BMW 135i Coupe (E82)
Discussion
After 4 years in a Smart Forfour Brabus ( https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=12... ) it was time for something new.
The Smart was growing tiresome as a daily, pretty unrefined, I had removed the A/C which didn't help matters. But I do have a soft spot for it, so haven't sold it, just not sure what it's fate is yet.
So the search was on for something newer. I have always loved the 1 Coupe shape, though am aware many don't! the 1M is one of my favourite cars, but my budget won't quite stretch to one of those..
I decided against an N54 powered 135i, I think it's a great engine, better than the N55 in many respects, but just don't want the thought of having to replace 2 turbos or potential the fuel pump woes hanging over my head.
So here she is, 2010 Space grey, 65k miles, few nice extra's Harmon Kardon speaker pack, IDrive with Nav, Xenon lights, Darkline rear lights, Carbon spoiler.
No immediate plans to change anything, other than ditching the run flat tyres, probably for some pilot supersports. Maybe fit some M3 LCA's, and bushing inserts, seems to be a common and inexpensive mod.
Thanks for looking
The Smart was growing tiresome as a daily, pretty unrefined, I had removed the A/C which didn't help matters. But I do have a soft spot for it, so haven't sold it, just not sure what it's fate is yet.
So the search was on for something newer. I have always loved the 1 Coupe shape, though am aware many don't! the 1M is one of my favourite cars, but my budget won't quite stretch to one of those..
I decided against an N54 powered 135i, I think it's a great engine, better than the N55 in many respects, but just don't want the thought of having to replace 2 turbos or potential the fuel pump woes hanging over my head.
So here she is, 2010 Space grey, 65k miles, few nice extra's Harmon Kardon speaker pack, IDrive with Nav, Xenon lights, Darkline rear lights, Carbon spoiler.
No immediate plans to change anything, other than ditching the run flat tyres, probably for some pilot supersports. Maybe fit some M3 LCA's, and bushing inserts, seems to be a common and inexpensive mod.
Thanks for looking
Edited by GregK2 on Monday 12th June 07:12
Edited by GregK2 on Saturday 8th July 12:04
Very nice 
I'd consider one of these as there is only myself and the Mrs these days as the kids have flown the nest.
I think one of these would tick all of our boxes.
She really likes the size and shape, and I think it would interest me enough for an early morning weekend drive.
I've never been in one so would be interested to know what it is like for a spirited drive and as a comfortable daily driver and long distance cruiser, would it tick all of those boxes?
I'd consider one of these as there is only myself and the Mrs these days as the kids have flown the nest.
I think one of these would tick all of our boxes.
She really likes the size and shape, and I think it would interest me enough for an early morning weekend drive.
I've never been in one so would be interested to know what it is like for a spirited drive and as a comfortable daily driver and long distance cruiser, would it tick all of those boxes?
Edited by chilistrucker on Sunday 11th June 22:08
Thanks for the comments all
chilistrucker said:
I've never been in one so would be interested to know what it is like for a spirited drive and as a comfortable daily driver and long distance cruiser, would it tick all of those boxes?
I've not had a chance to drive it too much yet, only picked it up yesterday but initial impressions are good for comfort (Even on runflat tyres). Pressing on through corners it does feel a bit soft, more body roll than I'd like, but the steering feel is really good.gtidriver said:
Nice colour combo op,Ive got a white 125i its a great car with a huge spec but it came with no bluetooth, non standard fitment and offen over looked, especially if pro nav ordered. Ill post my own topic soon. Looking to trade it for a 135i, must be simular spec though.
You should get a topic up, there's a lack of them in readers cars. Fortunately this one does have bluetooth fitted, you would expect it to be a standard item really.GregK2 said:
You should get a topic up, there's a lack of them in readers cars. Fortunately this one does have bluetooth fitted, you would expect it to be a standard item really.
Very few I've seen for sale have it. I paid about £500 I think for a retro fit. Works ok. Better than a s
tty parrot or 6pointsmoffat said:
Nice, I had two N54 135i's and I notice yours has the BMW M Performance SSK!
Some top mods to consider:
1. JB+ for the N54, easily gives 350+bhp
2. BMW M Performance Exhaust - easily the best mod that I did in mine, fecking epic!!!
Excellent cars!
The JB4 is certainly tempting, also looked at Cobb v3, which looks so easy to use.Some top mods to consider:
1. JB+ for the N54, easily gives 350+bhp
2. BMW M Performance Exhaust - easily the best mod that I did in mine, fecking epic!!!
Excellent cars!
Impressions after owning the car for a few weeks now, I absolutely love it! Really look forward to getting in it even for the most mundane of journeys like the morning commute.
It doesn't feel quite as fast as I know it is, probably due to the lack of any real turbo lag that i'm used to with other turbocharged cars i've driven, it just pulls in any gear at any speed it seems. Even just taking it up to the rev limit in 3rd and then glancing at the speedo confirms it's very quick, even in standard form, and could easily land you in trouble if not careful.
The handling is probably the weakest point, it grips well enough, just too much roll and doesn't really inspire you to want to throw it around too much. Some M3 LCA's and bush inserts along with an alignment and better tyres are definitely on the to-do list.
I spent some time on a mini "detail" session recently, just with some Auto Glym products I have had for a while but couldn't be bothered to use on other cars. So it had a good 2 bucket clean followed by Super Resin Polish (By hand i might add, which reminded me why I hadn't polished a car in forever)
And finally a few layers of Extra Gloss Protection, applied approx 24 hrs apart. Also touched up a few stone chips with a touch up paint that came with the car, using a toothpick which works surprisingly well.
My terrible camera phone and photo skills probably doesn't make it look any different, but it does look great, and the way it beads is something I haven't experienced before, spraying a quick detailer onto the panel, it just slides straight off!
(I promise to add pics of it somewhere other than my driveway soon!)
Edited by GregK2 on Saturday 8th July 12:27
MissChief said:
I do like these and would have considered one if my budget was higher last year. Yours looks fabulous!
Thanks very much mato said:
Very nice, had mine a month now, would recommend an mhd map, it has livened mine up.
I've looked into MHD briefly, it seems very well established for N54 motors but still fairly new for N55 if i'm right? You should get a readers cars topic made, would be interested to follow.
I really like these. I think the back-end is pretty spot on. The front is still a bit typical 1-Series but it's still an improvement over the hatchback.
I would probably go for one of these over the M135i aswell, for the same reasons that you have. Owning any BMW can be expensive so it can add more distress when you have a more complicated car and engine with more to potentially go wrong. I think i prefer the smaller dimensions too.
If you don't mine me asking, how much did you pay? I was looking at some a few years ago and they were going for around the 12k mark at the cheaper end but still in good condition. When i looked the other day, i'm sure they've shot up to around 14k with a decent spec.
I suppose this one with this engine is more of a rarity, similar to the 130i, i would assume.
I would probably go for one of these over the M135i aswell, for the same reasons that you have. Owning any BMW can be expensive so it can add more distress when you have a more complicated car and engine with more to potentially go wrong. I think i prefer the smaller dimensions too.
If you don't mine me asking, how much did you pay? I was looking at some a few years ago and they were going for around the 12k mark at the cheaper end but still in good condition. When i looked the other day, i'm sure they've shot up to around 14k with a decent spec.
I suppose this one with this engine is more of a rarity, similar to the 130i, i would assume.
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