Newbie- M135i

[Mustangs]

Just considering an early car here (2012/13) and stuck between manual and auto .
What's the box of choice and how what's preferable when selling up time comes ?

Also is the auto box an smg?

Tks in advance

[Smuler]

Mustangs said:

Just considering an early car here (2012/13) and stuck between manual and auto .
What's the box of choice and how what's preferable when selling up time comes ?

Also is the auto box an smg?

Tks in advance

Not SMG or DCT, it's a 8 speed auto. I think this early thread might be useful.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=132...

[Mustangs]

Smuler said:

Not SMG or DCT, it's a 8 speed auto. I think this early thread might be useful.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=132...

I'll take a look many tks .

Good alternative to an M 135i?

[as7920]

The ZF 8sp auto is very impressive, have that in my current 3 year old M135i

Drove the M2 DCT recently and actually preferred my gearbox.

Edited by as7920 on Thursday 12th May 21:11

[Mustangs]

as7920 said:

The ZF 8sp auto is very impressive, have that in my current 3 year old M135i

Drove the M2 DCT recently and actually preferred gearbox.

Sorry which gearbox did you prefer ?
Tks

[as7920]

Mustangs said:

Sorry which gearbox did you prefer ?
Tks

Sorry, mine. Corrected my original post.

[Mustangs]

as7920 said:

Sorry, mine. Corrected my original post.

Ok . You pleased with M2? No manual in that car ?
Have been a Porsche man for many years and currently have a GT4 but feel the urge to look at bmw too . The 1M appeals too but maybe too similar to GT4.
Thinking the M135i cracking car for under 20k

[as7920]

Mustangs said:

Ok . You pleased with M2? No manual in that car ?
Have been a Porsche man for many years and currently have a GT4 but feel the urge to look at bmw too . The 1M appeals too but maybe too similar to GT4.
Thinking the M135i cracking car for under 20k

I drove the M2, don't own one. Softer than the 1M (which I did own) but I'd have to drive the manual and DCT some more before deciding.

Indeed, M135i is a bargain.

[Mustangs]

as7920 said:

I drove the M2, don't own one. Softer than the 1M (which I did own) but I'd have to drive the manual and DCT some more before deciding.

Indeed, M135i is a bargain.

Hearing good things about the M2 and an fancying a break from manual cars at some stage .

Watched Harris vid last night with 135 vs RS3 where the 135 was auto box. You can here it's not double clutch but still seems decent enough especially as my journeys tend to be more longer distance now rather than lane driving .

More research needed :-)

[stewies_minion]

The gearbox is the best bit in my 2016 m135i.

By far the best auto I've ever driven. For a traditional auto it changes are very very quick. The manual modes are excellent.

If I'm being hyper critical about an auto m135i it can feel a bit PlayStation and quite far removed given how easy it is to be in.

[andyman_2006]

stewies_minion said:

The gearbox is the best bit in my 2016 m135i.

By far the best auto I've ever driven. For a traditional auto it changes are very very quick. The manual modes are excellent.

If I'm being hyper critical about an auto m135i it can feel a bit PlayStation and quite far removed given how easy it is to be in.

---

I borrowed for a day, a M235i with the ZF 8 speed auto, i'm not normally an auto fan, but it was very good when on a charge or driving fast, very effortless, and super quick on changes, in fact its much faster then the Gold R32 DSG box, and i would say as fast as the M3 DCT box.

However i found in auto mode it was a little annoying and slow to respond....just my feeling.

And yes its very playstation in manual mode!!

I personally would go for the manual, but depends on your preference and driving styles, and if you do a lot of city work, there was no denying round town it was simply easy and relaxed, i just like more control of the gear I'm in, thats said its far better than those fitted to the A class mercs!

Maybe give a manual and an auto a test @ the stealers? there are plenty around in both auto and manual.

Andy

[Mustangs]

andyman_2006 said:

---

I borrowed for a day, a M235i with the ZF 8 speed auto, i'm not normally an auto fan, but it was very good when on a charge or driving fast, very effortless, and super quick on changes, in fact its much faster then the Gold R32 DSG box, and i would say as fast as the M3 DCT box.

However i found in auto mode it was a little annoying and slow to respond....just my feeling.

And yes its very playstation in manual mode!!

I personally would go for the manual, but depends on your preference and driving styles, and if you do a lot of city work, there was no denying round town it was simply easy and relaxed, i just like more control of the gear I'm in, thats said its far better than those fitted to the A class mercs!

Maybe give a manual and an auto a test @ the stealers? there are plenty around in both auto and manual.

Andy

Thanks Andy will do .
It's a little forward thinking at present , maybe end of the year change around.
My journeys have become longer of late and the missus will at least be more inclined to use it if auto box . Don't suppose any came with sports/bucket seats ?

Alto what's the preference if and 3 or 5 door ?

Tks

Edited by Mustangs on Friday 13th May 11:19

[Mustangs]

Bump

[swanny71]

stewies_minion said:

If I'm being hyper critical about an auto m135i it can feel a bit PlayStation and quite far removed given how easy it is to be in.

Driven a few M135i's with the intention of changing from my 130i but this is why I've kept the old car. Trying find find a manual M135i in the right spec to try instead is difficult but if/when I do I might be tempted. The 8-speed is really good for an auto but I just prefer manuals.

[Mustangs]

swanny71 said:

Driven a few M135i's with the intention of changing from my 130i but this is why I've kept the old car. Trying find find a manual M135i in the right spec to try instead is difficult but if/when I do I might be tempted. The 8-speed is really good for an auto but I just prefer manuals.

Yes manual certainly more involving I get that just my circumstances may be changing so id go for the auto .

How about the 2 series equivalent as an alternative ?

[Goatex]

I have the auto and think it's great. have driven a manual 120d and the footrest got in the way when pressing the clutch with my size 12s which would put me off but the gear change itself was fine.

[M3greg]

I had an auto M135i - absolutely loved it. Blisteringly quick on the road.

I had a 3 door and got a little sick of levering the kids into the back (at the time the then 2 year old needed seatbelt doing etc), but I still prefer the look of the 3 door over the 5.

[Bikeracer1098]

I am a die hard manual fan, however the manual in the M135i and latest M3/M4 is poor.
Go for the auto you won't be dissapointed.

[nickfrog]

I have found the manual box in thw M135i quite superb, can't fault it. Too many gears for that engine in the ZF imo.

[bennyboysvuk]

nickfrog said:

I have found the manual box in thw M135i quite superb, can't fault it. Too many gears for that engine in the ZF imo.

I completely agree. It seems much slicker than the gearboxes in my E46 M3 and Z4 M-R.