Confusion - 130i vs 135i vs M135i
Discussion
So I'd like your thoughts on these 3 cars as I'm a bit confused after reading comparisons.
I've owned a 130i and 135i and I'm now considering a M135i, how do they compare?
I heard so much praise about the 130i and I was really disappointed. Mine was unicorn car with M performance exhaust and carbon intake and whilst it sounded good from outside, I found the noise inside quite muted. Dynamically I didn't find it very exciting to drive at all.
Then I moved to an 135i (N55 engine) standard except a sports cat and it sounded delicious. Dynamically I didn't think that fun either but better than the 130i and a better steering feel despite both being hydraulic.
So I'm wondering how a M135i is really going to compare. Is it going to be fun to drive? Fun for me is a little rear end slide on throttle. Will it sound good?
I've heard it's even less exciting and even more refined than the 130i/135i but then I've also heard it's an 'animal' to drive. Reports on the sound are very mixed too.
Thoughts appreciated
I've owned a 130i and 135i and I'm now considering a M135i, how do they compare?
I heard so much praise about the 130i and I was really disappointed. Mine was unicorn car with M performance exhaust and carbon intake and whilst it sounded good from outside, I found the noise inside quite muted. Dynamically I didn't find it very exciting to drive at all.
Then I moved to an 135i (N55 engine) standard except a sports cat and it sounded delicious. Dynamically I didn't think that fun either but better than the 130i and a better steering feel despite both being hydraulic.
So I'm wondering how a M135i is really going to compare. Is it going to be fun to drive? Fun for me is a little rear end slide on throttle. Will it sound good?
I've heard it's even less exciting and even more refined than the 130i/135i but then I've also heard it's an 'animal' to drive. Reports on the sound are very mixed too.
Thoughts appreciated
The F series chassis isn’t the best, the rear end in particular is very bouncy and feels like it sill making its mind up how to deal with an imperfection 50 yards further down the road. The steering is worse too - every iteration of BMW’s EPAS seems to get worse. In comfort it’s too light but in sport it feels artificial and like it’s full of treacle.
I went from an M140i to a 130i LE on Birds suspension and much preferred it to the newer faster car. I added M3 LCA’s and camber plates too. My M140i was on H+R springs with B8 dampers and I fitted the underbody brace from a three door and had the alignment done by Centre Gravity.
The M135i with the N55 does sound good but noise in the cabin is accentuated by artificial noise via the speakers. Tech and the ZF8 are leagues ahead of the E8x cars. They’re much more refined than the E8x cars.
I went from an M140i to a 130i LE on Birds suspension and much preferred it to the newer faster car. I added M3 LCA’s and camber plates too. My M140i was on H+R springs with B8 dampers and I fitted the underbody brace from a three door and had the alignment done by Centre Gravity.
The M135i with the N55 does sound good but noise in the cabin is accentuated by artificial noise via the speakers. Tech and the ZF8 are leagues ahead of the E8x cars. They’re much more refined than the E8x cars.
Edited by Court_S on Tuesday 7th May 18:27
The key to any of these cars living up to their potential is a LSD and some suspension mods.
The Birds kit seems well liked by most, although pricey.
The 130i power delivery can seem underwhelming after driving a modern turbo car. If anything it’s too smooth for its own good.
If you don’t want to modify, then I’d argue that there are better options.
The Birds kit seems well liked by most, although pricey.
The 130i power delivery can seem underwhelming after driving a modern turbo car. If anything it’s too smooth for its own good.
If you don’t want to modify, then I’d argue that there are better options.
Heathwood said:
If you didn’t find much to enjoy with the 130/135, I suspect the m135i isn’t going to do it for you. It’s faster but still unresolved; perhaps more so.
Sounds to me like you need an OG M2.
That would be nice but out of budget unfortunately Sounds to me like you need an OG M2.
Edited by rotaryjam on Tuesday 7th May 21:33
Heathwood said:
If you didn’t find much to enjoy with the 130/135, I suspect the m135i isn’t going to do it for you. It’s faster but still unresolved; perhaps more so.
Sounds to me like you need an OG M2.
I’d say the F series car is more unresolved. Fantastic engine / gearbox but the chassis set up leaves a lot to be desired.Sounds to me like you need an OG M2.
Heathwood said:
If you didn’t find much to enjoy with the 130/135, I suspect the m135i isn’t going to do it for you. It’s faster but still unresolved; perhaps more so.
I agree.I had an E82 135i with the DCT gearbox, and a few mods (including Birds B1 suspension). I bought it new in 2011, and kept it for 6 years.
I did have an extended test drive of a 235i coupe when they came out with a view to changing, but I was hugely disappointed with it, and hated the electric steering, and the suspension was worse that the E82 was stock, so would have needed another expensive visit to Birds as well.
Because I wanted two pedals as well (knackered left shoulder means no more manuals for me) I was disappointed with the ZF8 in the F series as well, coming from the much better DCT in the E82. The ZF8 is a cracking gearbox in a wafty barge, but I preferred the DCT.
If you are looking at a 6MT, then that's not an issue.
Personally, as already said, I'd wait until an early M2 is in budget rather than going for the interim M135/M140 option (or unless you are wedded to the hatch, the M235/M240)
skullandbiscuits said:
Your fundamental issue is if you remove all the wonderful drivetrains, you’re left with a low rent 1 series.
It’s no worse than any of its competitors like a Golf or an A3. I looked at a Golf R when buying my M140i and preferred the BMW’s interior and seating position.rotaryjam said:
Fun for me is a little rear end slide on throttle. Will it sound good?
Just get your geo done and stick on a decent exhaust then if that is what you enjoy. I'm being serious, most of these cars are set up so they don't do that, and on the road that is a good thing, but if you find it fun, get the geo done so the car oversteers more.
I ran an M140i for a couple of years, different engine but same chassis.
It's not a car I'd want to be sliding about on the road without having an LSD fitted. On the odd occasion I got mine out of shape it was hard to manage as the open diff was shuffling power between the back wheels - the fact the turbo sixes have a good wedge of torque too doesn't help.
However, if you're happy accepting it's not set up for that kind of thing as standard - they are lovely things, and seriously quick... even more so when modded. Mine had the electronic dampers and I never felt the suspension was lacking.
I'd try one and see what you think. I've had an M4 and an M5 since and I'd still be happy in a 140i
It's not a car I'd want to be sliding about on the road without having an LSD fitted. On the odd occasion I got mine out of shape it was hard to manage as the open diff was shuffling power between the back wheels - the fact the turbo sixes have a good wedge of torque too doesn't help.
However, if you're happy accepting it's not set up for that kind of thing as standard - they are lovely things, and seriously quick... even more so when modded. Mine had the electronic dampers and I never felt the suspension was lacking.
I'd try one and see what you think. I've had an M4 and an M5 since and I'd still be happy in a 140i
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