135i Coupé - any thoughts?
Discussion
Looking at leasing deals on these, and there appear to be some quite attractive offers around.
I've still to nail Woods down to a date for a test drive, but I'll report back when that happens.
In the meantime, has anyone experienced the car?
What's the manual like vs the auto box?
In my e39 540iS I can do a 500 mile round trip on business in a day, without feeling knackered. Can the same be said for the 135i?
What options are worth considering, or avoiding?
What's the concensus these days on run-flats?
Cheers.
I've still to nail Woods down to a date for a test drive, but I'll report back when that happens.
In the meantime, has anyone experienced the car?
What's the manual like vs the auto box?
In my e39 540iS I can do a 500 mile round trip on business in a day, without feeling knackered. Can the same be said for the 135i?
What options are worth considering, or avoiding?
What's the concensus these days on run-flats?
Cheers.
Good luck trying to get one on test drive from a dealer. I've tried a few and not met with any success yet. It will be the end of the year before I pull the plug and buying one, so am not in any great hurry yet......probably just as well.
I'd be looking for an auto though, as I've had it with driving manual's within the M25 area.
Options....now there's the problem, you can tick far too many boxes and add 7k without trying
I'd be looking for an auto though, as I've had it with driving manual's within the M25 area.
Options....now there's the problem, you can tick far too many boxes and add 7k without trying
I bought one in June and it was due to be delivered very soon but its now been put back again. I was looking to buy second hand but there were only 3 in the country on BMW sites and non were even remotely local.
I asked the dealer if they had anything with the same engine that I could drive and they didn't have anything but I still put pen to paper on a new one as the deal worked out better for a brand new one with all the options than a second hand one worth 10K less.
I say go for it but thats not based on anything other than my expectations and the words of fellow owners on various forums. I haven't heard of an owner that is anything less than in love.
I asked the dealer if they had anything with the same engine that I could drive and they didn't have anything but I still put pen to paper on a new one as the deal worked out better for a brand new one with all the options than a second hand one worth 10K less.
I say go for it but thats not based on anything other than my expectations and the words of fellow owners on various forums. I haven't heard of an owner that is anything less than in love.
Hmmm.. yeah - I'm hearing encouraging noises, but nothing concrete - it's the same everywhere I look.
BMW are gonna have to understand that I don't care if they have to fly me to Munich to put me in a car.
I'm absolutely not spunking £35k on a car I don't get to try out first.
And if they can't deliver, I'll fall back to plan B and pick up an old SLK32 to run for a year, then look again at the 135.
BMW are gonna have to understand that I don't care if they have to fly me to Munich to put me in a car.
I'm absolutely not spunking £35k on a car I don't get to try out first.
And if they can't deliver, I'll fall back to plan B and pick up an old SLK32 to run for a year, then look again at the 135.
Before I bought my 120 I wished I'd looked at how much 3 Series I'd get for the same money.
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...
Not the same, I know, but I found the sharp steering of the 120 made it feel too edgy on the M way. I wouldn't have wanted to do a lot of miles in it. Bits of trim and paint fell off so I got rid. I'd imagined the 135 coupe was my next car (it hadn't been released when I bought the 120)
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...
Not the same, I know, but I found the sharp steering of the 120 made it feel too edgy on the M way. I wouldn't have wanted to do a lot of miles in it. Bits of trim and paint fell off so I got rid. I'd imagined the 135 coupe was my next car (it hadn't been released when I bought the 120)
I replaced an e46 320d with a 135i at the beginning of the year as a daily driver.
In normal auto mode it just surfs the torque and does a very good impression of the good bits of the 320d. Just a pity it doesn't mimmick the mpgs and range! lol
In sport mode it's completely different. Throttle response is sharpened up and it's very eager to kick down and hold revs. The paddle shift function is pretty good too - single changes are as good as instant and it does the rev match blip on the downchange. Only thing it can't do as well as the DSG type things is 2 or 3 changes instantly - if you paddle 2 or 3 times the second and third shifts are delayed by around a second each.
