by "Bryan doesn't drive a 1M" (bryantakespictures)
Published 04/20/2017 at 11:43
by "Bryan doesn't drive a 1M" (bryantakespictures)
Published 04/20/2017 at 11:43
No Tags
STARS: 4
It has a programmable rev light / buzzer, which I have set to 4k RPM during the break-in period. Very cool.
S# mode is stupid. Maybe it will be more fun once I can really rev it out, but the throttle is basically an on-off switch in that mode
So far, in “I” mode, I’ve gotten the same mixed gas mileage as my 135i: 21 mpg. The 135i was rated at 20/28, and the STi is rated at 17/23, so that’s not too bad.
The interior is far better than auto-journalists give it credit for. It’s way more function than form, but everything is exactly where it should be and feels high quality. Unfortunately, on the form side of things, it looks like each section of the interior was designed by a different person and they never got together to unify things. There are about 50 different fonts between the 4 screens and many buttons throughout the cabin. There is also no rhyme or reason to the mix of materials and colors used around the interior. This is something that VW/Audi excels at, and it allows them to get away with cheaper materials than they otherwise would.
I guess there’s a Subaru wave? With my BMW, the only waves I got were the one-fingered kind. How many manufacturers have a wave? Jeep, Harley, Subaru... any others?
If the ride ever gets too harsh, speeding up by 50% will smooth it out.
I don’t want to turn in to a Subro, but the exhaust is a little on the quiet side. An axle-back may be in my future.
Hopefully it’s the fault of the tires, but the road-noise is my biggest complaint about the car right now. Not a deal-breaker, but it makes me feel bad for the other occupants.
Speaking of the tires, the dealer inflated all four tires to 48 psi. Max psi based on the door card is 33! The ride instantly improved after correcting that.
Yes, I’m aware there is a sound-tube, but this is one of the best sounding new cars inside the cabin. No electronic trickery is involved, so I can forgive the tube. It’s funny to me imagining Subaru engineers thinking “hmmm, the interior of the STi is just too quiet.”
This thing is nimble and fun to drive, just as I’d hoped.
"macanamera" (macanamera)
04/20/2017 at 11:46, STARS: 1
It’s stunning how people treat tire inflation. I’ve seen many a tire at 51 psi because it says on the side MAX 51 PSI.
"LongbowMkII" (longbowmkii)
04/20/2017 at 11:49, STARS: 0
Miata people often wave.
I didn’t mind the WRX or BRZ interiors, but yeah, a bit on the busy side. a lack of cohesion. I liked the base 86 interior more than the limited BRZ interior for that reason.
"Tripper" (tripe46)
04/20/2017 at 11:51, STARS: 2
Agree on the interior, it’s spartan, but not bad. When people bitch about the STi’s interior, I ask “have you ever been in an EVO?”
Funny that you mention the “wave” I get them all the time in my wife’s Forester, and did when I had my WRX and STi. When I’m in the M3 I will go out of my way to not even make eye contact with another BMW (especially M) driver. I’m not sure why.
Glad you’re enjoying it!
"jmgadget" (jmgadget)
04/20/2017 at 11:53, STARS: 0
The tire PSI was probably that way from the factory. Both of my new cars had insane levels of PSI that were off from the door card.
I think most similar car owners will wave to you. I experience it regularly with the Charger (especially from the guy with the twin to mine).
"Bryan doesn't drive a 1M" (bryantakespictures)
04/20/2017 at 11:58, STARS: 0
I loved the base FR-S interior without the screen. Retro in just the right way. Now I believe there is no option for a Toyobaru without a screen.
"SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie" (sidewaysondirt)
04/20/2017 at 11:58, STARS: 1
NA Miata people wave and/or wink at anything with pop-up headlights.
"DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back" (karsonkinja)
04/20/2017 at 12:01, STARS: 0
Do the different driving modes change other things than throttle response?
I assume you have the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tires on your car. Yeah, they’re loud. It’ll only get worse, I’m pretty sure I’m going deaf.
