M135i v E90 335i - mertits of each?

[LocoBlade]

The same N55 engine (or fundamentally the same) I believe, but in a different state of tune, the M135 is 20bhp up and more economical with lower emissions.

[KrisP]

For what its worth, I'm only really considering the M135i against the E90 saloon 335i because of the 4 doors. The 335i would more than likely be the older N54 twin turbo model (as there arent many about) whereas the 1er will be the M54 single turbo.

The reliability of the older car concerns me, as I'd have to pay additional for the BMW warrenty which I think would be needed, whereas the 1er would come with it and therefore not be so much as a concern.

[gangzoom]

KrisP said:

For what its worth, I'm only really considering the M135i against the E90 saloon 335i because of the 4 doors. The 335i would more than likely be the older N54 twin turbo model (as there arent many about) whereas the 1er will be the M54 single turbo.

The reliability of the older car concerns me, as I'd have to pay additional for the BMW warrenty which I think would be needed, whereas the 1er would come with it and therefore not be so much as a concern.

If you buy an AUC car it will come with 1 year warranty anyways, the cost owning a used 335i (including warranty) is going to be much less than a nearly new/brand new M135i. Especially given how much more the M135i will depreciate in comparison. The new 435/235i do look very interesting, if you think you might change cars regularly it might make sense to by a M135i on PCP/Lease and than get a 235i in a few years?? It'll certainly be more expensive than buying a used 335i but you get the feeling of a owning a brand new car.....at the end of the day it all comes down to on how much money you want to spend.

[JNW1]

Vladimir said:

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.

As Locoblade says, it's fundamentally the same engine in later 335i's (the N55) albeit the M135i has a different map (which presumably accounts for the slight power increase?). However, the OP obviously needs 4 doors and from the sounds of it E90 335i's with the N55 engine aren't that thick on the ground; therefore, I think the M135i is his car. That said, in terms of cost I still think it would be far cheaper to put a warranty on an E90 335i with the N54 engine than it would to buy a new M135i and get rid of it after 12 months!

[LocoBlade]

335i saloons are extremely thin on the ground, there were only a couple for sale when I was considering one 3 months ago, and they were N54s.

[J012E]

I've looked at this exact situation, currently have a 335i which I absolutely love but not sure I can justify spending so much more on a car that is very similar.

Appreciate there are a lot of differences and upgrades but it will prob cost me an extra £20k+ and not sure its worth it?

[Fc101]

J012E said:

I've looked at this exact situation, currently have a 335i which I absolutely love but not sure I can justify spending so much more on a car that is very similar.

Appreciate there are a lot of differences and upgrades but it will prob cost me an extra £20k+ and not sure its worth it?

Swopping my 335 for the m135 made financial sense for me but if you are looking at paying £20k to change its prob not worth it. That is unless the idea of fixed cost motoring with a PCP appeals to you. Yes the m135 is faster and due to the lovely noise it makes it feels even faster still but its not a massive difference....

[Vladimir]

J012E said:

I've looked at this exact situation, currently have a 335i which I absolutely love but not sure I can justify spending so much more on a car that is very similar.

Appreciate there are a lot of differences and upgrades but it will prob cost me an extra £20k+ and not sure its worth it?

Same as us but with a 335d. Clearly there's more difference but its been such a good, reliable car for five years. I'd hate to make a major car changing error!

[windymissile]

First post so go easy on me...

I searched for 6 months for a 335i. In the end I found a E90 LCI N54. Quite a rare car as a lot of the LCI cars are N55. You will pay a premium for a nice car in top spec. After 3 months of ownership there has been no problems so far. The JB4 is an amazing mod and transforms the drive of the car. Downpipes will be on next Monday to free up the revs a little bit more.
Nothing wrong with the N55 engine in the M135 but it is a little more laggy. If you are leaving it standard then you won't notice. If you are going for a tune (which you should be as either engine is ripe for it) The N54 responds a little better throughout the rev range.
Just one more thing to think about with regards to space. The E90 is a saloon, the 1er is a hatch. Unless you plan on using the back seats a lot you may find the 135 more practical.

Edit* My fully comp warranty including european breakdown is £40odd a month. With the costs of labour in BMW dealers, I think it's well worth it.

WM

Edited by windymissile on Friday 26th July 09:16

[astirling]

creepy coupe said:

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.

Hi Creepy,

I have an auto M135i as well, but didn't spec the adaptive dampers. Found it to ride so much better than my old 120d on the standard springs that I didn't feel the need. Did you drive a car on the standard springs to feel if it is really that different, or are you just very pleased with the adaptive set up on your car?

