M135i v E90 335i - mertits of each?
Discussion
Vladimir said:
Is the sunroof any good? We love the panoramic one on our Touring.
It did look a little odd, it's one of those that comes out of the car & sits above the roof - presumably due to packaging issues, namely I assume that there's not enough room in the roof for it. Plus at the front it had an odd 'windbreak' I can best describe it.I too love sunroofs, I know many petrolheads don't but it adds another dimension to a car in my eyes, unfortunately it's so rarely specced these days that finding a secondhand car with one is almost impossible.
I was in the same position about 2 weeks ago. I currently have an E90 330d which I have spent some money getting how I want it, removed runflats, BBS wheels, few BMW performance bits like the spolier, grilles etc. I was really tempted to get a 5dr M135i and went to see one, worked out the finance options, wrote an ad for mine and was as close as I could get to pulling the trigger on it. I then took a mate whose opinion I value to see one they had on the forecourt one evening and he looked at it for about 10seconds and said it looked like it needed beefing up a bit. I agree and wish they had just made it a bit more special like the 1M. I appreciate a lot of people like the subtle looks but deep down I think making a car a bit individual is what I like. I decided against it in the end. Gonna keep the 330d for now until something comes up that really grabs me.
acme said:
It did look a little odd, it's one of those that comes out of the car & sits above the roof - presumably due to packaging issues, namely I assume that there's not enough room in the roof for it. Plus at the front it had an odd 'windbreak' I can best describe it.
I too love sunroofs, I know many petrolheads don't but it adds another dimension to a car in my eyes, unfortunately it's so rarely specced these days that finding a secondhand car with one is almost impossible.
Cheers for the info - another point to the current 335d Touring then...! I too love sunroofs, I know many petrolheads don't but it adds another dimension to a car in my eyes, unfortunately it's so rarely specced these days that finding a secondhand car with one is almost impossible.
I just need to test one and see if the overall driving experience is good enough to make up for:
1) The lack of space
2) The lack of proper steering
3) The lack of attractiveness (although a fairly staid SE version, I do like the way ours looks)
4) The slight dip in cabin quality
I'm sure it will and the M135i is comfortably quicker but it's got a tough act to follow.
Vladimir said:
Cheers for the info - another point to the current 335d Touring then...!
I just need to test one and see if the overall driving experience is good enough to make up for:
1) The lack of space
2) The lack of proper steering
3) The lack of attractiveness (although a fairly staid SE version, I do like the way ours looks)
4) The slight dip in cabin quality
I'm sure it will and the M135i is comfortably quicker but it's got a tough act to follow.
My opinion only, plus I'd imagine it's a damned expensive option too!I just need to test one and see if the overall driving experience is good enough to make up for:
1) The lack of space
2) The lack of proper steering
3) The lack of attractiveness (although a fairly staid SE version, I do like the way ours looks)
4) The slight dip in cabin quality
I'm sure it will and the M135i is comfortably quicker but it's got a tough act to follow.
As I mentioned in white it didn't look too bad, I'd looked at one close up in the car park a few months ago in what I'd have thought was my preferred option of Estoril blue and I thought it was as ugly as sin! Likewise someone on here posted pics of a silver one & it looked OK, perhaps it's one of those cars where colour really does make a difference?
Re cabin quality, that was the real reason I sat in it yesterday. OH's got a 116D company car & I can't say I've been that impressed by the interior quality, OK but not much better than my MK5 Golf, which I think is poor at best. To be fair the one on display at Silverstone had red leather & I think from memory carbon so lifted it significantly - one of the real issues I have with the 116D is that it's just so drab in there, with the central tunnel & small ish glass area getting into that on a cold dark winters morning wouldn't entice you into the day! So if you do perhaps think about a few interior extras to brighten it up?
Glad I'm not the only one dithering a bit. To many BMW owners that want the latest shiny new thing, they'd get shot immediately but we tend to view cars simply on their merits.
We have a fairly unusual combination of sapphire black and terra Dakota leather and despite clear bias, it's a damned fine looking combination and looks great. With the 1er, it would only really be black which is a bit dull.
I like the grey a lot on the M135i but yet to see one in the metal.
Anyway, I'm sure we will probably get one but its not as clear cut as I thought; my wife also loves our current car which doesn't help!
We have a fairly unusual combination of sapphire black and terra Dakota leather and despite clear bias, it's a damned fine looking combination and looks great. With the 1er, it would only really be black which is a bit dull.
I like the grey a lot on the M135i but yet to see one in the metal.
Anyway, I'm sure we will probably get one but its not as clear cut as I thought; my wife also loves our current car which doesn't help!
