RE: BMW M135i vs used Porsche 911 Carrera

[Tomatogti]

Roma101 said:

Surprised by the comments on rear and boot space of the BMW and actually found it amusing that it is being compared to the Porsche. I am over 6 foot and was very comfortable height and leg wise in the back seat when I went in one. The boot isn't the biggest in the world but it is only about 20 litres less than a Golf's boot.

Agreed - me and 3 mates went to Le Mans this year in the beemer, comfort was fine, boot contained 2 tents, 4 sleeping bags and rucksacks for the 4 day trip. I've got it as the smaller family car. Used to have a Mk V Golf which was admittedly marginally bigger but very little in it (and I appreciate cars get larger so the Mk VI and VII will be bigger still). But for space it's no comparison v a 911 which we also considered and test drove but ruled out due to space (for kids/bikes etc).

[Wolands Advocate]

arkenphel said:

THough to be fair, i think the bragging rights thing is a non-issue. I see an M135i and think (stereotypically) "Hmmm, working to middle class person who is doing ok"

Gosh. Better start practising my estuarine vowels then for fear of disappointing...

I considered the 997 vs the M135i but ultimately plumped for the M135i because I already had one small sportscar and actually wanted a vaguely useful car with 5 doors and a hatchback (whilst not having to resort to something too wilfully tedious like a diesel).

But otherwise, yes the Porsche is a much more exciting car.

[Mark Wibble]

Personally I've enjoyed all the 135i drive-offs. But I'd also say this article would be a good point to draw a line under it! Unless there are some left-field comparisons to be made for the sake of humour of course...

[DoubleSix]

nickfrog said:

scherzkeks said:

I never understood that either, given that the 130i got such a tepid reception and was generally outperformed by most of its competitors.

27/10?

[Betty Cumberdale]

scherzkeks said:

and was generally outperformed by most of its competitors.

If, yet again you are referring to the Audi S3, it wasn't. Please give up.

[anonymous-user]

scherzkeks said:

If the M135i didn't have the power it does, no one would care. And it really should have an LSD.

You can always fit one

Guessing it should also really have 4WD and a 4 rings on the front?

[Dblue]

nickfrog said:

Shurv said:

If you look at the 1st year depreciation on a 135i, it'd cover for a full engine rebuild on the 911

Hartech charge £6-7K for that. Would you kindly point me in the direction of 1 year M135i for around £20k, as they were £26k/£27k after discount, thanks a lot.

That would be about right as a trade in price for a 12k mile car I would think, just £3k or £4k more retail. And that £26k price is for a truly back to basic spec car. Whilst you may think its reasonable, every time I look at the list of options on the PH Car I cant believe that a lot of that stuff doesn't come standard on a top of the range 1 Series.
And in 2 years time they'll be £18-19k retail.

The 997 will still be the same price. Much cheaper in reality even if the engine blows up.

[iMungo]

A more interesting comparison would have been E92 M3 (09/10 plate circa £25K) vs 135i (or even pitched against said 997). Or has that been done already?

[cmbayes]

M135i vs 2009 Nissan GT-R with 40k miles?
This started out as a nice idea but it is getting a little bit silly now.
M135i is a nice, fast premium hatch back and compares well with any new or nearly new car (up to 18 months old)

This format might as well just become a general new vs used debate.
Fixed running costs and piece of mind vs higher end car with the risk of few nasty surprises.

[V8mate]

moskvich427 said:

V8mate said:

All advertising is good advertising.

Advertising which says "buy a different product" is generally not good advertising.

Anyway, I enjoyed the article and agree with the conclusion. Thanks PH.

You're assuming that everyone will agree with the outcome though. It was sufficiently objective an article for the reader to weigh up the things which are important to them and come to their own opinion.

[buggalugs]

Interesting the engine progress in nearly 10 years, 80 less CO2's and 10mpg more for nearly the same performance.

[jerrytlr]

Alfa159Ti said:

The PH fraternity brought this onslaught of 135i comparisons on themselves with countless off topic disposable 'or you could just buy a 135i' comments, in response to pretty much every article on here for the last six months.

Usually by people who seemingly have never driven one.

I rather like this cheeky riposte by PH.

Exactly!!

And in fact it makes huge sense to compare lots of cars with a benchmark, as comparing car A with car B and then car A with car C, it is possible to draw conclusions regarding B vs C.....if you get what I mean......

I say, keep up the good work PH!!

Cheers

Jerry

[matsoc]

Comparing 2nd hand to brand new is always difficult. I enjoyed and loved several 2nd hand cars I owned but buying a new car has always been more an event for me. I mean the once I took the decision to buy a brand new car it is very unlikely that I starts to consider 2nd alternatives.
Said so obviously the a 997 911 is a wonderful car...

[pilchardthecat]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

^^^ Someone who gets it

although i wonder what would have happened if they'd made a next generation version of the S54 instead of going down the FI route

[jerrytlr]

Alfa159Ti said:

The PH fraternity brought this onslaught of 135i comparisons on themselves with countless off topic disposable 'or you could just buy a 135i' comments, in response to pretty much every article on here for the last six months.

Usually by people who seemingly have never driven one.

I rather like this cheeky riposte by PH.

Exactly!!

And in fact it makes huge sense to compare lots of cars with a benchmark, as comparing car A with car B and then car A with car C, it is possible to draw conclusions regarding B vs C.....if you get what I mean......

I say, keep up the good work PH!!

Cheers

Jerry

[okie592]

Next week

M135i vs new route master bus

[aki1987]

Another long term lurker posting for first time!

I've recently changed my car from a E90 325i M sport (a car that put me off BMW SO much, that I've decided never to get another one again) to a 997 3.6 - Very nice car, and get so much praise and respect from everyone!

It's a very special place to be in a 997 - the sight of those rear wings in the wing mirrors will always put a smile on your face

[Schnellmann]

There may be some people, who are considering purchasing a new 135i, who would also consider a 7-yr old 911 but I doubt that many would fit into that bracket. Yes a 911 would be lovely (I know as I had a 997 C2 a few years back) but it wouldn't work (without many compromises) as a family run-around, used to do the weekly shopping, taking the daughter to school, etc.

[chiark]

I went from a E91 330i to 10 year old 996 last December. I did briefly look at the 135i, but then I drove the 996. Found one with a hartech rebuild 2 years ago, bought it, and have not regretted it one bit. Managed to take the kids camping in it - and I did commit what some consider is an utter travesty by buying roof bars and fitting a small roof box for that event. It's a practical, 4 seater family car. It'll even see 34mpg on a motorway if you have the world's most boring drive, but spirited driving will dent that a little

Utterly wonderful and everyone should own one once. It really is unlike anything else I've driven.

[Schnellmann]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Have you actually driven the M135i? You seem to imply that it is a "domestic appliance"....which, with respect, seems somewhat absurd. I agree that it is not as rewarding as a 911, few things are, which is why I've owned 8 of them, but the M135i offers about 70% of the 911 experience (to me) on the twisty stuff but is actually more relaxing around town or on the motorway. Also a lot easier for the wife to drive and more practical to boot.