M135i F20. Anyone put me off?
Discussion
Budget up to £10k. In an ideal world I would extend budget a bit and get a M140i but keen to just pay cash.
I have come up with a rough list to help the search:
-LCI > 2015
-Pro nav
-HK
-Heated seats
-Power mirrors
-Stage 1 looks a nice boost in power any other mods a bonus
-Black or Estoril
After that I’m not too fussed. Usual stuff such as history and common issues dealt with. Seems to be a big variation in price at this level.
I have come up with a rough list to help the search:
-LCI > 2015
-Pro nav
-HK
-Heated seats
-Power mirrors
-Stage 1 looks a nice boost in power any other mods a bonus
-Black or Estoril
After that I’m not too fussed. Usual stuff such as history and common issues dealt with. Seems to be a big variation in price at this level.
Ruskie said:
Budget up to £10k. In an ideal world I would extend budget a bit and get a M140i but keen to just pay cash.
I have come up with a rough list to help the search:
-LCI > 2015
-Pro nav
-HK
-Heated seats
-Power mirrors
-Stage 1 looks a nice boost in power any other mods a bonus
-Black or Estoril
After that I m not too fussed. Usual stuff such as history and common issues dealt with. Seems to be a big variation in price at this level.
Been looking at these myself... Still haven't found a reason not to be interested... I have come up with a rough list to help the search:
-LCI > 2015
-Pro nav
-HK
-Heated seats
-Power mirrors
-Stage 1 looks a nice boost in power any other mods a bonus
-Black or Estoril
After that I m not too fussed. Usual stuff such as history and common issues dealt with. Seems to be a big variation in price at this level.
Seems a good little car and quite a few with a decent spec. N55, ZF8 - both solid, more so when looked after, and like you said, a simple stage 1 map can really waken it up...
Right car; wrong time for me... Need to stop my body from trying to kill me first
danb79 said:
Ruskie said:
Budget up to £10k. In an ideal world I would extend budget a bit and get a M140i but keen to just pay cash.
I have come up with a rough list to help the search:
-LCI > 2015
-Pro nav
-HK
-Heated seats
-Power mirrors
-Stage 1 looks a nice boost in power any other mods a bonus
-Black or Estoril
After that I m not too fussed. Usual stuff such as history and common issues dealt with. Seems to be a big variation in price at this level.
Been looking at these myself... Still haven't found a reason not to be interested... I have come up with a rough list to help the search:
-LCI > 2015
-Pro nav
-HK
-Heated seats
-Power mirrors
-Stage 1 looks a nice boost in power any other mods a bonus
-Black or Estoril
After that I m not too fussed. Usual stuff such as history and common issues dealt with. Seems to be a big variation in price at this level.
Seems a good little car and quite a few with a decent spec. N55, ZF8 - both solid, more so when looked after, and like you said, a simple stage 1 map can really waken it up...
Right car; wrong time for me... Need to stop my body from trying to kill me first
Ruskie said:
danb79 said:
Ruskie said:
Budget up to £10k. In an ideal world I would extend budget a bit and get a M140i but keen to just pay cash.
I have come up with a rough list to help the search:
-LCI > 2015
-Pro nav
-HK
-Heated seats
-Power mirrors
-Stage 1 looks a nice boost in power any other mods a bonus
-Black or Estoril
After that I m not too fussed. Usual stuff such as history and common issues dealt with. Seems to be a big variation in price at this level.
Been looking at these myself... Still haven't found a reason not to be interested... I have come up with a rough list to help the search:
-LCI > 2015
-Pro nav
-HK
-Heated seats
-Power mirrors
-Stage 1 looks a nice boost in power any other mods a bonus
-Black or Estoril
After that I m not too fussed. Usual stuff such as history and common issues dealt with. Seems to be a big variation in price at this level.
Seems a good little car and quite a few with a decent spec. N55, ZF8 - both solid, more so when looked after, and like you said, a simple stage 1 map can really waken it up...
Right car; wrong time for me... Need to stop my body from trying to kill me first
If I'm well enough, a big if
But won't be investing into anything until I land my next contract; that's paramount... Until then, my ISA stays sealed
The F series N55 feels quite muted when compared to an E N55.
I’ve had:
E88 135i
F30 340i
F33 435i
The pre LCI cars have a horrid map stock, which makes the accelerator feel really soggy in comfort.
I needed the M Performance Power kit to make the N55 in the 435i to feel anywhere near as responsive as the N55 in the E88.
They’re also not the best handling wise. You’ll want to sort out the suspension, so budget £2k for Birds stuff.
