M135i or GT86?

[kambites]

Blakewater said:

The BMW sound is artificial played through the radio speakers though.

It has to be said, the M135i is one of the better applications of that technology; probably because the engine itself is almost inaudible inside the car.

[grumbledoak]

Why does the GT86 get compared with such odd so-called "alternatives"? I didn't even consider a 1-series when I bought mine. Nor did I consider a French hot hatch. Or a Tonka toy, or a space hopper!

The GT86 is really quite a specific design brief. The only other car I seriously considered was a new MX-5, and I have had one of those.

Buy the BMW.

[Artey]

750turbo said:

TarpaTow said:

BM everytime.

I'd love to have a 135. They must be epic to drive and no little Japanese car could be anywhere near as good. You've also got German quality, something designed to be the Ultimate Driving Machine and a mega image.

Your neighbours will be totally impressed with the BM, none of them would know what the Toyota was. I used to have a 1 series and work colleagues couldn't believe how good it was and were totally impressed.

Geesus wept I have seen a few "comments" in here in my long tenure, this is just, "special".

His post is special, never driven one but it must be epic, German quality, Ultimate Driving Machine and a mega imagine. I genuinely thought it was an Audi we were discussing here.

[neilf]

Blakewater said:

neilf said:

Might be in a position to help...

We had a GT86 for 18mths. Then an M135i, now on M135i number two! 'Nuff said.

Joking aside they are both great cars. GT86 has the BMW licked as a good steer (great handling,direct steering) and the BMW is lifeless when it come to steering feel.

However, M135i has the GT86 beat in every other department. Performance and interior quality in another league compared to the Toyota.

Finally there's the sound. BMW sounds amazing at tick over, let alone when you put your foot down. GT86 had a reasonable growling note but nothing special.

Then again, this is just my opinion. Test drive them both and pick you're favourite. You won't be disappointed with either.

Let us know how you get on.

The BMW sound is artificial played through the radio speakers though.

Fair point. Still sounds good though. Even better on the outside...

[delta0]

TarpaTow said:

BM everytime.

I'd love to have a 135. They must be epic to drive and no little Japanese car could be anywhere near as good. You've also got German quality, something designed to be the Ultimate Driving Machine and a mega image.

Your neighbours will be totally impressed with the BM, none of them would know what the Toyota was. I used to have a 1 series and work colleagues couldn't believe how good it was and were totally impressed.

Really? The 1 series looks really budget inside and it's a hatchback! It is not an aspirational car to own.

[veevee]

750turbo said:

I posted up the issues I had on another thread, believe me, I was really disappointed as driving the car was superb!

From memory, the issues I had were: (Warranty mostly)

• Front wheel bearing

• Media unit

• Steering drop link issue

• Stupid price for pads & discs (Probably me being a tightarse)

• Rattle from OSF and OSR Suspension - I gave up at this point

Maybe not a lot for some people, for me, well, too much. (I bought a Honda FYI)

With the exception of the media unit these all sound pretty tame to be fair. I definitely don't drive round praying that one of my drop links doesn't have excess play in it, just because I don't have a warranty.

Discs and pads for modern cars are expensive to begin with, go to a main dealer and the prices are laughable. Buy and fit your own or go to a good indy.

[_Rich_]

driven the gt86, such A disappointing car for everyday use. it handles great but when i needed that extra power say for that overtake or that to drive quickly it totally disappointed.
okay i didn't get the 135 as at the time it was out of my price range, but went with a different bmw. personally i found everything about it better, from sound system to drivability.

ultimately its what you need from a car, for me it was a car that needed to get me to and from work, plus that extra for the weekends and cruise up and down the motor way in reasonable comfort, which i didn't feel the gt86 could offer.

[750turbo]

veevee said:

With the exception of the media unit these all sound pretty tame to be fair. I definitely don't drive round praying that one of my drop links doesn't have excess play in it, just because I don't have a warranty.

Discs and pads for modern cars are expensive to begin with, go to a main dealer and the prices are laughable. Buy and fit your own or go to a good indy.

Fairy nuff..

I will add that I am employed in and around the Retail side of the Trade, have been all my life.

For these to go wrong in the Warranty period worried me, then what do I know?

[DickP]

cat with a hat said:

I cant believe people think bmw is a prestigious brand. Their market share for basic rep mobiles is huuge. The 3 seres is one of the most comon cars on the road. Its nearly as hilarious as people thinking vw is a prestigious brand.

Agreed.

Having been in one of their rep-spec 116d examples just the other day I was woefully unimpressed. Likewise I like the current 330d and 8-speed auto combo, but it should feel good given the target audience vs the 1 series.

[Hackney]

delta0 said:

Really? The 1 series looks really budget inside and it's a hatchback! It is not an aspirational car to own.

[Hackney]

Blakewater said:

The BMW sound is artificial played through the radio speakers though.

I especially liked the speakers they put on the outside near the exhaust. They made a lovely sound.

[mike9009]

delta0 said:

TarpaTow said:

BM everytime.

I'd love to have a 135. They must be epic to drive and no little Japanese car could be anywhere near as good. You've also got German quality, something designed to be the Ultimate Driving Machine and a mega image.

