RE: BMW M135i facelift: Driven
Discussion
kambites said:
I might be completely wrong about all of that, I'm no suspension engineer. I suppose I'm also being unfair in my expectations because part of me thinks of it as an A45/RS3 competitor and it isn't. If viewed simply as a family hatchback with a big engine shoehorned in, I suppose the suspension is adequate. What we need is a proper replacement for the 1M, preferably in hatchback form this time. 
Indeed, the M135i is not even remotely trying to be a competitor to the A45/RS3 : it's 10k/12k less after respective discounts. Yet Harris preferred it to the (old) RS3. The forthcoming M2 on the other hand...kambites said:
Such a shame they don't seem capable of sorting the chassis out. We all know BMW are capable of setting suspension up properly, why can't they manage it with this car? It could be a great car rather than merely a good one. 
I think it's a great car and very finely judged in terms of set up is and they've done a superb job (based on the ones I have driven anyway) considering it's not a 800kg mid-engine roadster. 
Edited by nickfrog on Friday 1st May 20:15
I wonder now whether BMW's formula of powerful rear wheel drive cars being bettered by front wheel biased four wheel drive cars.
I have driven a M135i hard on a test drive and certainly would have bought it, but for fact it looked too ordinary. I know some people like the understated look, similar to the Golf I suppose.
For me the engine is the deciding factor and for similar money a 6 pot will always win me over. Also this whole traction thing, I don't buy it anyway. How many days does it rain? Simply drive slower when rains and faster in the dry. If you want to cane your car take it on a track.
The BMW may no longer be the ultimate driving machine, but with everything else moving to front wheel drive with a little rear wheel back up, BMW for me!
I have driven a M135i hard on a test drive and certainly would have bought it, but for fact it looked too ordinary. I know some people like the understated look, similar to the Golf I suppose.
For me the engine is the deciding factor and for similar money a 6 pot will always win me over. Also this whole traction thing, I don't buy it anyway. How many days does it rain? Simply drive slower when rains and faster in the dry. If you want to cane your car take it on a track.
The BMW may no longer be the ultimate driving machine, but with everything else moving to front wheel drive with a little rear wheel back up, BMW for me!
I have a pre-facelift automatic one. I test drove the Golf R and cannot dispute its competence. However, I felt like a passenger and found the synthesised engine noise very annoying.
I also looked at the A45. It's a great car, but I could not get past the awful fitment of the information screen. I can see the point that it should be all about the drive, but for some reason that screen was a deal-breaker for me. And I am not normally one to worry excessively about perceived quality in the interior. I have had an MX 5 and loved that, despite what some have said is a poor quality interior.
I like the rear wheel drive chassis and the engine in the BMW. It is not yet run-in, but so far I have found the car to be a good mixture between fast road performance and comfort, depending on what mood takes me. I have the adaptive dampers, which work well in my view. My main criticism of the suspension is that it does not always control vertical body movements well, particularly if a transverse ridge is tackled at speed. I suspect Birds could rectify that. Otherwise, I like the ride and handling.
I cannot tell that the engine note is augmented, although I would like to try turning the function off if that really is possible, just to assess the difference. However the noise is generated, it sounds pretty good to me.
Matt Bird comments that the BMW starts to come unravelled as it approaches its limits, whereas the newer competition come into their own at that point. That is probably true. But then, who can drive these cars at anything approaching their limits on the public road? Mine will not go near a track and I can enjoy it within the normal parameters that the road imposes on me. The fact that the Golf, to take one example, comes alive close to its limits only serves to reduce the driver's ability to enjoy it on the road. That said, I accept that others see things differently. It's one of the things that I like about being a car enthusiast: we don't need to agree on cars, any more than avid readers need to agree on authors.
To me, it all comes down to the use a vehicle will get - fitness for purpose, if you like. To some, the Golf will be the better car, and rightly so. Ditto the A45, which offers astounding performance.
Back on topic, I think the appearance of the M135 is very dependent on colour. Mine is grey (I know, I know) and doesn't look too bad to me, although I don't pretend that it's a looker. The front of the face-lifted car is better, but I like the rear less. I would be interested to know, however, whether the software update for the gearbox can be applied to the pre-facelift car. Does anybody know?
