M135i v E90 335i - mertits of each?
Discussion
So I've got a choice to make in the coming month or two. I really like the idea of an M135i and having driven an auto version I was very impressed, both with the box and the car as a whole. Most of my commute suits an auto and with the box in the 1er being so good it becomes the default choice. However, I have also been watching the market for an E90 (saloon) LCI 335i. They don't appear all that often and the spec varies, however at around 15-17K I should be able to get one with circa 40k miles or under. The older 6pd auto might not be the best box for it, and there is a manual which I would consider here (I do have an E39 touring auto for tip runs and a mover of large items etc)
I'm being indecisive regarding the choice, and I think it comes down to money to a degree. with the M135i being a new car, then there is more depreciation to take account of then buying a 3-4yr old 335i. The other point is that I am perennially looking for the next car, normally only keeping a car for 6-12 months before I impulse buy something else, but these two choices are of far greater value than I would normally spend and hence the degree of hesitation.
Has anyone got any words of wisdom to help in my choice, either regarding the cars or the financial impact of them please?
I'm being indecisive regarding the choice, and I think it comes down to money to a degree. with the M135i being a new car, then there is more depreciation to take account of then buying a 3-4yr old 335i. The other point is that I am perennially looking for the next car, normally only keeping a car for 6-12 months before I impulse buy something else, but these two choices are of far greater value than I would normally spend and hence the degree of hesitation.
Has anyone got any words of wisdom to help in my choice, either regarding the cars or the financial impact of them please?
I get where you're coming from, the M135i has caught your attention (you're not alone it seems 
) but new cars depreciate, particularly if you're not a 'keeper' and it is a lot of money; therefore what's a similarly powered alternative second hand for a lot less.
I know an owner of an 09 LCI E90 335i: he loves it, but it did break down twice and therefore he has a BMW warranty.
but any reason why you've ruled out a E92 i.e. the 335i coupe?
surely they will drop (further) in value with the 4 series, and E90 335i saloons are rare. The DCT in 335i is well thought of.
) but new cars depreciate, particularly if you're not a 'keeper' and it is a lot of money; therefore what's a similarly powered alternative second hand for a lot less. I know an owner of an 09 LCI E90 335i: he loves it, but it did break down twice and therefore he has a BMW warranty.
but any reason why you've ruled out a E92 i.e. the 335i coupe?
surely they will drop (further) in value with the 4 series, and E90 335i saloons are rare. The DCT in 335i is well thought of.
I traded my 08 plate 335i touring in 6 weeks ago for a M135i. When I bought the 335i it was 2.5yrs old with 50k on the clock for £18.5k. When I traded I had had it 3yrs and got 6.5k. The M135i is on a 3yr PCP @ £361/month for a car that after 9.7% discount cost just under 30k.
Whilst I had the 335i I had quite a few problems. Water pump failed, intermitent misfire problem, and a (common) wastegate problem which meant I would need two more turbos - decided I would be better off with a new car and waranty and partXed it without replacing the turbos. I now know that my next 3yrs of motoring will cost less than my last 3yrs and thats before I factor in a slightly higher mpg (27.7 vs 31.6 for me in 2000miles so far in 135) lower insurance and no MOT.
Driving wise the 135 is def quicker. It feels a lot quicker despite a fairly moderate stats increase on paper and sounds much better. Had/have manual in both cars, wouldnt have it any other way, and both gearboxes are good. The 335 was on run flats which meant it tramlined a fair bit and detracted from the handling a bit. Where the 335 def won was the feel and feedback for the steering. The 135 is quick and accurate but just doesnt tell me as much whats happening.
I think they are both great cars. Personally I prefer the 135 but there is really not much in it.......
Whilst I had the 335i I had quite a few problems. Water pump failed, intermitent misfire problem, and a (common) wastegate problem which meant I would need two more turbos - decided I would be better off with a new car and waranty and partXed it without replacing the turbos. I now know that my next 3yrs of motoring will cost less than my last 3yrs and thats before I factor in a slightly higher mpg (27.7 vs 31.6 for me in 2000miles so far in 135) lower insurance and no MOT.
Driving wise the 135 is def quicker. It feels a lot quicker despite a fairly moderate stats increase on paper and sounds much better. Had/have manual in both cars, wouldnt have it any other way, and both gearboxes are good. The 335 was on run flats which meant it tramlined a fair bit and detracted from the handling a bit. Where the 335 def won was the feel and feedback for the steering. The 135 is quick and accurate but just doesnt tell me as much whats happening.
I think they are both great cars. Personally I prefer the 135 but there is really not much in it.......