The engine is the best compromise I've found between turbo diesel torque and a decent rev range. It gets a bit breathless over 6500 but I don't find that a problem.
Generally I find the car pretty refined on the motorway etc. I didn't get on with the run flats though so have got shut of them.
There are quite a few differences between it and the 335i say, so might be worth driving a 3 series coupe to see what you think. The 135 gets nicer steering (3 is electric), gets the big brake kit and gets the e-diff. Feels like a smaller lighter more chuckable car to drive despite little actual difference. Can even feel a bit roomier up front due to more upright windscreen.
To me it's an almost perfect compromise between something that can do those 500 mile business trips effortlessly but can also roll its sleeves up and be pretty sporty when the opportunity presents itself.
HTH
In normal auto mode it just surfs the torque and does a very good impression of the good bits of the 320d. Just a pity it doesn't mimmick the mpgs and range! lol
In sport mode it's completely different. Throttle response is sharpened up and it's very eager to kick down and hold revs. The paddle shift function is pretty good too - single changes are as good as instant and it does the rev match blip on the downchange. Only thing it can't do as well as the DSG type things is 2 or 3 changes instantly - if you paddle 2 or 3 times the second and third shifts are delayed by around a second each.
The engine is the best compromise I've found between turbo diesel torque and a decent rev range. It gets a bit breathless over 6500 but I don't find that a problem.
Generally I find the car pretty refined on the motorway etc. I didn't get on with the run flats though so have got shut of them.
There are quite a few differences between it and the 335i say, so might be worth driving a 3 series coupe to see what you think. The 135 gets nicer steering (3 is electric), gets the big brake kit and gets the e-diff. Feels like a smaller lighter more chuckable car to drive despite little actual difference. Can even feel a bit roomier up front due to more upright windscreen.
To me it's an almost perfect compromise between something that can do those 500 mile business trips effortlessly but can also roll its sleeves up and be pretty sporty when the opportunity presents itself.
HTH
I did, but there were lots knocking around in Dec/Jan. A batch of a dozen of the last week of MY08 got registered to BMW UK in September and then sold to a dealer group up here in December as secondhand with delivery mileage. So technically it wasn't a new car. I even have the approved used mileage certification proving the 6 miles were genuine! lol
SimonK said:
I replaced an e46 320d with a 135i at the beginning of the year as a daily driver.
In normal auto mode it just surfs the torque and does a very good impression of the good bits of the 320d. Just a pity it doesn't mimmick the mpgs and range! lol
In sport mode it's completely different. Throttle response is sharpened up and it's very eager to kick down and hold revs. The paddle shift function is pretty good too - single changes are as good as instant and it does the rev match blip on the downchange. Only thing it can't do as well as the DSG type things is 2 or 3 changes instantly - if you paddle 2 or 3 times the second and third shifts are delayed by around a second each.
The engine is the best compromise I've found between turbo diesel torque and a decent rev range. It gets a bit breathless over 6500 but I don't find that a problem.
Generally I find the car pretty refined on the motorway etc. I didn't get on with the run flats though so have got shut of them.
There are quite a few differences between it and the 335i say, so might be worth driving a 3 series coupe to see what you think. The 135 gets nicer steering (3 is electric), gets the big brake kit and gets the e-diff. Feels like a smaller lighter more chuckable car to drive despite little actual difference. Can even feel a bit roomier up front due to more upright windscreen.
Thanks for that, that's really encouraging from my point of view. I have been looking for a decent write up of a 135i auto, especially of the paddle shift function being as it's a real auto as opposed to a DCT type automated manual 'box.In normal auto mode it just surfs the torque and does a very good impression of the good bits of the 320d. Just a pity it doesn't mimmick the mpgs and range! lol
In sport mode it's completely different. Throttle response is sharpened up and it's very eager to kick down and hold revs. The paddle shift function is pretty good too - single changes are as good as instant and it does the rev match blip on the downchange. Only thing it can't do as well as the DSG type things is 2 or 3 changes instantly - if you paddle 2 or 3 times the second and third shifts are delayed by around a second each.
