Discussion
I have a sunroof in my 335i, can't say I noticed a lack of headroom compared to others I tested, but don't wear a helmet. Probably should the way I drive 
I have it on tilt a lot, that does compensate in my opinion for the inability to open back windows, I liked their tilt option on E46 which allowed some fresh air in on winter days.
The Hampshire manual car has a decent spec. I drove all three transmissions on 335i before I bought as I think that's best to be sure. I did not get on with step auto, manual was my favourite but as I said before only by a narrow margin as the DCT does suit the car. But I drive always in manual mode.
On the AU list of 335i's there's a DCT in Farnborough that is apparently only 20 miles away from Hampshire dealer. To be honest if you are going to spend 19k, and are curious enough about DCT I'd travel to try it. It's worth half a day before such a big investment.
I have it on tilt a lot, that does compensate in my opinion for the inability to open back windows, I liked their tilt option on E46 which allowed some fresh air in on winter days.
The Hampshire manual car has a decent spec. I drove all three transmissions on 335i before I bought as I think that's best to be sure. I did not get on with step auto, manual was my favourite but as I said before only by a narrow margin as the DCT does suit the car. But I drive always in manual mode.
On the AU list of 335i's there's a DCT in Farnborough that is apparently only 20 miles away from Hampshire dealer. To be honest if you are going to spend 19k, and are curious enough about DCT I'd travel to try it. It's worth half a day before such a big investment.
mikeyscott said:
Not a bad shout re DCT drive re 335i
Someone offered to take out in a M3 DCT, but can't see much comparison. Great offer though!
I'm not sure what being a passenger would achieve, take the offer though to hear that v8 Someone offered to take out in a M3 DCT, but can't see much comparison. Great offer though!
I drove DCT M3 b2b with a M135i with ZF 8 speed and DCT does feel very different, to normal auto, as I said in my review more like a racing driver was doing the changes for me.
That's how sport mode (lever to the left) with sport button pressed feels in 335i DCT so there is some comparison, but much better you drive a 135i DCT or the 335i DCT if nearer.
Manual mode is my preference in DCT. You change very quickly, sequentially, you can use paddles if you want, I use them always on very twisty b roads to keep hands on wheel, and it still allows the 'kick down' facility when you want a real serious boost of power, just press your foot down harder
Smuler said:
mikeyscott said:
Not a bad shout re DCT drive re 335i
Someone offered to take out in a M3 DCT, but can't see much comparison. Great offer though!
I'm not sure what being a passenger would achieve, take the offer though to hear that v8 Someone offered to take out in a M3 DCT, but can't see much comparison. Great offer though!
I drove DCT M3 b2b with a M135i with ZF 8 speed and DCT does feel very different, to normal auto, as I said in my review more like a racing driver was doing the changes for me.
That's how sport mode (lever to the left) with sport button pressed feels in 335i DCT so there is some comparison, but much better you drive a 135i DCT or the 335i DCT if nearer.
Manual mode is my preference in DCT. You change very quickly, sequentially, you can use paddles if you want, I use them always on very twisty b roads to keep hands on wheel, and it still allows the 'kick down' facility when you want a real serious boost of power, just press your foot down harder
Still agree 335i DCT a much better comparison.
"I use them always on very twisty b roads to keep hands on wheel, and it still allows the 'kick down' facility when you want a real serious boost of power, just press your foot down harder"
For me the best bit as I do like the both hands on the wheel aspect lol
Edited by mikeyscott on Friday 23 October 12:53
mikeyscott said:
Smuler said:
So next week's thread will be M3 viewing
M3 running costs are terrifying compared to 135/335i But, once you'd factored in the running costs given I was doing 75 miles per day on my commute, choosing the 135i was a no brainer really (plus the fact I actually preferred the 135i
)aeropilot said:
mikeyscott said:
Smuler said:
So next week's thread will be M3 viewing
M3 running costs are terrifying compared to 135/335i But, once you'd factored in the running costs given I was doing 75 miles per day on my commute, choosing the 135i was a no brainer really (plus the fact I actually preferred the 135i
)Smuler said:
What did you prefer about the 135i?
It simply made me smile and reminded me of my youth owning cars like RS2000’s, Sunbeam Ti and Sunbeam-Lotus…..and very few modern cars since those have given me that feeling again.The M3 while hugely impressive in so many ways, was just simply more than I really needed as a daily driver and having already had 10 years of owing turbo engine cars as daily’s, I simply preferred the N55 engine as a daily driving tool.....more discreet as well than the M3 given I sometimes have to park in some less desirable areas of London.
