Used buy - 335i Coupe or 135i Coupe

[RobCrezz]

Both available for a similar price , the 135i being slightly newer. Which would you have and why?

Most 335i seem to come with a slushbox. Is it a good box? Would it frustrate someone who likes to change gear manually?

[Prof Prolapse]

335. Because the 1 series is fking hideous.

Can't comment on the spacker box.

[DaveH23]

Prof Prolapse said:

335. Because the 1 series is fking hideous.

Can't comment on the spacker box.

If your referring the spacker box to an auto then Im pretty sure the 335 only comes in auto.

[louiebaby]

DaveH23 said:

If your referring the spacker box to an auto then Im pretty sure the 335 only comes in auto.

335d = Auto only. The 335i Coupe is available as a Manual.

Be careful about when the car was registered, as you can straddle the date when you can get caught by the gas-guzler level of road tax.

[RobCrezz]

louiebaby said:

335d = Auto only. The 335i Coupe is available as a Manual.

Be careful about when the car was registered, as you can straddle the date when you can get caught by the gas-guzler level of road tax.

Thanks for the info.

Hardly see any of the 335i in Manual

[RobCrezz]

Prof Prolapse said:

335. Because the 1 series is fking hideous.

Can't comment on the spacker box.

I quite like the look of the 1 Series Coupe, not keen on the hatch so much though.

[s m]

RobCrezz said:

Prof Prolapse said:

335. Because the 1 series is fking hideous.

Can't comment on the spacker box.

I quite like the look of the 1 Series Coupe, not keen on the hatch so much though.

Do you need more than 3 passenger seats?

[RobCrezz]

s m said:

Do you need more than 3 passenger seats?

No.

[ArsE92]

RobCrezz said:

Both available for a similar price , the 135i being slightly newer. Which would you have and why?

Most 335i seem to come with a slushbox. Is it a good box? Would it frustrate someone who likes to change gear manually?

The auto in the 335 is superb and a far cry from 'slush' boxes of old.

The 335 is only about 40kg heavier than the 1, arguably looks nicer, and the cabin is a much nicer place to be than the 1 series.

[Prof Prolapse]

RobCrezz said:

Prof Prolapse said:

335. Because the 1 series is fking hideous.

Can't comment on the spacker box.

I quite like the look of the 1 Series Coupe, not keen on the hatch so much though.

It's definately far better but not to my taste. The 1 series hatch just looks like a squashed 3 series to me.

Besides, who wants the bottom of the range series of anything?

ETA: Or should that be top of the bottom of the range?

[rallycross]

335 great allrounder.
135 - looks absurd, cramped in the back, rare to find one (Far too ugly/expensive to sell many new?)

I've had a couple of 335's two manuals and one auto, great cars, 305+ bhp, quick but economical on the motorway, lovely engine note.
Nicely weighted steering, great chassis, corners nice and flat but copes ok with bumps, I found the ones with 17" wheels nicer to drive the 19" might look better but tyres are far too low profile to cope with our roads. If you are buying a coupe the SE has the same suspension as the sport so its just cosmetic differences between the 2 - but a massive price difference (used).

Not driven a 135 so cant really compare other than agree the 1 series coupe looks horrible.

[RobCrezz]

You both make good points. The more common manual box and the lighter weight drew me to the 135i, but as you rightly say, the 135i isnt much lighter.

[RobCrezz]

rallycross said:

335 great allrounder.
135 - looks absurd, cramped in the back, rare to find one (Far too ugly/expensive to sell many new?)

I've had a couple of 335's two manuals and one auto, great cars, 305+ bhp, quick but economical on the motorway, lovely engine note.
Nicely weighted steering, great chassis, corners nice and flat but copes ok with bumps, I found the ones with 17" wheels nicer to drive the 19" might look better but tyres are far too low profile to cope with our roads. If you are buying a coupe the SE has the same suspension as the sport so its just cosmetic differences between the 2 - but a massive price difference (used).

Not driven a 135 so cant really compare other than agree the 1 series coupe looks horrible.

Thanks.

Did you prefer the auto or manual box?

[rallycross]

RobCrezz said:

Thanks.

Did you prefer the auto or manual box?

The manual is better to drive.
The auto works really well having lots of torque, it will just cruise along in D, but typical BMW auto even with paddles on the wheel you are still quite removed from the driving experience when driving in manual/sport mode, even though the changes are quick/sharp.

The manual is more fun and its an engine that really likes to rev so why spoil it with an auto (unless you are doing lots of city driving).

If you do get a 335 auto make sure it has the paddles on the wheel as well, all Sports have this but not all SE's have so its worth checking it has got this option).

[RobCrezz]

rallycross said:

RobCrezz said:

Thanks.

Did you prefer the auto or manual box?

The manual is better to drive.
The auto works really well having lots of torque, it will just cruise along in D, but typical BMW auto even with paddles on the wheel you are still quite removed from the driving experience when driving in manual/sport mode, even though the changes are quick/sharp.

The manual is more fun and its an engine that really likes to rev so why spoil it with an auto (unless you are doing lots of city driving).

If you do get a 335 auto make sure it has the paddles on the wheel as well, all Sports have this but not all SE's have so its worth checking it has got this option).

Yeah I think a manual would be much better. So many people seem to have specced them with automatics though.

Thanks for the advice.

[RobCrezz]

Now, what if I add the E60 M5 to the options? More of a driving machine than the other two?

[em177]

RobCrezz said:

Now, what if I add the E60 M5 to the options? More of a driving machine than the other two?

Erm, yes... but a whole different ball game to the other two!

[Seb d]

135i fractionally quicker, but I prefer the looks of the 335i and it feels like you're getting more car for the money. Personally, I would hold out for a manual though. The auto is fine, but the manual is better.

E60 M5 is a whole different ball game, but in terms of running costs, don't even go there...

[RobCrezz]

Seb d said:

E60 M5 is a whole different ball game, but in terms of running costs, don't even go there...

Point taken!

[kambites]

An M3 on the other hand...