One seriously fast 135

[adc]

Originally Posted by C17MooseDriver

Plus, isn't the 135 only slightly lighter than the 335? Like 200 lbs lighter.

Which makes it some 350lbs lighter than the M3. Think about it, it's as light as an M3 CSL would be...

[FStop7]

Has anyone actually put a 135i on a scale?

The E92 M3 weighs between 3450 - 3500lbs dry depending on if it has DCT.

What is the actual weight, not the advertised weight, of the 135i?

[doba_s]

Originally Posted by Laszlo

My old e92 335i Dinan was a rocket... but it just didn't come close to the feel of my M... fast... but no M.

But fun. But not as much fun.

agree ... my 335 was very fast but not as quick as M ...

[michaeldorian]

Originally Posted by ScottyGams

haha, i can't believe we are saying "old" and x35 already...

coming from a 135i, i will say it's 80% of the fun for 60% of the cost, and I think that is the best compliment I can give. If I see a 135i driver, I know that is a true german car enthusiast.

At the end of the day, I saw an opportunity to go M and I did, but I would be a very happy 23 year old in a 135i as well.

BMW LOVE

I completely agree. Also wishing I was 23 again.

[09E92M34ME]

[C17MooseDriver]

Originally Posted by adc

Which makes it some 350lbs lighter than the M3. Think about it, it's as light as an M3 CSL would be...

Why is the 135i suppose to be so much faster than the 335i. Reports I read state it's only a little lighter, not significantly.

You're right the 135i is lighter than the M3, but the M3 has more power. It's not really about weight, it's not really about power, it's about the ratio of the two.

[adc]

Originally Posted by C17MooseDriver

Why is the 135i suppose to be so much faster than the 335i. Reports I read state it's only a little lighter, not significantly.

You're right the 135i is lighter than the M3, but the M3 has more power. It's not really about weight, it's not really about power, it's about the ratio of the two.

Power is important, but not the most important thing to me. In the 135i/335i you can surpass the M3 in power with just around $2-3k in modifications (chip, exhaust and maybe DP). All this also adds almost 200 lbs-ft of torque on top of what the M3 has, which is even more significant than the extra 10-30 BHP.

But as I said, it's not important to me - my 335i is stock at the moment. Weight is the enemy of any performance car - it makes the suspension, tires and brakes work that much harder. Even with the stock 335i on track I didn't wish for more power, but I surely wished for a few hundred lbs less weight.

The 1 answers this criticism to some extent - and you can certainly feel it in the way it changes direction (in any weight transfer situation in fact). I also like it's smaller, tidier dimensions which make it different to drive in traffic - more like threading a needle rather than scaring others away.

Could it be lighter? Of course. What car couldn't? Still, it's an improvement over any 3-derived car.

I may also be in a minority on this forum who actually thinks the interior is much better than the 3 series/M3 - much more in the traditional BMW style, and without any loss in quality. (No need to flame, just an opinion).

As I said, the M3 has certain advantages over the 1 - the fully sorted suspension, perfectly matched to the power and pace, the charismatic engine, the amazing traction offered by the M diff, in other words, the complete package. But - you pay for it - in more ways that one.

[theblacklantern]

135 is so ugly. anyone else agree?

[TLud]

Originally Posted by theblacklantern

135 is so ugly. anyone else agree?

No. It looks much better in person than in pictures. Dropped on aftermarket wheels, it looks awesome.

[hamad]

no way i did beat the 135 before

[ssabripo]

Originally Posted by theblacklantern

135 is so ugly. anyone else agree?

it is ugly compared to the e92 M3, but in person it looks quite nice, and one of the reasons I got it. Back in April of 2008 I test drove the 335i/135i back to back, and it was a no brainer: the 135i was the faster, more nimble, more dynamic car.

$2500 in mods later (KW V2 coils, JB3 chip map6, and some aesthetics like CF spoiler, etc), and I could not be happier. Does well in the track, can surpass an M3 straightline when needed, and it is cheaper.

There is no replacing an M3...at the end of the day, there is somethign about the M that is just special, but for $40k, a car that has 85-90% of the performance of the M3 at 60% of the cost, in this economy, was the smart choice for me. When the next Gen M comes in with Forced Induction, then i'll be all over it, but for now, I will be enjoying this little guy:

[Heat00]

nice lookin ride...
my 335 was awesome and my M3 is even more awesome.