I had been waiting on the release of the 1M as that was going to tick every box it seemed, but as soon as it was officially announced it was 6MT only, I went back to the 135i, as living in London and having a dodgy left shoulder for a number of years, a manual as a daily is unfortunately not an option for me now.
aeropilot said:
Smuler said:
What did you prefer about the 135i?
It simply made me smile and reminded me of my youth owning cars like RS2000’s, Sunbeam Ti and Sunbeam-Lotus…..and very few modern cars since those have given me that feeling again.The M3 while hugely impressive in so many ways, was just simply more than I really needed as a daily driver and having already had 10 years of owing turbo engine cars as daily’s, I simply preferred the N55 engine as a daily driving tool.....more discreet as well than the M3 given I sometimes have to park in some less desirable areas of London.
I had been waiting on the release of the 1M as that was going to tick every box it seemed, but as soon as it was officially announced it was 6MT only, I went back to the 135i, as living in London and having a dodgy left shoulder for a number of years, a manual as a daily is unfortunately not an option for me now.
Chap I knew did his sell his M3 for similar reasons and went to the two car balance of a runabout for daily driving and a weekend sports car. M3 got vandalised, he was always being raced and he did feel that often it was more than he needed for a daily and he was putting himself under pressure to go faster than he could really enjoy on a 9-5 commute through traffic.
Smuler said:
aeropilot said:
Smuler said:
What did you prefer about the 135i?
It simply made me smile and reminded me of my youth owning cars like RS2000’s, Sunbeam Ti and Sunbeam-Lotus…..and very few modern cars since those have given me that feeling again.The M3 while hugely impressive in so many ways, was just simply more than I really needed as a daily driver and having already had 10 years of owing turbo engine cars as daily’s, I simply preferred the N55 engine as a daily driving tool.....more discreet as well than the M3 given I sometimes have to park in some less desirable areas of London.
I had been waiting on the release of the 1M as that was going to tick every box it seemed, but as soon as it was officially announced it was 6MT only, I went back to the 135i, as living in London and having a dodgy left shoulder for a number of years, a manual as a daily is unfortunately not an option for me now.
Chap I knew did his sell his M3 for similar reasons and went to the two car balance of a runabout for daily driving and a weekend sports car.
18 months on, and further annoying medical reasons have forced me to give riding motorbikes now, so once the bike is sold, the plan is to replace that with a silly, old and fun weekend toy (that won't really depreciate) and keep the 135i for a good few more years before replacing it with something comfy and barge-like.
P
You loose a bit of headroom with the sunroof......which is a problem if you want to do a track day, as your helmet will be wedged into the roof. Before I ended up buying new, I was looking originally at getting a used 135i 4/5 years ago, and spent nearly 9 months looking as wanted a few specific options, which was proving difficult. Found one that ticked all the boxes, but had a sunroof. I went to dealer for a test drive, and just in case I took my crash helmet with me to check - young salesman thought I was crackers when asking to try car wearing a crash lid 
Helmet was wedged into roof with reduced headroom from sunroof, so that was a no-no. Shame, as it was a nice DCT car in white with red interior....and lots of options.
I have worn a crash helmet in mine with no issues but I see what you mean. This is exactly why I did not want a car with electric seats because I had seen many complaints that the motors make the seats higher, and people moan that they felt too high in the car! Manual seats go very low. Makes up the lost headroom I guess.
Also depends how tall you are.
aeropilot said:
mikeyscott said:
Liamst said:
Good choice I have a le mans blue 08 135i coupe so with N54 Engine,
I only wanted n54 though as I always intended to modify, not much just the basic "what everyone does" stuff but it is a monster for such a little car!
Walks v8 m3 and the like.
I managed to get one with Nav, heated leather, sunroof (love this), and logic 7 speakers etc, annoyingly though my job has gone from meaning i do about 400 miles a month to sometimes 500 a week! so its racking up quickly going to get a second car in the new year, although I have averaged 29mpg over the last few thousand and thats a mix of commute and fun.
Prices don't seem to be moving much either which is good. And its rare I find not many people know what it is. Maybe it should be included in the sleeper thread?
Sunroof would be v nice, summer + straight 6I only wanted n54 though as I always intended to modify, not much just the basic "what everyone does" stuff but it is a monster for such a little car!
Walks v8 m3 and the like.
I managed to get one with Nav, heated leather, sunroof (love this), and logic 7 speakers etc, annoyingly though my job has gone from meaning i do about 400 miles a month to sometimes 500 a week! so its racking up quickly going to get a second car in the new year, although I have averaged 29mpg over the last few thousand and thats a mix of commute and fun.