Your neighbours will be totally impressed with the BM, none of them would know what the Toyota was. I used to have a 1 series and work colleagues couldn't believe how good it was and were totally impressed.

Really? The 1 series looks really budget inside and it's a hatchback! It is not an aspirational car to own.

I read the original quote as tongue firmly in cheek. (But maybe I am wrong?) How could someone really be that shallow and naïve. Waits eagerly for TarpaTow to return to confirm or deny.....

[likesachange]

Dare I say it the m135 will be no more expensive to run...

Not sure on MPG on gt86 but m135 is a marvel on a run!! Over 40mpg is easy to achieve and many have the service pack from new so includes the first 5 yrs servicing !

[powerstroke]

TarpaTow said:

BM everytime.

I'd love to have a 135. They must be epic to drive and no little Japanese car could be anywhere near as good. You've also got German quality, something designed to be the Ultimate Driving Machine and a mega image.

Your neighbours will be totally impressed with the BM, none of them would know what the Toyota was. I used to have a 1 series and work colleagues couldn't believe how good it was and were totally impressed.

Yes a no brainer !!! what colour?? white or black ?

[CABC]

_Rich_ said:

driven the gt86, such A disappointing car for everyday use. it handles great but when i needed that extra power say for that overtake or that to drive quickly it totally disappointed.
okay i didn't get the 135 as at the time it was out of my price range, but went with a different bmw. personally i found everything about it better, from sound system to drivability.

ultimately its what you need from a car, for me it was a car that needed to get me to and from work, plus that extra for the weekends and cruise up and down the motor way in reasonable comfort, which i didn't feel the gt86 could offer.

this is at least a considered view in the context of what you want from a car. The 86 is not a great daily, nor is it a performance car. As someone said earlier, it had a narrow and focused design brief. At that it excels.

[kambites]

CABC said:

this is at least a considered view in the context of what you want from a car. The 86 is not a great daily, nor is it a performance car. As someone said earlier, it had a narrow and focused design brief. At that it excels.

Except for the steering which really should have been hydraulically assisted in a car with that design brief, IMO. It's not bad as EPAS systems go (certainly better than the BMW's system) but it's still pretty numb.

[Rjbell]

TarpaTow said:

BM everytime.

I'd love to have a 135. They must be epic to drive and no little Japanese car could be anywhere near as good. You've also got German quality, something designed to be the Ultimate Driving Machine and a mega image.

Your neighbours will be totally impressed with the BM, none of them would know what the Toyota was. I used to have a 1 series and work colleagues couldn't believe how good it was and were totally impressed.

What a load of bks and the exact comment I would expect from from a German car snob. It's only you guys that give a fk what the neighbours think.


Update:
I've read it again and I'm pretty sure he's taking the piss and I've fell for it

Edited by Rjbell on Sunday 1st May 11:31

[bitwrx]

Rjbell said:

TarpaTow said:

BM everytime.

I'd love to have a 135. They must be epic to drive and no little Japanese car could be anywhere near as good. You've also got German quality, something designed to be the Ultimate Driving Machine and a mega image.

Your neighbours will be totally impressed with the BM, none of them would know what the Toyota was. I used to have a 1 series and work colleagues couldn't believe how good it was and were totally impressed.

What a load of bks and the exact comment I would expect from from a German car snob. It's only you guys that give a fk what the neighbours think.


Update:
I've read it again and I'm pretty sure he's taking the piss and I've fell for it

Edited by Rjbell on Sunday 1st May 11:31

You and half of PH it seems. Some serious whoosh parrots required on this thread.

[aspen]

I own a GT86 and have driven the M135i. They are very different cars. I use mine every day and love it. It's not the most practical car but I can get a mountain bike in with the back seats down. It's much more involving to drive than the BMW and it feels fun to drive at any speed. I found the BMW too comfortable! It didn't encourage me to use the power because it feels so refined. I think I'd barely use the extra power it has where I can redline the GT86 regularly. It's not perfect but it's the better drivers car by a long shot. I've had mine for over 3 years now and there is nothing else I want in its place. Other than a Cayman/ boxster there is nothing I even fancy. The Porsches have much less practicality though and the running costs are much higher. The latest range of hot hatches don't interest me.

[Marvtec]

bitwrx said:

Rjbell said:

TarpaTow said:

BM everytime.

I'd love to have a 135. They must be epic to drive and no little Japanese car could be anywhere near as good. You've also got German quality, something designed to be the Ultimate Driving Machine and a mega image.

Your neighbours will be totally impressed with the BM, none of them would know what the Toyota was. I used to have a 1 series and work colleagues couldn't believe how good it was and were totally impressed.

What a load of bks and the exact comment I would expect from from a German car snob. It's only you guys that give a fk what the neighbours think.


Update:
I've read it again and I'm pretty sure he's taking the piss and I've fell for it

Edited by Rjbell on Sunday 1st May 11:31

You and half of PH it seems. Some serious whoosh parrots required on this thread.

There are a lot of people who think exactly this way, although I would hope not so many on PH.

Some people are genuinely impressed if a car has an Audi badge, even if its a 10yr old A3 diesel.