[TLud]

Originally Posted by ssabripo

it is ugly compared to the e92 M3, but in person it looks quite nice, and one of the reasons I got it. Back in April of 2008 I test drove the 335i/135i back to back, and it was a no brainer: the 135i was the faster, more nimble, more dynamic car.

$2500 in mods later (KW V2 coils, JB3 chip map6, and some aesthetics like CF spoiler, etc), and I could not be happier. Does well in the track, can surpass an M3 straightline when needed, and it is cheaper.

There is no replacing an M3...at the end of the day, there is somethign about the M that is just special, but for $40k, a car that has 85-90% of the performance of the M3 at 60% of the cost, in this economy, was the smart choice for me. When the next Gen M comes in with Forced Induction, then i'll be all over it, but for now, I will be enjoying this little guy:

Great looking ride, man. I agree with you completely that the 135 looks great in person, much better than in pictures, especially with a drop. The money you saved will increase your enjoyment that much more in this crappy economy.

[matt beard]

Originally Posted by ssabripo

it is ugly compared to the e92 M3, but in person it looks quite nice, and one of the reasons I got it. Back in April of 2008 I test drove the 335i/135i back to back, and it was a no brainer: the 135i was the faster, more nimble, more dynamic car.

$2500 in mods later (KW V2 coils, JB3 chip map6, and some aesthetics like CF spoiler, etc), and I could not be happier. Does well in the track, can surpass an M3 straightline when needed, and it is cheaper.

There is no replacing an M3...at the end of the day, there is somethign about the M that is just special, but for $40k, a car that has 85-90% of the performance of the M3 at 60% of the cost, in this economy, was the smart choice for me. When the next Gen M comes in with Forced Induction, then i'll be all over it, but for now, I will be enjoying this little guy:

THat car is sweet. I have always liked the 135's. How can anyone say that is ugly. But as you said, it is'nt an M.

[jml]

Originally Posted by ssabripo

it is ugly compared to the e92 M3, but in person it looks quite nice, and one of the reasons I got it. Back in April of 2008 I test drove the 335i/135i back to back, and it was a no brainer: the 135i was the faster, more nimble, more dynamic car.

$2500 in mods later (KW V2 coils, JB3 chip map6, and some aesthetics like CF spoiler, etc), and I could not be happier. Does well in the track, can surpass an M3 straightline when needed, and it is cheaper.

There is no replacing an M3...at the end of the day, there is somethign about the M that is just special, but for $40k, a car that has 85-90% of the performance of the M3 at 60% of the cost, in this economy, was the smart choice for me. When the next Gen M comes in with Forced Induction, then i'll be all over it, but for now, I will be enjoying this little guy:

I always thought our son was an exceptionally beautiful baby, until I looked at his baby pictures 2 years later. I am not sure you could do anything to the 1 series to make it easier on my eyes except make me buy one and give me a couple months to develop motherly love for it.

I wish they looked better to me, it's a great driving car that would have made me think twice about the M. Not that the M will win first prize at the pig fair either...

[armyav8tor]

1 series owners: You don't need to justify your purchase to M3 owners because to this owner, it is just a much uglier version of the 3 series with a cheaper and smaller interior. You're not even looking at 100 lbs difference between the 135 and 335 according to the BMW website so the performance difference felt is strictly imagined. I drove a 135 and it felt no different than the 335. Enjoy your car (by driving it), don't waste your time justifying it (at least confine it to 1addict) because it comes across as regret/ jealousy when you do it here. This is not directed at anyone particular but if the shoe fits...

[JMD0977]

I would have bought a 1 series.....if it came with a S65 engine. Would have need plastic surgery in the front though. Is that why ssabripo hid it from, the pics?

[adc]

Originally Posted by armyav8tor

to this owner, it is just a much uglier version of the 3 series with a cheaper and smaller interior.

IMO the only time the 1 series interior feels cheaper is if you get the extended Novillo leather in the M. Otherwise, my 335i feels just as cheap (or premium) as the 1 on the inside. Actually I prefer the 1 because of it's more traditional BMW driver-centric feel.

As for uglier, I personally agree with you 100%. But who cares, in a post discussing performance?

You're not even looking at 100 lbs difference between the 135 and 335 according to the BMW website

You are wrong - according to the bmwusa website: 3373 vs. 3571 = 198 lbs

so the performance difference felt is strictly imagined. I drove a 135 and it felt no different than the 335.

You mean to tell me that you did not feel any difference due to the shorter wheelbase, lighter weight, different steering effort calibration, different suspension calibration and different throttle map?

