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Going to Test Drive the NEW Bmw 135i Twin Turbo this weekend (For my Girlfriend) not me .I bought her a BMW Z-4 3.0 Liter 1.5 years ago so I am excited to get her out of a convertable .last Summer she had been known to Flash Her (Hooters) when her Convertable top was down in the Summer and Summer is right around the corner so this is my way of tamming her a little .I will post my feelings on this car on saturday after driving it .. anyone driven this car yet?
Well . You know how it is when the woman is happy then I am happy. Hey its less $$$ then the Z-4 ...anyone want to buy a Z-4? 3.0 liter Merlot with 29K miles ..
Basically it looks like the cheapest BMW you've ever seen, and compared to any of the other BMW's you can tell the difference. Especially inside, the interior feels cheaper all-round. From the back especially I think that the car lacks the presence that BMW's usually have. It looks smaller in person too in my opinion. I dunno, for the money its a good car, better than getting a WRX or something for sure since it has a nice engine, decent looks and a good interior. But if you're expecting it to be on-par with a 3 series or a Z4 you will be disappointed. The only way it compares to those cars is the engine and presumably driving. The looks and the construction and the interior are shy of what BMW has offered in north america in the past. I wouldn't be happy with that dash and those seats!
Anyway I would never buy one right now, I'd rather buy a 1 year old used car or if I was buying a new car I would probably stretch my budget up to buy something a little better if I could.
The Highway 1 (Auto) section of the LA Times today had Dan Niel's review of the 1. He thought it was the ugliest thing ever, but praised its performance. But in the end he said, why not buy a 3.
Marty
The 1 series is going be a fun car. Put some software in it for small money and see how it pulls against the CS, "....wait up honey-bunny!"
Read the article in the March 2008 issue of GT Porsche which begins on page 44, " Slippery When Wet" which compares the new 420hp M3 with the CS on the Nurburgring. Somehow, I think it will take more than some mods for the M1 to match the balance of the CS. Perhaps a complete re-design might help.
Read the article in the March 2008 issue of GT Porsche which begins on page 44, " Slippery When Wet" which compares the new 420hp M3 with the CS on the Nurburgring. Somehow, I think it will take more than some mods for the M1 to match the balance of the CS. Perhaps a complete re-design might help.
From a third party and not a Porsche magazine, Sportauto's Supertest using the same driver the CS did a 8:25 and the new M3 a 8:05. The outgoing E46 M3 with a power/weight ratio deficit to the CS did a 8:22. 335i time was 8:26, same motor as the 135i. Now, this is only about lap times, objective stuff, but you brought up the Nurburgring. The rest I leave to the individual.
I didn't say the 1 series will out track a CS, which I doubt but it won't be far behind depending on the track, I said it'll likely be a bit faster, and with only software, much faster.
Love my CS, but there are lots of great cars out there that aren't Caymans or even Porsches. Can't believe I'd even need to say that on a auto enthusiast board.
Last edited by consolidated; 03-20-2008 at 06:00 AM.
I drove the 135i this evening. I was pleasantly surprised. It was fun. The seats were particularly comfortable. The seating is a bit upright and the shifter was nice. It seemed more refined than the E46 M3, not as racy and was not as fast as the CS nor the E46. For a daily driver it would be a very nice car. Fairly quiet. Engine/exhaust sound not particularly enticing. It handled well and I was surprised at the feel of the hi performance run flats. But in no way is it going to compete with the CS. They are different animals. Women who think the M3 or the CS ride too rough would probably like driving the 135i.
Yet, once again BMWNA is specifying a sunroof as standard; hence, carving out any potential buyers over 6'2". Much less those who want to participate in autocross/track-days.
We have already had a bazillion threads confirming that the Cayman is really one of the only small, light true sports-cars for taller individuals.
From a third party and not a Porsche magazine, Sportauto's Supertest using the same driver the CS did a 8:25 and the new M3 a 8:05. The outgoing E46 M3 with a power/weight ratio deficit to the CS did a 8:22. 335i time was 8:26, same motor as the 135i. Now, this is only about lap times, objective stuff, but you brought up the Nurburgring. The rest I leave to the individual.
I didn't say the 1 series will out track a CS, which I doubt but it won't be far behind depending on the track, I said it'll likely be a bit faster, and with only software, much faster.
Love my CS, but there are lots of great cars out there that aren't Caymans or even Porsches. Can't believe I'd even need to say that on a auto enthusiast board.
Walter Rohl did an 8:11 in the CS, which convinced Porsche that they needed to handicap the car even further. You opened the door with the "wait up honey-bunny" comment. Did you think that would not get a Porsche fan's attention?
Walter Rohl did an 8:11 in the CS, which convinced Porsche that they needed to handicap the car even further. You opened the door with the "wait up honey-bunny" comment. Did you think that would not get a Porsche fan's attention?
and I stand by my comment, which was also meant to be humorous.
C&D test times
135i: 0-60 4.7s, 1/4 mile 13.3 seconds
Cayman S: 0-60 5.1s, 1/4 mile 13.4 seconds (R&T had better 0-60 times)
Add a V2 or Dinan software and the 135i will easily leave a Cayman S in a straight line race, these are just the numbers, I can't argue with anyone's emotions or personal best lap times so I won't try. It doesn't take anything away from our cars to recognize solid performance in other cars and marques.
For clarity, the Sportauto/Wiki times are with the same driver, Horst Von Saurma, under similar conditions and with off the lot cars, a better and more equal measuring stick for comparing different marques than factory drivers I'd say.
I don't have a dog in this fight, just another German car fan. Again, I can only speak to objective data, anyone's thrill per mile ratio is entirely their own, as it should be.
i saw a couple of them firsthand at bmw of san diego last weekend. can't say much about them except that i don't believe i would ever be willing to pay $37k+ for either of the two i saw.
and other than porsches, i've had more bmws [3] than any other make.
__________________
phil
2007 cayman - one year +
1997 boxster - twelve years
1970 911t coupe - eleven years
1964 356c cabriolet - nine years
I just had the opportunity this week to test drive the 135, is a solid performer, you cannot argue with 300 pounds of torque and 300hp, specially when they are deliver from the low end of the RPM's. It does feel quicker from 0-60 than my Cayman S but the ride is too soft for my taste, in the track I'm sure the Cayman will prevail. The cabin is pretty well set-up and like many BMW's driving position can be adjusted to perfection. I have also driven the 335I sedan and coupes, personally the size of the 135i will make it a fun DD, and with that torque no need at all for automatic transmission, no need to spend more money on the other one's. I have a small budget and garage to have two cars for myself, the Cayman S is my DD, but if you can afford it the 135 will be a great addition to the garage (just be sure to replace those shocks, again to soft for my taste).