The tires last okay though. Mine have about 33,000 miles (Car purchased in May of 2015) and I’m looking to replace within a month (tread is between 5 and 4/32nds).
On that note has anyone tried Hankook Ventus V12 EVO2s? Or should I just suck it up and buy the Continental ExtremeContact Sports?
"TahoeSTi" (tahoesti)
04/20/2017 at 12:02, STARS: 0
They are a fun car, I’ve had a bit to much fun in mine at times...at least according to the people with red and blue lights.
The new
STi
has sound
deading
, the older ones were a bit rawer. For the exhaust just do a Downpipe, it will give it more without giving it too much the factory muffler and cat back isn’t a real restriction until you upgrade the turbo. Plus it’s a rear upgrade mufflers are just noise for
subabros
"Rico" (ricorich)
04/20/2017 at 12:07, STARS: 0
Can you do some comparisons to your 135i? Like as far as interior features and ride quality? AWD vs Rear wheel? Just interested in hearing your thoughts, everyone says the German’s do it best and I’m inclined to agree.
"Bryan doesn't drive a 1M" (bryantakespictures)
04/20/2017 at 12:10, STARS: 1
The I, S, and S# modes change the throttle response, but “I” mode feels like they might be limiting boost as well. Other “sport” settings are managed with the C.Diff control and the traction mode button.
Those are indeed the tires I have. I laughed at myself for thinking “they’re loud, but at least they last a long time!” Yay, more suffering.
I had those Hankooks on my Saab, and didn’t like them, but they were dangerously old, so I wouldn’t hold it against the entire line of tires. I’ve never had the Continental summer tires, but I’ve had their ExtremeContact DWS all-seasons on multiple cars and loved them. Around the PNW, they make more sense than snow tires, because we get one snow storm every two years around here, but plenty of rain and cold weather.
"Bryan doesn't drive a 1M" (bryantakespictures)
04/20/2017 at 12:14, STARS: 0
I’ve driven an ‘11 WRX and it was indeed raw. Probably was the car that led me to getting my STi.
I probably wouldn’t change the downpipe until the warranty runs out. Realistically, the car is loud enough inside that I probably won’t do anything to the exhaust, but you never know.
"Matsayz" (matsayz)
04/20/2017 at 12:19, STARS: 0
Pick up a Perrin axleback exhaust, just enough to make the rumble more audible but no drone. I loved it on my 2012 WRX.
"Matsayz" (matsayz)
04/20/2017 at 12:21, STARS: 0
A Downpipe and a flash tune from Cobb isn’t much and it will really even out the powerband. Plus it’s like maybe $1000 if you find a used downpipe which you should definitely buy used.
"DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back" (karsonkinja)
04/20/2017 at 12:22, STARS: 0
Have you messed with C.Diff any? Does it make a noticeable difference when driving around? (non performance driving)
Yeah the UTQG is something gross like 240. I don’t see why someone would willingly purchase these tires, especially considering how expensive they are. (comparatively)
Yeah I can get away with summers year round where I’m at. And I constantly hear good things about Continentals ExtremeContact line. I just figured if I could save some money on something I won’t notice the difference on then I should.
"Saracen" (manualdoucheelitist)
04/20/2017 at 12:31, STARS: 0
Good thing you went straight to the STI.
"Bryan doesn't drive a 1M" (bryantakespictures)
04/20/2017 at 12:32, STARS: 1
Can’t really comment on AWD vs Rear wheel yet aside from the fact that AWD makes you brave and can feel faster. I plan on having more feelings about it after some autocross and track time.
My 135i didn’t have a lot of features, so in terms of quantity the Subaru wins. The only feature my STi lacks compared to the BMW is rain-sensing wipers. I actually miss those more than I thought I would. Newer BMW’s are a different story, since they are pretty feature-packed.
