330i or Legacy 3.0R Spec B
Discussion
My appreciation of Subaru is borne of different circumstances. Out here Subaru has a similar market share to VW, and anything European comes with a premium price tag. Japanese/Korean cars are seen as a little downmarket, but if you go to the Outback, there are very few non-Japanese/Korean/Australian cars out there. I've come to appreciate their reliability - I don't live in the Outback (Insular Peninsula for me!) but the fact that they are reliable is part of the draw.
Parts for Subarus are still pricey here, but my experience is that this is offset by the fact you don't need them very often. Stick with the servicing schedule and drive on. It also offsets the fuel consumption. No Subarus seem to get about about 25-27mpg average, even the N/A 2.5s I've had, but fuel savings can be wiped out by a random part failure.
I'm on my sixth Subaru but have only had a 2002 Outback with the 3.0 flat six and that was only for a short time. I've had a couple of GTs though, a 2005 with the 2.0T twin scroll and, now, a later 2013 with the 2.5T. The earlier model was more fun, turbo lag and 7500rpm redline, but the later is quicker everywhere, and definitely quicker than an earlier R Spec B. The GT also seems to ride better, even on Bilsteins.
They are satisfying cars to own, w
ky as that sounds, in that they are also comfortable, spacious and fun. Perhaps not in a wag-the-rear type of way but more in a discrete, get on with it, kind of way. And the 6MT is great to use, if a little notchy when cold.
I can't offer a comparison with the BMW, but would say you need to try both as it sounds they offer similar, yet different experiences.
Parts for Subarus are still pricey here, but my experience is that this is offset by the fact you don't need them very often. Stick with the servicing schedule and drive on. It also offsets the fuel consumption. No Subarus seem to get about about 25-27mpg average, even the N/A 2.5s I've had, but fuel savings can be wiped out by a random part failure.
I'm on my sixth Subaru but have only had a 2002 Outback with the 3.0 flat six and that was only for a short time. I've had a couple of GTs though, a 2005 with the 2.0T twin scroll and, now, a later 2013 with the 2.5T. The earlier model was more fun, turbo lag and 7500rpm redline, but the later is quicker everywhere, and definitely quicker than an earlier R Spec B. The GT also seems to ride better, even on Bilsteins.
They are satisfying cars to own, w
ky as that sounds, in that they are also comfortable, spacious and fun. Perhaps not in a wag-the-rear type of way but more in a discrete, get on with it, kind of way. And the 6MT is great to use, if a little notchy when cold.I can't offer a comparison with the BMW, but would say you need to try both as it sounds they offer similar, yet different experiences.
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