BMW M135i vs Subaru WRX STi 320R: 2012 twin test

The latest BMW 1 Series has enjoyed a winning start to life, taking numerous road test victories and being crowned Best Compact Family Car at our New Car Awards 2012. So a version that’s been tweaked by the legendary Motorsport division is sure to shine.

The M135i has a mighty twin-scroll turbo engine and uprated rear-wheel-drive chassis, and promises to be the hottest hatch money can buy. Yet it’s more expensive and powerful than traditional pocket rocket rivals, with prices starting at £29,995 for a 316bhp three-door manual model.

In fact, in terms of muscle, the BMW is level-pegging with the World Rally Championship-inspired Subaru WRX STi 320R. A recent range shake-up means the previously pricey 4WD machine now undercuts the 1 Series, while a choice of four and five-door bodystyles means there should be a Subaru to suit everyone. Which of our high-performance contenders will emerge victorious from this bruising encounter?

First place: BMW M135i 

Worried that BMW’s M Division had lost its focus? A drive in the M135i will reassure you that normal service has been resumed. Some buyers will want more extrovert looks, but ferocious performance and engaging handling more than compensate. Decent practicality, top-notch quality and hushed refinement complete this brilliant all-rounder’s list of talents.

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The arrival of a new BMW M car is always big news – and the racy, range-topping M135i is no exception. Following in the wheeltracks of the legendary E30 M3 and last year’s limited-edition 1M Coupe, the newcomer certainly has a lot to live up to. And on paper, the M135i has all the right ingredients to succeed.

Under the bonnet is a muscular 316bhp Twin Power 3.0-litre straight-six, which is mated to either a six-speed manual box or a slick eight-speed automatic. Elsewhere, you’ll find an uprated chassis, variable-ratio sports steering and more powerful brakes.

Yet despite this significant mechanical makeover, BMW’s designers have done very little with the car’s styling. In fact, at a glance the M135i could easily be mistaken for an entry-level 116d. A subtle bodykit, twin-exit exhausts, blue brake calipers and silver-finish mirrors are the only real clues to its potential. It certainly has none of the wild-looking Subaru’s aggressive, head-turning appeal.

The low-key theme continues inside. There’s a smattering of M logos, revised dials and heavily bolstered front sports seats, but otherwise the M135i feels like any other model in the 1 Series line-up. That means you get the same high-quality fit and finish, logically laid-out dashboard and a perfect, low-slung driving position. And while the BMW isn’t quite as well equipped as the Subaru, all the essentials are covered, including leather trim, Bluetooth and climate control.

There’s also little to separate the M135i and its rival in terms of practicality. A three-door layout hampers access to the rear of the 1 Series, but once inside passengers get decent head and legroom. Better still, a more versatile five-door version is available for an extra £530. The well shaped 360-litre boot is 60 litres down on the Subaru’s, but a hatchback opening and maximum capacity of 1,200 litres with the seats folded allows the BMW to claw back some practicality points.

Yet any thoughts of family friendly credentials vanish the moment you prod the starter button. At the track, the M135i put on a crushing display, beating the Subaru in all of our acceleration tests. The combination of a responsive eight-speed automatic box and muscular 450Nm torque output meant the 1 Series took only 4.8 seconds to complete the benchmark sprint from 0-60mph, and just 7.5 seconds to blast from 50-70mph in eighth gear – that’s a full 2.6 seconds quicker than the Subaru could manage in sixth.

In the real world, the M135i feels even faster. With peak torque arriving at only 1,250rpm, the BMW responds instantly to the throttle, allowing you to breeze past slower cars. Better still, the brilliant gearbox delivers crisp shifts via the steering wheel paddles or smooth auto changes, while the engine emits a hard-edged mechanical growl when extended.

The BMW continues to excel when the road gets tight and twisty. Precise and well weighted steering, strong grip and beautifully balanced rear-wheel-drive handling make the 1 Series an agile and entertaining companion, while the uprated brakes are powerful and progressive. As with other models in the line-up, drivers can switch between EcoPro, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ settings, which alter the throttle sensitivity and steering weighting to suit the road conditions and your mood.

Yet despite its hi-tech electronic rear diff, the M135i can’t match the all-weather traction of the four-wheel-drive Subaru, and only brave drivers will turn off the 1 Series’ traction control in anything other than bone-dry conditions.

It’s also worth noting that our BMW test car was fitted with the optional M Sport Adaptive sport suspension, which delivers firmer damping and stronger body control in Sport setting, and a remarkably supple ride in Comfort mode. The set-up costs an extra £515, but it’s worth every penny. Even with the suspension at its firmest setting, the BMW is more relaxing over long distances thanks to much lower levels of wind, road and engine noise.

