M135i or GT86?
Discussion
TarpaTow said:
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.
Your neighbours will be totally impressed with the BM, none of them would know what the Toyota was.
Great troll! But, seriously...I found the standard M135i damping to be woeful, interior cheaply made and cramped amd it's pig ugly. Couldn't see what the fuss was about. Lovely engine, rubbish everything else.
Edited by Ali_T on Sunday 1st May 21:43
Does the GT86 really have "useable" back seats. If there anything like most cars of this type there good for about 20 mins comfortable use I'm thinking Audi TT, Porsche 911, rx7, Hyundai coupe. Yes they have back seats but there no good for more than 20 mins unless you have little people in your life. If that's the case buy the m135i, as he's considering the gt86 then I am assuming there is no real need to have 4 seats. In fact I find having two seats an advantage. People don't ask me to ferry them around everywhere (wife plus her friends after a night on the piss used to be a favourite at 3 in the morning).
So as a genuine alternative why not a Cayman S. It is one hell of a car.
So as a genuine alternative why not a Cayman S. It is one hell of a car.
It's interesting that in the first couple of pages in particular, the consensus is that people prefer the M135i but consider the GT86 as the better handling car.
Most people prefer accelerative performance, practicality and 'quality' to handling and tactile driving enjoyment. The two cars are clearly quite different and one of them is (generally) going to be strongly preferred to the other depending on your own preferences.
My choice would be the GT86 - more fun more of the time (unless, perhaps, you have to commute by car and it involves motorways).
There are good tuning options out there to make the GT86 genuinely quick. There are not good options out there to make a M135i 200kg lighter, to give it a centre of gravity of 18 inches or to give it the handling balance of a GT86.
Most people prefer accelerative performance, practicality and 'quality' to handling and tactile driving enjoyment. The two cars are clearly quite different and one of them is (generally) going to be strongly preferred to the other depending on your own preferences.
My choice would be the GT86 - more fun more of the time (unless, perhaps, you have to commute by car and it involves motorways).
There are good tuning options out there to make the GT86 genuinely quick. There are not good options out there to make a M135i 200kg lighter, to give it a centre of gravity of 18 inches or to give it the handling balance of a GT86.
A New GT86 will be with me in two weeks time, after 3 separate test drives. As some one already said the only car to compare with the GT86 is the MX5, that was also on my short list. A nice car, but just a bit too small in side with the roof up.
I can only say that the GT86 was a hoot too drive on a damp country lane, it's a rare sight on the road, in fact I've never seen one on the road, only in the showrooms. Yes, your BM's and Porsches will be faster, but running cost will be greater.
Having owned a few fast cars in my time, including a Caterham R400 a car I loved, but , it would have been only a matter of time before my licence got taken away.
So the GT86 is fun at sensible speeds, inexpensive to run and not owned by every Tom,Dick and Harry..........what's not to like.
You pay your money and make your own choice, I did.
I can only say that the GT86 was a hoot too drive on a damp country lane, it's a rare sight on the road, in fact I've never seen one on the road, only in the showrooms. Yes, your BM's and Porsches will be faster, but running cost will be greater.
Having owned a few fast cars in my time, including a Caterham R400 a car I loved, but , it would have been only a matter of time before my licence got taken away.
So the GT86 is fun at sensible speeds, inexpensive to run and not owned by every Tom,Dick and Harry..........what's not to like.
You pay your money and make your own choice, I did.
ian2144 said:
A New GT86 will be with me in two weeks time, after 3 separate test drives. As some one already said the only car to compare with the GT86 is the MX5, that was also on my short list. A nice car, but just a bit too small in side with the roof up.
I can only say that the GT86 was a hoot too drive on a damp country lane, it's a rare sight on the road, in fact I've never seen one on the road, only in the showrooms. Yes, your BM's and Porsches will be faster, but running cost will be greater.
Having owned a few fast cars in my time, including a Caterham R400 a car I loved, but , it would have been only a matter of time before my licence got taken away.
So the GT86 is fun at sensible speeds, inexpensive to run and not owned by every Tom,Dick and Harry..........what's not to like.
You pay your money and make your own choice, I did.
not surprising looking at your garage!I can only say that the GT86 was a hoot too drive on a damp country lane, it's a rare sight on the road, in fact I've never seen one on the road, only in the showrooms. Yes, your BM's and Porsches will be faster, but running cost will be greater.