[KrisP]

windymissile said:

First post so go easy on me...

I searched for 6 months for a 335i. In the end I found a E90 LCI N54. Quite a rare car as a lot of the LCI cars are N55. You will pay a premium for a nice car in top spec. After 3 months of ownership there has been no problems so far.

How do you distinguish between an N54 and N55 on the LCI E90?
I have found a couple of saloons for sale. Prefer one as the spec is nicer, but its missing heated seats, and I reckon the 2nd one is going to be an N55, though I don't know how to tell really

[creepy coupe]

astirling said:

Hi Creepy,

I have an auto M135i as well, but didn't spec the adaptive dampers. Found it to ride so much better than my old 120d on the standard springs that I didn't feel the need. Did you drive a car on the standard springs to feel if it is really that different, or are you just very pleased with the adaptive set up on your car?

Hi
Yes I drove two cars with standard and two with adaptive, one of which was auto and the other manual, not that it makes a difference, but I just wanted to try all variations. I also drove a 120d Manual with adaptive dampers, which felt a little softer still in comfort mode.

One of the reasons for testing so many was that I bought an M3 without adaptive dampers and soon regretted it. I ended up buying another M3 with which gets a bit expensive.

[LocoBlade]

KrisP said:

How do you distinguish between an N54 and N55 on the LCI E90?
I have found a couple of saloons for sale. Prefer one as the spec is nicer, but its missing heated seats, and I reckon the 2nd one is going to be an N55, though I don't know how to tell really

The N55 has "TwinPower" written on the cam cover, a large air inlet hose running across the back half of the cam cover, and oil filler cap at the front of the engine. The N54 doesn't have the graphics or the hose, and oil filler is more central.

Personally I'd go for an N55 as I'd take improved economy and seemingly better reliability (from turbos and HPFP) over tuning potential but both have their merits.

Edit: pictures/thousand words etc...
N54



N55

Edited by LocoBlade on Friday 26th July 14:04

[KrisP]

Thanks for that. I have been googling after my last post and found the same information, but when adverts don't have engine pictures, I'm a little stumped. It used to be that you could look at the specific engine capacity or tax brackets, but when comparing an 09 and a 10 plate, with one auto and one manual, I don't think I can come to any conclusions as there are too many variables.

(I'd go and look at them in the metal, but I'm not quite ready to buy one just yet, nor have I decided between the 1 and 3 series)

[Smuler]

Kris,

There was a really detailed post (maybe here, or on another forum)giving the tax brackets of 335i over it's lifespan. I can't find it, sadly, but I did note down the author stating the N55 was tax bracket J and a quick corroboration with the DVLA website dates the J bracket, for the 335i, as coming from March 2010.

I would conclude therefore that you could spot, from an advert or Vr5 etc, a N55 if the tax bracket (i.e. or the co/2 if that's given) = J.

Immediately before they were K, such as one I know which was 09 registered.

[KrisP]

That would make sense from the guestimate I made on the two cars, just didnt want to assume through the manual/auto difference

[Smuler]

The post I referred to didn't specify there being any difference between auto and manual for N55.

It's hard to find a post 2010 manual 335i, but a quick look on Autotrader found a 2011 manual in bracket J (196 co/2) which is the same as the automatics.

[astirling]

creepy coupe said:

Hi
Yes I drove two cars with standard and two with adaptive, one of which was auto and the other manual, not that it makes a difference, but I just wanted to try all variations. I also drove a 120d Manual with adaptive dampers, which felt a little softer still in comfort mode.

One of the reasons for testing so many was that I bought an M3 without adaptive dampers and soon regretted it. I ended up buying another M3 with which gets a bit expensive.

Interesting, thanks

[acme]

Sat in the BMW stand one at the Silverstone Classic yesterday, then had a good look round it. In white, dakota (?) red leather, standard wheels (blue calipers, odd), it didn't look bad at all. OK, not exactly a looker, but what modern car is?!

It had a sunroof too, bet not many are specified with that!

[Vladimir]

acme said:

Sat in the BMW stand one at the Silverstone Classic yesterday, then had a good look round it. In white, dakota (?) red leather, standard wheels (blue calipers, odd), it didn't look bad at all. OK, not exactly a looker, but what modern car is?!

It had a sunroof too, bet not many are specified with that!

Is the sunroof any good? We love the panoramic one on our Touring.