I’ve had 3x F generation cars - I evidently like them, but I’m not immune to the limitations of the chassis.
E82/88 has more character IMO.
I’ve had:
E88 135i
F30 340i
F33 435i
The pre LCI cars have a horrid map stock, which makes the accelerator feel really soggy in comfort.
I needed the M Performance Power kit to make the N55 in the 435i to feel anywhere near as responsive as the N55 in the E88.
They’re also not the best handling wise. You’ll want to sort out the suspension, so budget £2k for Birds stuff.
I’ve had 3x F generation cars - I evidently like them, but I’m not immune to the limitations of the chassis.
E82/88 has more character IMO.
Deviation said:
The F series N55 feels quite muted when compared to an E N55.
I ve had:
E88 135i
F30 340i
F33 435i
The pre LCI cars have a horrid map stock, which makes the accelerator feel really soggy in comfort.
I needed the M Performance Power kit to make the N55 in the 435i to feel anywhere near as responsive as the N55 in the E88.
They re also not the best handling wise. You ll want to sort out the suspension, so budget £2k for Birds stuff.
I ve had 3x F generation cars - I evidently like them, but I m not immune to the limitations of the chassis.
E82/88 has more character IMO.
Useful information thank you.I ve had:
E88 135i
F30 340i
F33 435i
The pre LCI cars have a horrid map stock, which makes the accelerator feel really soggy in comfort.
I needed the M Performance Power kit to make the N55 in the 435i to feel anywhere near as responsive as the N55 in the E88.
They re also not the best handling wise. You ll want to sort out the suspension, so budget £2k for Birds stuff.
I ve had 3x F generation cars - I evidently like them, but I m not immune to the limitations of the chassis.
E82/88 has more character IMO.
My worry is it feeling slow compared to my old F31 335d that was 390/775nm. Will handle infinitely better though.
Deviation said:
The F series N55 feels quite muted when compared to an E N55.
I ve had:
E88 135i
F30 340i
F33 435i
The pre LCI cars have a horrid map stock, which makes the accelerator feel really soggy in comfort.
I needed the M Performance Power kit to make the N55 in the 435i to feel anywhere near as responsive as the N55 in the E88.
They re also not the best handling wise. You ll want to sort out the suspension, so budget £2k for Birds stuff.
I ve had 3x F generation cars - I evidently like them, but I m not immune to the limitations of the chassis.
E82/88 has more character IMO.
I loved my E81 130i LE - I bet the N55 in the E chassis is a hoot; the N52 wasn't a slouch and once I'd done the suspension overhaul, B14s and Protrack One wheels + PS4S tyres; it was a different beastI ve had:
E88 135i
F30 340i
F33 435i
The pre LCI cars have a horrid map stock, which makes the accelerator feel really soggy in comfort.
I needed the M Performance Power kit to make the N55 in the 435i to feel anywhere near as responsive as the N55 in the E88.
They re also not the best handling wise. You ll want to sort out the suspension, so budget £2k for Birds stuff.
I ve had 3x F generation cars - I evidently like them, but I m not immune to the limitations of the chassis.
E82/88 has more character IMO.
danb79 said:
Been looking at these myself... Still haven't found a reason not to be interested...
Seems a good little car and quite a few with a decent spec. N55, ZF8 - both solid, more so when looked after, and like you said, a simple stage 1 map can really waken it up...
Right car; wrong time for me... Need to stop my body from trying to kill me first
Love mine woudl suggest looking for one with the adaptive suspension also pro nav is nice but very out fo date now and limited traffic, there's some good aftermarket car play options for less than £200Seems a good little car and quite a few with a decent spec. N55, ZF8 - both solid, more so when looked after, and like you said, a simple stage 1 map can really waken it up...
Right car; wrong time for me... Need to stop my body from trying to kill me first
I had both M135i and M140i new back in the day and the M135i was definitely the better drive
Ruskie said:
Useful information thank you.
My worry is it feeling slow compared to my old F31 335d that was 390/775nm. Will handle infinitely better though.
I honestly don’t think it will be infinitely better. They’re both broadly bad, with poor steering (check for play in the steering rack - if feels like you turn but not much happens, it might need repairing) and terrible chassis. They’re a very rubbery feelMy worry is it feeling slow compared to my old F31 335d that was 390/775nm. Will handle infinitely better though.
At least you won’t have the xDrive suspension
You will miss the torque but the N55 does still pull hard in the right configuration
F355GTS said:
danb79 said:
Been looking at these myself... Still haven't found a reason not to be interested...
Seems a good little car and quite a few with a decent spec. N55, ZF8 - both solid, more so when looked after, and like you said, a simple stage 1 map can really waken it up...