The engine is the best compromise I've found between turbo diesel torque and a decent rev range. It gets a bit breathless over 6500 but I don't find that a problem.
Generally I find the car pretty refined on the motorway etc. I didn't get on with the run flats though so have got shut of them.
There are quite a few differences between it and the 335i say, so might be worth driving a 3 series coupe to see what you think. The 135 gets nicer steering (3 is electric), gets the big brake kit and gets the e-diff. Feels like a smaller lighter more chuckable car to drive despite little actual difference. Can even feel a bit roomier up front due to more upright windscreen.
I used to sprint many years ago with a weekend toy, but now circumstances dictate a one-car-only situation, and I was hoping the auto box on a 135i would be good enough in manual mode to enable me to consider partaking in a few sprints per year again in standard production class, just for the fun of it again, but I need an auto for everyday driving.
Although gearbox is supposedly normal or real auto, the torque convertor is pretty much permanently locked out except for pulling away. Over 1500rpm there's no slip when you accelerate. It possibly blurs the shifts a bit in normal mode, but in sport mode the changes are just banged straight in. Given the quoted mpgs and co2s are the same for auto and manual cars then it is presumably as efficient.
I'd recommend it to anyone who wants an auto, and I think it's as good as DCT/DSG almost all the time, the main difference being multiple paddle changes aren't quite instant. However, I'm also of the opinion that you only use paddles in any gearbox when you'd really prefer to be in a manual. So if you're planning on using the paddles a lot then I don't know how satisfied you'd be. Toss up with being on and off a clutch in traffic I guess.
I'd recommend it to anyone who wants an auto, and I think it's as good as DCT/DSG almost all the time, the main difference being multiple paddle changes aren't quite instant. However, I'm also of the opinion that you only use paddles in any gearbox when you'd really prefer to be in a manual. So if you're planning on using the paddles a lot then I don't know how satisfied you'd be. Toss up with being on and off a clutch in traffic I guess.
The discussion I had with them earlier was like this:
List price of car with options and delivery: £35210
BMW Select leasing deal.
Deposit: £5k
3 years, 60000 miles
£724.84 PCM inc VAT.
60k Maintenance pack adds £1845 to total figure.
The salesman was very clear that there was room for a discount on the car.
Which I intend to avail myself of. And then I'll squeeze them on the interest rate.
Then, to add insult to injury, I'll chop in my 540.
That's what I'd call a Win-Win. Although I doubt Woods will end up sharing my analysis
.
Of course, I haven't made up my mind yet. Woods indicated they were getting me a 135i convertable to try out from another branch.
ETA: It appears from price lists that the rag-top comes in nearly £3k more than the coupé, which kind of makes that decision for me.
List price of car with options and delivery: £35210
BMW Select leasing deal.
Deposit: £5k
3 years, 60000 miles
£724.84 PCM inc VAT.
60k Maintenance pack adds £1845 to total figure.
The salesman was very clear that there was room for a discount on the car.
Which I intend to avail myself of. And then I'll squeeze them on the interest rate.
Then, to add insult to injury, I'll chop in my 540.
That's what I'd call a Win-Win. Although I doubt Woods will end up sharing my analysis
.Of course, I haven't made up my mind yet. Woods indicated they were getting me a 135i convertable to try out from another branch.
ETA: It appears from price lists that the rag-top comes in nearly £3k more than the coupé, which kind of makes that decision for me.
Edited by CarZee on Monday 17th August 20:44
TYVM. That is a lot of cash for a 1-series, and I say that as a big fan of the 135i. I bet the 335i starts to look awfully tempting when you look at the numbers. Having said that, it is a much bigger car and, for me, one of the big attractions of the 1-series coupe is its size and looks. Tricky one, but a nice problem to have.
