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This months EVO magazine leaves a questionmark over the market sector the 135i now competes in, by simply adding - is it an alternative to the CS?
Interesting question? We know the answer - but EVO did point out some valid comparisons.
THE POWER. THE TORQUE. THE DELIVERY. AWARD WINNING ENGINE?
EVO indicates that the price it is now expecting for a car based upon tyhe floorpan of the 1 series is excessive - but on the other hand, states the BOLD facts regarding performance.
Not my cup of tea - and in my humble opinion, priced in a lucrative but 'ridiculously competitive' sector of the market.
My question is simple. Is it a valid market placement? Would you consider it if you were shopping in the present (vs cayman) and have BMW markedly misjudged its requirement?
I must admit I was a bit unsure where this was going to fit into the market. I could not picture myself behind the wheel. I'm 30 and felt a bit old for it!!!! I could see this appealing to a younger group of drivers, though I think the 135i M Sport is priced a bit to high and 120ds lacks power. If I had 30k to spend I'd probably consider it. The stats look good though!
The 1 series has the compactness I look for in a sports car and I think the overall package is very attractive. I'm not sure I would cross shop the 135i w/ the Cayman, seems like cross shopping a 2002tii with a 914-6 in 1972 with different market segments and price points. A major selling point of the 2002 was the ability to carry more than one passenger along. The 2002 was practical and hence rational, compared to a dedicated two seater. In those days you couldn't finance a car the way people do now, so a guy who could afford a $2500 car wasn't going to stretch into a $6000 car, but today a guy who can afford a $30K probably can talk himself into financing $60K.
If I can't find a Cayman with the options I want at the price I want to pay (when my lease on my current vehicle is done), I'll end up getting a 135i as a stop-gap.
They're certainly not "comparable" - but the 135i (to me) is a logical choice in a more modest price range.
Its all subjective. I am personally willing to pay the extra £7+ (UK) for the style, shape, mechanical layout etc. On that score, theres no argument.........but having 300lbft and almost as much BHP is a tease!!!!!! Bearing in mind a few German aftermarket tuners have easily worked another 50BHP and 75lbft into the twin-turbocharged unit.
However, I just can't get over the styling, and when the Cayman is in reach.............its all over!
If I craved that power I'd probably settle for second hand skyline R34 perhaps? For £30k in the UK youd get 400BHP min and a 'proper' setup....and an absolute legend!!!!!
It should be good challenger to the CS and for less money. Easy ECU mods are already getting 400 RWHP, and with a factory LSD and Brembos it should be great fun at the track, I bet it'll cannibalize a few E90/92 M3 sales from track oriented BMW loyalists looking to save some cash. If you see boosted cars start blowing up however this'll change the landscape. BMWs have never been sleek or elegant automobiles in general but this one looks quite nice for being boxy.
LSD - Limited Slip Differential
A limited slip differential (LSD) is a modified or derived type of differential gear arrangement that allows for some difference in rotational velocity of the output shafts, but does not allow the difference in speed to increase beyond a preset amount. In an automobile, such limited slip differentials are sometimes used in place of a standard differential, where they convey certain dynamic advantages, at the expense of greater complexity.
The main advantage of a limited slip differential is found by considering the case of a standard (or "open") differential where one wheel has no contact with the ground at all. In such a case, the contacting wheel will remain stationary, and the non-contacting wheel will rotate freely– the torque transmitted will be equal at both wheels, but will not exceed the threshold of torque needed to move the vehicle, thus the vehicle will remain stationary. In everyday use on typical roads, such a situation is very unlikely, and so a normal differential suffices. For more demanding use however, such as driving off-road, or for high performance vehicles, such a state of affairs is undesirable, and the LSD can be employed to deal with it. By limiting the velocity difference between a pair of driven wheels, useful torque can be transmitted as long as there is some friction available on at least one of the wheels.
To see the installation of a LSD style unit Click Here -> Article Forthcoming Stay Tuned
It should be good challenger to the CS and for less money. Easy ECU mods are already getting 400 RWHP, and with a factory LSD and Brembos it should be great fun at the track, I bet it'll cannibalize a few E90/92 M3 sales from track oriented BMW loyalists looking to save some cash. If you see boosted cars start blowing up however this'll change the landscape. BMWs have never been sleek or elegant automobiles in general but this one looks quite nice for being boxy.