Right car; wrong time for me... Need to stop my body from trying to kill me first
Love mine woudl suggest looking for one with the adaptive suspension also pro nav is nice but very out fo date now and limited traffic, there's some good aftermarket car play options for less than £200Seems a good little car and quite a few with a decent spec. N55, ZF8 - both solid, more so when looked after, and like you said, a simple stage 1 map can really waken it up...
Right car; wrong time for me... Need to stop my body from trying to kill me first
I had both M135i and M140i new back in the day and the M135i was definitely the better drive
But yes, like our F31 - it'd need to have Pro Nav, power-fold mirrors, xenons at a minimum and ideally heated seats...
Coming up on 7 years with my 2014 M135i - not even considering changing it.
Some choice improvements were needed as soon as I got it, including Bilstein B12 and an M Performance exhaust. Never thought it lacked power so it’s probably one of the very few without a remap.
Comfortable mile muncher but still capable and enjoyable on a B road. Very few problems with the car - see history in my ‘garage’ profile.
My only slight regret is getting a 2014 pre-LCI rather than a 2015 (the front end looks better) but choice was extremely limited because I only wanted manual.
Controversially, I found the ZF8 equipped cars I drove dull/disappointing. But I spend very little time in traffic and a manual box just amplifies the big engine in a small car feel which is a huge part of its appeal.
I also owned a 1M when I first got the M135i, they were equally quick in my hands down favourite B roads. The 1M was more ‘exciting’ but that’s not always a good thing.
Some choice improvements were needed as soon as I got it, including Bilstein B12 and an M Performance exhaust. Never thought it lacked power so it’s probably one of the very few without a remap.
Comfortable mile muncher but still capable and enjoyable on a B road. Very few problems with the car - see history in my ‘garage’ profile.
My only slight regret is getting a 2014 pre-LCI rather than a 2015 (the front end looks better) but choice was extremely limited because I only wanted manual.
Controversially, I found the ZF8 equipped cars I drove dull/disappointing. But I spend very little time in traffic and a manual box just amplifies the big engine in a small car feel which is a huge part of its appeal.
I also owned a 1M when I first got the M135i, they were equally quick in my hands down favourite B roads. The 1M was more ‘exciting’ but that’s not always a good thing.
The 40i is ultimately more reliable, it's the next generation of the BMW turbo 6.
I've not had a 35i but I did have a 40i for a couple of years. Was perfectly reliable, good on fuel (40mpg at 70 cruise) and felt like it punched well above its weight power-wise. I had an F90 M5 a few years later and had a run against a stage 2 140i, not much in it til you're doing silly speeds - power to weight counts for a lot.
The handling probably wont seem that bad if you're coming from a 335d. It's just a bit numb and the suspension can get unsettled easily if you hit a rough patch of road at pace. That being said, you get used to it. Mine had EDC and it was always kept in comfort. As other's have said already, the Bilstein kit is meant to sort them out and isn't too expensive.
I'd stretch to a 40i if you can however the 35i does sound better.
I've not had a 35i but I did have a 40i for a couple of years. Was perfectly reliable, good on fuel (40mpg at 70 cruise) and felt like it punched well above its weight power-wise. I had an F90 M5 a few years later and had a run against a stage 2 140i, not much in it til you're doing silly speeds - power to weight counts for a lot.
The handling probably wont seem that bad if you're coming from a 335d. It's just a bit numb and the suspension can get unsettled easily if you hit a rough patch of road at pace. That being said, you get used to it. Mine had EDC and it was always kept in comfort. As other's have said already, the Bilstein kit is meant to sort them out and isn't too expensive.
I'd stretch to a 40i if you can however the 35i does sound better.
Hammy98 said:
The 40i is ultimately more reliable, it's the next generation of the BMW turbo 6.
I’d dispute that claim if we’re talking about engines making factory power. I’ve been on BMW forums for 15 years (we all know how much fear mongering they can create) and the N55’s in F series cars seem no better or worse than the B58’s - both are pretty good.
If chasing silly power, or hard track use then yes go B58.
The N55 does sound much sweeter.
LTEcactus said:
N55s seem to have more issues, like Valvetronic motors failing, charge pipes etc
B58s don't seem to have as many, it's a ground up redesign to resolve a lot of the N55 reliability issues.
That was the point I was going for too. Depending how hard you drive the car, there were issues with the N55 non-baffled sump early on in their lifecycle. Seems to be less of an issue now but there was a market for baffled sumps on 'enthusiastically' driven 135is years back.B58s don't seem to have as many, it's a ground up redesign to resolve a lot of the N55 reliability issues.
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