Anyone coming from or thinking of going to a 135?

[M3Dreams]

I am contemplating selling my E90 M3 and picking up a 2011+ DCT equipped 135. Just wondering if anyone else has done it and what were their impressions.

What did they miss about their M3 and what did they like more about their 135?

Don't get me wrong, I love my M and know very well giving up that S65 is going to be really hard. I will possibly miss the brakes and suspension as well. However the reason behind the thought of letting it go are:

a) I don't track my M, so not using its full potential.
b) Enjoying a high strung engine like the S65 means triple digit speeds on city streets and highways, obviously not a fan or fond of this.
c) Previous to the M, for almost 10 years I drove light, nimble, small packaged cars. I loved the agility, the no hassle parking, easy to maintain setup. I miss that somewhat.

I really appreciate your insight to help me make a decision. Again, this is not a decision fueled by financial issues (the M is paid for); its more of a decision based on what will I enjoy more as a DD.

TIA

[imserious]

I know how you feel. Trying to enjoy the s65 on public roads is tough.

I test drove a 135 and it was just OK. I think you would be very happy with a 1M. The low torque will be fun around town/highways.

[AshyLarryMP]

I think it's a waste of money to sell the M3 for the 135. You should test drive a 135 and see for yourself.

[py0413]

I had both e90 m3 and a 11' 135i cab with DCT the same time. There were very different car. Like you mentioned, the 135i feels easier to get around traffic in town but my m3 was a 6 speed so when the traffic got heavy, I wanted an automatic. One thing though, the DCT on 135i was very different from those DCTs on the M cars. The 135's DCT was quite similar to some fast reacting traditional auto tranny while those ones on the Ms behave more similar to driving manual. Just my opinion.

[Goat Rodeo]

6MT M3 is way more fun to drive than a DCT 135 around town.

Don't need to drive triple digits speeds to enjoy this car.

Test drive a 135i, I doubt you will want to buy it. My friend has one, it is a bit of shock getting in it.

[Majin Buu]

M3 to 135i? Really? The only good 1 series is the 1M. The 135i is quite an ugly car and it isnt lightweight or close to nimble in any way. If not 1M then get a 370z or FR-S or Cayman which are much better cars.

[quiksi]

I thought the 135i was a great car, but wouldn't give up an M3 for it. I've made the same internal debate on all 3 of OP's points and even though going to a 35i/is car makes some sense, ultimately it'd probably just be a waste of money and I'd end up being back in the M later on.

[ridin135]

I had a 135 a couple cars before the m3. While it's a great car I wouldn't take it over the m3 unless I had to financially. I had every part available at the time on the car meth and etc. It was way more torquey and you could say more fun to drive around town then the m3. The problem is it just doesn't give you the same intangible feeling that the m gives you. I have a smile on my face every time I drive the m that wasn't the case with the 135. If you do get a 135 get an 08-09 they had the n54 which is a better motor then the n55. Also stay away from 10 even though it has the n54 it also has the dumbo mirrors on it. You will still enjoy the hell out of the 135 but I fear you will regret the trade further down the road once the novelty wears off.

[yandy]

Coming from a 135 myself 09 N54 fully modded except for turbos, got the M about a week ago. I even added bushings, LSD, wider fenders. In the end e M3 was the car for me, I thought I'll miss the torque, but I really don't, it's plenty fun around town, and sure it'll be more fun once the test-pipes and tune go in.

The 135 was ultimately quicker after the mods in a straight line. (Don't care much for that), but it really wasn't all the nimble unless you throw $$$ at it. That also depends on driving style, but just my thoughts.

[jphughan]

Why don't you just start going to the track a few times per year? Then you'll be able to enjoy your current car closer to its potential and fall in love with it all over again -- and pick up a sinfully fun new hobby.

The M3 can definitely make casual driving more fun than other cars. But people who've never tracked their M3 will never truly understand what it's capable of or why it was designed the way it was. Even aggressive canyon or back country road driving doesn't come close. You could always go as a spectator to a track event (usually only $20-30), which would allow you to catch rides with instructors and talk to people if you want to dip your toe in first.

[Prince_of_Persia]

Obviously you made the wrong choice with buying an M3, I haven't seen a lot of people regretting buying this car. I suggest test driving the 135 and decide yourself.

[MA///M3]

Get the is before they replace it with the m135. Gotta hurry!

[Hurricane]

I would not consider doing this especially if your M is paid for.

[spotshooter]

Had a 135i. Great ride, fun motor. It's no M3. Steering is labored and truck like in comparison to the M. Materials are cheaper than the M. Engine, while torquey, suffers from some lag. The M3 is always ON.

I think you woud be board after a few months. If you want small and fast, wait for the 2 series.

[ilidon]

Just the reliability alone would make me think twice.

[spr]

Why is the n54 better than n55? I've read you get more hp and torque from JB on n55 over n54 due to dual scroll single turbo.

[ridin135]

Originally Posted by spr

Why is the n54 better than n55? I've read you get more hp and torque from JB on n55 over n54 due to dual scroll single turbo.

More torque less hp with just a tune. Once you put more then a tune in the car the n54 jumps even higher. Alot more after market mods are available for the n54 as well. Think I heard the n55 doesn't have forged rods either but this could be a myth.

[mjposner]

I found the 135 too small and narrow, but i am 6'1 215 pounds. You size may vary.

[1MtoM3]

i went from 1M to M3 and never looked back after close to 40 000 kms in the 1M.

[bmw-nj]

I like the look of the 135is personally. Not over an m3 but its a different car and worth a test drive at least.

[slipaway37]

IMO the 135 is a total "chick" car. I did admire it slightly upon first release, and then drove one. My heavily modded 335xi was on rails with crazy torque: I thought I could eat every M3 on the road until I finally test drove one.
Needless to say that one day after that test drive all 35+k of 335 mods went to a trade-in, and I've been happy ever after.
I seriously do not think you could ever sink enough $ into a 335 model to replicate the M3: wait, that was a completely stupid statement because there is NO replacement for displacement (hence the S65).
Whoo-Hoo for the soon to come supercharger: DONE!

[doverjxp]

I think you would be very happy with a 1M. The low torque will be fun around town