M135i v E90 335i - mertits of each?

[VerySideways]

YES

[Smuler]

It's a No from Me, but only cos I much prefer looks and steering feel of the older E9X series and as you going for a manual, the issue of the ZF in the M135i being the better auto doesn't apply.

[Smokey32]

The 1 series is just so horrible looking, I cant stomach owning one, so ive settling on looking for a 335i Coupe.

[Mike335i]

For what it's worth, it took me ages to find an LCI manual 335i with sensible mileage and half decent spec. Glad I did though as it is great car all the better for the manual box. My brother in law has an M235i (also manual) and both are great cars, so I can give a bit of a comparison.

Clearly the 2 is a generation newer. It is more economical. The 2 is quicker (but not by as much as I thought it would be, a shirt duel carriage way blast showed nothing between them right up to 70mph). The tech is clearly newer, especially the iDrive and the eco-pro/sport/sport plus thingy.

Interior wise I prefer my 3 I think, but that is because of the spec (Msport, leather and iDrive). It is a close thing though, but it feels more solid, even if it isn't really. A non iDrive SE 335i that I looked at did not impress much.

In any event, the Harmon Kardon / logic 7 sound system is a definite must! My non-xenon headlights are naff too compared with the adaptive xenon and an M135i is more likely to have these options as they are now considered must haves.

I will concede that the M235i sounds far louder and more meaty, but it is artificially enhanced noise that you may or may not be keen on. The fake pops and bangs in sport plus is also a little bit silly.

I prefer the steering in mine (hydraulic PAS versus electric), but I'm not hung up on that as reality is that hydraulic PAS is virtually consigned to the past.

The E90 also looks much better than any 1 series (ok, not the 1M coupe!).

Test them both though.

[Tomy90]

to be honest the early M135i (pre facelift), I am not a fan of appearance wise from the front.

I would say it depends on how patient you are, if you are willing to wait keep on looking for the E90 manual.

Either that or just blag a test drive in a second hand M135i and see what you think.

Either that or you can wait for a bit for the M235i's to come down in price (I know mine is either below 20k now or nearly there).

[VerySideways]

For clarity, i wasn't suggesting the 1 series was more attractive.
I'm not sure any sane person would.
But i do think the M135i is more fun to drive on British roads than any E90/91/92/93 which isn't powered by a V8.
Just my opinion, you're entitled to yours, etc.

[yus786]

yus786 said:

Sorry to bump an old thread but I'm having to make the same decision now 4 years on but with prices of the 135i totally different

Very very difficult finding an e90 manual lci 335i, have seen 2 so far in about 2-3 months. Both SE models, the 70k one sold for £8k and a 30k one sold for £9.5k. One M-sport from a dealer on at the moment but thats £16k. Another just popped up at £14k but no idrive/screen

I've seen a 40k m135i for under £14k which has now been sold but was wondering if it would be worth paying that extra bit of money to get the m135i

I'm assuming it's gonna be a resounding yes?

So I ended up finding a really cheap e90 335i LCI with a great spec BUT its an auto

I still snapped it up as it was much cheaper than what they're worth

£10.5k 2011 60k miles N55 m-sport with full bmw service history, 1 owner from new. iDrive, sunroof, harmon kardon speakers, heated memory seats plus a few other options. Driven a good few hundred miles and no major issues it seems so hopefully nothing wrong with it

[Smuler]

yus786 said:

So I ended up finding a really cheap e90 335i LCI with a great spec BUT its an auto

I still snapped it up as it was much cheaper than what they're worth

£10.5k 2011 60k miles N55 m-sport with full bmw service history, 1 owner from new. iDrive, sunroof, harmon kardon speakers, heated memory seats plus a few other options. Driven a good few hundred miles and no major issues it seems so hopefully nothing wrong with it

Of all the fast cars to have an auto, the 335i isn't bad: to be fair. I had the DCT (better) on a coupe, but you've done well, at that price, and sounds a great spec for a saloon.

[Mike335i]

That is good, glad your happy with it. Pictures?

[yus786]

Smuler said:

Of all the fast cars to have an auto, the 335i isn't bad: to be fair. I had the DCT (better) on a coupe, but you've done well, at that price, and sounds a great spec for a saloon.

Thank you, yes it doesn't have the DCT so a bit weird after driving a DSG for a few years.

Mike335i said:

That is good, glad your happy with it. Pictures?

Thanks. Sorry I haven't got my own pics but it's exactly like this but RHD

Edited by yus786 on Friday 7th July 17:22

[eztiger328]

KrisP said:

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 cant comment much on the E9x series but there seems to be quite a few low mileage ex lease M135i's about at the moment and at decent prices (when considering depreciation).

I picked up my LCI 2 M135i back at the end of April with 600 miles on the clock. Luckily for me the original purchaser bought it blind, drove it 500 miles then decided he didn't like the ride and sold it back.

If I ever bump into him i'll buy him a pint, he saved me over 11k in depreciation

I also considered a E92 335 but to be honest I just couldn't trust an out of warranty N54 engine so decided to bite the bullet and go with the almost new M135 with its 2 1/2 year manufacturer warranty , breakdown etc.

EDIT: WTF I just replied to a 4 yo thread /facepalm sorry...

Edited by eztiger328 on Friday 7th July 14:51

[nickfrog]

eztiger328 said:

If I ever bump into him i'll buy him a pint, he saved me over 11k in depreciation

Good move although discounts on new ranged from £8k to £10k depending on spec.

I lost £2.3k in 12 months from new on my LCI. Not bad !