I knew it would happen eventually... someone has ran BMW's 135i against a car like the EVO, here's the Motor Trend article:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes...o_mr_comparison

Interesting test... surprising, that even with the EVO's AWD, the BMW is significantly quicker in the 1/4 mile (13.3@ 105.6mph vs 13.8@100.0 mph) although the trap speeds aren't surprising. Around a road course, what's not surprising is that the EVO murdered the BMW by several seconds. They named the BMW the winner because it would make a better daily driver and is faster in a straight line... I have to admit, I've really been digging BMW's twin turbo Inline-6, I really need to go test drive a 135/335 one of these days lol.

Anyway, rather than delving into details, I'll just post specs and test results, and let the cars speak for themselves:




^^^One thing I think is cool is that even though they're both rated at the same torque, look at how much sooner the BMW's torque comes on... 1400rpm vs 4400rpm... turbo lag? WTF is that? None for the Beemer, but it stings the EVO a bit in that category.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (arctic_blue83 @ Apr 9 2008, 03:28 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=39652]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

Anyway, rather than delving into details, I'll just post specs and test results, and let the cars speak for themselves:[/b]

WOW that's a first I'd definitely go with the BMW on this one also. They forgot to mention it looks better :P

I would also go with the bmw as well.

The Mitsu is still faster around their track- plus it has higher lateral G's, bigger slip angles (oh yeah!) and comes with a manual gearbox.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RX 8 Ghost @ Apr 9 2008, 03:30 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=39653]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

WOW that's a first I'd definitely go with the BMW on this one also. They forgot to mention it looks better :P[/b]

Looks are subjective... at the auto show, I saw, and sat in both.... and thought the EVO looked better. I preferred the more aggressive looking lines on the EVO, and thought the BMW looked like a snub-nosed guppy.

On another note, the EVO was far more comfortable for me, for reference, I'm about 6'2" 200lbs, I felt cramped as hell in the 135i, and like most BMW's I thought the interior looked like shit, the effin' gauges looked like they were pulled out of a 1988 Honda Accord, after driving a dozen Beemer's or so, I am still yet to see what anyone loves about their interiors... more specifically their gauge cluster setups... they just look plain/bland. Well, I was in a 7-series that was pretty effin' nice, but between the 3-series and 1-series, I just don't see what the hype is about. To each their own... to me, BMW is just the German equivalent of Ford...


But really though, the BMW is cramped, my wife even commented that my STI felt roomier. Not impressed. Just my $.02

Did anyone else sit in the 135i at the auto show?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MazdaTom @ Apr 9 2008, 03:39 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=39656]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

The Mitsu is still faster around their track- plus it has higher lateral G's, bigger slip angles (oh yeah!) and comes with a manual gearbox.[/b]

I'm with you Tom... actually, if any other company made the EVO, I would own one... I just hate/don't trust Mitsubishi, but I'm sure it would be more fun to drive than the BMW.

Nice review, those new BMW's rock. Whats the starting MSRP on them?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (arctic_blue83 @ Apr 9 2008, 03:40 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=39657]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

To each their own... to me, BMW is just the German equivalent of Ford...[/b]

Which is actually pretty true- especially in Germany. Over here, if you say that you have a Bimmer, most people will think that it's a fairly nice car and "somewhat" exotic. Over there, everyone has one.

I only wish Ford would make a small turbo coupe sold on these shores.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MS3_Mafia @ Apr 9 2008, 03:43 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=39659]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

Nice review, those new BMW's rock. Whats the starting MSRP on them?[/b]

The base price of the 135i is $35,675, but in this test, their as-tested price was all the way up to $46,370. Which, to me, that's too much cash... I could buy a C6 Corvette that would murder them both for cash like that lol. The base price isn't that bad though.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MS3_Mafia @ Apr 9 2008, 03:43 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=39659]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

Nice review, those new BMW's rock. Whats the starting MSRP on them?[/b]

Too much. $35,000 or so. The one they tested was well into the $40,000 range ($43,000 I think).

Even $38,000 for the Mitsu is too much money for a factory tuned economy car. Under all that turbo and giant wing, it's still a Lancer.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MazdaTom @ Apr 9 2008, 03:45 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=39660]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

Which is actually pretty true- especially in Germany. Over here, if you say that you have a Bimmer, most people will think that it's a fairly nice car and "somewhat" exotic. Over there, everyone has one.

I only wish Ford would make a small turbo coupe sold on these shores.[/b]

Yeah, kind of sad that we still have the piss poor 1st gen Focus, while overseas, they have the much improved 2nd gen Focus to include both the ST and RS turbo models... the new Focus RS is supposed to have over 250hp and AWD... wish we got it over here *sigh*

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MazdaTom @ Apr 9 2008, 03:47 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=39662]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

Too much. $35,000 or so. The one they tested was well into the $40,000 range ($43,000 I think).

Even $38,000 for the Mitsu is too much money for a factory tuned economy car. Under all that turbo and giant wing, it's still a Lancer.[/b]

Yeah, the EVO IX was a great buy starting at just $29k, but they're getting too pricey IMO.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (arctic_blue83 @ Apr 9 2008, 03:49 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=39664]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

Yeah, kind of sad that we still have the piss poor 1st gen Focus, while overseas, they have the much improved 2nd gen Focus to include both the ST and RS turbo models... the new Focus RS is supposed to have over 250hp and AWD... wish we got it over here *sigh*[/b]

Exactly, and you'd think with Ford's slumping sales they would get their head out of their ass and make it available in the States instead of their weak ass Focus, Fusion. Bet it would easily give a Mustang GT a run for its money... especially in altitude. Lol

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MS3_Mafia @ Apr 9 2008, 03:53 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=39666]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

Bet it would easily give a Mustang GT a run for its money[/b]

And you really wonder why they don't sell it over here? A car with it's own nameplate that would top its iconic Pony car for performance? Anyone remember the Fiero? Anyone know why GM killed the Fiero? It was out performing the Firebird and quickly approaching the Camaro- and was cheaper.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MazdaTom @ Apr 9 2008, 04:00 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=39668]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

And you really wonder why they don't sell it over here? A car with it's own nameplate that would top its iconic Pony car for performance? Anyone remember the Fiero? Anyone know why GM killed the Fiero? It was out performing the Firebird and quickly approaching the Camaro- and was cheaper.[/b]

*DING DING DING*

That's the exact reason they don't bring the Focus ST/RS over here, it would hurt Mustang sales. You're never supposed to have the "lower" car on your line be able to smoke the "higher" car on your line.... like back when the F-body and C5 Corvette were both powered by the exact same LS1 motor, they both had 350hp, this was proven multiple times on dyno's, but in order to not take away the Vette's sales, they rated the F-bodies at 305hp... and the fact that the C5 was slightly lighter, kept it the slightly faster car in the 1/4 mile... although, the F-bodies were a better bang for your buck, as 350hp Z28's were starting at around just $23k IIRC.

Mazda is one of the only companies I've ever heard of that doesn't seem to care lol.... the cheaper Speed3 has 263hp but the "higher" RX-8 has only 232hp?!? I always thought it was odd... but understood while working for Burt, why the Speed3's sold with ease and the RX-8's just sat there on the lot, month after month...