M1/235 to M3/4
Discussion
yep, M135i to M3.
M3 feels special, the M135i just doesn't. M3 feels mechanical and direct, makes the M135i feel like a basic 1 series with a big engine (which it is)
Would I have another M135i? yes! its the bargain car of the last 10 years and returns massive fun per £ but wether the M3 is worth the extra cost is down to your disposable income. For every day use the M135i was a faster car and a lot more fun, but encourages you to drive like an 18 year old. M3 feels more grown up and demands you to be carefull as you WILL run out of talent a long time before the car does.
M3 feels special, the M135i just doesn't. M3 feels mechanical and direct, makes the M135i feel like a basic 1 series with a big engine (which it is)
Would I have another M135i? yes! its the bargain car of the last 10 years and returns massive fun per £ but wether the M3 is worth the extra cost is down to your disposable income. For every day use the M135i was a faster car and a lot more fun, but encourages you to drive like an 18 year old. M3 feels more grown up and demands you to be carefull as you WILL run out of talent a long time before the car does.
not quicker in real terms, I drove it quicker as it felt more rewarding without being scary. If I drove the M3 in the same way I would be at licence losing speeds very quickly and probably crash... Where the M135i would give a bit of advance notice understeer on turn in, the M3 will grip and encourage you to drive faster which isnt always acceptable on public roads.
The M3 makes the M135i feel very basic and will outhandle, outbrake, outperform it in every single area, other than the fun factor. To sum it up in a silly way: M135i is like a yappy little playfull jack russel puppy wanting to dart about and act stupid. The M3 is like an SAS trained attack doberman.
The M3 makes the M135i feel very basic and will outhandle, outbrake, outperform it in every single area, other than the fun factor. To sum it up in a silly way: M135i is like a yappy little playfull jack russel puppy wanting to dart about and act stupid. The M3 is like an SAS trained attack doberman.
Dapple said:
not quicker in real terms, I drove it quicker as it felt more rewarding without being scary. If I drove the M3 in the same way I would be at licence losing speeds very quickly and probably crash... Where the M135i would give a bit of advance notice understeer on turn in, the M3 will grip and encourage you to drive faster which isnt always acceptable on public roads.
The M3 makes the M135i feel very basic and will outhandle, outbrake, outperform it in every single area, other than the fun factor. To sum it up in a silly way: M135i is like a yappy little playfull jack russel puppy wanting to dart about and act stupid. The M3 is like an SAS trained attack doberman.
That's interesting. I was really hoping that it would be the other way around and the M3 would be far more fun since I would hope that it just doesn't do understeer. Handling-wise, I would expect the M3 to break away much more cleanly and accurately than the M135i making it more fun to drive like that. I'd also note that it takes 5 seconds to turn the DSC off in the M135i, whereas I gather it can be done instantly by a steering wheel button in the M3. Thus in the M135i it has to be considered at more than 500 ft before the manoeuvre, so you can miss the moment, plus it also cancels the cruise control too.The M3 makes the M135i feel very basic and will outhandle, outbrake, outperform it in every single area, other than the fun factor. To sum it up in a silly way: M135i is like a yappy little playfull jack russel puppy wanting to dart about and act stupid. The M3 is like an SAS trained attack doberman.
Had a chance to drive my M3 and an M135i back to back today, heres some more comparisons:
M135i stering was light, vauge and no feedback whatsoever M3 was direct, nicely weighted and gives 100x more feedback.
M135i brakes were shocking in comparison, soft pedal that was slightly too long and no feedback at all. I struggled to get them to a decent temperature and faded when pushed past their best, wasnt driving overly hard. M3 was far more confidence inspiring and were sharp and powerful.
M135i chassis was light and back end slightly floaty, this exagerated by the light steering. M3 felt planted and solid.
I loved my M135i when I had it and would have another one day, but for me the M3 is leagues ahead in driving experience and makes the M135i feel cheap, but it is twice the price after all.
M135i stering was light, vauge and no feedback whatsoever M3 was direct, nicely weighted and gives 100x more feedback.
M135i brakes were shocking in comparison, soft pedal that was slightly too long and no feedback at all. I struggled to get them to a decent temperature and faded when pushed past their best, wasnt driving overly hard. M3 was far more confidence inspiring and were sharp and powerful.
M135i chassis was light and back end slightly floaty, this exagerated by the light steering. M3 felt planted and solid.
I loved my M135i when I had it and would have another one day, but for me the M3 is leagues ahead in driving experience and makes the M135i feel cheap, but it is twice the price after all.
I'm bored of my M135 after nearly 2 years. Really missing a soft top so considering an M4 convertible. Love the 'real' M car differences, much nicer leather and the feel that you're in control of something really special as opposed to a 1 series with a big engine.
Having said that I've test driven an M4 coupe twice and it didn't feel twice as good as the M135i. My mine and man maths are now edging towards an E93 M3 for the best of both worlds, ie real M car at sensible (ish) price
Having said that I've test driven an M4 coupe twice and it didn't feel twice as good as the M135i. My mine and man maths are now edging towards an E93 M3 for the best of both worlds, ie real M car at sensible (ish) price
Go drive a convertible. It sounds a bit naff plus the extra 250kg and loss of roof certainly takes the edge off a bit.
I do like a convertible, but I don't think the M4 works v.well. Convertibles should be left to 2 seaters Akamai
M135i is a surprisingly hard car to replace. I really want an M3 (and need a 4dr) and whilst I love it I really am struggling to justify almost doubling the monthly payments.
I'm waiting out for a deal on M3s and going to see what this new RS3 looks like. Could be good middle ground if it's better than tje last one...
I do like a convertible, but I don't think the M4 works v.well. Convertibles should be left to 2 seaters Akamai
M135i is a surprisingly hard car to replace. I really want an M3 (and need a 4dr) and whilst I love it I really am struggling to justify almost doubling the monthly payments.
I'm waiting out for a deal on M3s and going to see what this new RS3 looks like. Could be good middle ground if it's better than tje last one...
I made the mistake of having a go in a Porsche 991 S recently and the thing that really stood out to me was the lack of throttle response in the M135i. It was night and day different and really highlighted to me that I love high revving NA engines.
The M135i is a fantastic jack of all trades, but when you get in something much more focussed, just wow.
The M135i is a fantastic jack of all trades, but when you get in something much more focussed, just wow.
bennyboysvuk said:
I made the mistake of having a go in a Porsche 991 S recently and the thing that really stood out to me was the lack of throttle response in the M135i. It was night and day different and really highlighted to me that I love high revving NA engines.
The M135i is a fantastic jack of all trades, but when you get in something much more focussed, just wow.
Just to add that my old M3 felt like a tub of lard after driving a 997 GTS and then a turbo. I'm still to drive the M3/4 but then again, I'm in no hurry to change. If I had the space and the money, then I would have an M3/4 as they make fantastic DDs.The M135i is a fantastic jack of all trades, but when you get in something much more focussed, just wow.
I briefly ran a 235i prior to my current M4. It is really a decision which needs to be based on driving each car and determining if you want to fund the £ 20K extra for a M4. For me the ability to set up the car through M1/2 options and
a very direct mechanical feel made it worth while even if you need a track day to exploit it fully. However for road use the 235i is going to carry more than enough performance and creates less attention which I see as a good thing.
a very direct mechanical feel made it worth while even if you need a track day to exploit it fully. However for road use the 235i is going to carry more than enough performance and creates less attention which I see as a good thing.
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