[JOHN328]

Was thinking of selling f30 328 for 14 sti.
Love to go back to the old school 6 speed mt with all new short gearing.
Somehow i never really enjoyed my f30 like the way i enjoyed my JDM cars, even with intake, dp, jb and mpe. Feeling sad. Lol
Just wanna know what people think!

[Aapparition90]

dont see the point audi s3 sedan maybe if you dont need the extra space.

[Sherweeeny]

My mate has the previous sti and versus my 328 it is exactly neck and neck as if they're the same car.

Do whatever you like mate but in my opinion, the sti has fallen way, way behind

[knightsabers]

Depends on your needs, daily driver with class or a blend of daily driver & weekend track car.

The new STI is highly regarded by car reviews claiming it to be better handling compared to the previous generation whilst maintaing the same engine.

Interior quality has definitely improved from the looks of the pics. On the exterior, it's has a more aggressive stance with flared wheel arches. The CVT transmission is the most improved in this generation.

Overall the decision is up to you, JDM or Euro. Both great in their own aspects.

[JOHN328]

Thanks guys for the thoughts.
Its a really hard call.
Im going for a test drive in the sti and see if i really like it i guess.
Cheers guys

[MikeVictor]

I'm not a fan of CVTs, but eh, if you were getting an STi WRX you'd get a manual wouldn't you?

[JOHN328]

Originally Posted by Dabaitu

I'm not a fan of CVTs, but eh, if you were getting an STi WRX you'd get a manual wouldn't you?

Hate cvt too. Mt, boxer sound, dccd is the reason why im thinking of going to sti.

[AMJAM]

If you think BMW dealers are bad Subaru dealers are in a hole other bad realm

[Sephanite]

Enjoy the STi. It will be a fun car

[J1n]

Depends on what you enjoy more man I do like the new look of the STi's tho

[JOHN328]

Originally Posted by J1n

Depends on what you enjoy more man I do like the new look of the STi's tho

I didnt like it at the beginning, but it grown on me now.

[mattex]

Having owned 6 STi's over the years I certainly have a soft spot for Subaru.

The new STi is some what grown up, but despite the new chassis it's using the old driveline/engine tech. I suppose that could be a good thing given they are tried and tested and offer plenty of aftermarket gear. But for me it's getting a little too old. Certainly can't argue with the value being only 50kish new.

Personally I just find the STi's too "boy racer" and too track focused for an every day drive. For me having just come to an F30 it's about having an refined ride, thats quiet and comfortable but still enjoyable to drive.

[**ghost**]

I had a 2009 (GRB Hatchback) STi and currently a 2013 BMW 328i

Someone mentioned above its neck and neck to a 328i but in my experience there is absolutely no way that's true unless the STI driver was very poor and couldn't drive a manual gearbox even on a basic level.

The STIs are faster in both straight and curves so if performance is a priority its the car for you.

The manual gearbox does get very frustrating commuting in traffic though and unfortunately Subaru doesn't have a good DCT/Auto to offer with the STI.

Get the STI if you don't have to commute and want a fast car. The BMW is a luxury semi sport car better for everyday.

[J1n]

F IT JOHN DO IT! hahha

[knightsabers]

Here's a good review on the new STI from Motortrend.

[ilovewagons]

Originally Posted by **ghost**

I had a 2009 (GRB Hatchback) STi and currently a 2013 BMW 328i

Someone mentioned above its neck and neck to a 328i but in my experience there is absolutely no way that's true unless the STI driver was very poor and couldn't drive a manual gearbox even on a basic level.

The STIs are faster in both straight and curves so if performance is a priority its the car for you.

The manual gearbox does get very frustrating commuting in traffic though and unfortunately Subaru doesn't have a good DCT/Auto to offer with the STI.

Get the STI if you don't have to commute and want a fast car. The BMW is a luxury semi sport car better for everyday.

I can't comment about track times but on the road, unless a stock STI does a high rpm launch, the STI driver will be looking at the 328i's bum at 100km/h. STI has a terrible torque curve and weighs more than a 328i sedan (more than a wagon too, I think). From a roll (60-100) 328i takes that too. Once I reconnected the tune in the 328i, there was no contest. STI was not fully broken in and no one wanted to do anything ridiculous so grains of salt, etc.

For comparison, vs a VE GTS with exhaust (hard launch, no wheelspin on either car) my F31 (with BMS stage 1 + child seat and 20kg of work gear) jumped ahead by half a car and stayed there till 100. I expected to be curb-stomped, I was not.

I suspect that things will be very different on a track, but a 328i is a heck of a road car (in m-sport guise, like you I was incredibly underwhelmed by the sport line). Having thought I'd bought a family hauler/work hack with good road manners, I've been pleasantly surprised to discover I have a sleeper instead.

[MikeVictor]

Originally Posted by ilovewagons

I suspect that things will be very different on a track, but a 328i is a heck of a road car (in m-sport guise, like you I was incredibly underwhelmed by the sport line). Having thought I'd bought a family hauler/work hack with good road manners, I've been pleasantly surprised to discover I have a sleeper instead.

It's the suspension that makes all the difference, not the line. I'd probably be kicking myself if I never ordered the M Adaptive. Factory orders FTW!

[ilovewagons]

Originally Posted by Dabaitu

It's the suspension that makes all the difference, not the line. I'd probably be kicking myself if I never ordered the M Adaptive. Factory orders FTW!

That's what I meant. I'm pretty sure that in Australia at least sport lines and m-sport cars have different suspension. Is that the case?

[Aapparition90]

yes they are different and thats something that fooled me as well.
Sportline - standard suspension in Australia ( sports suspension everywhere else )
M-SPORT- Sports Suspension/M sport suspension (samething ) standard

[ilovewagons]

It took me ages to figure out what all the test cars I drove had as well. My understanding:

1) M-sport suspension: different springs, sway bars, and dampers to sport line.
2) M-Performance suspension: different springs and dampers compared to 1) but same sways.
3) sport line suspension: pretty much the same as standard unless you add 1).

I could be wrong though.

Adaptive suspension only varies the damping. Cars I drove with it (sans M-sport suspension) weren't as sharp though they did ride well. Turn in wasn't as good and they understeered more (they were fine cars, but I just wanted more). I actually like the harsher, non adaptive suspension, which is like a magic carpet compared to a GTI!

Sorry for the thread jack!

[Aapparition90]

The m sport I drove felt a lot more planted on the road compared to the sportline which can get a bit floaty imo.

[Sherweeeny]

Originally Posted by **ghost**

I had a 2009 (GRB Hatchback) STi and currently a 2013 BMW 328i

Someone mentioned above its neck and neck to a 328i but in my experience there is absolutely no way that's true unless the STI driver was very poor and couldn't drive a manual gearbox even on a basic level.

The STIs are faster in both straight and curves so if performance is a priority its the car for you.

The manual gearbox does get very frustrating commuting in traffic though and unfortunately Subaru doesn't have a good DCT/Auto to offer with the STI.

Get the STI if you don't have to commute and want a fast car. The BMW is a luxury semi sport car better for everyday.

Yeah, my mates sti is an auto. I believe it's a 2011. IIRC, it's a normal torque converter but they lose out on around 10-20nm because the box can't handle it.

I've done enough runs in enough conditions to warrant what I said.

And you're right, it's very good around the twistys, but I bought a RWD to enjoy it.