Are LCI M-lites (M135i/M235i) worth extra money over a 7R?
Discussion
Thought I had made up my mind with a 7R, but I keep watching M-lite videos and keep getting drawn back into looking at a M135i!
For the same money, I'd choose the LCI M135i everyday. However, 7R's (and S3's) in Australia start at a significantly cheaper price point ($8k AUD) compared to the LCI M135i, and then for only a few grand more, I could be looking at M140i's. It also seems that M-lite coupes have not held their value as well compared to the M-lite hatches over here; there was a massive price gap when new, which has now almost disappeared as the M135/M140 becomes somewhat of a cult car, and because of this, am considering the coupe, even though i would need to compromise on rear seats!
I would look at the pre LCI models, but they are too ugly for my liking!
My plan is to modify the car over time, so that needs to be considered into the equation as well.
Should I stretch for an M-lite, or save some money and get a 7R/S3?
For the same money, I'd choose the LCI M135i everyday. However, 7R's (and S3's) in Australia start at a significantly cheaper price point ($8k AUD) compared to the LCI M135i, and then for only a few grand more, I could be looking at M140i's. It also seems that M-lite coupes have not held their value as well compared to the M-lite hatches over here; there was a massive price gap when new, which has now almost disappeared as the M135/M140 becomes somewhat of a cult car, and because of this, am considering the coupe, even though i would need to compromise on rear seats!
I would look at the pre LCI models, but they are too ugly for my liking!
My plan is to modify the car over time, so that needs to be considered into the equation as well.
Should I stretch for an M-lite, or save some money and get a 7R/S3?
I had a preLCI M135i and a Mk7R. I kept the golf for 2 years and actually missed it when it went. I got rid of the M135i after a year and was glad to see it go. The engine was great but it's quite muted and still uses fake piped in sounds so it'scust not enough of a trump card for me. The big weakness is that the steering and overall chassis composure of the BMW is awful. You can probably improve the chassis with springs, dampers, bushes and M4 LCAs but I don't believe anything would fix how crap and numb the steering is in that thing.
Given you're happy to tune, I'd definitely go with the M130/M140. The engines have loads of headroom, with a basic remap putting them over 400bhp. Get some better suspension components to fix the allegedly terrible handling (opinions on his vary wildly depending on who you speak to - to the point that they're almost hard to believe. It's not like BMW are known for poor handling cars).
Then you'd have a nice handling RWD car with 400+bhp.
No way in hell I'd take a hot hatch over that
Then you'd have a nice handling RWD car with 400+bhp.
No way in hell I'd take a hot hatch over that
Ok, so now that lockdowns are ending in Australia and the place is opening up, I'm now actively looking at buying.
I test drove a stage 1 7R a while back and loved it. I also like the fact I can retrofit the radio and digital dash from the 7.5 without much hassle.
How different is the M135 LCI compared to the pre-LCI? I may have a chance to test drive a pre LCI one soon.
I test drove a stage 1 7R a while back and loved it. I also like the fact I can retrofit the radio and digital dash from the 7.5 without much hassle.
How different is the M135 LCI compared to the pre-LCI? I may have a chance to test drive a pre LCI one soon.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff