135i Msport Coupe......Blimey!

[Pugsey]

Girlfriend's just got a new one - the convertible version. Must admit I MAY have refered to it as that 'nice little car you're getting' a few times in a slightly patronising manner before it arrived. Have to say having driven it it's utterly superb. Being a fair bit lighter than the old (E46) M3 and with 300+bhp it's damn near as fast, and the chassis is a peach. Being 'under wheeled and tyred' in comparison with it's older uncle means it's feels more agile and - dare I say it - more fun too. I'm not saying it would dust an old M3 but do take one seriously if you come up against one.

I know it's not a 'real' M car but thought it worth the post.

Actually, now I think about it, maybe a stripped out, lightened version WOULD be a real M car harking back to the days of the E30........................ In fact given the price of a basic spec Coupe maybe one make make an ideal basis for a project for a useable 'Ring raider I've been considering for a while. Hmm.....................

Edited by Pugsey on Saturday 3rd May 16:29

Edited by Pugsey on Saturday 3rd May 17:53

[trackdemon]

Pugsey said:

Girlfriend's just got a new one - the convertible version. Must admit I MAY have refered to it as that 'nice little car you're getting' a few times in a slightly patronising manner before it arrived. Have to say having driven it it's utterly superb. Being a fair bit lighter than the old (E46) M3 and with 300+bhp it's damn near as fast, and the chassis is a peach. Being 'under wheeled and tyred' in comparison with it's older uncle means it's feels more agile and - dare I say it - more fun too. I'm not saying it would dust an old M3 but do take one seriously if you come up against one.

I know it's not a 'real' M car but thought it worth the post.

Actually, now I think about it, maybe a stripped out, lightened version WOULD be a real M car harking back to the days of the E30........................ In fact given the price of a basic spec Coupe maybe one make make an ideal basis for project for a useable 'Ring raider I've been considering for a while. Hmm.....................

Edited by Pugsey on Saturday 3rd May 16:29

I did a good few miles in a 123d coupe a few weeks back - bl00dy good fun little car & terrific engine. Having sampled the *35i engine in a 335i coupe I can appreciate what a hoot they must be when pared. Love the looks too: quirky, practical & somehow a little bit cool.
BMW apparently are considering a Tii version with a high revving 4 pot, a modern day E30 M3..... lets hope so.

[naetype]

trackdemon said:

Pugsey said:

.......I know it's not a 'real' M car but thought it worth the post.

Actually, now I think about it, maybe a stripped out, lightened version WOULD be a real M car harking back to the days of the E30........................ In fact given the price of a basic spec Coupe maybe one make make an ideal basis for project for a useable 'Ring raider I've been considering for a while. Hmm.....................

...... Love the looks too: quirky, practical & somehow a little bit cool.
BMW apparently are considering a Tii version with a high revving 4 pot, a modern day E30 M3..... lets hope so.

Couldn't agree more. 1st BMW in a good few years I can get excited about. Stick a ///M engine in there and we've got an instant classic

[flattotheboards]

Pugsey said:

In fact given the price of a basic spec Coupe maybe one make make an ideal basis for a project for a useable 'Ring raider I've been considering for a while. Hmm.....................

Thats what Ricahrd Meaden was saying in EVO when he drove it a few months ago.

[mmm-five]

From BMW's figures, the 135i M-Sport Convertible is HEAVIER than the e46 M3 Coupe - although if you're talking about an equivalent M3 Convertible then yes it is a lardy beast

[Pugsey]

mmm-five said:

From BMW's figures, the 135i M-Sport Convertible is HEAVIER than the e46 M3 Coupe - although if you're talking about an equivalent M3 Convertible then yes it is a lardy beast

If you're right I stand corrected. Makes the overall feel of the car even more remarkable in that case.

My comments re the car being a stonky basis for a 'Ring weapon/whatever were based on the, presumably, lighter Coupe which I'll assume drives even better than the g/f's cab.

Edited by Pugsey on Sunday 4th May 15:18

[mmm-five]

Pugsey said:

mmm-five said:

From BMW's figures, the 135i M-Sport Convertible is HEAVIER than the e46 M3 Coupe - although if you're talking about an equivalent M3 Convertible then yes it is a lardy beast

If you're right I stand corrected. Makes the overall feel of the car even more remarkable in that case.

My comments re the car being a stonky basis for a 'Ring weapon/whatever were based on the, presumably, lighter Coupe which I'll assume drives even better than the g/f's cab.

Edited by Pugsey on Sunday 4th May 15:18

I agree, the coupe is probably 200kgs lighter than the convertible - just needs a more direct relationship between the throttle pedal & the engine - even half a second lag is too much.

[bmwdrivernigel]

This looks lush.......

[waremark]

That coupe in white looks great. Had anyone seen one in either of the reds? How does it look in red?

I was in my local showroom this pm, looking at a 1 convertible next to a 3 cab. I thought the 1 was the better looking car. And with a 135 convertible costing about the same as a 320 cab I certainly expect the 3's to lose sales to the 1's - especially considering Pugsey's comments on how well the 135 drives.

The M3 also looks great in white. I worry about keeping a white car looking good long term, and have ordered mine in red.

[Pugsey]

bmwdrivernigel said:

This looks lush.......

That's REALLY got me thinking about sorting one as a 'Ring weapon. Chuck away the intereor, lighten wherever possible, tighten up the suspension a little and tweak the brakes and you've got a car that will reliably and relatively comfortably get you from A to B AND handle the 'Ring. Probably no need to go chasing more power either.

[bmwdrivernigel]

waremark said:

That coupe in white looks great. Had anyone seen one in either of the reds? How does it look in red?

Dont think the red pulls it off.....it looks slightly better in the flesh but I think white or black are the colours that suit it. My brother is running a black with red interior and its excellent.

[Lensey]

My Mrs ordered a 123d M Sport in White last week, just had a call saying its going into build this week, can't wait for it to arrive, although she insists on me getting the wheels painted black before I'm allowed to drive it

[graeme36s]

My sister ran a 130iMsport for a while prior to her M3cab. I only drove the 1 a couple of times but it felt like an absolute gokart. There's very few road cars that I have jumped in and thought Mmmm you really can take the p*ss with this straight off and not worry, the 135i version must be awesome.
p.s. would have loved to have abused it around a circuit but absolutely no chance

[Olf]

Having seen a few on the road now I think they either need to be white, black or grey. The brighter colours really look odd especially from behind. It's a trick of the eye I know but the make the arse end look higher and a lot more korean.