Andy
I also looked at the A45. It's a great car, but I could not get past the awful fitment of the information screen. I can see the point that it should be all about the drive, but for some reason that screen was a deal-breaker for me. And I am not normally one to worry excessively about perceived quality in the interior. I have had an MX 5 and loved that, despite what some have said is a poor quality interior.
I like the rear wheel drive chassis and the engine in the BMW. It is not yet run-in, but so far I have found the car to be a good mixture between fast road performance and comfort, depending on what mood takes me. I have the adaptive dampers, which work well in my view. My main criticism of the suspension is that it does not always control vertical body movements well, particularly if a transverse ridge is tackled at speed. I suspect Birds could rectify that. Otherwise, I like the ride and handling.
I cannot tell that the engine note is augmented, although I would like to try turning the function off if that really is possible, just to assess the difference. However the noise is generated, it sounds pretty good to me.
Matt Bird comments that the BMW starts to come unravelled as it approaches its limits, whereas the newer competition come into their own at that point. That is probably true. But then, who can drive these cars at anything approaching their limits on the public road? Mine will not go near a track and I can enjoy it within the normal parameters that the road imposes on me. The fact that the Golf, to take one example, comes alive close to its limits only serves to reduce the driver's ability to enjoy it on the road. That said, I accept that others see things differently. It's one of the things that I like about being a car enthusiast: we don't need to agree on cars, any more than avid readers need to agree on authors.
To me, it all comes down to the use a vehicle will get - fitness for purpose, if you like. To some, the Golf will be the better car, and rightly so. Ditto the A45, which offers astounding performance.
Back on topic, I think the appearance of the M135 is very dependent on colour. Mine is grey (I know, I know) and doesn't look too bad to me, although I don't pretend that it's a looker. The front of the face-lifted car is better, but I like the rear less. I would be interested to know, however, whether the software update for the gearbox can be applied to the pre-facelift car. Does anybody know?
Andy
Welshbeef said:
Are most owners remapping the M135i's?
Rolling roads ice seen online seem to indicate the original go isn't as quoted instead it's 350bhp.
Remap takes to what 420bhp in a 1 series that has to be fun.
Remaps... hmm interesting subject.Rolling roads ice seen online seem to indicate the original go isn't as quoted instead it's 350bhp.
Remap takes to what 420bhp in a 1 series that has to be fun.
There is no OBD mapping. A couple of places are offering ECU mapping, but involves ECU out of the car so it can be flashed on the bench.
Most people who modify are running a piggyback unit called a JB4, its an american unit, people use them on N54s as well. Can't say I've ever been a fan of piggyback units but the JB4 appears to get good results and has quite a few functions on it.
There are some generic boxes from superchips and a company called TMC too that seems to do the job from evidence presented.
From what I've seen 400 is about right from a piggyback, there are other bits available. There is a Belgian guy who has an upgraded turbo, IC and various other bits, he's somewhere around 500hp & 500lb/ft and it goes like this: https://youtu.be/m4rGsFvOXT8 He uses it a on track a lot and by his latest videos to upset R8 owners
I've seen a few plots of stock cars on dynos in the 345-350 region. The endless debate about accuracy will now start! One of them was at surrey rolling road, which, from what I can gather is reckoned to be fairly good. Either way that car (actually a 235) made 348 stock, 391 with the TMC box. It seems the N54 also made power power than official figures too, so its not unprecedented.
First mod (imho) should be an LSD - pointless having more go if you can't get it down. Official BMW and aftermarket units available.
Interesting that rolling road reports show nearly 350 bhp but to be honest the last thing the 135 needs is yet more power as it is unruly enough as it is. I like to get the back out when it is planned but it happens far too often and at far too low throttle openings for my liking with the 135.
Esceptico said:
Interesting that rolling road reports show nearly 350 bhp but to be honest the last thing the 135 needs is yet more power as it is unruly enough as it is. I like to get the back out when it is planned but it happens far too often and at far too low throttle openings for my liking with the 135.
