F21 M135i, lairy enough for me?
Discussion
Hi all, I'm in looking for a weekend car. I've always been a fan of (phrase popular last time i was on PH), a dab of oppo. And i love a flappy paddle gearbox that feels exciting every time you change gear. I've been mulling over E92 M3's but I can't stomach that they've gone up in price by 5k, and i worry that in a true M car, you can't really enjoy yourself unless at prison speeds.
I probably should just buy a GT86 on those eco tyres, but i really don't want that miserable engine, I'd rather it be an EV.
So for the 4th or 5th time in my car searching, I land back on the M135i, which I will then have to fit an LSD to. But I'm looking for people with experience a short test drive cant give me. My question is, are they fun? Can it be the fake rally car i want it to be, would I regret not buying the M3, or is the smaller, better gearboxed, better sounding than modern M products F21 the fun car i want?
Thanks in advance!
I probably should just buy a GT86 on those eco tyres, but i really don't want that miserable engine, I'd rather it be an EV.
So for the 4th or 5th time in my car searching, I land back on the M135i, which I will then have to fit an LSD to. But I'm looking for people with experience a short test drive cant give me. My question is, are they fun? Can it be the fake rally car i want it to be, would I regret not buying the M3, or is the smaller, better gearboxed, better sounding than modern M products F21 the fun car i want?
Thanks in advance!
I think, with some modifications, it could get you there.
The LSD would be necessary as you say.
The suspension is the next bit - it's ok but a bit frustrating at times as the rear isn't well damped as standard - so some bilsteins etc would be sensible.
The ZF8 is a great gearbox but not that exciting as standard. An xHP stage 3 remap goes a long way to fixing that.
The final thing I think would be more power. As standard with an LSD I'd say it might need a tad more grunt for power oversteer, unless it's wet or you are crazy enough to give some relatively serious provocation on the road to get it sideways. 400 bhp is an easy remap away and that should give you enough to break traction at the rear.
The LSD would be necessary as you say.
The suspension is the next bit - it's ok but a bit frustrating at times as the rear isn't well damped as standard - so some bilsteins etc would be sensible.
The ZF8 is a great gearbox but not that exciting as standard. An xHP stage 3 remap goes a long way to fixing that.
The final thing I think would be more power. As standard with an LSD I'd say it might need a tad more grunt for power oversteer, unless it's wet or you are crazy enough to give some relatively serious provocation on the road to get it sideways. 400 bhp is an easy remap away and that should give you enough to break traction at the rear.
As an M135i owner since May, I would say that you'll need to sort the suspension out as well as the LSD if you want the car to feel more focused and closer to an M-car. They are very good at being a daily driver and as standard I don't think they feel special enough to be a weekend only car. The ZF gearbox is excellent but some complain that it doesn't have the drama of the DCT in the sportier settings - again a map can help with that.
P/Xed the M135i a few months ago and picked up a Mercedes C63S.
The M135i was standard apart from the BMW M LSD. I used the BMW as a daily and loved the car over the 6 years I had it. It's not a perfect car, the suspension, especially the rear, is comfortable but can get a little light and sketchy after multiple bumps (B road) but it keeps it interesting at road speeds. You can fix this with various upgrades if you want to, I liked the fact it wasn't perfect, gave the car character.
The M2/3/4 are better tied down and faster over the ground but you can't use it all on the road.
The M135i was standard apart from the BMW M LSD. I used the BMW as a daily and loved the car over the 6 years I had it. It's not a perfect car, the suspension, especially the rear, is comfortable but can get a little light and sketchy after multiple bumps (B road) but it keeps it interesting at road speeds. You can fix this with various upgrades if you want to, I liked the fact it wasn't perfect, gave the car character.
The M2/3/4 are better tied down and faster over the ground but you can't use it all on the road.
About a year ago i was in the same situation - i wanted a 135 for that sweet N54 twin turbo engine.
Searched high and low and couldn't find one that had all the boxes ticked - they were either too leggy, too modified, already sold etc but then something left field caught my eye,
The e89 Z4 35i - same engine, in a much prettier shell, and metal folding roof goodness!
The engine is incredible, great sound, highly tuneable (306 standard - 385bhp with just a map)
The m135 - It's not an M car - but imo it's 8/10ths the M without any of the drawbacks (attention, extra insurance, extra fuel, spares)
Good luck with whatever you decide, i know the f21 has the newer twin scroll n55 engine, but it's only going to get better from there.
ps, and shameless plug, my z4 is for sale as i've just bought an F40 M135i
Searched high and low and couldn't find one that had all the boxes ticked - they were either too leggy, too modified, already sold etc but then something left field caught my eye,
The e89 Z4 35i - same engine, in a much prettier shell, and metal folding roof goodness!
The engine is incredible, great sound, highly tuneable (306 standard - 385bhp with just a map)
The m135 - It's not an M car - but imo it's 8/10ths the M without any of the drawbacks (attention, extra insurance, extra fuel, spares)
Good luck with whatever you decide, i know the f21 has the newer twin scroll n55 engine, but it's only going to get better from there.
ps, and shameless plug, my z4 is for sale as i've just bought an F40 M135i
I had an M140i and I found it a pretty frustrating car for fun duties.
They chassis / suspension can’t keep up with the engine and gearbox. Mine had H+R springs, B8 rear dampers and the underbody brace. It was better than stock but still frustrating on a decent Welsh B road. It was better suited to being a fast, discreet daily.
I also only really found it fun and exciting at very illegal speeds which it got to very easily in which cares you may as well buy an E9x M3 which at least sounds amazing and looks better.
My 140i went in May because of the used prices. I traded it for £4.5k less than I paid for it two years ago and 23,000 miles.
On paper it was perfect and it’s probably the best car I’ve owned technically but it lacked something for me.
They chassis / suspension can’t keep up with the engine and gearbox. Mine had H+R springs, B8 rear dampers and the underbody brace. It was better than stock but still frustrating on a decent Welsh B road. It was better suited to being a fast, discreet daily.
I also only really found it fun and exciting at very illegal speeds which it got to very easily in which cares you may as well buy an E9x M3 which at least sounds amazing and looks better.
My 140i went in May because of the used prices. I traded it for £4.5k less than I paid for it two years ago and 23,000 miles.
On paper it was perfect and it’s probably the best car I’ve owned technically but it lacked something for me.
I'd say no not lairy enough for a weekend car unless your planning on power and suspension mods. I'd also consider an extended test drive of a GT86, I just didn't get on with mine and sold it after 10 months for a manual M140i. Now in a F40 M135i and there both good all round cars but not something I'd pick as a weekend toy.
Personally for a weekend fun toy I'd go for the E92 M3 just because it is a full-on M car.
An M135i will get you into licence losing territory almost as quickly (especially with a remap) but will seemingly never give you the same driving experience unless you get an LSD and sort the suspension, and there's that £5K gone anyway!
I'd try to drive some of your options before deciding what you really want.
An M135i will get you into licence losing territory almost as quickly (especially with a remap) but will seemingly never give you the same driving experience unless you get an LSD and sort the suspension, and there's that £5K gone anyway!
I'd try to drive some of your options before deciding what you really want.
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