I've had my 335i now for few years now, no problems under my ownership but the previous owner had injectors replaced under warranty (and may be other things but not sure). My car is very reliable (so far), and has the N54 twin turbo engine which is apparently more tuneable than the N55 single turbo engine in the M135i. I'm pretty happy with my 335i, but thats only after spending a fair bit on mods. Never driven a M135i, but stock the E90 335i is not very well damped, a bit hesitant at turn in, and generally more 'family' car than 'sports' car. But luckily there's are some lovely modding options for the 335i, engine/turbos/suspension your spoilt for choice, mine has had a fair bit of work done and is now a match for my mates E90 M3 in the straight and around corners!!
Given you can pick up a used 335i for £10-15K and M135i are pretty much new (£30K?), your saving your self ALOT of money by going down the used 335i route. Your certainly loss alot less in depreciation, but I would recommend getting a 335i that has aleast 1 year AUC warranty, that way you have 12months to ensure the car is problem free before you start changing bits on it....regarding the gearbox, the 335i is the first auto car I've owned/driven and I have to say I cannot see my self ever going back to a manual car, thats how good even the old 6 speed autobox is, the new 8 speed box must be amazing on the M135i!!
Given you can pick up a used 335i for £10-15K and M135i are pretty much new (£30K?), your saving your self ALOT of money by going down the used 335i route. Your certainly loss alot less in depreciation, but I would recommend getting a 335i that has aleast 1 year AUC warranty, that way you have 12months to ensure the car is problem free before you start changing bits on it....regarding the gearbox, the 335i is the first auto car I've owned/driven and I have to say I cannot see my self ever going back to a manual car, thats how good even the old 6 speed autobox is, the new 8 speed box must be amazing on the M135i!!
I've just bought a new M135i auto and love driving the thing. It does everything so very well it's hard not to get out of it smiling.
I owned a 335i E92 a couple of years ago and after swapping the runflats for normal tyres also enjoyed ownership. However it did have a fair amount of warranty work do on it and It had only covered 24K when I sold it.
Back to the M135i. I really feels like a much bigger car to drive in terms of ride quality. It's no longer the choppy riding small hatchback it once was. I would definitely try and get one with adaptive suspension. It was the best £515 I spent.
The one thing I don't do with the 1er, is look back at it when parked. it feels special to drive, but not to look at. If you like your cars to say something about you. then the M135i might not be for you.
I owned a 335i E92 a couple of years ago and after swapping the runflats for normal tyres also enjoyed ownership. However it did have a fair amount of warranty work do on it and It had only covered 24K when I sold it.
Back to the M135i. I really feels like a much bigger car to drive in terms of ride quality. It's no longer the choppy riding small hatchback it once was. I would definitely try and get one with adaptive suspension. It was the best £515 I spent.
The one thing I don't do with the 1er, is look back at it when parked. it feels special to drive, but not to look at. If you like your cars to say something about you. then the M135i might not be for you.
smashy said:
..........and thats the thing Creepy I have a 120d and it is the most bland looking thing on the planet,if only they had beefed up that car of yours.You just never ever look back at it.
That's the thing Smashy. Some owners like the stealth look. I'd prefer it to look a little more individual, but I did know what it looked like when I ordered it, so no excuses. I was just blown away by its performance credentials.creepy coupe said:
I've just bought a new M135i auto and love driving the thing. It does everything so very well it's hard not to get out of it smiling.
I owned a 335i E92 a couple of years ago and after swapping the runflats for normal tyres also enjoyed ownership. However it did have a fair amount of warranty work do on it and It had only covered 24K when I sold it.
Back to the M135i. I really feels like a much bigger car to drive in terms of ride quality. It's no longer the choppy riding small hatchback it once was. I would definitely try and get one with adaptive suspension. It was the best £515 I spent.
The one thing I don't do with the 1er, is look back at it when parked. it feels special to drive, but not to look at. If you like your cars to say something about you. then the M135i might not be for you.
Is that 'just' a regular silver? I like that colour.I owned a 335i E92 a couple of years ago and after swapping the runflats for normal tyres also enjoyed ownership. However it did have a fair amount of warranty work do on it and It had only covered 24K when I sold it.
Back to the M135i. I really feels like a much bigger car to drive in terms of ride quality. It's no longer the choppy riding small hatchback it once was. I would definitely try and get one with adaptive suspension. It was the best £515 I spent.
The one thing I don't do with the 1er, is look back at it when parked. it feels special to drive, but not to look at. If you like your cars to say something about you. then the M135i might not be for you.
Not that I'm in the market for one but I had a good look round a 3dr Estoril blue one, the colour I thought I'd get if it was me & unfortunately it's still no looker - though as others have said you don't look at it when you're driving it.
It'll be interesting to see what the residuals are like on these, will they be better due to the impact etc it's had?
Fc101 said:
I traded my 08 plate 335i touring in 6 weeks ago for a M135i. When I bought the 335i it was 2.5yrs old with 50k on the clock for £18.5k. When I traded I had had it 3yrs and got 6.5k.