KrisP said:
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)
Probably shouldn't say it on a BMW forum but if I was considering an E90 (or E91) 335i I'd certainly have a close look at an S4 before doing a deal. Nothing in it from a performance point of view but if you want an auto the Audi has the equivalent of DCT which is not available on the E90/E91; the S4 is also arguably better looking (certainly as a saloon) and has interior build quality and paintwork that puts a E9x 3 series to shame. All IMHO of course....(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)
Vladimir said:
I tested my mates S4; nice engine, good sound, handled okay, poor steering, some plasticky interior finish and fussy dash.
IMO a 335i is better.
Dash design is obviously a matter of taste but very surprised if you think an E9x 3 series has better build quality inside than an S4; I'd say my E92 is a step backwards from my old E46 M3 both in terms of quality of materials used and how well they're put together. My next door neighbour bought a second-hand TT recently and, while I enjoy teasing him about it being a hairdresser's car, the interior build quality is certainly better than mine and the paintwork is frankly in a different league altogether. IMO a 335i is better.
I do agree that the 335i is good to drive and as I wanted a coupe for me the 335i was a better option than the S5 (most of the second-hand examples of those were the gas guzzling V8 at the time I bought mine!). However, if I'd wanted a saloon or an estate it would have been a much more difficult decision......
Agree about the paintwork; my 2006 335d has a bonnet like an acne ridden teenager. Definitely not getting black again!
The S4 has a lot of what looks like chrome effect plastic. It's a nice place to sit bit there's too much going on (I like my interiors to be simple but effective). I remember Chris Harris mentioning it too.
I did like the engine though; the throttle response of the supercharged six is great and it makes a good noise too. But push them hard and mpg gets truly horrific.
They do look good but not for me.
The S4 has a lot of what looks like chrome effect plastic. It's a nice place to sit bit there's too much going on (I like my interiors to be simple but effective). I remember Chris Harris mentioning it too.
I did like the engine though; the throttle response of the supercharged six is great and it makes a good noise too. But push them hard and mpg gets truly horrific.
They do look good but not for me.
Vladimir said:
Cheers for the info - another point to the current 335d Touring then...!
I just need to test one and see if the overall driving experience is good enough to make up for:
1) The lack of space
2) The lack of proper steering
3) The lack of attractiveness (although a fairly staid SE version, I do like the way ours looks)
4) The slight dip in cabin quality
I'm sure it will and the M135i is comfortably quicker but it's got a tough act to follow.
I forgot how much I missed the panoramic roof from the E91.. I just need to test one and see if the overall driving experience is good enough to make up for:
1) The lack of space
2) The lack of proper steering
3) The lack of attractiveness (although a fairly staid SE version, I do like the way ours looks)
4) The slight dip in cabin quality
I'm sure it will and the M135i is comfortably quicker but it's got a tough act to follow.
After maybe 2 and a half months with the 135i, I'd suggest the following:
1 - Space - seems OK with family aboard - kids both in car seats works fine, but I've not put the dogs in the boot - from past experience with the old 1 series we had, you can get 2 decent sized dogs in, but not much else
2 - I'm still not convinced by the steering - it's better in sport, but I can still remember how good the steering was in my E91 after almost 4 years (driving an E61 and F11 after selling it).. It's far from terrible, and is nicely weighted, but the feedback is less than I would like.
3 - attractiveness - honestly, I think it only looks bad from some front angles, but the 135i does seem to improve upon the looks of the lesser spec'd models - and I think from the side or rear it looks great.
4 - I don't think the cabin is bad at all - this was one worry when I swapped the F11 for it, but I've not been disappointed - it has similar seats to my old E91 and I always liked them more than in the 5er's and the trim is good - I would suggest that the higher spec'd sat nav maybe worth having - mine has the regular one, with slightly smaller screen than the pro version (which was in my F11) - it works well, but the larger screen version would be better. Build quality is good with the exception of a couple of small areas that you don't usually notice unless you go looking for them.
If you can get one to try, I don't think you'd be disappointed - as long as you are fine with the space and steering. Mine is still averaging 30.5mpg with a mix of Cornish driving (town/country/hills..) and motorway trips to London.
Vladimir said:
Agree about the paintwork; my 2006 335d has a bonnet like an acne ridden teenager. Definitely not getting black again!
The S4 has a lot of what looks like chrome effect plastic. It's a nice place to sit bit there's too much going on (I like my interiors to be simple but effective). I remember Chris Harris mentioning it too.
I did like the engine though; the throttle response of the supercharged six is great and it makes a good noise too. But push them hard and mpg gets truly horrific.
They do look good but not for me.
My E92 is also Sapphire Black and the orange peel is just awful in places; hammerite metallic would probably be a better description! Sadly you can look at brand new BMW's in the showroom and they're no better - the dealers are quick to blame the modern water-based paints but can offer no explanation when you ask why other makes don't appear to be affected in the same way.The S4 has a lot of what looks like chrome effect plastic. It's a nice place to sit bit there's too much going on (I like my interiors to be simple but effective). I remember Chris Harris mentioning it too.
