[roadcarver]

A few weeks ago, I bought my wife a blue 2010 Subaru WRX hatchback. I had not really driven it until today when I decided to drive it back to back with my 328 coupe on the same twisty mountain road outside my home in the mountains of East Tennessee. I have been waiting until after the break in period on her WRX to drive it and really push it, after all, its not very fun to drive a car until after the break in period. It is just frustrating until that point. I am very fortunate to have some of the best low traffic, twisty,smooth roads around to drive on. The road I compared the cars on is about 14 miles long each way with off camber curves and lots of rollers. I live in Tellico, TN which is the beginning of the Cherohala Skyway which I am sure some of you are familiar with. Although today I was not driving the Skyway. Both cars are equipped with manual transmission

1. Acceleration

The WRX wins this one, which I am sure is no surprise. The WRX is a beast once the turbo spools up with a very smooth delivery all the way to redline. Actually it feels very similar to the power delivery of the 335 except the 335 has less or very little turbo lag. Subaru has really improved the power delivery on the current WRX versus the older one. I guess the extra ponies over the previous version doesnt hurt either. It would be very interesting to see a 2010 WRX vs the 335 in a straight line race stock to stock. I would like to add that my 328 coupe with 6p manual is no slouch regardless of what some people on this board would lead you to believe. Also the throttle response was a little better on mine due to being a NA engine versus turbo.
Overall, I prefer the throttle response on my 328 but the pure power of the WRX wins. But damn, there is just something to that smooth growl and pull from the BMW inline 6 that gets me.

2. Handling

The 328 wins this one in my opinion. The WRX is a very adept handler but could possibly benefit from wider tires. If I had not ever owned my 328, I am sure I would have thought it could not get any better than the WRX( within reason obviously). Accelerating out of each corner just makes both cars shine but even more so in my 328. It just seems that my 328 digs down a little better around the corners which I believe is due to the combination of wider tires,slightly better suspension,and better inital throttle response versus the turbod WRX. You have to plan your gearing a little more with the WRX though the corners to be in the correct rpm range. The BMW is just a tad easier and more rewarding to push hard throught the curves. It really had me realize that pure power is not the full story in a car, its how it is delivered combined with the total package of the automobile. Both cars do it well but the BMW does it better.

3. Steering response

BMW wins, although Subaru has done a good job with the WRX. I just dont know if anyone does it better than BMW

4. Interior and creature comforts.

BMW wins, My 328 feels like a perfectly fitting glove and has numerous extra features such as Xenon,heated seats,great seats with sport package,rain sensing wipers, dead on cruise control,adaptive lights along with other intangible qualities the Subaru doesnt. The subaru interior has a very sporty look and seems very well put together but does not stack up to the 328.

5. Looks

BMW, enough said. Actually the WRX in blue with all around tint looks very sharp in person. For some reason the WRX looks better in person than in photos. Some cars are the opposite, I cant explain. But the 3 series coupe is the best looking car on the planet under $50,000 IMO

Conclusion

I still prefer my BMW over my wife's WRX overall. The Subaru is the best buy for pure perfomance no doubt, but the BMW is the better overall package as it should be for the extra money. If I were buying a new automobile today for myself I would have a very difficult time deciding due to the cost difference but would stick with BMW again because when it really comes down to it, " Nothing drives quite like a BMW"

[Donald-335i]

nice comparison.

[Seminole]

I wanna see pictures of the WRX!

[xantdieselx]

I had an 05 WRX. Still have fond memories of that car to this day. The interior was crap but the way the boxer engine pulled above 3.5k was something else. In the snow I would drive the car sideways almost the entire way to work.

[demosthenes]

Nice review. Thanks for posting.

[roadcarver]

Originally Posted by Nick.CBR

Nice review. Can you post a picture of your WRX? I had an E90 328i loaner car and the damn thing was wonderful. It didn't have the punch of my 335 but there was something about NA that made it feel nice. BMW's are such great cars...

Nick

I will try to take some pictures monday evening after I wash it. Its a little dirty now because we still have some salt on the roads around here from the recent cold snap. Hopefully the rain we have tonight finally washes the salt residue off the roads.

[micah]

I'm assuming the WRX is an STI? I don't think the regular WRX would be close to a 335.

[galahad05]

Actually, according to some reviews I've read....strangely, the WRX is a bit faster than the WRX STI.