Prices don't seem to be moving much either which is good. And its rare I find not many people know what it is. Maybe it should be included in the sleeper thread?
Helmet was wedged into roof with reduced headroom from sunroof, so that was a no-no. Shame, as it was a nice DCT car in white with red interior....and lots of options.
Edited by aeropilot on Friday 23 October 00:19
I have worn a crash helmet in mine with no issues but I see what you mean. This is exactly why I did not want a car with electric seats because I had seen many complaints that the motors make the seats higher, and people moan that they felt too high in the car! Manual seats go very low. Makes up the lost headroom I guess.
Also depends how tall you are.
Liamst said:
P
You loose a bit of headroom with the sunroof......which is a problem if you want to do a track day, as your helmet will be wedged into the roof. Before I ended up buying new, I was looking originally at getting a used 135i 4/5 years ago, and spent nearly 9 months looking as wanted a few specific options, which was proving difficult. Found one that ticked all the boxes, but had a sunroof. I went to dealer for a test drive, and just in case I took my crash helmet with me to check - young salesman thought I was crackers when asking to try car wearing a crash lid
Helmet was wedged into roof with reduced headroom from sunroof, so that was a no-no. Shame, as it was a nice DCT car in white with red interior....and lots of options.
I have worn a crash helmet in mine with no issues but I see what you mean. This is exactly why I did not want a car with electric seats because I had seen many complaints that the motors make the seats higher, and people moan that they felt too high in the car! Manual seats go very low. Makes up the lost headroom I guess.
Also depends how tall you are.
Looking at a 2010 private alpine white too now, fully loaded inc sunroof etc. 28k on clock, Nov 2010 - £18k, but needs to be put on extended warranty aeropilot said:
mikeyscott said:
Liamst said:
Good choice I have a le mans blue 08 135i coupe so with N54 Engine,
I only wanted n54 though as I always intended to modify, not much just the basic "what everyone does" stuff but it is a monster for such a little car!
Walks v8 m3 and the like.
I managed to get one with Nav, heated leather, sunroof (love this), and logic 7 speakers etc, annoyingly though my job has gone from meaning i do about 400 miles a month to sometimes 500 a week! so its racking up quickly going to get a second car in the new year, although I have averaged 29mpg over the last few thousand and thats a mix of commute and fun.
Prices don't seem to be moving much either which is good. And its rare I find not many people know what it is. Maybe it should be included in the sleeper thread?
Sunroof would be v nice, summer + straight 6I only wanted n54 though as I always intended to modify, not much just the basic "what everyone does" stuff but it is a monster for such a little car!
Walks v8 m3 and the like.
I managed to get one with Nav, heated leather, sunroof (love this), and logic 7 speakers etc, annoyingly though my job has gone from meaning i do about 400 miles a month to sometimes 500 a week! so its racking up quickly going to get a second car in the new year, although I have averaged 29mpg over the last few thousand and thats a mix of commute and fun.
Prices don't seem to be moving much either which is good. And its rare I find not many people know what it is. Maybe it should be included in the sleeper thread?
Helmet was wedged into roof with reduced headroom from sunroof, so that was a no-no. Shame, as it was a nice DCT car in white with red interior....and lots of options.
Edited by aeropilot on Friday 23 October 00:19
I have worn a crash helmet in mine with no issues but I see what you mean. This is exactly why I did not want a car with electric seats because I had seen many complaints that the motors make the seats higher, and people moan that they felt too high in the car! Manual seats go very low. Makes up the lost headroom I guess.
Also depends how tall you are.
gizlaroc said:
No, that was using coast2coastcars to source the car and then Lombard to fund, at 4.9% apr.
Didn't ask BMW for a quote, but can't imagine it would be far out, Lombard get their residuals from BMW anyway I would suspect.
I think I said I was doing 10k miles per annum, would do 15k easily, but I wouldn't be worried about a 4 year old 340i M-Sport Touring with 60k miles getting £19k.
Have you got a link to 4.9% from Lombard as I cant find it? Is it pcp?Didn't ask BMW for a quote, but can't imagine it would be far out, Lombard get their residuals from BMW anyway I would suspect.
I think I said I was doing 10k miles per annum, would do 15k easily, but I wouldn't be worried about a 4 year old 340i M-Sport Touring with 60k miles getting £19k.
I am just about to order via BMW at 5.9 so if 4.9% is out there I would like to check it out.
Thanks in advance.
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