Only thing in this article wouldn't a m235i gran coupe be the better match up? Or the regular Subaru WRX? The Sti is the top of the line WRX and the 228i is the bottom of the gran coupe line.
Sort of like comparing the m340i vs A4 2.0 regular.
https://www.motortrend.com/cars/suba...BAFEEC9E02441C