I did like the engine though; the throttle response of the supercharged six is great and it makes a good noise too. But push them hard and mpg gets truly horrific.
They do look good but not for me.
My 335i is my 4th BMW and overall I'm pretty happy with it; however, there are a few things that irritate and when the time comes to change I will certainly investigate what's available from other manufacturers!
JNW1 said:
KrisP said:
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)
Probably shouldn't say it on a BMW forum but if I was considering an E90 (or E91) 335i I'd certainly have a close look at an S4 before doing a deal. Nothing in it from a performance point of view but if you want an auto the Audi has the equivalent of DCT which is not available on the E90/E91; the S4 is also arguably better looking (certainly as a saloon) and has interior build quality and paintwork that puts a E9x 3 series to shame. All IMHO of course....(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)
KrisP said:
I hear you, and I have spent time in the classifieds looking at S4 Avants. The plus for the Audi is the interior. I've had an A6 of the same era, and they are a lovely place to spend time, but, and this is where the crux of the issue comes, I want driving dynamics ahead of the interior package. This swap is about getting down to one car, as I currently have a toy and a mundane everyday car, so how the car drives is of more importance this time around
Fair enough although from memory the chaps at EVO didn't think there was much in it between the 335i touring and S4 avant they ran as long-term test cars a few years back? As ever, the answer is probably to try both and see which you prefer; probably a lot more examples to choose from if you go the S4 route as E90 and E91 335i's are not exactly easy to find on the second-hand market!
sp222 said:
Vladimir said:
Cheers for the info - another point to the current 335d Touring then...!
I just need to test one and see if the overall driving experience is good enough to make up for:
1) The lack of space
2) The lack of proper steering
3) The lack of attractiveness (although a fairly staid SE version, I do like the way ours looks)
4) The slight dip in cabin quality
I'm sure it will and the M135i is comfortably quicker but it's got a tough act to follow.
I forgot how much I missed the panoramic roof from the E91.. I just need to test one and see if the overall driving experience is good enough to make up for:
1) The lack of space
2) The lack of proper steering
3) The lack of attractiveness (although a fairly staid SE version, I do like the way ours looks)
4) The slight dip in cabin quality
I'm sure it will and the M135i is comfortably quicker but it's got a tough act to follow.
After maybe 2 and a half months with the 135i, I'd suggest the following:
1 - Space - seems OK with family aboard - kids both in car seats works fine, but I've not put the dogs in the boot - from past experience with the old 1 series we had, you can get 2 decent sized dogs in, but not much else
2 - I'm still not convinced by the steering - it's better in sport, but I can still remember how good the steering was in my E91 after almost 4 years (driving an E61 and F11 after selling it).. It's far from terrible, and is nicely weighted, but the feedback is less than I would like.
3 - attractiveness - honestly, I think it only looks bad from some front angles, but the 135i does seem to improve upon the looks of the lesser spec'd models - and I think from the side or rear it looks great.
4 - I don't think the cabin is bad at all - this was one worry when I swapped the F11 for it, but I've not been disappointed - it has similar seats to my old E91 and I always liked them more than in the 5er's and the trim is good - I would suggest that the higher spec'd sat nav maybe worth having - mine has the regular one, with slightly smaller screen than the pro version (which was in my F11) - it works well, but the larger screen version would be better. Build quality is good with the exception of a couple of small areas that you don't usually notice unless you go looking for them.
If you can get one to try, I don't think you'd be disappointed - as long as you are fine with the space and steering. Mine is still averaging 30.5mpg with a mix of Cornish driving (town/country/hills..) and motorway trips to London.
Fc101 said:
The M135i is on a 3yr PCP @ £361/month for a car that after 9.7% discount cost just under 30k.
May I ask what term you've gone for and whether you've gone with BMW or a thrid party?I've asked my local dealer to quote me with 12k miles PA, £5k down, list price £34,500 and over three years, all of which came to £505 per month. Having calculated that my last six years of motoring have cost me £390 a month every month that's the figure I was shooting for and when I saw your figure of £361 I thought I was in with a chance.
Thanks
James_G said:
May I ask what term you've gone for and whether you've gone with BMW or a thrid party?
I've asked my local dealer to quote me with 12k miles PA, £5k down, list price £34,500 and over three years, all of which came to £505 per month. Having calculated that my last six years of motoring have cost me £390 a month every month that's the figure I was shooting for and when I saw your figure of £361 I thought I was in with a chance.
Thanks
I'm on £5k down 36 months at £455. 10k per year with a list of £37k I've asked my local dealer to quote me with 12k miles PA, £5k down, list price £34,500 and over three years, all of which came to £505 per month. Having calculated that my last six years of motoring have cost me £390 a month every month that's the figure I was shooting for and when I saw your figure of £361 I thought I was in with a chance.
Thanks
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