Ouch! What was the mileage? 6.5k for an 08 335i Touring... aren't they retailing at double that?acme said:
Is that 'just' a regular silver? I like that colour.
Not that I'm in the market for one but I had a good look round a 3dr Estoril blue one, the colour I thought I'd get if it was me & unfortunately it's still no looker - though as others have said you don't look at it when you're driving it.
It'll be interesting to see what the residuals are like on these, will they be better due to the impact etc it's had?
Hi acme. It's called Glacier silver.I went for it because there are very few specced in this colour. I'd had a couple of white cars and fancied a change.Not that I'm in the market for one but I had a good look round a 3dr Estoril blue one, the colour I thought I'd get if it was me & unfortunately it's still no looker - though as others have said you don't look at it when you're driving it.
It'll be interesting to see what the residuals are like on these, will they be better due to the impact etc it's had?
creepy coupe said:
Hi acme. It's called Glacier silver.I went for it because there are very few specced in this colour. I'd had a couple of white cars and fancied a change.
Hi CC, thanks for the reply.From the threads on here etc blue, white & black do seem popular, odd to think Silver is seemingly more rare, on these at least. Looks like you've gone for red interior, which I imagine lifts the interior?
Are the split spokes standard or an optional extra?
You mentioned it's an auto, were you a 'manual man' and has been converted, & if so I'm intrigued by your feedback? It's one of the intriguing things about these, those you know (Chris Harris & Evo) who would always prefer the stick shift seem to be really taken by the auto, which I assume is a torque converter?
KrisP said:
Thanks for your input. I had noticed that a lot of the 335s I had seen for sale had warranty, now I know why, nod he additional cost would have to be factored in.
I think the 1er I the better option at the moment, so I better go and investigate the deals on offer
Even including the cost of a warranty I suspect a second-hand 335i would cost less to own than a new M135i if you're only looking to keep the car for a relatively short period of time. Yes the M135i would cost less in fuel and road tax but I'd have thought the additional depreciation would more than cancel out those savings and then some. There are plenty of used M135i's on the BMW website at well under £30k and if that's the retail price the value as a private sale or a trade-in will obviously be even lower; therefore, buying a new one and selling after 12 months sounds like a recipe for a right royal pasting on the depreciation front to me!I think the 1er I the better option at the moment, so I better go and investigate the deals on offer
However, leaving running costs aside my guess is that the M135i would prove the better driver's car. It's a newer design than the E90 3 Series and has also benefited from input from the M-Division which can only help with the dynamics; I've not seen any poor reports and the chaps at EVO - probably the one magazine I take notice of - seem to rate it very highly. I do have experience of the E9x 335i (I have an E92 335i at the moment) and overall it's a good car. However, despite changing to non run-flats I'm still not convinced about the chassis; the 19" wheels on my car probably don't help but it's just too crashy over a lot of our poor quality roads for my liking (and definitely worse than my E46 M3 CS in that respect). Suffice to say if I was buying now I'd be having a close look at an M135i....
acme said:
Hi CC, thanks for the reply.
From the threads on here etc blue, white & black do seem popular, odd to think Silver is seemingly more rare, on these at least. Looks like you've gone for red interior, which I imagine lifts the interior?
Are the split spokes standard or an optional extra?
You mentioned it's an auto, were you a 'manual man' and has been converted, & if so I'm intrigued by your feedback? It's one of the intriguing things about these, those you know (Chris Harris & Evo) who would always prefer the stick shift seem to be really taken by the auto, which I assume is a torque converter?
Yes the colour was a difficult one. It was £500 more than a white car and I'd imagine other buyers would more bang for their ££ and go for something bolder than silver.As mentioned I'd already had a couple of white cars and fancied a change.From the threads on here etc blue, white & black do seem popular, odd to think Silver is seemingly more rare, on these at least. Looks like you've gone for red interior, which I imagine lifts the interior?
Are the split spokes standard or an optional extra?
You mentioned it's an auto, were you a 'manual man' and has been converted, & if so I'm intrigued by your feedback? It's one of the intriguing things about these, those you know (Chris Harris & Evo) who would always prefer the stick shift seem to be really taken by the auto, which I assume is a torque converter?
The gearbox. I'd pretty much come from an E92 M3 with the brilliant DCT gearbox. I did own a 635d for a couple of months. but that's another story.
It might be a personal thing, but I don't like big engined car with manual gearboxes and have found them to be awkward to get on with, with long throws and clunky actions.In the past I've wasted a lot of money buying such cars, only to sell them soon after for DCT's or autos.
I truly believe the 8sp sport auto from BMW with a torque converter to be the best out there. It's superb.It's seamless an very well suited to the engine.
