Subaru Impreza Wrx STI 2005 test drive - 2007 sedan

The reader compares the BMW 330 XD and Subaru Impreza WRX

BMW 330 XD. Price: 46700 euros. On sale: since 2005.
Subaru Impreza WRX. Price: $ 39000. On sale: since 2006.
 
Name: Mikhail Alekseev
 
Work: Engineer
 
Rides: Subaru Impreza Wrx
 
Driving experience: 10 years
 
Subaru Impreza WRX out of competition? Supercar for bad roads does not look invincible: today hot hatchbacks are more powerful. This is the front. We will try to attack an all-wheel drive turboicon from a different direction: a modern diesel engine and X-Drive BMW 330 XD. The word to the owner of Subaru, to whom we suggested ride on BMW.
 
My requirements for the car are quite wide: family, work, motorsport. These are the main introductory. For the past few years, the front -wheel drive Golf V 2.0FSI has successfully coped with these tasks. I was replaced by a practical and fast car with a drive for all wheels. I have to ride a lot on a variety of coatings from urban asphalt to primers in areas where asphalt is an exception. There is no need to talk about the variety of winter road conditions. With proper circulation and the presence of a good motor, a full -wheel drive is a formidable weapon to combat distances in any conditions. Unfortunately, the choice in the market is not too diverse. Cars with atmospheric engines prevail, in which the potential of all -wheel drive is directed towards the fight against light SUV. The price of drivership all -wheel drive cars makes us recall the address of the Porsche salon. As a result, the choice fell on Subaru Impreza WRX: personal preferences and sports ambitions played a decisive role in choosing.
 
BMW 330xd classic German sedan with diesel. Big from the outside and tight, to the cramped, knocked down inside. Ergonomics, forcing to think about it and constantly be surprised at feedback from the control puck. The motor, about the type of fuel of which can only be guessed by the nameplate on the trunk: each press on the gas pedal destroys folk ideas about diesel engines. Yes, it is almost as dynamic as WRX! Automatic transmission with the traditionally uncompromising regime of Kick Daun. Short passes of the suspension in total with a heavy engine make you look for the next crack in the asphalt, which threatens to break your spine. A trip along a gravel road, if it does not cripples you, will break the car. A smart all -wheel drive at small demolition angles scares the speed of redistribution of the moment between the axes. When significant slipping occurs, on slippery coatings, control becomes predictable.
 
Impreza WRX, in which asceticism is harmoniously adjacent to the highest quality. There is nothing superfluous. And what is done at the highest level. It is not worth waiting for outstanding comfort: everything is aimed at handling and functionality. Noise insulation is useless, and the adjustments of the driver's seat are designed for the average growth of the Japanese. The design of the trunk from the VAZ 2105 all minor disadvantages are forgiven for the controllability of this car. The system of symmetrical all -wheel drive, verified in three decades: the viscousers in the central and rear differentials make the behavior of the car predictable and understandable in any modes. A powerful turbo engine gives a large supply in any situation. The consumption of 95th gasoline is 18-20 liters per 100 km in the city and about 10 liters on the highway. In modes close to sports, these numbers will be significantly larger. The impressive passages of the suspension allow you not to be distracted even by significant irregularities. The only thing that limits the versatility of the use of this car, 17-inch wheels. The path of solving this problem is obvious.
 
 
BMW status and comfort are undoubtedly captivated. And in combination with driver potential, they make this car a serious player in the market. But the car is designed for a buyer who is rarely traveling outside the metropolis. Perhaps in the country of autobahns the main advantages of Impreza will turn into shortcomings, and next to BMW it will look rustic, confirming only a large difference in price. And in our country, in the edge of two ever -competing troubles, Subaru Impreza is an excellent survival product that allows you to use your potential always and everywhere.
 
 
BMW 330 XD
 
Driving
 
A magnificent turbodiesel, a good machine gun. Stability at any speed. Insufficient energy intensity of the front suspension.
 
Salon
 
The luxury of ergonomics. Not crowded, but tight. Large ranges of a large number of adjustments, the highest quality.
 
Comfort
 
Hard and dense chassis. Noise insulation and climate on premium standards.
 
Safety
 
Passive and active security systems.
 
Price
 
More expensive than savings.
 
Subaru Impreza WRX
 
Driving
 
The machine was created for driving. Emotional and charismatic apparatus with norov: an excellent friend of an enthusiast who likes the character of WRX.
 
Salon
 
High -quality, very little and old -fashioned. Convenient and spacious. Modestly.
 
Comfort
 
The suspension is quite malleable for everyday life. Minimum equipment.
 
Safety
 
Depends on the driver and the fidelity of his assessment of his own level.
 
Price
 
Between clothing and gait.
 
The opinion of the reader
 
BMW status and comfort are undoubtedly captivated. And in combination with driver potential, they make 330 XD a serious player in the market. But the car is designed for a buyer who is rarely traveling outside the metropolis. Perhaps in the country of autobahns the main advantages of Subaru Impreza WRX will turn into shortcomings, and next to BMW it will look rustic, confirming only a greater difference in price. But in our country, in the edge of two ever -competing troubles, Subaru Impreza is an excellent survival product that allows you to use its potential always and everywhere.
 
Opinion of the editorial office
 
330 XD The most-most version of the BMW treshka: the most expensive, progressive and the most difficult. With diesel, which is worthy of epithets only to an excellent degree, and all -wheel drive, which in Russia is not a luxury, but a means of decent movement, this car received appendage to one and a half centner on the front axle. About 100 kg per letter X and 50 in confirmation D on the lid of the trunk. This is enough to close the front suspension with typical waves of asphalt of ordinary roads to limiters: a serious problem! Diesel will save on fuel from 100 to 140 thousand rubles for 100,000 km of BMW run against Subaru. Most of the remaining difference in price falls on luxurious in the BMW against Puritan in Subaru, set, finishes and electronics.
 
Subaru and BMW will deliver a lot of pleasure to lovers to slide widely on a winter or gravel road. When the angles of slipping are significant, and the all -wheel drive transmission is used in a rally style, both machines are easily and reliably controlled. BMW is even more than a complaisler without a charismatic WRX turboy. On everyday asphalt, the situation is different. Anyone who travels on a powerful Impreza eats microskollations for breakfast, lunch, dinner and soon becomes a gourmet (or gets to the ditch). BMW is tenacious and faster on fast arcs, and its chassis and X-Drive work in symbiosis with the stabilization system: they are so conceived! Electronics disconnection button exception for winter fun. Without DSC at high speed and on the asphalt, not every driver will be able to easily work with the steering wheel and gas with the steering wheel and gas. But anyone who will not deprive her of her mind, this machine will allow you to be quick, safe and respected in any weather.
 
Text: Dmitry Sokolov
Photo: Igor Kuznetsov

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [06/28/2007]

Subaru Impreza Wrx STI 2005 - 2007 test drives