Driven: 2011 135i vs WRX

Earlier I wrote that the BMW 135i was a mini M3. Well, after having the pleasure to drive a new 2011 135i, 6-speed man, w/sport package, I have to give an update. First, I'm 6'3, so getting into and out of the 1 is a task. Also headroom is nill compared to my wrx. The shifter was smooth yet a bit vague feeling. The steering felt stiff and somewhat artificial. The car had issues getting off the line at full power due to all the low end torque. These were my only issues with the car. Other than that, it's a great ride and it hauls. For comparison I had the opportunity to do some 50-120 pulls with the 1 while I was in my 2010 wrx. I had the 1 by a half a length till about 90, after that the 1 pulled away. This car is amazing at high speed. Go flat out and before you know it you'll be doing 130mph and will barely feel it. The wrx on the other hand, after you hit 110-115, you start to feel the speed in the steering wheel. And the rex cant pull like the 1 when you get past 90. The car's true value lies in it's pure speed. Add a chip, downpipe, intake and you can take on m3's and 911's with ease. The handling is nicely balanced as a bmw should be. It feels dialed in, connected to the road. But being the driver of an awd car, it is easy to sometimes feel a bit insecure midcorner. And you cant get on the gas as soon as you can in the subie. That being said, if I were 2 inches shorter, I'd trade in my wrx for a 135 in a heartbeat.