If you break the interior up into 3 categories, design, materials, and functionality, then the BMW (and other German brands) wins, but as new it was at least $15k more expensive. On design, the Germans are good at making everything in the car look and feel cohesive. You can tell that the window switches, the A/C control, and the turn signal all belong to the same car. In the Subaru, it just seems like they found parts somewhere that happen to fit. On materials, the 1-series is the cheapest BMW, so it doesn’t match 3 or 5-series quality, but it still beats out any Japanese or American brand. It will spoil you and all but ruin other cars for you. Functionality is nearly a wash, but BMW has some German quirks that tilt the balance toward Subaru. Turn signals, seat adjustments, cup holders, etc. are just a little harder to use than Subaru.
Ride quality? Nobody balances ride quality and handling like BMW. However, with the stock run-flats the ride quality of my 135i was barely better than the STi.
Where does the Subaru win? Involvement, practicality, cost, value, fun.
"Bryan doesn't drive a 1M" (bryantakespictures)
04/20/2017 at 12:34, STARS: 0
The stereotypes probably still apply.
"Rico" (ricorich)
04/20/2017 at 12:41, STARS: 0
Damn no rain sensing wipers? That kind of blows. My Merc had some of the best I’ve ever used. Are there any other features you miss besides the rain sensing wipers?
"Bryan doesn't drive a 1M" (bryantakespictures)
04/20/2017 at 13:05, STARS: 0
Around town, you won’t notice the difference between the auto +/- modes, but if you manually lock the diffs on asphalt, you can feel it.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
04/20/2017 at 13:29, STARS: 0
My wife’s Impreza Sport Limited hatch lets in an above-average amount of tire noise. Replacing the OE Yokohama S34D tires with BFG g-Force Comp-2 A/S increased this somewhat. But the ride is still mostly compliant so we don’t mind the bit of increased noise.
In my experience, Miatas have a wave, and unique/modified BMWs have an “I see you’re not a lease or BMDouchebro” head nod.
"Bryan doesn't drive a 1M" (bryantakespictures)
04/20/2017 at 14:19, STARS: 1
The sound system, the inline-6, the adjustable side-bolsters, adaptive headlights, and the general “Germanness” of the car.
"Bryan doesn't drive a 1M" (bryantakespictures)
04/20/2017 at 14:24, STARS: 0
They dont appear to offer an axleback for the latest generation STi. I suspect most axleback options shouldn’t have much drone, but I haven’t put much research into it yet.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
04/20/2017 at 15:50, STARS: 1
Counterpoint: boxers 4's are all too loud, I wish I never heard another one.
Most cars come with crazy high tire pressures from the factory and dealers often leave them high to help prevent tires from flat-spotting while they sit. Probably just forgot to lower them.
Using the adjustable redline for break in in a great idea! I think I’ll do that on the monster...
"79 horsepower monster" (tdwpgtp)
04/20/2017 at 16:10, STARS: 1
Is this a 2016-17 STI? I think that the interiors of the newer Impreza/WRX/STI are, although still very plasticky, at least well put together and better feeling than the interiors of previous generations. The plastics generally don’t click, squeak, and shake like they used to. I haven’t been in a newer STI, but I would imagine that it doesn’t feel any worse than the newer Imprezas. And as far as the exhaust goes, I think I know how you feel. I have a 2011 Legacy GT with the EJ255, and it sounds so absolutely uninspiring. However, finding an exhaust that doesn’t sound ricey or too vape-bro seems to be pretty hard.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the STI, I would imagine that it is a blast to drive!
"Matsayz" (matsayz)
04/20/2017 at 16:44, STARS: 1
Damn, they had a good one for hatch a few years ago. Here’s what I found on Rally Sport Direct, https://www.rallysportdirect.com/scp/engine/exhausts/axle-back-exhausts
"DasWauto" (DasWauto)
04/20/2017 at 16:49, STARS: 1
The road noise is indeed the tires - the stock Dunlops are atrociously loud. My winters are hush quiet by comparison.
The Subie wave is definitely a thing, mostly from the hood-scooped cars. Any WRX and STI I’ve met in mine has given the wave and I’ve replied accordingly. It’s a fun bit of camaraderie.