These differences exist, and they make the 135i a different car to drive than the 335i. Now these differences may not be sufficient for you, and you may crave the other differences an M3 brings, but you simply cannot claim they don't exist.

because it comes across as regret/ jealousy when you do it here. This is not directed at anyone particular but if the shoe fits...

To me as a non-1 owner and non-M owner it seems that you are just as heavily justifying your own purchase. It's perfectly OK for civilized discussion and model comparison to happen on this forum - there simply is no need to insult or look down on others, especially if your only claim to fame is a different purchase decision.


My 335i is due for replacement in a few months and the M3 becons mightily - but it would be a little financial stretch for me, so I cannot help but wonder where the 135i would sit, given a thoughtful list of modifications. So I welcome posts such as these whole-heartedly and without any preconceived notions, rancor or snobbery.

[armyav8tor]

Originally Posted by adc

IMO the only time the 1 series interior feels cheaper is if you get the extended Novillo leather in the M. Otherwise, my 335i feels just as cheap (or premium) as the 1 on the inside. Actually I prefer the 1 because of it's more traditional BMW driver-centric feel.

That’s your opinion, mine is that the interior felt much cheaper. The material used felt much cheaper due to the extensive use of hard plastic and please don't get the fake aluminum diamond trim, that was in the car I test drove.

Originally Posted by adc

You are wrong - according to the bmwusa website: 3373 vs. 3571 = 198 lbs

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicle...ml?currPage=28

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicle...ml?currPage=27

Different sources, different numbers. Mine are off the corporate site which makes more sense since the 135 nothing more than a shorter 3 series. Where do you shave 198 lbs off the 335? The cheaper interior might save a few pounds, but not 198 lbs.

Originally Posted by adc

You mean to tell me that you did not feel any difference due to the shorter wheelbase, lighter weight, different steering effort calibration, different suspension calibration and different throttle map?

These differences exist, and they make the 135i a different car to drive than the 335i. Now these differences may not be sufficient for you, and you may crave the other differences an M3 brings, but you simply cannot claim they don't exist.

I beat the hell out of that 135i and coming from a 335i, I did not feel a performance difference between the two. The 135’s shifter is a little nicer. Shorter wheelbase is not better, for a tight track maybe, I rather have the 3's stability than the 1's marketing sales pitch.

Originally Posted by adc

To me as a non-1 owner and non-M owner it seems that you are just as heavily justifying your own purchase. It's perfectly OK for civilized discussion and model comparison to happen on this forum - there simply is no need to insult or look down on others, especially if your only claim to fame is a different purchase decision.


My 335i is due for replacement in a few months and the M3 becons mightily - but it would be a little financial stretch for me, so I cannot help but wonder where the 135i would sit, given a thoughtful list of modifications. So I welcome posts such as these whole-heartedly and without any preconceived notions, rancor or snobbery.

I don’t need to justify what I drive, I go out and do it. If you like the 1 series then by all means buy it, don’t need to explain your financial situation to me.

[mezzo]

QUOTE 'The 135 truly reflects BMW's return to its roots--small, simplistic, and fast cars.'

+1

[tightie]

i want a 135 for my daily.

[adc]

Originally Posted by armyav8tor

and please don't get the fake aluminum diamond trim, that was in the car I test drove.

That one is actually real aluminum. No, really.

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicle...ml?currPage=28

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicle...ml?currPage=27

Different sources, different numbers. Mine are off the corporate site which makes more sense since the 135 nothing more than a shorter 3 series. Where do you shave 198 lbs off the 335? The cheaper interior might save a few pounds, but not 198 lbs.

Well I'd be buying a US-spec car, so I'll take the US website on this.

The cheaper interior probably doesn't save any pounds - after all, why would hard plastic weigh less than soft plastic?

I beat the hell out of that 135i and coming from a 335i, I did not feel a performance difference between the two. The 135’s shifter is a little nicer. Shorter wheelbase is not better, for a tight track maybe, I rather have the 3's stability than the 1's marketing sales pitch.

Ah well, coming from a 335i I understand completely your position - you feel obligated to justify the 335i's extra price with bogus performance advantages.

Hey perhaps the 135i responded in kind to your lack of love...

I don’t need to justify what I drive, I go out and do it. If you like the 1 series then by all means buy it, don’t need to explain your financial situation to me.

I may yet get an M3 - perhaps then it will be ok for me too to look down on others with lesser cars. We'll see...