You can never have too much power plus the M140i will be coming out with more power as is. Andy Meads said:
I would be interested to know, however, whether the software update for the gearbox can be applied to the pre-facelift car. Does anybody know?
Andy
Not sure, but I read somewhere that you only get that transmission if you have pro media as it needs the gps unit.. how true that is I don't know.Andy
Sat Nav (the non pro media one) is standard equipment from September 2015 onward, list price will increase accordingly ( + £535 I believe).
Welshbeef said:
You can never have too much power plus the M140i will be coming out with more power as is.
hmm M140i has been rumoured for quite a long time now from what I've read but never any official sign of it. New 1 series (FWD!) is due 2018-ish so if an M140i ever appears it will be a "last hurrah" for the F20/21. A bit like the 1M coupes ?
Welshbeef said:
Esceptico said:
Interesting that rolling road reports show nearly 350 bhp but to be honest the last thing the 135 needs is yet more power as it is unruly enough as it is. I like to get the back out when it is planned but it happens far too often and at far too low throttle openings for my liking with the 135.
You can never have too much power plus the M140i will be coming out with more power as is. It doesn't need an LSD to go fast in a straight line past 2nd gear. ;-). The "can't have too much power" does make me laugh, particularly for road use.
Having said that, the Supersport massively help traction, which is surprisingly good on a smooth throttle. What's wrong with short shifting on the road ?
Having said that, the Supersport massively help traction, which is surprisingly good on a smooth throttle. What's wrong with short shifting on the road ?
nickfrog said:
The "can't have too much power" does make me laugh, particularly for road use.
I get where you are coming from but as with any car you always get used to the power and end up wanting more...well I always have, even when I had my Cerbera I got to a stage where I was used to it and I would have liked more so for me you cant ever have too much power.You don't always have chance to use all the power you have maybe but I would imagine if you have 500bhp plus its bloody good fun trying!!
Welshbeef said:
Esceptico said:
Interesting that rolling road reports show nearly 350 bhp but to be honest the last thing the 135 needs is yet more power as it is unruly enough as it is. I like to get the back out when it is planned but it happens far too often and at far too low throttle openings for my liking with the 135.
You can never have too much power plus the M140i will be coming out with more power as is. Esceptico said:
I don't know. A couple of weeks ago I bought a BMW S 1000 R. Trying to use full power is difficult because it accelerates so quickly it is actually quite scary. At least on the road. But it also doesn't seem to have any difficulty getting the power down (on dry roads at least). I'm not sure I would want more power. Although perhaps I just need to get used to it more. On the other hand I'm not sure I do want to get used to it because it is difficult enough already keeping my speed down.
Yes I guess. I remember my old C5 RS6 using max power in 3rd gear your nearly 120mph - using it all in 1st and 2nd was brutal .... Would I have wanted more at the time.
HELL YES. A bellowing turning into howling into screaming V8 smashing through the Rev range with such ferocity that I gives literally LOL situations as it pins you to the seat under max load.
I'd also say it's nice to know you've got plenty in reserve so when the time comes you've nothing to worry about
I quite like the fact the chassis isn't quite honed to perfection. Gives even more of an impression of a big engine in a humble car. If your getting near 9/10ths of the chassis ability on the road, your driving like a knob.
What you can do is pour the power on, feel the rear take some load ready for some adjustment and enjoy the straight 6 up the next straight. Try that in your golf
What you can do is pour the power on, feel the rear take some load ready for some adjustment and enjoy the straight 6 up the next straight. Try that in your golf
Edited by rallye666 on Sunday 3rd May 12:50
rallye666 said:
I quite like the fact the chassis isn't quite honed to perfection. Gives even more of an impression of a big engine in a humble car. If your getting near 9/10ths of the chassis ability on the road, your driving like a knob.
What you can do is pour the power on, feel the rear take some load ready for some adjustment and enjoy the straight 6 up the next straight. Try that in your golf
Well put. Be careful though, you're going to be accused of being a driving god by the 4wd pointandsquirters brigade just because you understand the basics of car dynamics What you can do is pour the power on, feel the rear take some load ready for some adjustment and enjoy the straight 6 up the next straight. Try that in your golf
.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff