Discussion
Looking to upgrade the Z4C to a 135i in the near future. That engine, the diminutive size and its Q car looks really appeal and for the cash and running costs I don't think there is much out there that can touch it. I did look to upgrade to a Z4MC but the massive jump in running costs just does not appeal and I can remap the little 135 over and above the Z4MCs power for very little cash.
A few questions if you will to those lucky enough to be driving one at the moment:
What stereo upgrade option is there with the car (if any) or is the standard stereo fecking good anyway? The stereo in the Z4 is fine but I would rather get a car with the top stereo option from the get go. The cars I have seen have not had any additional stereo options of note in the options lists, even the ones with what seems like every option ticked.
Is there anything I need to look out for on the car such as a 1200 mile run in service, problems, oddities, or must have options?
If anyone has anything to add then great. Thanks in advance.
A few questions if you will to those lucky enough to be driving one at the moment:
What stereo upgrade option is there with the car (if any) or is the standard stereo fecking good anyway? The stereo in the Z4 is fine but I would rather get a car with the top stereo option from the get go. The cars I have seen have not had any additional stereo options of note in the options lists, even the ones with what seems like every option ticked.
Is there anything I need to look out for on the car such as a 1200 mile run in service, problems, oddities, or must have options?
If anyone has anything to add then great. Thanks in advance.
Running costs of the M are crazy when you consider insurance, tax and the need for a tracker.
A remap to about 360 - 380bhp is around £400 using the JB3 widget. http://www.burgertuning.com/products.html
But I will only be doing that after a lot more research.
I drove a friends 335 over some nice roads in the summer. In a lighter car that can only be good.
I love my Z but I think it is time for a change.
Oh, another question, is there any sort of ipod compatibility out of the box or is that an extra too?
A remap to about 360 - 380bhp is around £400 using the JB3 widget. http://www.burgertuning.com/products.html
But I will only be doing that after a lot more research.
I drove a friends 335 over some nice roads in the summer. In a lighter car that can only be good.
I love my Z but I think it is time for a change.
Oh, another question, is there any sort of ipod compatibility out of the box or is that an extra too?
I'm told that the new 135i builds will drop the twin-turbo engine in favour of a single turbo Valvetronic engine; probably to make way for a twin turbo installation in the forthcoming M1. This might well make the the 135i a less attractive proposition from a tuning point of view. So if you're ordering a new car, check which engine will be fitted in it.
Also, my local dealer seems to be offering an easy £4K off the front end of a new build 135i.
Also, my local dealer seems to be offering an easy £4K off the front end of a new build 135i.
spandexx said:
A remap to about 360 - 380bhp is around £400 using the JB3 widget. http://www.burgertuning.com/products.html
But I will only be doing that after a lot more research.
That's looks like a feckin crude device and a cheap way of doing some engine damage...?But I will only be doing that after a lot more research.
spandexx said:
Oh, another question, is there any sort of ipod compatibility out of the box or is that an extra too?
USB interface for Ipod thingy is an extra cost option, not standard IIRC.Im sure there are better ways of remapping the engine than a tuning box, a proper remap doesn't really cost much more money either.
As to the audio side, the stock Business head unit is a bit pants in the sound quality department but I suspect quite a few second hand 135s (if thats what you're considering) will have either the HiFi or Logic7 upgrades, or at least the Professional headunit which in itself is a decent upgrade. If it comes with the stock speakers though (ie no HiFi or L7), there's a good official upgrade available which includes an Alpine amp and new mid/tweeters for the front doors. This costs about £300 supply only and roughly the same again to be fitted by the dealer, although its fairly straightforward and can be DIY fitted in 3-4 hours or would probably only cost about £100 fitted by an independant audio fitter. That improves both the Business and Pro headunit substantially and is probably on a par with the HiFi option.
As to the audio side, the stock Business head unit is a bit pants in the sound quality department but I suspect quite a few second hand 135s (if thats what you're considering) will have either the HiFi or Logic7 upgrades, or at least the Professional headunit which in itself is a decent upgrade. If it comes with the stock speakers though (ie no HiFi or L7), there's a good official upgrade available which includes an Alpine amp and new mid/tweeters for the front doors. This costs about £300 supply only and roughly the same again to be fitted by the dealer, although its fairly straightforward and can be DIY fitted in 3-4 hours or would probably only cost about £100 fitted by an independant audio fitter. That improves both the Business and Pro headunit substantially and is probably on a par with the HiFi option.
Like I said, a lot more research is needed before I do anything like that. From the quick 30 mins i have spent looking it seems that box, as nasty as it looks, is the one people are preferring, but don't take my word for it. What attracts me to this engine is the big power gains you can get for very little money, on the Z4MC you will need a supercharger and the best part of 10k to achieve the same!
I would have expected to see some sort of option mentioned in the options lists of the cars i have seen bit there has been nothing. Ah well, £400 for an upgrade looks good, I just like the headunit and speakers to be stock rather than aftermarket.
I would have expected to see some sort of option mentioned in the options lists of the cars i have seen bit there has been nothing. Ah well, £400 for an upgrade looks good, I just like the headunit and speakers to be stock rather than aftermarket.
I think if you're worried about M running costs then I wouldn't attempt to tune a 135i.
How much are new turbo's outside of warranty?
Also insurance is likely to be the same if you declare mods. Oh and lots of insurers out there don't require trackers for ///M cars eg Elephant and Swinton.
Ps a new 135i would surely lose more than a used Z4MC over a few years?
How much are new turbo's outside of warranty?
Also insurance is likely to be the same if you declare mods. Oh and lots of insurers out there don't require trackers for ///M cars eg Elephant and Swinton.
Ps a new 135i would surely lose more than a used Z4MC over a few years?
spandexx said:
Like I said, a lot more research is needed before I do anything like that. From the quick 30 mins i have spent looking it seems that box, as nasty as it looks, is the one people are preferring, but don't take my word for it.
USA maybe, but not in the UK... proper remaps are definately the prefered method.spandexx said:
What attracts me to this engine is the big power gains you can get for very little money.
Be careful about claimed BIG power gains from an ECU only tune, as heat generation with OEM intercooler, downpipes and OEM cats is all too easy, and exceeding the limits of the small turbo's is going to kill things pretty quickly. There's a reason why the offical BMW upgrade includes a better intercooler and intake upgrade as well as a remap.spandexx said:
I would have expected to see some sort of option mentioned in the options lists of the cars i have seen bit there has been nothing.
I've seen it mentioned on the options on 135i's on the BMW used cars search. Look for the mention of USB Interface.This one has it....
http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_details/0,,1260...
Edited by aeropilot on Monday 11th January 11:40
Edited by aeropilot on Monday 11th January 11:47
Thanks for that, that is the exact car I have been looking at, pity it is 200 miles away from me! It does not make any mention as to whether it has a decent stereo or not even though it seems to be toyed up! I think I will have to give them a call.
As for the mods it is the potential that attracts me. Getting an M would be my favourite option but the running costs of the M are just horrible from the get go, I have just done a quote from Elephant and they are hugley more expensive than even the massive quote I got from my usual insurer. Having the 135 means a big power jump from out of the box compared to my current Z4C3.0 (the way it delivers power is more forceful and relentless than my 3.0) and it gives me the option if I want to push the power up and over that of the M easily.
Help always appreciated. Cheers.
As for the mods it is the potential that attracts me. Getting an M would be my favourite option but the running costs of the M are just horrible from the get go, I have just done a quote from Elephant and they are hugley more expensive than even the massive quote I got from my usual insurer. Having the 135 means a big power jump from out of the box compared to my current Z4C3.0 (the way it delivers power is more forceful and relentless than my 3.0) and it gives me the option if I want to push the power up and over that of the M easily.
Help always appreciated. Cheers.
If you negotiate a deal on that car with your local dealer they should be able to arrange to have it brought over for you. They'd want the deal agreed first though, naturally.
Whether all 1ers suffer the build quality issues mine did or whether I was unlucky, I don't know. Most disappointing car I've had, wished I'd checked how much 3 Series I'd have got for the same money, hope you have better luck.
Whether all 1ers suffer the build quality issues mine did or whether I was unlucky, I don't know. Most disappointing car I've had, wished I'd checked how much 3 Series I'd have got for the same money, hope you have better luck.
I have an AW 135 delivered in October.
I can tell you its the best car I have ever owned, I am totally smitten.
My previous two steeds were both M3s. The pace is blistering for the money and with all the options they are a very nice place to be on a long drive. I do a fair amount of driving for my job which is precisely the reason I did not go for a Z4 M Coupe.
If you are happy with the standard stereo in the Z4 then you will be blown away with the LOGIC 7 Professional audio package. I personally think the standard audio equipment in my friends Z4 M Roadster is a joke for a 40K car.
Pro Sat Nav is a must for me too, its far better than any other sat nav I have used with the only thing I actually miss being the piggy bank... sorry speed camera alerts. The screen is high res and DVDs look and sound excellent with the surround sound I have. Not that I ever use that function lol.
I was servicing my M every 4500 miles, the interval on the 135 is 19000 miles!
I paid twice as much insurance on my Ms as the 135 is unbelievably only a grp 18 car.
I pay £200 per annum tax as the 135 produces 221g/km which is just under the £400 a year tax bracket of an M car.
The servicing costs are a lot lower.
The 135i at this point appear to be a lot rarer, I have only seen 2 driving on the roads in the last 6 months.
The 135 will tend to dig in an under steer on the limit as opposed to the lovely balanced over steer you get from an M but this is partly due to the 135 having an electronic diff as opposed to a mechanical one. With a change of tyres and M3 ARBs I am told that this issue is as good as fixed. If money was no object I would definitely have a mechanical lsd fitted. Other than this very minor gripe that would only really give any practical benefit on the track I think its the perfect balance of performance and comfort for the roads of the UK. Its not a pretty car like the E92 335i but this is part of the appeal for me.
If you want to talk on the telephone I am more than happy to share my thoughts with you in more detail or if you are ever in the Berkshire area I am more than happy to take you for a spin. An excuse to drive it, I Love it.
One this I will say though, they are absolutely sh!te in the snow! I haven't moved mine since last Tuesday.
I can tell you its the best car I have ever owned, I am totally smitten.
My previous two steeds were both M3s. The pace is blistering for the money and with all the options they are a very nice place to be on a long drive. I do a fair amount of driving for my job which is precisely the reason I did not go for a Z4 M Coupe.
If you are happy with the standard stereo in the Z4 then you will be blown away with the LOGIC 7 Professional audio package. I personally think the standard audio equipment in my friends Z4 M Roadster is a joke for a 40K car.
Pro Sat Nav is a must for me too, its far better than any other sat nav I have used with the only thing I actually miss being the piggy bank... sorry speed camera alerts. The screen is high res and DVDs look and sound excellent with the surround sound I have. Not that I ever use that function lol.
I was servicing my M every 4500 miles, the interval on the 135 is 19000 miles!
I paid twice as much insurance on my Ms as the 135 is unbelievably only a grp 18 car.
I pay £200 per annum tax as the 135 produces 221g/km which is just under the £400 a year tax bracket of an M car.
The servicing costs are a lot lower.
The 135i at this point appear to be a lot rarer, I have only seen 2 driving on the roads in the last 6 months.
The 135 will tend to dig in an under steer on the limit as opposed to the lovely balanced over steer you get from an M but this is partly due to the 135 having an electronic diff as opposed to a mechanical one. With a change of tyres and M3 ARBs I am told that this issue is as good as fixed. If money was no object I would definitely have a mechanical lsd fitted. Other than this very minor gripe that would only really give any practical benefit on the track I think its the perfect balance of performance and comfort for the roads of the UK. Its not a pretty car like the E92 335i but this is part of the appeal for me.
