BMW E46 M3 or Subaru Impreza STI......
Discussion
I am considering getting a new car and need some advice...
I have got it down to 2 - the M3 or Impreza. The car will not be used for commuting as work in London, so it is just for weekend blasts. I am very familiar with the M3 and have driven one many times before. How does the Impreza compare with the BMW (handling, acceleration, general feel etc).
MPG and boring things not really a problem although servicing costs would be good to compare.
Any advice welcome!!!!
Cheers,
Tom
I have got it down to 2 - the M3 or Impreza. The car will not be used for commuting as work in London, so it is just for weekend blasts. I am very familiar with the M3 and have driven one many times before. How does the Impreza compare with the BMW (handling, acceleration, general feel etc).
MPG and boring things not really a problem although servicing costs would be good to compare.
Any advice welcome!!!!
Cheers,
Tom
The M3 is the better alrounder, but in the wet you can't do much with that it that won't kill you.
I had an Impreza STi and it's allweather performance is incredible. Mine was the Prodrive pack version with 305bhp, easily as quick as a M3 and off the lights they couldn't see which way I had gone.
I had an Impreza STi and it's allweather performance is incredible. Mine was the Prodrive pack version with 305bhp, easily as quick as a M3 and off the lights they couldn't see which way I had gone.
NotNormal said:
You sure about that, M3 with traction turned off brings big smiles when the road is wet 
Just leave the traction on if your scared of slip angles
Drifting is fun.. attackig a b-road in the wet in one these is a different matter entirely. A 280bhp Subaru behind me was laughing as we tried to keep the damn thing straight.Just leave the traction on if your scared of slip angles
Fun and scary, but a 4WD jap equivalent would have finished the course before you can get going
Jazz360 said:
In terms of sprinting ability the M3 does weigh over 1500kgs and only packs 269ft lb. An Impreza or Evo running 300+ should have no problems at all dealing with one, except of course when the little 4-cylinder runs out of puff at around 155-160mph while the M3 keeps on running.
and hits the limiter at 155?What Impreza are you looking at? Personally I love the classics, but the e46 is a much newer car.
That said, if it's just a weekend toy do you need 4 seats and boot?
If so I tend to agree an Evo, while lacking the sound track of an Impreza is probably the more thrilling drivers tool. And I think I'd probably be looking at a 2 seat BMW M Coupe or M Roadster.
I'd also say there's quite a difference in driving styles between the M3 and an Impreza. The Impreza in standard trim is likely to be a bit understeery, but can bully it's way down the road with AWD traction. The engine is also a typical turbo motor, so huge torque hit and potentially a bit laggy.
The M3 by comparison is likely to be more of precision tool. Sure you can hang the tail out with it more easily, but you need to respect and remember it's RWD and will likely reward a more delicate touch than the Subaru will. The motor in the M3 is gem, but it won't give you that huge shove in the back sensation of coming on boost. You'll really have to ring it's neck to make it perform.
That said, if it's just a weekend toy do you need 4 seats and boot?
If so I tend to agree an Evo, while lacking the sound track of an Impreza is probably the more thrilling drivers tool. And I think I'd probably be looking at a 2 seat BMW M Coupe or M Roadster.
I'd also say there's quite a difference in driving styles between the M3 and an Impreza. The Impreza in standard trim is likely to be a bit understeery, but can bully it's way down the road with AWD traction. The engine is also a typical turbo motor, so huge torque hit and potentially a bit laggy.
The M3 by comparison is likely to be more of precision tool. Sure you can hang the tail out with it more easily, but you need to respect and remember it's RWD and will likely reward a more delicate touch than the Subaru will. The motor in the M3 is gem, but it won't give you that huge shove in the back sensation of coming on boost. You'll really have to ring it's neck to make it perform.
What sort of Impreza STI are you talking, Blobeye, Hawkeye or Hatchback? They are all comparable in price to an e46 M3 as the prices of these vary massively.
The m3 can be a real minefield and a set of tyres for the 19`s will cost you a grand. Also watch for subframe cracking and silly expensive inspection 2 services etc. An m3 is likely to cost much more to run than an STI. Saying that, in the dry it will be a more fun car but useless in the wet unlike the Impreza.
Very differemt power delivery, the m3 comes alive high in the rev range but kind of feels like any other 3 series low down. I liken it to a big capacity Civic type-r.
Personally I`d go for an Evo over either, but they don`t sound very good and can be expensive to run too.
You can get ideas from people in here but you would be best off going and driving both and seeing what appeals most to you. Then go and look for the best example of your preffered car you can find.
The m3 can be a real minefield and a set of tyres for the 19`s will cost you a grand. Also watch for subframe cracking and silly expensive inspection 2 services etc. An m3 is likely to cost much more to run than an STI. Saying that, in the dry it will be a more fun car but useless in the wet unlike the Impreza.
Very differemt power delivery, the m3 comes alive high in the rev range but kind of feels like any other 3 series low down. I liken it to a big capacity Civic type-r.
Personally I`d go for an Evo over either, but they don`t sound very good and can be expensive to run too.
You can get ideas from people in here but you would be best off going and driving both and seeing what appeals most to you. Then go and look for the best example of your preffered car you can find.
I took my old Impreza STi to near enough it's top speed on a dual carriage way (autobahn- Obviously!). My cousin who was running with me had his breathing modded 350Z. Up to around 140 I was all over him, but funnily enough at around 140ish the Impreza really started to lose puff and the 350Z came right back, I was shocked.
My colleagues with Evo's say the same, deep into 3 figured unless they are heavily tuned they are not that fast at all.
My colleagues with Evo's say the same, deep into 3 figured unless they are heavily tuned they are not that fast at all.
Jazz360 said:
I took my old Impreza STi to near enough it's top speed on a dual carriage way (autobahn- Obviously!). My cousin who was running with me had his breathing modded 350Z. Up to around 140 I was all over him, but funnily enough at around 140ish the Impreza really started to lose puff and the 350Z came right back, I was shocked.
My colleagues with Evo's say the same, deep into 3 figured unless they are heavily tuned they are not that fast at all.
Thats due to the higher transmission losses in the AWD system, and that they arent very aerodynamic.My colleagues with Evo's say the same, deep into 3 figured unless they are heavily tuned they are not that fast at all.
I managed to pull to 155mph (GPS) on the continent in my Evo (lightly modded), wouldn't have gone much faster due to running out of gearing to be honest, but thats not really the point of the rally reps.
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