven the 135i last weekend and can say it was hell on wheels. TOO MUCH FUN. I like to see BMW offering something that is smaller and still great to drive. Took all the twisty bits with ease and with sporting fun. I have not been able to drive a Evo yet since the dealership where I live acts as if it is a golden god sitting on the lot and do not give out too many test drives in it. They ask crap like if you would like to put a deposit down and try to sell you the car before you ever get into it. So as fr as dealers goes, BMW is better by far. Mitsubishi is still ran (dealership level that is) like a Ford dealership... vulturing over you thinking you are here to buy a car and take it home today! No I wanna drive the thing first thanks! Maybe I will try another dealer a city over and see. I am sure they have a lot of hoodlums wanting to drive the Evo... I say to the hoodlums, dress nice, lose the face jewelry for the hour and go drive the s&*% out of it! LOL! Seriously though, the BMW was a blast to drive, but I am sure the experience is quite different between the two vehicles. Evo is AWD, BMW rear wheel, Evo based off a lesser compact, 135i is BMW's compact.
So people, go and drive them first before you launch comments... its always just a beauty contest in thes blogs... BMW looks ugly, Lexus L Finesse is Jap Crap... lets talk about the cars deeper than just at skin level. Test Drives are free, go make the best out of them!
— atomicbri (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 7:04:25 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

even with less weight and more power bmw 135i and other cars have small chances with evo on the track thanks to it AWD system . it has not ordinary AWD like in other AWD cars but it has torque vectoring and that`s the reason why evos are so fast in corners .
— abcd (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 9:57:42 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

Am I blind? Is this the first time in your life that you haven't mentioned word " Audi" in one of your posts?
— AUTO_UNION (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 4:02:08 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 8

BMW 1 series = DUD, looks like a pig, very ugly front end.
— ubercool (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 11:26:50 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Look at the how beautiful and unique the front bumper is when compared to the bumper on the Lancer.

Get back to me with your report.

In fact, compare each line and tell me which car has the most clutter?
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 11:44:40 AM | | Votes: 0

They both look fantastic in that picture--as boy-racer-ish as it is, I would definitely take either.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 12:40:08 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

Based on pricepoint alone. I'd take a base 335i. End of story.
— SSP350 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 1:00:08 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

You don't compare Mitsu-piece-of-crap with BMW. It's like asking which is more luxurious between a Kia and a Rolls-Royce.
— lexusis350 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 1:01:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

The BMW 1-Series is FANTASTIC! In every way. I see it as an E46 M3 that costs 20,000 less!
— razzy23 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 1:03:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3

preach!
— vman1013 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/15/2008 7:18:53 AM | | Votes: 1

Unfortunately for me I am stuck in BMW's styling past. I like the current crop ok sans Idiveyounuts controller. I was driving my buddys 01 7series and I just reminded my self how much I miss that styling, that and the last gen 5 series seems timeless. I am sure like all BMW's the 1 drives like it a slot car on those tracks when I was a a kid. They seem to always have driven close to these way and their engines are a thing of beauty. That being said although the EVO is much more refined than its predecessor and cant hope to compare to the interior of a car that was probably not build to a price point like the EVO is. The styling of the 1 does nothing for me but like all BMW's I am sure driving one is something to behold. I have had the pleasure of driving a current EVO and it really a great performance car but if you are looking for refinement this aint it.
— NItePhire (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 1:19:29 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

To me the Lancer looks like an outdated Dodge Shadow.

:-|
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 1:31:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

now that you mention it, it actually IS a dodge shadow. the shadow became the neon, which became the caliber, which was separated at birth from the lancer. great observation.
— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 3:00:33 PM | | Votes: 3

The only ricer car here is the 135i. Thanks to the budget 128i car that all the penny pinchers will buy, it screams FOB and reeks of too much effort.

The Evo screams past World Rally Championships.

The 1 must be really confused, they keep comparing it to everything they can think of. What next, 135i vs F150 Lightning?
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 3:00:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

Yah, pretty much...
— AgentOrange (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 7:00:36 PM | | Votes: 4

The 135 will take sales away from every performance car in the 30k range. The thing is that I rarely see adults (35+) driving EVO's. But those adults who also happen to be enthusiasts respect the performance of the EVO. The 135 will appeal to those adults who want the performance to compete with (and even beat) an EVO but aren't into the tuner life style.

The BMW can be considered a "turnkey" performance vehicle. You buy it loaded from the factory with all the goodies. And you go fast. You bring it in for service when the car tells you its time.

The EVO on the other hand will undergo modification after modification. That is just the culture. And if you are not going to tune your EVO then you're just a poser!
— vman1013 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/15/2008 8:30:05 AM | | Votes: 5

"the Evo is the kind of vehicle a true driving enthusiast can honestly consider..."

Already BMW is in the wrong league since knowing how to drive is the last thing any BMW owner is.
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 3:02:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -6

as an enthusiast I would choose the evo. The looks arent great but the performance is amazing and as far reliability, doesnt mitsu still have the 10 yr 100k mile waranty? If so that beats the hell out of a bmw. AWD = fun in the dirt and snow!!! Plus a well known rally history and numerous tsukaba and goup series track records its the winner. If I wanted a performance luxury car I would buy the 335i its beautiful and has equal performance to the 135i. The 135i is just too small and ugly imho.
— xlr8 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2008 3:14:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

No im in the military and im 27yrs old, Im currently in the middle east. I own a 2006 530i and a acura rsx type s. I also like your stereotypical view of asian people...which is what I happen to be. Are you a bigot or something? or a pizza delivery boy with a beater 80's 3 series?
— xlr8 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 2:52:30 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 9

xlr8..hope u come back soon from the middle east !!!! thanks for serving our country !! Obama 08
— stash84 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 8:59:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

This is all such a big fast waste of type. Design is so subjective. Why do people feel like they need t
— PolePosition (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 12:42:15 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

How do you have a stud test between two girls?
— 993Turbo (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 6:30:38 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

I'll take the Evo any given day over the 1series but to be honest they both look horrible.
— zorbeeze (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 1:01:01 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

How much are both?
— SX123 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2008 10:21:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

$74,315
— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/15/2008 10:31:23 AM | | Votes: 4

LOL
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 4/15/2008 5:37:46 PM | | Votes: 3

Id take a GTR then!
— Jaybrn (View Profile)

Posted on 4/15/2008 6:20:04 PM | | Votes: 0

The BMW 135i looks better, is considerably faster, has free maintenance and it actually comes with a real warranty. The new EVO is a joke.
— Star (View Profile)

Posted on 4/15/2008 8:14:07 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

kthor,
If it's a BMW, don't you mean "have your parents lease, month by month"?
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/15/2008 10:04:29 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

Between the 2..
If you buy it to go fast.. buy the Evo..
If you buy it for the nice interior.. buy the 135i

Funny.. I've never seen a "Who's got the better interior shoot out" from the magazines!!!!

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/112_0806_bmw_135_mitsubishi_evo_mr_comparison/photo_12.html

Evo X is faster than the 135i at the track by nearly 4 seconds!!!! What do you expect from a 3400lb cars with
tiny 215 front tires?
— JTRacer (View Profile)

Posted on 4/18/2008 12:36:41 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

I thought the article was a STUD test? the BMW 135i is a girlie car, right there it loses the STUD test.
— evois (View Profile)

Posted on 4/18/2008 10:29:38 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

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Who Wins The STUD Test? BMW 135i Or Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR

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