If you want to talk on the telephone I am more than happy to share my thoughts with you in more detail or if you are ever in the Berkshire area I am more than happy to take you for a spin. An excuse to drive it, I Love it.
One this I will say though, they are absolutely sh!te in the snow! I haven't moved mine since last Tuesday.
Edited by ///Mike on Monday 11th January 14:15
spandexx said:
Thanks for that, that is the exact car I have been looking at, pity it is 200 miles away from me! It does not make any mention as to whether it has a decent stereo or not even though it seems to be toyed up! I think I will have to give them a call.
It's got the Pro Nav, so will have the better 'head unit' for want of a better word. No mention of speaker upgrade though,so pressume the standard kit there.But, the Pro Nav has a built-in hard drive that you can upload audio files from a USB stick via the port in the glovebox......so, no real need for using an Ipod thingy.
Edited by aeropilot on Monday 11th January 14:12
spandexx said:
What stereo upgrade option is there with the car (if any) or is the standard stereo fecking good anyway? The stereo in the Z4 is fine but I would rather get a car with the top stereo option from the get go. The cars I have seen have not had any additional stereo options of note in the options lists, even the ones with what seems like every option ticked.
I've got the 'professional' head unit in mine with the USB/ipod input and it sounds ok I think I'll get the bmw amplifier/tweeter upgrade later in the year.spandexx said:
Is there anything I need to look out for on the car such as a 1200 mile run in service, problems, oddities, or must have options?
I'd get the phone kit as it works very well, syncs with the phone via bluetooth and you can control it through the stereo. Very relaxing car to drive stick it in sixth and ride the torque or drop a few cogs and it goes.
If you look on http://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=50&am... remap for £280, which seems cheap...
///Mike said:
I have an AW 135 delivered in October.
I can tell you its the best car I have ever owned, I am totally smitten.
My previous two steeds were both M3s. The pace is blistering for the money and with all the options they are a very nice place to be on a long drive. I do a fair amount of driving for my job which is precisely the reason I did not go for a Z4 M Coupe.
If you are happy with the standard stereo in the Z4 then you will be blown away with the LOGIC 7 Professional audio package. I personally think the standard audio equipment in my friends Z4 M Roadster is a joke for a 40K car.
Pro Sat Nav is a must for me too, its far better than any other sat nav I have used with the only thing I actually miss being the piggy bank... sorry speed camera alerts. The screen is high res and DVDs look and sound excellent with the surround sound I have. Not that I ever use that function lol.
I was servicing my M every 4500 miles, the interval on the 135 is 19000 miles!
I paid twice as much insurance on my Ms as the 135 is unbelievably only a grp 18 car.
I pay £200 per annum tax as the 135 produces 221g/km which is just under the £400 a year tax bracket of an M car.
The servicing costs are a lot lower.
The 135i at this point appear to be a lot rarer, I have only seen 2 driving on the roads in the last 6 months.
The 135 will tend to dig in an under steer on the limit as opposed to the lovely balanced over steer you get from an M but this is partly due to the 135 having an electronic diff as opposed to a mechanical one. With a change of tyres and M3 ARBs I am told that this issue is as good as fixed. If money was no object I would definitely have a mechanical lsd fitted. Other than this very minor gripe that would only really give any practical benefit on the track I think its the perfect balance of performance and comfort for the roads of the UK. Its not a pretty car like the E92 335i but this is part of the appeal for me.
If you want to talk on the telephone I am more than happy to share my thoughts with you in more detail or if you are ever in the Berkshire area I am more than happy to take you for a spin. An excuse to drive it, I Love it.
One this I will say though, they are absolutely sh!te in the snow! I haven't moved mine since last Tuesday.
Hello mike ,See like you I drive many miles in my 120d auto ,I would love to meet you one day (live chiswick west london) and swap over have a blow and see the differences.Hows that sound, good luck Pete I can tell you its the best car I have ever owned, I am totally smitten.
