[nrubenstein]

I really dislike the STi. Handling is miserable (you are either in power on understeer, or trailing throttle oversteer), the power isn't that great, and it just isn't pleasant to be in. (I like the regular WRX a LOT better than the STi.)

[JRBKarter]

Originally Posted by mpegripper

i'd like to see someone who went the opposite way and get their opinion though

I would suggest checking out the http://www.iwsti.com forums then. Do a quick search and its actually something that comes up fairly often, lots of people have done the swap both ways.

From what I've read/seen the biggest motivating factor for people prefering the WRX or STi over the M3 is either maintenance cost related or HP related. Either they got tired of the higher than average maintenance/repair costs that unfortunately some M3's end up having OR they wanted/needed something with more HP for whatever reason.

Very VERY rarely have I seen anyone say they went with the Subaru because its a "nicer" car. The quality complaints can go either way but you would be hard pressed to convince even a die hard Subie owner that the interior, handling or refinement of the M3 were below the WRX or STi.

If I had the available funds, I would certainly purchase another 05-07 STi as a dedicated track beast, like I said, the fun factor was amazing while keeping the M3 as the street toy.

But then again...if I had that kind of money a 997 TT or a GT3 would almost certainly be calling my name

PS-You can also check out the NASIOC forums but be forewarned to tread lightly, it can get a little feisty over there quickly for the uninitiated.

[GabeD1]

I drove an 06 wrx for just over a year. most of it was in autocrosses and driving to them (sometimes far). The car was set up for stock class with konis, front sway bar, hoosiers, alignment. The subaru was fun to drive and great to launch. However, I never really liked the throttle feel, the braking feel, the body roll, and the general handling. I never felt that I was able to get all the available performance from the car during autocross.
In comparison to the M3, The M3 feels much more comfortable for regular driving, there is less road noise, the seats are more comfortable, the handling feels much more tight and controllable. I have not autocrossed the M3 yet but from regular driving the M3 feels a lot more comfortable and refined.
Keep in mind, an M3 was originally a $50K+ car and the subaru wrx was a $25K+ car and you can tell the difference while driving them.

[ddmd]

I bought an 06 CB ZCP M3 this past spring to replace my 05 STI. They're definitely different and I agree with most that's been said but, you know what, I laugh everytime I drive the STI....it's so damn fun to drive! I do think it handles better than you're giving it credit for. Anyway, I can't bring myself to get rid of it , so for now it's my winter car.

[JRBKarter]

Originally Posted by ddmd

I do think it handles better than you're giving it credit for.

It all depends on what suspension setup you're running and its intentions, can the STi be setup to handle extremely well? Of course it can. However on the street heres the best way I can sum it up.

The M3 has long been known for amazing steering feel, see the Car and Driver issue for best handling car at any price (E36). The cute little trick where the steering is so sensitive that you can feel 3 quarters stacked on top of each other. The E46 continues this (though arguably not quite as well) but here's the catch. Its the perfect balance between telling you everything you need and WANT to know while dampening out all the peripheral noise that can become aggravating.

A prime example or test for this between the two is about a 10 mile ride down a stretch of highway I drove for almost 2 years. 70 MPH, cruise control on, newish Austin, TX highway. The STi's steering wheel with my hands off would shake, vibrate, move roughly a full inch side to side with my hands completely off the wheel. Now imagine all that being transmitted to your hands constantly, it would be come tedious to say the least. The sensitivity was great on the autox course buttt every day use it was just too much "noise".

Now the M3 on the same stretch and the same test the steering wheel vibrates roughly a half inch yet between the two I have a better FEEL of whats actually going on through the M3 because its suspension and steering design filters out the excess noise. And its CERTAINLY less tiring on a long drive because of it.

And for the record, both suspensions were setup basically the same, only a mild drop with springs, same model of tire, different sizes of course but all in all a fairly equal test.

Again, its those little intangibles that set the M3 apart from other vehicles. Every time someone drives my M3 as their first german vehicle they get out and say wow....so thats what its supposed to feel like to really DRIVE. Not just transport yourself across a distance using a 4 wheeled motorized vehicle.

[Foo2rama]

Originally Posted by JRBKarter

Again, its those little intangibles that set the M3 apart from other vehicles. Every time someone drives my M3 as their first german vehicle they get out and say wow....so thats what its supposed to feel like to really DRIVE. Not just transport yourself across a distance using a 4 wheeled motorized vehicle.

2nded...

When my buddies who are not BMW guys drive my car they say the same things. My GF refuses to drive the M3 because while she has a great handeling car that is almost as quick, she knows that it will spoil her to get out of her new g35 (with a new susp) and drive my car.

[kitganzon]

Damn! just from what you guys are saying, I really want one!