[jopa489]

Nice review, thanks for sharing.

[Lobaeux]

Great review.
It's funny, but both BMW and Subaru tend to be "enthusiast" cars. Subaru isn't a name like Honda or Toyota, but I would take a Subaru any day over the other Japanese automakers.
Subaru's are quirky, fun, performance cars that have soul.
I'm still sad I sold my 2001 Impreza RS!

[quattr0]

I'm sure Driver72 would chime in shortly as he just switched back to 09 WRX. The newer model has bigger engine compared with teh bug eyes model.

Stock 0-60: WRX will jump ahead the stock 335i
After 60: bye bye WRX. Even stock STi could not keep up with stock 335i. This was older model STi. I don't think on hp wise the newer model has gained any big diff.

[quattr0]

Originally Posted by Lobaeux

Subaru's are quirky, fun, performance cars that have soul.

^ 'Nough said. I still miss my WRX now and then but the luxury side seems always win I had the WRx for 7 years and i enjoyed every day of it. Not sure if I could say the same for 335i (only 1 year so far and still trying to love it).

[amdmaxx]

op - you crazy if you think 328 outhandles wrx.. Get some decent tires on wrx.
wrx is a great car, 2010 improvements are massive, in straight line 0-60 its even faster than sti, according to data from nasioc.

[chuckindivide]

How does the manual transmission feel between the two cars?

[quattr0]

Originally Posted by roadcarver

2. Handling

The 328 wins this one in my opinion. The WRX is a very adept handler but could possibly benefit from wider tires. If I had not ever owned my 328, I am sure I would have thought it could not get any better than the WRX( within reason obviously). Accelerating out of each corner just makes both cars shine but even more so in my 328. It just seems that my 328 digs down a little better around the corners which I believe is due to the combination of wider tires,slightly better suspension,and better inital throttle response versus the turbod WRX. You have to plan your gearing a little more with the WRX though the corners to be in the correct rpm range. The BMW is just a tad easier and more rewarding to push hard throught the curves. It really had me realize that pure power is not the full story in a car, its how it is delivered combined with the total package of the automobile. Both cars do it well but the BMW does it better.

I have to disagree with the above. I don't own a 328 but you're telling me a non-LSD/non-AWD (not sure if you're talking about 328xi or not) car handle corner better than a WRX then it doesn't add up. Sorry.

If you say the way the steering wheel sticking to the road that would give you a better feeling than a WRX then I do agree.

[Figure807]

^^^ What he said. The difference in road feel is normal if you step back and realize you are comparing a RWD to an AWD. The only performance advantage the 328i has is the smooth power delivery of the N52

[ibeclueless]

nice review on both cars

[woolyman]

Although I never owned one, I've always felt a Subaru would be a good choice if I ever want to step down a notch in price. I, and I'm sure many others, value reviews like the one you posted. Thanks.

[Craig@SupremePower]

nice review..

[thefireant]

The new WRXs are some of the best bang for the buck cars available right now IMO

Your lucky to have both at your disposal

[socaldz]

I had a WRX both the wagon and the sedan. Loved those...no issues..rock solid...I am in the process of selling my 335i to get a SAABARU....

[roadcarver]

Originally Posted by quattr0

I have to disagree with the above. I don't own a 328 but you're telling me a non-LSD/non-AWD (not sure if you're talking about 328xi or not) car handle corner better than a WRX then it doesn't add up. Sorry.

If you say the way the steering wheel sticking to the road that would give you a better feeling than a WRX then I do agree.

As I said in my review, I thought at least part of difference was the WRX being under tired. Wider tires would probably help tremendously. I think this is also reflected by the skidpad figures for both cars. Im an not entirely sure why, but the 328 is just a little more enjoyable to drive hard through the corners and felt more sure footed and stable. The immediate throttle response of the BMW also felt better out of the corners. The small turbo lag of the WRX slightly decreases the enjoyment, but is still an excellent vehicle.

I am sure the WRX could me modified to kick the crap out of the 328 easily in most every way except luxery and smoothness. Either way, I really love each car in its own way. But at the end of they day, when I get in my car and go to work I am happiest in my 328. My wife prefers the WRX even before we bought it for her. So we are both now happy. I just feel fortunate to have my two favorite cars under $40,000 and the roads the drive upon in which I can exploit their capabilities.