My previous two steeds were both M3s. The pace is blistering for the money and with all the options they are a very nice place to be on a long drive. I do a fair amount of driving for my job which is precisely the reason I did not go for a Z4 M Coupe.
If you are happy with the standard stereo in the Z4 then you will be blown away with the LOGIC 7 Professional audio package. I personally think the standard audio equipment in my friends Z4 M Roadster is a joke for a 40K car.
Pro Sat Nav is a must for me too, its far better than any other sat nav I have used with the only thing I actually miss being the piggy bank... sorry speed camera alerts. The screen is high res and DVDs look and sound excellent with the surround sound I have. Not that I ever use that function lol.
I was servicing my M every 4500 miles, the interval on the 135 is 19000 miles!
I paid twice as much insurance on my Ms as the 135 is unbelievably only a grp 18 car.
I pay £200 per annum tax as the 135 produces 221g/km which is just under the £400 a year tax bracket of an M car.
The servicing costs are a lot lower.
The 135i at this point appear to be a lot rarer, I have only seen 2 driving on the roads in the last 6 months.
The 135 will tend to dig in an under steer on the limit as opposed to the lovely balanced over steer you get from an M but this is partly due to the 135 having an electronic diff as opposed to a mechanical one. With a change of tyres and M3 ARBs I am told that this issue is as good as fixed. If money was no object I would definitely have a mechanical lsd fitted. Other than this very minor gripe that would only really give any practical benefit on the track I think its the perfect balance of performance and comfort for the roads of the UK. Its not a pretty car like the E92 335i but this is part of the appeal for me.
If you want to talk on the telephone I am more than happy to share my thoughts with you in more detail or if you are ever in the Berkshire area I am more than happy to take you for a spin. An excuse to drive it, I Love it.
One this I will say though, they are absolutely sh!te in the snow! I haven't moved mine since last Tuesday.
Edited by ///Mike on Monday 11th January 14:15
Hi.
I have had mine since October 2009. For proper iPod connectivity, there is a dealer option. Otherwise, you can specify a USB port alongside the standard aux jack. I use a Griffin I-Trip, which does everything I want for about £25. No need for the USP port if you do that. I rarely use the stereo to be honest - I like the sound of the engine too much!
There is no running in service.
As to other options, I would go for Xenon lights. Many say this because of the way they look (you get the corona ring daytime running lights with them). However, my reasoning is a bit more boring: living in the sticks, I find the standard lights a bit poor, especially for such a quick car. I would certainly have the Xenons as a result, but, within my company allowance, I could not do so.
The Bluetooth phone prep works very well, too. I'd certainly spec that again. Leather seats go without saying.
I'd say the car looks best in darker colours, unless you are brave enough to go with white, which also looked nice on one that I saw. Mine is black with a red interior. I am biased, of course, but I think it looks pretty good in that combo.
You won't be disappointed. Even allowing for the first flush of enthusiasm that comes with any new car, I have to say that this one is a stonker. It is as quick as you could ever need on the road, it doesn't stand out too much and feels nice and compact. Some people think it is ugly, but, sagging sills aside, I really like its looks. The brakes are great on the road (never used them on a track) and the car is a very nice place to spend time. The balance between involvement and refinement is well-judged.
I have had a rattle or two, but the local dealer has been very good about that, despite the fact that they did not supply the car.
A note regarding the recent snow: the car is certainly tail-happy. However, it has a DSC setting that helps with this. It recently got me up a steep, icy car park ramp where others had given up. However, I did have a 10ft run up inside first and used it to good effect to gain momentum! Generally, as with any powerful rear drive car in such conditions, you get along better if you are smooth and progressive. Having said that, my wife's S-Max is much easier to drive in these conditions.
Good luck!
