BMW 330i or Subaru WRX ??

[Divesh]

Hi Guys.

Just wanted some opinions. For the price of a 1 year + old BMW 330i one could buy a new Subaru WRX (facelifted version). Which one would you guys choose?

I think BMW has better build quality and better top end, not too mention smoother engine, while Subaru has AWD and maybe more thrills ??

I dunno, what do u guys think.

Remember, I am talking about the normal WRX, not the STi. Oh yeah, and here in South Africa we get the normal RWD 330i's, not the AWD version that is sold in the States.

Later

[kees]

It depends what you want...the 330i is a very rapid, refined sedan...the WRX is a bit more hard-edged and at least 2 notches less refined.

The 330i would make for pretty lazy driving with relatively good torque available at all time. The WRX needs to be worked a bit harder to go fast.

You are not going to regret buying either of these cars.

I've written a summary of my experiences with the WRX here.

[ycchan]

WRX....

IMHO, the BMW 3 series has a very cramped interior space

[kees]

Originally posted by ycchan
WRX....

IMHO, the BMW 3 series has a very cramped interior space

And you think this isn't the case with the WRX?

[Verne]

Torque figures are pretty similar. 300Nm for the BMW and 306Nm for the Scooby. Horsepower figures are in the BMW's favour. 231bhp vs 220bhp.

I'd take the WRX 'coz its new. Even though its on the small side, but the 3-series isn't that much bigger. Too, the engine has got quite a bit of potential to kick out more power in the long run (um, 330i too i guess, but would probably cost a lot more).

And its also a new design. Plus I have this thing for japanese fast 4s.

My 2 cents anyways.

Ho yeah, would you be getting the ultra cool 6-disc in dash slot-in CD player? I know our local dealer was offering it for the normal Impreza. Was quite impressive.

[Divesh]

Thanks for all the info guys.
Not buying a car just yet but doing some ahead of time research all the same. Just wanted to hear your opinions since most of the guys are BMW owners. Most of the guys on the board seem to have a lot of respect for the Subarus, which I guess is a good sign of how great these cars are.

later guys

[Verne]

Whoops. I don't own a BMW. My family has an E38 728i. But I'm driving a Civic (its a no-mods 1.5litre smallish thingie. Not complaining though - its my 1st car).

But in this part of the world, jap cars like the EVOs, WRXs, GTRs etc etc command quite a bit of respect and road presence.

At the risk of going off course, what about a used EVO7? With the EVO8 just being released, prices of the EVO7 should drop a little. And it is slightly larger and more powerful than a WRX. With just as much tweaking potential.

Although I do feel the WRX isn't as in-your-face as the EVO, its a little bit more understated. Really depends on personal preference.

With regards to the 330i vs WRX though, I guess it boils down to how you feel. Most people like BMW for what it represents. Power combined with luxury. Some people don't like having a used car too, irregardless of how old it is.

I do think though, if you're someone who likes refinement and with a dose of power, the BMW should be for you. With a slightly large space than the Scooby, you'd be able to send friends around with a bit more comfort and style (well, style is subjective i suppose) and still enjoy a decent amount of fun and power.

But if you like driving on the edge, and would like to have a decent track car with cheap(er) and easier modifications, the WRX should be to your liking. And you'd be getting a 6spd manual too (correct me if i'm wrong though). Plus with shorter gearing, you'll have lots more fun working through the cogs.

Personal preference really. Don't think you'd go wrong either way. Have fun choosing!~

no pun intended, but go for the safest car...living in south africa with a car which has a big wing or a bmw badge will get attention by those (many) car jackers, who will at some point want to have a go at getting the car

both cars are good but personally I'll go for the 330 Saloon and get ACS bits and the chrome line exterior anyday!

[Verne]

Chrome line exterior? I think I'm totally out of touch (or dense, both works for me though. ), but whats it look like?

And wouldn't the ACS kit make the 330i that much more carjack-able too?

[Divesh]

Mmmmm......... good point Klint. Didn't give any thought to the carjacking thing. Subaru will defenitely be less of a target than a BMW, although in this country they carjack pretty much anything.

Unfortunately Mitsubishi Evo 7 is not sold here Verne but they are going to start selling Evo8 here in South Africa from about midyear. So South African car market is defenitely looking up. Honda is launching new Accord here today, apparently one month before the UK gets it (which is a first as far as I know).

What do you guys think of new Mazda RX8. I think that car looks pretty wicked!

Oh yeah, Klint are you formerly from South Africa and do you check out the Isle of Man TT. I have seen that race on TV and it looks totally awesome.

[ycchan]

Originally posted by keesdh
And you think this isn't the case with the WRX?

Errr no!

Even the Mazda Protege and Toyota Corolla is bigger

[Verne]

Originally posted by Mad Indian

Unfortunately Mitsubishi Evo 7 is not sold here Verne but they are going to start selling Evo8 here in South Africa from about midyear. So South African car market is defenitely looking up. Honda is launching new Accord here today, apparently one month before the UK gets it (which is a first as far as I know).

What do you guys think of new Mazda RX8. I think that car looks pretty wicked!

The new accord looks pretty good, but seems smaller than the previous version. Have yet to ride in it though, but I heard its supposed to be a Mazda 6 rival. Might be worth checking out the Accord Euro R if and when it rolls off the manufacturing plant.

And about the RX8... well, frankly, in my opinion, I think the RX7 looks a LOT better. There's a rumour going around (picked it up somewhere from cars.ign.com ) that the RX7 is going to get a REAL successor and that the RX8 is just a prelude of things to come. I think the suicide doors are quite cool though...

A local car mag tested an RX8 in Japan, apparently the rev limiter is removed (woah...) and the car can and will rev to 9000 (or was it 8k? whoopsie. ). Dunno if that was because the car was a test car, or if the feature made it to production.

Torque numbers aren't that great i remembered, but the horsepower is pretty good. Think it was 230bhp? 250? Checked it up some time ago but totally forgot. There's a 180bhp version too. Not too bad from a non-turboed rotary engine. It'll definitely sound a whole lot different from the other cars on the road.