M135i v E90 335i - mertits of each?

M135i v E90 335i - mertits of each?

Author
Discussion

12TS

1,806 posts

209 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
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RFTs are a no cost option. I've got them, and they're OK, surprise surprise!

creepy coupe

302 posts

132 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
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acme said:
I think given its questionable looks, a more subtle colour may well be the way to go.

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)?
acme. The manual in the M135i was the best I've experienced. I just didn't want to take another change of not liking it after a couple of months of ownership.

I also love using the paddles. Runflats can be specced at no extra cost on the same rims and as far as I can tell some overseas buyer can have the same wheels as the non M135i models, such as Sport and Urban.

JNW1

7,707 posts

193 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
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12TS said:
RFTs are a no cost option. I've got them, and they're OK, surprise surprise!
They may be ok but are they as good as the conventional alternative? Think that's Pilot Super Sports on the M135i and from what I hear they're very good; therefore, why delete those in favour of something that's almost certainly inferior in terms of performance and will cost more to replace? The only thing going for the run-flat is perhaps more piece of mind if you have a puncture but that means accepting a compromised set-up 100% of the time to guard against something that happens once in a blue moon (all IMO of course!).

creepy coupe

302 posts

132 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
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Yes if my wife shared my cars and there was a risk she'd be out on a winters night and might get a puncture. Then maybe I'd tick the runflat box. But otherwise I'd avoid them.

JNW1

7,707 posts

193 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
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creepy coupe said:
Yes if my wife shared my cars and there was a risk she'd be out on a winters night and might get a puncture. Then maybe I'd tick the runflat box. But otherwise I'd avoid them.
I can certainly see that where you drive and who's doing the driving could influence the decision. In fairness I think the latest run-flats are also much better than the originals although I'm yet to see a comparison that says they're as good as the conventional equivalent; therefore, personally I'd stick with the Pilot Super Sports on an M135i but it's a free country and each to their own!

creepy coupe

302 posts

132 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
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JNW1 said:
I personally I'd stick with the Pilot Super Sports on an M135i
So would I.

il sole

287 posts

143 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
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I thought I'd give my tuppence worth of thoughts on the OP's original dilemma - I have an E91 LCI 330i auto (so not a 335i saloon I know!) which I've had for 3 years after buying it approved used at 18months old. I also have been seduced by the new M135i and I have been very close to ordering one after a weekend loan of a massive specc'd one a few months back. However, there are a few things which have stopped me so far - 1- obviously depreciation. I would imagine it will be big after 1 year. I also note that M135is without prof nav and without the auto box are not holding their value nearly as well as others. -2- the feel of the car. for some unfathomable reason, I never felt i was in charge of the car - it was as if the car did everything for me and i just pointed the thing! 3- slipping back into my now almost 5 year old E91, it felt good, still razor sharp, and overall more involving, exciting and interesting.
I have no doubt that an M135i would be fabulous to own, but I just felt it was lacking something, which I feel my 330i has. ( and I don't just mean a rubbish ride!!) yes the E9x has many faults, but as a long term ownership proposition, it's great. I have never owned a car for more than 3 years, but I can't see myself getting rid of the E91...
I should also say that the spec of mine is great and I was lucky the original owner chose a great colour combo and options...

My vote would be for an almost 3year old 335i which you can take out a warranty on.

acme

2,971 posts

197 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
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creepy coupe said:
acme. The manual in the M135i was the best I've experienced. I just didn't want to take another change of not liking it after a couple of months of ownership.

I also love using the paddles. Runflats can be specced at no extra cost on the same rims and as far as I can tell some overseas buyer can have the same wheels as the non M135i models, such as Sport and Urban.
I see your point - as you mentioned it's cost you a lot in the past to rectify.

Seems as though they've sorted the ride issues on the latest 1'er, which on the basis of a mates experiences with his old shape one is a very good thing indeed.

creepy coupe

302 posts

132 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
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acme said:
I see your point - as you mentioned it's cost you a lot in the past to rectify.

Seems as though they've sorted the ride issues on the latest 1'er, which on the basis of a mates experiences with his old shape one is a very good thing indeed.
Yes they have. It really does feel sorted and solid, in a quality way, not solid hard.

acme

2,971 posts

197 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
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creepy coupe said:
Yes they have. It really does feel sorted and solid, in a quality way, not solid hard.
I appreciate it's completely different and I'm not sure if it's running RFT's or not but I've been in a 12 plate 116D quite a bit recently and I knew they'd improved it but I was amazed, over sleeping policemen & on concrete sections of the motorways it seemed really good. Much better than I thought it would be.

Vladimir

6,917 posts

157 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
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If any of you have had good dealership experiences, please shout. SW dealers make out the M135i is some mega niche specialist car!

Fc101

74 posts

163 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
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hornetrider said:
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?
It was over 100k, the SE not M sport, cloth seats and needed the turbos changing. I was fairly happy with £6.5k tbh....

Fc101

74 posts

163 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
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creepy coupe said:
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.
Same here. Had the stealth look in previous car and wanted this one to stand out a bit more so got a black stripe. An official M performance accessory lol, always knew a stripe makes a car faster so good to have BMW confirmation. Prob not to everyone's taste but coupled with a red interior it does at least mean it looks a bit more special to me at least.









Edited by Fc101 on Tuesday 23 July 19:50

creepy coupe

302 posts

132 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
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My local dealer has a 118D Sport with those stripes and 19" M performance wheels. It looks amazing.

pangster79

172 posts

195 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
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not really a car graphics fan.. but think these look ok:


Schnellmann

1,893 posts

203 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
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Recently went through the same thought process and ended up ordering the M135i.

I think the M135i will cost me more than a 2nd hand 335i but as I'm planning to keep it for quite a few years (OK - plan and reality often don't coincide with me!) then hopefully not too much difference and with a new car I don't have to worry about how it was driven before, plus there is the warranty (although to be fair I've had BMWs as my company car for almost 11 years, drive over 20'000 miles a year and have never had a problem - hope I'm not tempting fate by writing that).


Vladimir

6,917 posts

157 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
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The (lack of) reliability of the 335i always put me off (I had the choice of that or the 335d) so I went for the 335d -yes it's auto, has a 5k rpm limit and smells but it is similarish in performance and does decent fuel range.

However, despite it being great, the M135i is calling with a loud voice and so far (fingers crossed for all), the engine seems a lot more reliable than the unit in the 335i.

TBH with dealers being so utterly hopeless down here, I can see myself having to take a leap of faith and buy one without testing it. Will probably look around a lesser model just to make sure we can all fit in it.

JNW1

7,707 posts

193 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
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Vladimir said:
However, despite it being great, the M135i is calling with a loud voice and so far (fingers crossed for all), the engine seems a lot more reliable than the unit in the 335i.
The OP was talking about a 335i that was 3 to 4 years old and at the 3 year old mark all 335i's should have the same engine as the M135i; my E92 335i is 3.5 years old (December 2009) and has the N55 engine.

Crimefighter

152 posts

135 months

Wednesday 24th July 2013
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When is the M235i due? Looks to be easier on the eye than the M135i imo.

If its soon, I'd hold off and see how the pricing stacks up.

Vladimir

6,917 posts

157 months

Thursday 25th July 2013
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JNW1 said:
The OP was talking about a 335i that was 3 to 4 years old and at the 3 year old mark all 335i's should have the same engine as the M135i; my E92 335i is 3.5 years old (December 2009) and has the N55 engine.
I'm pretty sure the 1er engine is fairly different? Maybe not.