"Budget BMW" lol

"for Michigan" (formichigan) 07/10/2018 at 17:56 • Filed to: bmw, mazda, 1-series, mazda3

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There’s just no comparison here at all. And if you think that’s unfair, remember that these two compact hatchbacks both debuted in 2004:

E90M3 > for Michigan 07/10/2018 at 17:59

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In 2012, the 128i, without any options, started at 31k.

Of course being BMW, you need to add a few grand of options. 

for Michigan > E90M3 07/10/2018 at 18:08

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I think the 128i is more comparable to the Mazdaspeed3 in power, cost, and position in the lineup. A better comparison to the regular Mazda3 would have to be a 118i or 120i.

for Michigan > E90M3 07/10/2018 at 18:10

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And to be fair, I’m not comparing equipment levels (although a Mazda3 S Grand Touring could be had with most of the options my 128i has) or power (although a Mazdaspeed3 made pretty similar numbers) , I’m talking purely about driving feel.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > for Michigan 07/10/2018 at 18:11

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Kidneys harvested. / Tohru

E90M3 > for Michigan 07/10/2018 at 18:13

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Generally, I feel like when comparing driving dynamics, you only compare up as opposed to down. For example, you wouldn’t say the a BMW 3 series drives like a Kia Stinger, it’s the other way around. 

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > for Michigan 07/10/2018 at 18:24

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I feel like a Mazdaspeed 3 would absolutely dust it... I’ve dusted one in a car slower than an MS3.

dogisbadob > for Michigan 07/10/2018 at 18:29

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The Mazda wins by default because the 1-series 4-door hatch wasn’t sold here :(

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > for Michigan 07/10/2018 at 19:18

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Hey you are bursting my bubble, you mean to say my 12 year old Mazda 3 doesn’t compare to a BMW with twice the power, RWD, and leather interior?

for Michigan > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 07/10/2018 at 20:27

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Absolutely. MS3 is more powerful and I think less heavy. A 135i would probably dust the MS3 though.

for Michigan > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 07/10/2018 at 20:29

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Is yours a 2.0? It only has ~50% more hp than the 2.3l MZ3.

for Michigan > dogisbadob 07/10/2018 at 20:30

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If BMW sold the 3- or 5-door 1-series in the States, I would have one in my driveway right now.

for Michigan > E90M3 07/10/2018 at 20:32

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Agreed. Most of the internet seems convinced that Mazda is the middle class BMW. My experience tells me they’re the Japanese Ford, not the middle class BMW.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > for Michigan 07/10/2018 at 20:37

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The most compared car to the BMW hatch was the GTI, VW is the German car of the middle class. Mazda is Toyota with more pep, but less quality.

for Michigan > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 07/10/2018 at 20:38

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That makes a lot of sense . I always forget about the GTI for some reason.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > for Michigan 07/10/2018 at 20:43

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Yep, rocking the 2.slow. But with the manual at least it revs.

for Michigan > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 07/10/2018 at 21:24

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There was a manual, 2.0 sedan at a local lot I wanted to test out just for kicks. I expect it’d need to be about 500 lbs lighter for that combo to light any fires, though.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > for Michigan 07/10/2018 at 21:38

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It is a  surprisingly fun car to drive and the manual shifts very good.

E90M3 > for Michigan 07/10/2018 at 21:48

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Yup, I also agree with that.