135i does NOT have an LSD (although there are aftermarket solutions). BMW suffers from the same stupid disease as Porsche where they save the LSD for their more expensive and focused products (Porsche with GT cars and BMW with ///M cars). It's just that the front engined BMW needs a real LSD even more than the midengined CS. BMW provides an electronic LSD (similar to Porsche's ABD) which is woefully inadequate for either car
LSD - Limited Slip Differential
A limited slip differential (LSD) is a modified or derived type of differential gear arrangement that allows for some difference in rotational velocity of the output shafts, but does not allow the difference in speed to increase beyond a preset amount. In an automobile, such limited slip differentials are sometimes used in place of a standard differential, where they convey certain dynamic advantages, at the expense of greater complexity.
The main advantage of a limited slip differential is found by considering the case of a standard (or "open") differential where one wheel has no contact with the ground at all. In such a case, the contacting wheel will remain stationary, and the non-contacting wheel will rotate freely– the torque transmitted will be equal at both wheels, but will not exceed the threshold of torque needed to move the vehicle, thus the vehicle will remain stationary. In everyday use on typical roads, such a situation is very unlikely, and so a normal differential suffices. For more demanding use however, such as driving off-road, or for high performance vehicles, such a state of affairs is undesirable, and the LSD can be employed to deal with it. By limiting the velocity difference between a pair of driven wheels, useful torque can be transmitted as long as there is some friction available on at least one of the wheels.
To see the installation of a LSD style unit Click Here -> Article Forthcoming Stay Tuned
...
Is it a valid market placement? Would you consider it if you were shopping in the present (vs cayman) and have BMW markedly misjudged its requirement?
IMO, no and no. BMW Cayman competition is the Z4M coupe. This is not a 2 seat sports car, its a 4 seat coupe. Its not a sports car, not even close. Totally different market.
Although a bit bigger, I think it will damage MINI Cooper sales. I don't understand BMW's thinking here to cannabilize sales. If the price comes in around $35K (I dont know the price) then that's about the price of a JCW MCS. A well optioned MCS can easily reach $40K and more. Many MINI owners are car enthusiasts and I could not see the point of buying a MINI when you could get the performance from the factory from a 135i which appears to be much faster OEM.
IMO, no and no. BMW Cayman competition is the Z4M coupe. This is not a 2 seat sports car, its a 4 seat coupe. Its not a sports car, not even close. Totally different market.
I agree.
The idea of a 400HP modern interpretation of the 2002tii sure sounds cool, though.
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135i does NOT have an LSD (although there are aftermarket solutions). BMW suffers from the same stupid disease as Porsche where they save the LSD for their more expensive and focused products (Porsche with GT cars and BMW with ///M cars). It's just that the front engined BMW needs a real LSD even more than the midengined CS. BMW provides an electronic LSD (similar to Porsche's ABD) which is woefully inadequate for either car
I should have been more specific, 1addicts is reporting an LSD will be a dealer installed option under BMW's new performance parts catalog. The latest Roundel article outlines the new marketing and aftermarket sales push. Seems plausible the 1 will see an OEM LSD in the future.
Parts include intakes and exhaust systems, bodywork, brake upgrades, cams, and differentials...almost surprising coming from BMW, where the accessories catalogs started and ended with floormats.
LSD - Limited Slip Differential
A limited slip differential (LSD) is a modified or derived type of differential gear arrangement that allows for some difference in rotational velocity of the output shafts, but does not allow the difference in speed to increase beyond a preset amount. In an automobile, such limited slip differentials are sometimes used in place of a standard differential, where they convey certain dynamic advantages, at the expense of greater complexity.
The main advantage of a limited slip differential is found by considering the case of a standard (or "open") differential where one wheel has no contact with the ground at all. In such a case, the contacting wheel will remain stationary, and the non-contacting wheel will rotate freely– the torque transmitted will be equal at both wheels, but will not exceed the threshold of torque needed to move the vehicle, thus the vehicle will remain stationary. In everyday use on typical roads, such a situation is very unlikely, and so a normal differential suffices. For more demanding use however, such as driving off-road, or for high performance vehicles, such a state of affairs is undesirable, and the LSD can be employed to deal with it. By limiting the velocity difference between a pair of driven wheels, useful torque can be transmitted as long as there is some friction available on at least one of the wheels.
To see the installation of a LSD style unit Click Here -> Article Forthcoming Stay Tuned
Not whether you guys get the EVO mag in the US. They are actually a bit disappointed with the 135i. They were hoping that this car being smaller than the 3 series coupe, it can bring back memory of the original M3 but this car is targeting a different group of buyers---Those who after a bargain junior supercar pace with a comfortable ride. Ie those who cannot afford the new M3!
Not surprise with the criticism as this mag pick their Car of the Year in this order
1. 997GT3
2. F430 Scuderia
3. R8
Most car mags pick the R8.
However, it is very good vfm. In UK, cost less than £30,000 and can outpace the CS in the straight!
Linear Mode
