130i vs 135i

[Sticks2]

RacingTeatray said:

but something with more than a two usable seats and a half-decent boot is what I want. A 135i looks ideal size-wise.

Fairy nuff, but do try sitting in the back, it's not big at all. My friend's son is 12 and found it cramped.

[RacingTeatray]

I did sit in the back and thought it was fine. Not exactly spacious but fine and I'm 5ft10 so it should be ok for most people.

Besides, passengers should be grateful for the lift!

[Sticks2]

RacingTeatray said:

I did sit in the back and thought it was fine. Not exactly spacious but fine and I'm 5ft10 so it should be ok for most people.

Besides, passengers should be grateful for the lift!

Especially in a BMW

[JNW1]

Apologies if I've missed this somewhere in the thread but if 2 doors are ok why not go for a 335i coupe? You'll get a very good second-hand one for £30k and, whilst looks are obviously a matter of taste, to me the E92 knocks spots off the 1 series (be that a 3 or 5 door 130 or a 135 coupe!).

[moff135]

JNW1 said:

NoelWatson said:

JNW1 said:

NoelWatson said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Don't think you can get a 270 version in any 1 series. Think it is the N52 rather than the DI N53

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_N52

This is probably a daft question but why on earth do BMW make several versions of the same engine? The differences between them appear small so from their own manufacturing point of view wouldn't it be more cost effective to make just the one version and have done? Customers would also benefit as they'd then get the latest technology regardless of the model they choose to buy!

I can only guess that they can only produce a certain number of a type of engine so the newer models tend to get that. I wonder if the DI engines cost more to produce?

I'm sure there's a good reason but I just can't think what it is! I would have thought that keeping variety to a minimum would have been the lowest cost option for BMW and I can't think of many other manufacturers (if any) who continue to produce several derivatives of what is essentially the same engine. Mind, now I've said that there'll probably be loads of posts listing all the companies that do exactly the same as BMW.....!!

Most manufacturers use the same engine, but with different tunes or guises.

Audi / VW / Seat / Skoda all use the 2.0TFSI engine in different tunes with some larger turbos etc.

BMW will use the N52 with different tunes to capitalise on different price scales e.g. 325i, 330i etc.

I considered the 3.2 TT prior to my 135i, but the TT is way over priced in comparison and no-where near as quick (247bhp versus 302bhp).

The 135i also has much better mpg.

I think the TT is a much better looking car though.

I do like the Haldex system, but Audi needed to make it rear biased like the new RS TT and the RS4.

The new RS TT will be £45k for 335bhp (IIRC).

You can get a new 135i for £30k plus £500 remap taking it to 380bhp.

No doubt you can remap the RS TT to a similar level (or more), but £45k is a lorra cash!

[RacingTeatray]

JNW1 said:

Apologies if I've missed this somewhere in the thread but if 2 doors are ok why not go for a 335i coupe? You'll get a very good second-hand one for £30k and, whilst looks are obviously a matter of taste, to me the E92 knocks spots off the 1 series (be that a 3 or 5 door 130 or a 135 coupe!).

Well, I testdrove a 335i coupe and found it brilliantly competent but curiously soulless. Plus I'm not mad on the looks or the image of the E92, which (however irrationally) I've decided is irretrievably "Stepford Wives". The 135i is much more quirky and therefore somehow way more appealing.

Obviously, an M3 4dr would be lovely but in another league in terms of purchase price and running costs.

[RacingTeatray]

Well, decision made - one 135i duly ordered.

Sytner Canary Wharf came back with an all-in on-the-road price of £31,295, which is approx 12% discount on the list price with my chosen options.

So: BMW 135i MSport Coupe (manual) in Monaco Blue Metallic (very dark blue) with Terra Leather (chocolate brown colour).

Options of: Professional Sat-Nav, Telephone Preparation, Voice Control, BMW Connect Telematics, Xenon headlamps, Headlamp washers, Heated Seats, Cruise Control, HiFi Speaker system, Graduated Tint Windscreen, USB/iPod dock, Dark Grey Poplar Wood trim

Delivery start of March on new "09" plate (available sooner but don't want it until then).

Thanks for all your help and advice.

[NoelWatson]

RacingTeatray said:

Well, decision made - one 135i duly ordered.

Sytner Canary Wharf came back with an all-in on-the-road price of £31,295, which is approx 12% discount on the list price with my chosen options.

So: BMW 135i MSport Coupe (manual) in Monaco Blue Metallic (very dark blue) with Terra Leather (chocolate brown colour).

Options of: Professional Sat-Nav, Telephone Preparation, Voice Control, BMW Connect Telematics, Xenon headlamps, Headlamp washers, Heated Seats, Cruise Control, HiFi Speaker system, Graduated Tint Windscreen, USB/iPod dock, Dark Grey Poplar Wood trim

Delivery start of March on new "09" plate (available sooner but don't want it until then).

Thanks for all your help and advice.

Good discount! We got 7% off earlier in the year. I had Sytner Canary Wharf bidding, but my local offered me the 7% and I didn't think I could do much better.

[RacingTeatray]

I was pleased enough with it - no point in being a lawyer if I can't put my years of negotiating expereience to my own benefit from time to time! Plus, the market heavily favours the buyer at the moment. Judging how thrilled the dealer seemed to clinch the deal, I'd say new BMW sales are v. thin on the ground at the moment.

[moff135]

Great choice!!

You are going to love it!

Had mine for 6 months now and the love affair is still strong

Even stronger with the SSTT which blows my mind.

[playerone]

RacingTeatray said:

Well, decision made - one 135i duly ordered.

Sytner Canary Wharf came back with an all-in on-the-road price of £31,295, which is approx 12% discount on the list price with my chosen options.

So: BMW 135i MSport Coupe (manual) in Monaco Blue Metallic (very dark blue) with Terra Leather (chocolate brown colour).

Options of: Professional Sat-Nav, Telephone Preparation, Voice Control, BMW Connect Telematics, Xenon headlamps, Headlamp washers, Heated Seats, Cruise Control, HiFi Speaker system, Graduated Tint Windscreen, USB/iPod dock, Dark Grey Poplar Wood trim

Delivery start of March on new "09" plate (available sooner but don't want it until then).

Thanks for all your help and advice.

If you can mate get the Logic7 over the hifi speaker system. The hifi only improves the bass slightly but not the actual quality. The Logic7 is a huge step up.

[ghibbett]

Flat6 said:

Thoughts of the 135i here http://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&am... from a 130i owner.

Ah ha, seeing my old write up again!
Seeing that the OP has now ordered a 135i (I've just seen this thread), I'm sure he'll be happy with it. However I would certainly recommend a back-to-back test drive to be 100% sure. I had my heart set on replacing my 130i with a 135i, until I drove one...

[RacingTeatray]

I did very much like the 130i to drive, but I don't like the looks as much the coupe, so in the end it was a coupe vs hatch decision, rather than engine vs engine decision. I figure that the 135i can only also be excellent to drive.