The split spokes are standard and sadly the only option for UK buyers.
I've had my M135i for a couple of months; I chopped a 130i for it, so I can't comment on the comparison with a 335i.
I'd make a couple of general points. I think the ride on it is superb, as is the autobox. It's the first auto I've had and I'm getting on fine with it.
Reading what you've said about changing cars often, unless you think you're going to change the habit (and why would you?) the ownership cost will be much less on a 335. It's probably not quite as nice a car, but I could put up with that for lots of £££ saved. Thinks what that could do for your next car!
I'm planning on keeping mine for at least 5 years (as that's my way)
I'd make a couple of general points. I think the ride on it is superb, as is the autobox. It's the first auto I've had and I'm getting on fine with it.
Reading what you've said about changing cars often, unless you think you're going to change the habit (and why would you?) the ownership cost will be much less on a 335. It's probably not quite as nice a car, but I could put up with that for lots of £££ saved. Thinks what that could do for your next car!
I'm planning on keeping mine for at least 5 years (as that's my way)
I think a newer car is always going to cost more to own than say one of five years old.If you do go the 335i route I'd makes sure it came with a full AUC warranty and not one of these part BMW part dealer jobbies.
Looking today there are 30 M135i 3 doors for sale on the AUC website and some have been on there for weeks. I'd imagine this is mainly due to the great deals on new ones.There must be room for movement on these cars.
Looking today there are 30 M135i 3 doors for sale on the AUC website and some have been on there for weeks. I'd imagine this is mainly due to the great deals on new ones.There must be room for movement on these cars.
I had no problems with the auto box in my E92 335D.
I did have a problem with the skittish ride on the 19" RFTs however.
... and that flimsy bit of plastic which hands out your seatbelt...
I am very impressed by the compliant ride quality of the M135i with the Michelin PSS tyres and adaptive suspension.
It takes me back to when BMW fitted regular tyres to their cars (and to their 'M' cars).
I did have a problem with the skittish ride on the 19" RFTs however.
... and that flimsy bit of plastic which hands out your seatbelt...
I am very impressed by the compliant ride quality of the M135i with the Michelin PSS tyres and adaptive suspension.
It takes me back to when BMW fitted regular tyres to their cars (and to their 'M' cars).
JerryPH said:
I had no problems with the auto box in my E92 335D.
I did have a problem with the skittish ride on the 19" RFTs however.
... and that flimsy bit of plastic which hands out your seatbelt...
I am very impressed by the compliant ride quality of the M135i with the Michelin PSS tyres and adaptive suspension.
It takes me back to when BMW fitted regular tyres to their cars (and to their 'M' cars).
Indeed. It was refreshing not to have to shell out £1200 on normal tyres just after buying a new car.I did have a problem with the skittish ride on the 19" RFTs however.
... and that flimsy bit of plastic which hands out your seatbelt...
I am very impressed by the compliant ride quality of the M135i with the Michelin PSS tyres and adaptive suspension.
It takes me back to when BMW fitted regular tyres to their cars (and to their 'M' cars).
creepy coupe said:
Yes the colour was a difficult one. It was £500 more than a white car and I'd imagine other buyers would more bang for their ££ and go for something bolder than silver.As mentioned I'd already had a couple of white cars and fancied a change.
The gearbox. I'd pretty much come from an E92 M3 with the brilliant DCT gearbox. I did own a 635d for a couple of months. but that's another story.
It might be a personal thing, but I don't like big engined car with manual gearboxes and have found them to be awkward to get on with, with long throws and clunky actions.In the past I've wasted a lot of money buying such cars, only to sell them soon after for DCT's or autos.
I truly believe the 8sp sport auto from BMW with a torque converter to be the best out there. It's superb.It's seamless an very well suited to the engine.
The split spokes are standard and sadly the only option for UK buyers.
I think given its questionable looks, a more subtle colour may well be the way to go.The gearbox. I'd pretty much come from an E92 M3 with the brilliant DCT gearbox. I did own a 635d for a couple of months. but that's another story.
It might be a personal thing, but I don't like big engined car with manual gearboxes and have found them to be awkward to get on with, with long throws and clunky actions.In the past I've wasted a lot of money buying such cars, only to sell them soon after for DCT's or autos.
I truly believe the 8sp sport auto from BMW with a torque converter to be the best out there. It's superb.It's seamless an very well suited to the engine.
The split spokes are standard and sadly the only option for UK buyers.
I'm sure for a daily the auto is a great way to go, I'm manual all the way but I do think certain cars suit an auto, & more so a large petrol engine, I imagine if I did test drive one it would be an agonising choice! It'll be interesting to see the impact on residuals & the numbers of each around in the future.
Odd that you don't get any choice, is it to help with compliance, given that runflats aren't standard (as I understand it)?
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