Oh, make sure you get red leather. I've been trawling through the BMW used cars and the red leather looks the business. You are also allowed to the have the BMW Performance Recaros. But nothing else, is that clear
.
Oh, make sure you get red leather. I've been trawling through the BMW used cars and the red leather looks the business. You are also allowed to the have the BMW Performance Recaros. But nothing else, is that clear
.
SimonK said:
Although gearbox is supposedly normal or real auto, the torque convertor is pretty much permanently locked out except for pulling away. Over 1500rpm there's no slip when you accelerate. It possibly blurs the shifts a bit in normal mode, but in sport mode the changes are just banged straight in. Given the quoted mpgs and co2s are the same for auto and manual cars then it is presumably as efficient.
I'd recommend it to anyone who wants an auto, and I think it's as good as DCT/DSG almost all the time, the main difference being multiple paddle changes aren't quite instant.
Sounds even better. Can I ask how the box performs when in man paddle mode and you slow down, I pressume the box downshifts automatically when the road speed gets low, and how low in terms of revs?I'd recommend it to anyone who wants an auto, and I think it's as good as DCT/DSG almost all the time, the main difference being multiple paddle changes aren't quite instant.
SimonK said:
However, I'm also of the opinion that you only use paddles in any gearbox when you'd really prefer to be in a manual. So if you're planning on using the paddles a lot then I don't know how satisfied you'd be. Toss up with being on and off a clutch in traffic I guess.
I agree, and I currently have a paddle shift auto which stays in auto 90% of the time. I need an auto for that 90-95% of the time, but when I want the manual shift function (e.g if I sprint it) I want it to be as good as possible.And it's sounding good for the 135i
SimonK said:
I did, but there were lots knocking around in Dec/Jan. A batch of a dozen of the last week of MY08 got registered to BMW UK in September and then sold to a dealer group up here in December as secondhand with delivery mileage. So technically it wasn't a new car. I even have the approved used mileage certification proving the 6 miles were genuine! lol
This is interesting because I was looking for one in December and found that the Williams group in the north west had a few as you've described them. I bought mine with 2 miles on the clock pre registered for £25,000 instead of £33,000 ( with options ) from Wiliams in Liverpool. I love it, as described it really does feel more nimble and chuckable than a three series even though it's not that much lighter. Many people have said the 335i makes much more sense and is a better choice but I've realised that i chose the 135i exactly because it's not the sensible choice, I really didn't want a three series and it's nice to have something a bit rarer and less serious.
What spec did you get for that dosh? It sounds like it's missing a couple of things I'd want.
ETA: speccing a new BMW is much harder than buying the S2000 was. The only options for that were flibbertigibbets like CD-changers, mats and headrest speakers... the latter of which was an excellent choice and something to look out for if you're in the market for a second hand S2k.
ETA: speccing a new BMW is much harder than buying the S2000 was. The only options for that were flibbertigibbets like CD-changers, mats and headrest speakers... the latter of which was an excellent choice and something to look out for if you're in the market for a second hand S2k.
Edited by CarZee on Monday 17th August 22:54
CarZee said:
What spec did you get for that dosh? It sounds like it's missing a couple of things I'd want.
Mine's a manual with xenons, bluetooth, voice control, cruise and some other bits but no nav, auto box or electric seats. My last car was an E46 M3 CS which had all that on but I don't miss those options. For me personally I've found I prefer less kit on my cars, a stick, xenons, bluetooth and Ipod connection does me just fine. As for comparing it to the M3, it's obviously not as exciting to drive fast and I do miss the exhaust note but at all other times ( which is nearly all of the time ) it's much easier to live with and does feel smaller and more nimble. And it doesn't half go when you want it to. I'd really recommend one.
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