Having owned a few fast cars in my time, including a Caterham R400 a car I loved, but , it would have been only a matter of time before my licence got taken away.
So the GT86 is fun at sensible speeds, inexpensive to run and not owned by every Tom,Dick and Harry..........what's not to like.
You pay your money and make your own choice, I did.
what does the Sunbeam weigh? 850?
CABC said:
ian2144 said:
A New GT86 will be with me in two weeks time, after 3 separate test drives. As some one already said the only car to compare with the GT86 is the MX5, that was also on my short list. A nice car, but just a bit too small in side with the roof up.
I can only say that the GT86 was a hoot too drive on a damp country lane, it's a rare sight on the road, in fact I've never seen one on the road, only in the showrooms. Yes, your BM's and Porsches will be faster, but running cost will be greater.
Having owned a few fast cars in my time, including a Caterham R400 a car I loved, but , it would have been only a matter of time before my licence got taken away.
So the GT86 is fun at sensible speeds, inexpensive to run and not owned by every Tom,Dick and Harry..........what's not to like.
You pay your money and make your own choice, I did.
not surprising looking at your garage!I can only say that the GT86 was a hoot too drive on a damp country lane, it's a rare sight on the road, in fact I've never seen one on the road, only in the showrooms. Yes, your BM's and Porsches will be faster, but running cost will be greater.
Having owned a few fast cars in my time, including a Caterham R400 a car I loved, but , it would have been only a matter of time before my licence got taken away.
So the GT86 is fun at sensible speeds, inexpensive to run and not owned by every Tom,Dick and Harry..........what's not to like.
You pay your money and make your own choice, I did.
what does the Sunbeam weigh? 850?
braddo said:
There are not good options out there to make a M135i 200kg lighter, to give it a centre of gravity of 18 inches or to give it the handling balance of a GT86.
True - it's was never intended as a low COG sports car, it's a shopping trolley after all, as many enjoy calling it.I stuck some M4 LCAs on mine for 2 deg of front neg camber and the handling balance is quite superb, what with most of the (heavy) engine behind the front axle. It turns in pretty well and is genuinely neutral, rare for a road car. It even added some (much needed) steering feel). The best £300 I have ever spent on a car.
Hackney said:
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.This is a comparison of the sound inside the car between real and artificial.
http://jalopnik.com/5973177/this-is-what-a-modern-...
Personally, having driven both, neither.
Having driven a brand new M135i and multiple Gt86 (both manual and auto) neither did it for me.
The BM seemed a little dull, and GT felt a little underwhelming.
I went for a Megane RS instead. Not a soothing on a long journey, and not as RWD, but as a drivers car, it's up among the best of them.
Having driven a brand new M135i and multiple Gt86 (both manual and auto) neither did it for me.
The BM seemed a little dull, and GT felt a little underwhelming.
I went for a Megane RS instead. Not a soothing on a long journey, and not as RWD, but as a drivers car, it's up among the best of them.
Parents have an M135i which I use from time to time - high-spec ex-demo car inc. the 8-speed auto box.
It is a great car in a lot of ways - stay out of the Sport modes and it is comfortable, economical, and feels like you could drive all day and get out still feeling fresh - but its not really that fun to drive IMO. It can cover ground rapidly, but there isn't much feedback. Found it wasn't very confidence inspiring in the wet either as you're really just going on faith that it'll grip.
I gave up trying to drive it quickly because it was just going to end in an accident or a driving ban - living in Somerset you rarely have the visibility along the road to take advantage of the grip and performance on offer. By contrast I'd get out it and in to my Fiesta Zetec-S and have a ball.
Its not just an issue of power either, driven Evora S' and Exige V6s in the past and they are great fun even at relatively sensible speeds.
It is a great car in a lot of ways - stay out of the Sport modes and it is comfortable, economical, and feels like you could drive all day and get out still feeling fresh - but its not really that fun to drive IMO. It can cover ground rapidly, but there isn't much feedback. Found it wasn't very confidence inspiring in the wet either as you're really just going on faith that it'll grip.
I gave up trying to drive it quickly because it was just going to end in an accident or a driving ban - living in Somerset you rarely have the visibility along the road to take advantage of the grip and performance on offer. By contrast I'd get out it and in to my Fiesta Zetec-S and have a ball.
Its not just an issue of power either, driven Evora S' and Exige V6s in the past and they are great fun even at relatively sensible speeds.
Blanchimont said:
Personally, having driven both, neither.
