M135i or GT86?

[rallycross]

I thought the GT86 was going to be a great car for me (I love things like the Integra Type R).
I was waiting till prices reached £10k before buying one, that was until I hired a GT86 for a week and did a lot of driving and was left very disappointed.

Nice chassis, great steering, loved the driving position but the lack of performance was the problem, and its a big problem, when I was in the mood I was driving it flat out using all the revs on country roads and its just way too slow.

It also makes a dreadful sound in the cabin - more like a hairdryer than a performance car I presume it had some kind of sound generator but as it was a hire car I didn't know how to turn it off.

I did enjoy having it for a week, but it just did not live up to what I was hoping for.

Its the right car for me just fitted with the wrong engine!

An M135 will be much more fun, quicker, better cabin, and most importantly will not frustrate the hell out of you will the lack of oomph.

[lilwashu]

Having decided to buy both of these cars until I drove them, I will give one word reviews:

M135i = Boring
GT86 = Slow

[JimbobVFR]

I can't help thinking a slightly older 130i and some simple mods would be somewhere in between the 2.

[rb5er]

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.

Genius. This is literally what so many BMW owners are like.

Good one, very funny.

[MarkRSi]

No pun intended, but I'd imagine the M135i and GT86 are quite different cars? M135i more refined, practical, faster, the GT86 a better steer, less practical, slower but rewards a good driver. Only test drove the GT86 but was left a bit cold by it, so went for something that has some of the best bits of both cars (although it's French and FWD so might not be to everyone's taste).

[aspen]

The boxer engine isn't particularly special but it's not too bad. I really struggle to understand what sort of driving people are doing to say the 86 is too slow. Too slow for what? Too slow compared to someone's diesel? Who cares? Where are all these road races taking place?!

[LankyLegoHead]

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.

This is exactly why I chose my GT86 over leasing a cheap M135i. The 1 series is mostly owned by the type that thinks they look "cool" driving a white BMW, showing off to the neighbours etc.

I do love my GT86, they have their downsides but if your'e really into being entertained at the wheel... its the one to plump for. I honestly have a smile on my face every time I take it out, even just commuting in it!

Funny thing is, most people who know cars have a 50/50 reaction to it. Love hate. But those who don't know cars that well, they ALWAYS compliment it. Odd really, because 99% of us wouldn't give a 1 series a second look!

[DoubleD]

You can't beat a good stereotype

[nickfrog]

LankyLegoHead 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.

This is exactly why I chose my GT86 over leasing a cheap M135i. The 1 series is mostly owned by the type that thinks they look "cool" driving a white BMW, showing off to the neighbours etc.

I do love my GT86, they have their downsides but if your'e really into being entertained at the wheel... its the one to plump for. I honestly have a smile on my face every time I take it out, even just commuting in it!

Funny thing is, most people who know cars have a 50/50 reaction to it. Love hate. But those who don't know cars that well, they ALWAYS compliment it. Odd really, because 99% of us wouldn't give a 1 series a second look!

Not sure what you mean by "us" : you seem to judge others by your own standards. Some people don't give a damn why the majority of people choose a M135i, white or otherwise. I choose a car for me irrespective of the alleged projected image that the car is used for (not that I think the 1-series is any worse than any other cars in that respect). Maybe I am not insecure and I can choose a car for its inherent merits and despite its image ? As for white, it was the only free colour as I can't see the car from the outside.
I loved the GT86 though : it would have been great with 200hp and without the chocolate brakes. I get more laps out of the M135i, which is quite unexpected if you believe in stereotypes...

[nickfrog]

OP. You need to extensively drive both cars and identify which suits your needs the best. They both have their own merits and weaknesses. But they might actually not be the ones that you expect...

[Vyse]

Like comparing a pineapple with an eggplant.

[neilf]

Hackney said:

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

+1

[DoubleD]

Or even an aubergine

[mikey k]

veevee said:

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.

My 135 has jut come out of warranty its had a new gear box, a new clutch and new steering rack
I won't be keeping it much longer

[TheInternet]

Hackney said:

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

Alas the wkers are putting them everywhere.

[Kawasicki]

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.

Yes, most people think BMW is a prestigious brand. Even their basic rep mobile is considered prestigious. And they sell very well, hence their market share is large.

People like prestige, it sells millions of cars.

Why is that hilarious?

[Kawasicki]

Oh, the cars.

Not bothered about obliterating speed limits? enjoy six cylinder refinement? Buy the BMW.

Slightly bothered about speed limits? want something a little more focused than a BMW? Buy the GT86.

[Artey]

Marvtec said:

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.

His BMW love isn't tongue in cheek, it's genuine. S Line Luxury was a pioneer and this guy is his second coming.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=874...

[Markbarry1977]

Or as I said in my original post.

Used Cayman S.

21k would probably get you into a gen 2 with dfi engine.

I guarantee it's a better car than either being considered and is a lot more practical than you would think.

[JockySteer]

TarpaTow said:

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 sad, sad comment.