Vs Motor Trend - Comparison: 2008 BMW 135i vs. 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR

[Merc1]

The Matrix: Neo Evo or BMW's all new 135i? We find out which really is The One.

Yeah, we know-on the face of it, this comparison looks ridiculous. What business do we have comparing an all-wheel-drive Japanese rally sedan versus a rear-drive German luxury coupe?

Full Article and Pics:


2008 BMW 135i vs. 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR - Comparison - Motor Trend


I still don't care much for the 1-Series looks, but this color looks great on it. Also seen the convertible in person now, smaller than it looks in pictures.


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[PanterroR]

In that particular pic, the 1er definitely looks great, best color and a great angle.

 

[Guibo]

135i vs Evo X looks...135i for me by a long shot. Downplaying the BMW's vibrant color, It has a purity of lines that leads to a more cohesive overall theme.


The Evo has more of a F&F vibe about it, which certainly appeals to some. Visually, it's not far off from the original E30 M3 in that sense.

on the face of it, this comparison looks ridiculous...we sobered up and realized that nobody cross-shops a BMW against a Mustang.
I don't think the comparison is ridiculous. Quite a few 135i buyers cross-shopped the Evo and vice versa. There is a 29-page thread at evolutionm.net debating these two, with very favorable marks for the 1er. As bad a rap as BMW sales/service gets (some of it warranted), it appears that Mitsubishi's is even worse.
If I were in the market for a $35-40K 1-Series Coupe, I'd sersiously consider the Mustang Bullitt, Shelby GT's, and new Camaro as well.

 

[Merc1]

Video:

2008 BMW 135i vs 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR Intro - Comparison - Motor Trend Video


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[PC Valkyrie]

A very good comparisoin article between the 2 cars. I think the comparison is VERY appropriate for those looking for a ~300HP performance car in the same price range.

The automatic transmission 135i did fairly well, even though it was over 3 seconds slower than the Evo X MR on a 2.74 mile track. In fact the Evo MR being faster on a twisty track is no real surprise here, as the Evo has a slick fast shifting DSG gearbox, a fancy AWD system with active yaw control, while the RWD 135i had the standard runflat tires and a conventional automatic transmission.

Seems like Motortrend is performing laptimes on the Reno-Fernley Raceway more and more for their road tests. Here are the laptimes of this 135i vs Evo MR test put together with Motortrend's recent laptimes of the M3, C63, and IS-F to give another perspective of just how fast these cars are relative to each other on a track.

From fastest to slowest:

Evo X MR: 152.92 seconds
M3: 154.2 seconds
135i: 156.34 seconds
C63: 158.0 seconds
IS-F: 158.6 seconds

I really think the 135i does pretty damn well considering its price and power output. Of course, the Evo X MR just blows everybody away for an awesome price despite having the absolute slowest straight line acceleration in this company.

 

[Sunny]

Yeah, for an automatic on run flats, I think the 135 did very good. A manual on proper sports tires could have been probably closer to the Evo.

 

[Mr. Chigga_Chan]

Interesting comparo, both cars look nice in those pics. The blue on the 135i is gorgeous, one of the only cars I think would look good in that color. I would definitely take the BMW for a small daily driver, with DSG and some different tires, this car would be even more of a monster.

 

[Zafiro]

I love BMW's babybimmers. They look good and drives well. My choice here