Having driven a brand new M135i and multiple Gt86 (both manual and auto) neither did it for me.
The BM seemed a little dull, and GT felt a little underwhelming.
I went for a Megane RS instead. Not a soothing on a long journey, and not as RWD, but as a drivers car, it's up among the best of them.
Exactly what I did Having driven a brand new M135i and multiple Gt86 (both manual and auto) neither did it for me.
The BM seemed a little dull, and GT felt a little underwhelming.
I went for a Megane RS instead. Not a soothing on a long journey, and not as RWD, but as a drivers car, it's up among the best of them.
Thorburn said:
Parents have an M135i which I use from time to time - high-spec ex-demo car inc. the 8-speed auto box.
It is a great car in a lot of ways - stay out of the Sport modes and it is comfortable, economical, and feels like you could drive all day and get out still feeling fresh - but its not really that fun to drive IMO. It can cover ground rapidly, but there isn't much feedback. Found it wasn't very confidence inspiring in the wet either as you're really just going on faith that it'll grip.
I gave up trying to drive it quickly because it was just going to end in an accident or a driving ban - living in Somerset you rarely have the visibility along the road to take advantage of the grip and performance on offer. By contrast I'd get out it and in to my Fiesta Zetec-S and have a ball.
Its not just an issue of power either, driven Evora S' and Exige V6s in the past and they are great fun even at relatively sensible speeds.
The manual with out the sports dampers active is much betterIt is a great car in a lot of ways - stay out of the Sport modes and it is comfortable, economical, and feels like you could drive all day and get out still feeling fresh - but its not really that fun to drive IMO. It can cover ground rapidly, but there isn't much feedback. Found it wasn't very confidence inspiring in the wet either as you're really just going on faith that it'll grip.
I gave up trying to drive it quickly because it was just going to end in an accident or a driving ban - living in Somerset you rarely have the visibility along the road to take advantage of the grip and performance on offer. By contrast I'd get out it and in to my Fiesta Zetec-S and have a ball.
Its not just an issue of power either, driven Evora S' and Exige V6s in the past and they are great fun even at relatively sensible speeds.
I've done 54k miles in mine
It is the one I pick in the wet out of my 3 cars (S2000 & 650S)
It's actually better than the wifes Forester IMHO
mikey k said:
The manual with out the sports dampers active is much better
I've done 54k miles in mine
It is the one I pick in the wet out of my 3 cars (S2000 & 650S)
It's actually better than the wifes Forester IMHO
Interesting, had an old Forester before chopping in for the Fiesta and that was slow, but phenomenal in slippy conditions.I've done 54k miles in mine
It is the one I pick in the wet out of my 3 cars (S2000 & 650S)
It's actually better than the wifes Forester IMHO
I'd like to try a manual one though, the auto is very slick but prefer manuals for fun.
Blanchimont said:
Personally, having driven both, neither.
Having driven a brand new M135i and multiple Gt86 (both manual and auto) neither did it for me.
The BM seemed a little dull, and GT felt a little underwhelming.
I went for a Megane RS instead. Not a soothing on a long journey, and not as RWD, but as a drivers car, it's up among the best of them.
I am switching to one of the last Megs too so you're not alone although a lot of my decision was down to how good the deal was and the increased track use... I guess the Megs is halfway between the two. It certainly oversteers more than the stock M135i...Having driven a brand new M135i and multiple Gt86 (both manual and auto) neither did it for me.
The BM seemed a little dull, and GT felt a little underwhelming.
I went for a Megane RS instead. Not a soothing on a long journey, and not as RWD, but as a drivers car, it's up among the best of them.
nickfrog said:
Blanchimont said:
Personally, having driven both, neither.
Having driven a brand new M135i and multiple Gt86 (both manual and auto) neither did it for me.
The BM seemed a little dull, and GT felt a little underwhelming.
I went for a Megane RS instead. Not a soothing on a long journey, and not as RWD, but as a drivers car, it's up among the best of them.
I am switching to one of the last Megs too so you're not alone although a lot of my decision was down to how good the deal was and the increased track use... I guess the Megs is halfway between the two. It certainly oversteers more than the stock M135i...Having driven a brand new M135i and multiple Gt86 (both manual and auto) neither did it for me.
The BM seemed a little dull, and GT felt a little underwhelming.
I went for a Megane RS instead. Not a soothing on a long journey, and not as RWD, but as a drivers car, it's up among the best of them.
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