RE: BMW M135i vs Audi S3
Discussion
M135i is already mapping to 380+hp, so all "once it's got stage48" arguments are just daft. Where does it end??
And who the hell wakes up on a winter's morning and thinks, oh, I think I'll go drive my car at flat knacker? As someone who works in my place has just proven by launching a brand new RS4 into a house, AWD doesn't stop you crashing.
And who the hell wakes up on a winter's morning and thinks, oh, I think I'll go drive my car at flat knacker? As someone who works in my place has just proven by launching a brand new RS4 into a house, AWD doesn't stop you crashing.
I think there is a lot of snobbery towards the M135i, many I believe just don't like the fact that it can embarrass a lot of more expensive cars for a fraction of the price. People focus on its looks because there is very little else that can be disliked. Its the underdog/ugly duckling and thats exactly also why so many people like it. Its not showy or flash, its subtle, almost geeky appearance makes it pretty unassuming. Its almost the opposite of what has made BMW drivers 'cocks' in the past. Its this along with the performance and good old fashioned driver fun that makes it a great car. It might not be everyones cup of tea and it doesn't need to be. I think it looks great, thanks for the continuing series PH.
Edited by copperman05 on Friday 20th September 03:01
copperman05 said:
I think there is a lot of snobbery towards the M135i, many I believe just don't like the fact that it can embarrass a lot of more expensive cars for a fraction of the price. People focus on its looks because there is very little else that can be disliked. Its the underdog/ugly duckling and thats exactly also why so many people like it. Its not showy or flash, its subtle, almost geeky appearance makes it pretty unassuming. Its almost the opposite of what has made BMW drivers 'cocks' in the past. Its this along with the performance and good old fashioned driver fun that makes it a great car. It might not be everyones cup of tea and it doesn't need to be. I think it looks great, thanks for the continuing series PH.
Well said. Also, the spikey handling in the wet is a challenge- it keeps you honest. That is fun. Bit like driving a TVR- you have to tread carefully but that is part of what makes it rewarding.Edited by copperman05 on Friday 20th September 03:01
okie592 said:
Why buy a m135i when you could hAve a 2 year old e63 amg which is a sleeper quicker better looking better equipt
F*ck that. My hard-earned £40k is going on a 7 year old Aston.Perfect comparison.
I think the real test of a M135i will come when it's stacked up against the re-mapped 335d.
Who could predict the outcome of that titanic battle.
Funny the M135i is so often referred to as excellent value and a bargain, yet it's almost twice the price of a Mountuned Fiesta ST (not to mention running costs etc). Ok so they're not comparable classes of cars, but is an M135i really nearly twice as rewarding to drive as the Fiesta (given it's not that much more practical)? I love RWD & BM's delicious straight 6, but I have a hard time rationalising that fact in my mind anyway,..
Can someone explain what's wrong with a M135i in the wet. I am no Blomqvist but having covered 400 miles in 2 days in one some of it on very wet roads, you'd have to have seriously dodgy inputs to crash it, lateral grip is immense. Or is 4wd a way to compensate for lack of smooth technique ?
nickfrog said:
Can someone explain what's wrong with a M135i in the wet. I am no Blomqvist but having covered 400 miles in 2 days in one some of it on very wet roads, you'd have to have seriously dodgy inputs to crash it, lateral grip is immense. Or is 4wd a way to compensate for lack of smooth technique ?
People just seem to have this idea that RWD + rain = instant death. I constantly read that my car is "dangerously twitchy" (and other such rubbish) in the wet, but I drive it reasonably quickly in the rain all the time and have never had a problem (and I have far from god-like car control). VeeFource said:
Ahonen said:
GranCab said:
I would spend the money on a nice Ferrari Mondial instead ...
To be fair, many would argue there's no such thing as a nice Ferrari Mondial.
VeeFource said:
Funny the M135i is so often referred to as excellent value and a bargain, yet it's almost twice the price of a Mountuned Fiesta ST (not to mention running costs etc). Ok so they're not comparable classes of cars, but is an M135i really nearly twice as rewarding to drive as the Fiesta (given it's not that much more practical)? I love RWD & BM's delicious straight 6, but I have a hard time rationalising that fact in my mind anyway,..
Very good point.I have to say I really like all these comparisons of the M135i vs lots of different types of cars.
The feedback from owners of the M135i is also very interesting - thanks for all of it.
Little chance of owning any of these at the moment but in years to come I would definitely consider a used M135i...
I'm in the camp that doesn't mind about the looks and would get very excited about the speed & practicality combo.
nickfrog said:
Can someone explain what's wrong with a M135i in the wet. I am no Blomqvist but having covered 400 miles in 2 days in one some of it on very wet roads, you'd have to have seriously dodgy inputs to crash it, lateral grip is immense. Or is 4wd a way to compensate for lack of smooth technique ?
Its the same as why all Audi 4wd have massive understeer and will put you in a ditch.Vladimir said:
However one thing I find extreme interesting about a proper M diff is that it's apparently very effective in snow. Can anyone confirm this?!
Yes - i made it home, 25 miles down A and B roads in a blizzard, then the last couple of miles in local roads covered in 1-2" of snow, and my house is on a hill. Summer tyres on a Z4M. Lots of FWD cars stuck and a couple in a ditch. The worst bit was the understeer, no issues with traction.
The advantage is that you still have 2 wheel drive - without an LSD you have one wheel drive (traction control off) or no wheel drive (traction control on)
Vladimir said:
I have 300 bhp, skinnier tyres, 430lbs ft and no LSD; I only trip the Traction light (unless it's fully off which is often) if I'm feeling naughty. And I bet the 1er has a much more advanced traction system than my soot chucking hearse.
However one thing I find extreme interesting about a proper M diff is that it's apparently very effective in snow. Can anyone confirm this?!
I had an E46 M3 with proper M diff and with winter tyres. Also an E93 with winter tyres. Both were useless in the snow. However one thing I find extreme interesting about a proper M diff is that it's apparently very effective in snow. Can anyone confirm this?!
Schnellmann said:
I had an E46 M3 with proper M diff and with winter tyres. Also an E93 with winter tyres. Both were useless in the snow.
You can't drive properly 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOv2g5qTpvA
pilchardthecat said:
Schnellmann said:
I had an E46 M3 with proper M diff and with winter tyres. Also an E93 with winter tyres. Both were useless in the snow.
You can't drive properly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOv2g5qTpvA
Msportman said:
my neighbour thought I'd bought a 120d until I started it.These new breed of cars are very subtle with little to separate models.
That to me is one of the great attractions of the M135i.Agree that I'd be putting a proper limited slip diff on mine, if I had one, though. Birds are happy to oblige, until such time as the BMW factory option comes along next year (and they fix the looks...)
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