Andy
I have had mine since October 2009. For proper iPod connectivity, there is a dealer option. Otherwise, you can specify a USB port alongside the standard aux jack. I use a Griffin I-Trip, which does everything I want for about £25. No need for the USP port if you do that. I rarely use the stereo to be honest - I like the sound of the engine too much!
There is no running in service.
As to other options, I would go for Xenon lights. Many say this because of the way they look (you get the corona ring daytime running lights with them). However, my reasoning is a bit more boring: living in the sticks, I find the standard lights a bit poor, especially for such a quick car. I would certainly have the Xenons as a result, but, within my company allowance, I could not do so.
The Bluetooth phone prep works very well, too. I'd certainly spec that again. Leather seats go without saying.
I'd say the car looks best in darker colours, unless you are brave enough to go with white, which also looked nice on one that I saw. Mine is black with a red interior. I am biased, of course, but I think it looks pretty good in that combo.
You won't be disappointed. Even allowing for the first flush of enthusiasm that comes with any new car, I have to say that this one is a stonker. It is as quick as you could ever need on the road, it doesn't stand out too much and feels nice and compact. Some people think it is ugly, but, sagging sills aside, I really like its looks. The brakes are great on the road (never used them on a track) and the car is a very nice place to spend time. The balance between involvement and refinement is well-judged.
I have had a rattle or two, but the local dealer has been very good about that, despite the fact that they did not supply the car.
A note regarding the recent snow: the car is certainly tail-happy. However, it has a DSC setting that helps with this. It recently got me up a steep, icy car park ramp where others had given up. However, I did have a 10ft run up inside first and used it to good effect to gain momentum! Generally, as with any powerful rear drive car in such conditions, you get along better if you are smooth and progressive. Having said that, my wife's S-Max is much easier to drive in these conditions.
Good luck!
Andy
I've had mine for a year and 17,000 miles from new and I love it. I concur with the comments of ///Mike and Andy. It really is a great little car. Previous to this I had three e46 M3's and whilst it lacks that car's consummate cornering feel the 135i makes up for this with a winning combination of size, agility and pace. It really does go. For me, doing the miles that I do, it is a better everyday proposition. The mpg and co2 figures are much better, not to mention the servicing.
I know people suggest that it's a silly choice over a 335i but that's one of the reasons i chose it in the first place, it isn't the obvious option.
As far as remapping goes, I really don't think it needs it. What it has seems to suit it just right. I had my M3's all remapped by DMS and they can do the 135i up to 370bhp and about 414 lbs/ft. I'd like to see how that feels but I kinda like my car how it is.
Finally I would recommend changing to non run flat tyres as this makes a big difference to the suppleness of the ride, it really is much better. There are other threads covering this topic.
I know people suggest that it's a silly choice over a 335i but that's one of the reasons i chose it in the first place, it isn't the obvious option.
As far as remapping goes, I really don't think it needs it. What it has seems to suit it just right. I had my M3's all remapped by DMS and they can do the 135i up to 370bhp and about 414 lbs/ft. I'd like to see how that feels but I kinda like my car how it is.
Finally I would recommend changing to non run flat tyres as this makes a big difference to the suppleness of the ride, it really is much better. There are other threads covering this topic.
Thanks for all the replies, very helpful indeed. It seem like the obvious choice and just that bit more rare, lighter and smaller than the 3 series. i have driven the 335 and I did love that engine but the 135 just appeals due to its size and slightly odd looks.
I think I will hold out for a black with red leather one though as I love that colour combo, I have it in my Z. And I will definitely be wanting a toy heavy motor too as I have always had to skimp on those little luxuries and I think it is about time I had something to play with.
As soon as I get it I will give you my full verdict.
Oh, and no car has 'enough' power.
Cheers.
I think I will hold out for a black with red leather one though as I love that colour combo, I have it in my Z. And I will definitely be wanting a toy heavy motor too as I have always had to skimp on those little luxuries and I think it is about time I had something to play with.
As soon as I get it I will give you my full verdict.
Oh, and no car has 'enough' power.
Cheers.
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