At £31,595, the M135i costs more than the Subaru – although if you opt for the six-speed manual box, the price drops by £1,600. A pre-paid servicing pack, lower emissions and slightly better fuel economy allow it to claw back some ground in the financial stakes. Factor in stunning performance and engaging driving dynamics, and the 1 Series looks like a strong contender for victory.

Second place: Subaru WRX STi 320R

Time has clearly caught up with the Subaru. With its dated cabin, poor refinement and old-school, laggy power delivery, the STi belongs to a bygone era. Yet it’s not without its charms, and on the right road the all-wheel-drive saloon is huge fun to drive. A recent price cut makes it more attractive, but huge running costs mean owning a WRX is only for the brave.

While BMW's M cars cut their teeth on the world’s race tracks, Subaru’s high-performance models earned their spurs on rough-and-tumble rally stages. And, unlike the sober-suited M135i, the WRX’s motorsport origins are clear to see. With its bulging wheelarches, gaping bonnet vent and quad exhausts, the aggressive-looking STi model never fails to attract attention. You’d struggle to call this four-door saloon attractive, though, and to our eyes the identically priced, better-proportioned hatchback is more of a looker.

Whatever bodystyle you choose, you’ll end up with the same low-rent cabin. The dash looks dated alongside the BMW’s modern layout, while the plastics are hard and shiny. At least there’s plenty of kit to distract you, with climate control, keyless entry, xenon lights and Bluetooth all featuring as standard.

The Subaru is surprisingly roomy, too. Tall passengers will be comfortable in the back, while the boot will carry 420 litres of luggage. As with the BMW the five-door has a versatile hatch opening, but it’s hobbled by a cramped 301-litre load bay. Both versions have a split/fold rear bench, which helps boost practicality.

However, driving will be the only thing on your mind when the WRX’s uprated 2.5-litre flat-four bursts into life. Yet despite matching the BMW’s power and torque figures, the STi was slower in our track test, due to its combination of a clunky six-speed manual box and peaky delivery; it took 5.6 seconds to cover 0-60mph, which was a full eight-tenths longer than the 1 Series.

Peak torque of 450Nm doesn’t arrive until 3,500rpm, so the Subaru feels a little lethargic at low revs. Engaging the Sport Sharp mode improves throttle response, but there’s still a pause before the turbo kicks in. Yet once the revs climb past 3,500rpm the STi accelerates every bit as explosively as its rival. Factor in a raucous, off-beat exhaust note reminiscent of the late, great Colin McRae’s WRC Impreza, and you’ll soon be grinning from ear to ear.

That smile will remain through twisty roads. The Subaru’s steering is light and lifeless, but it’s direct and there’s plenty of front-end grip. Body control is also excellent, while the permanent four-wheel-drive system provides staggering traction, even on slippery surfaces. You can adjust the electronically controlled centre differential, too, for even better grip on snow and gravel.

Sadly, though, this agility comes at price. There are no adaptive dampers, so the ride is firm on bumpy roads. On top of that, wind and road noise are intrusive on the motorway, making the Subaru the less relaxed cruiser here.

Still, the car claws back some ground in the showroom. At £27,774, it undercuts our 1 Series auto test car by £3,851 and the manual version by £2,251. Amazingly the WRX also has slightly stronger residuals, meaning you’ll get more cash back at trade-in time.

Will this be enough for it to score a memorable victory over the multi-talented BMW?

Verdict

On paper, our dynamic duo are evenly matched. As our spec sheet shows, there’s nothing between them in terms of power, performance and kit.

Yet in the final reckoning the BMW takes a convincing win. Its brilliant engine delivers breathtaking performance, while the beautifully balanced chassis makes it huge fun to hustle along twisting back roads. But it’s the M135i’s ability to mix sharp driving dynamics with everyday usability that really impresses. From its comfortable and well appointed cabin to its excellent refinement and decent ride, the BMW can be every bit as sensible as a 1 Series diesel, while in five-door guise it’s reasonably practical, too.

Go for the manual gearbox and it’s not that much more expensive to buy – although the eight-speed automatic is so good that it’s worth the extra outlay. Running costs with either transmission will be lower than for its rival here.

The Subaru shouldn’t be overlooked, though. When you’re in the mood it’s great fun to drive, plus the recent price cut makes it something of a bargain. And when the weather turns nasty, there are few performance cars that are as reassuring from behind the wheel.

However, on this occasion the WRX STi is simply outclassed by the brilliant BMW.

Facts and figures