Discussion
I picked up a 135i DCT in September. Car had been registered in May to BMW HQ. They had specced it up to almost £40k, and I got it with a very useful saving.
In the past 10 years I have had an E46 M3 and 997 C2S. I can honestly say that the 135 is as quick as the 911, and I think more rapid than the M3. Even though I know I shouldn't, I am a fan of a bit of a traffic lights grand prix, and last week I surprised an RS4. There really was nothing in it.
I like the semi-auto box as I live in Central London. I only use it in manual sport mode, but it saves my left leg on the clutch. It is absolutely seamless and miles better than the SMG in the M3, or the M5 my brother had. It is extremely quick, perhaps a little soulless.
Interestingly, this afternoon I have been surfing around looking for info on the 1M. I don't think that car will be quicker than the 135, but the handling will be better I hope, as I like carrying speed in corners and that is where the 135 falls down. It just doesn't fill me with confidence in the bend.
Overall though it is a great little car. It makes sense in the city as parking spots are designed for cars this size and it is properly quick.
In the past 10 years I have had an E46 M3 and 997 C2S. I can honestly say that the 135 is as quick as the 911, and I think more rapid than the M3. Even though I know I shouldn't, I am a fan of a bit of a traffic lights grand prix, and last week I surprised an RS4. There really was nothing in it.
I like the semi-auto box as I live in Central London. I only use it in manual sport mode, but it saves my left leg on the clutch. It is absolutely seamless and miles better than the SMG in the M3, or the M5 my brother had. It is extremely quick, perhaps a little soulless.
Interestingly, this afternoon I have been surfing around looking for info on the 1M. I don't think that car will be quicker than the 135, but the handling will be better I hope, as I like carrying speed in corners and that is where the 135 falls down. It just doesn't fill me with confidence in the bend.
Overall though it is a great little car. It makes sense in the city as parking spots are designed for cars this size and it is properly quick.
NeilC2S said:
I picked up a 135i DCT in September. Car had been registered in May to BMW HQ. They had specced it up to almost £40k, and I got it with a very useful saving.
In the past 10 years I have had an E46 M3 and 997 C2S. I can honestly say that the 135 is as quick as the 911, and I think more rapid than the M3. Even though I know I shouldn't, I am a fan of a bit of a traffic lights grand prix, and last week I surprised an RS4. There really was nothing in it.
I like the semi-auto box as I live in Central London. I only use it in manual sport mode, but it saves my left leg on the clutch. It is absolutely seamless and miles better than the SMG in the M3, or the M5 my brother had. It is extremely quick, perhaps a little soulless.
Interestingly, this afternoon I have been surfing around looking for info on the 1M. I don't think that car will be quicker than the 135, but the handling will be better I hope, as I like carrying speed in corners and that is where the 135 falls down. It just doesn't fill me with confidence in the bend.
Overall though it is a great little car. It makes sense in the city as parking spots are designed for cars this size and it is properly quick.
Out of interest how does the fuel consumption compare with what you were getting from the E46 M3? According to the official stats the 135i with DCT (and presumably the latest single turbo engine) ought to be 8-10mpg better so just curious as to whether that squares with reality. Can't imagine that living in Central London does much for economy but the comparison between the two cars ought to be valid if the driving conditions are the same! In the past 10 years I have had an E46 M3 and 997 C2S. I can honestly say that the 135 is as quick as the 911, and I think more rapid than the M3. Even though I know I shouldn't, I am a fan of a bit of a traffic lights grand prix, and last week I surprised an RS4. There really was nothing in it.
I like the semi-auto box as I live in Central London. I only use it in manual sport mode, but it saves my left leg on the clutch. It is absolutely seamless and miles better than the SMG in the M3, or the M5 my brother had. It is extremely quick, perhaps a little soulless.
Interestingly, this afternoon I have been surfing around looking for info on the 1M. I don't think that car will be quicker than the 135, but the handling will be better I hope, as I like carrying speed in corners and that is where the 135 falls down. It just doesn't fill me with confidence in the bend.
Overall though it is a great little car. It makes sense in the city as parking spots are designed for cars this size and it is properly quick.
Also, what's the ride quality like? A lot of BMW sport derivatives have a poor reputation in that respect (especially on run flat tyres) so how do you rate the 135i? Too fidgety, better or worse than an E46 M3?
I can certainly see the appeal of the 3 litre turbo petrol six in a car that's smaller and lighter than a 3-series so just wondering if one could be a suitable replacement for my much loved M3 CS.....
I have been running a demo one of these at work in central london.
Fuel consumption is the only pain personally - I came out of a manual
that was averaging 20.5mpg in london traffic. Now I note the computer
on my dct is averaging 12.5mpg.
Yes, i am stationary a hell of a lot and the noise is so amazing that
i cannot help going up and down the box via the paddles in manual mode.
So be warned, drive it like you stole it in built up areas and expect
12mpg. I am sure if you drive it gently out of town it will be far better!
Fuel consumption is the only pain personally - I came out of a manual
that was averaging 20.5mpg in london traffic. Now I note the computer
on my dct is averaging 12.5mpg.
Yes, i am stationary a hell of a lot and the noise is so amazing that
i cannot help going up and down the box via the paddles in manual mode.
So be warned, drive it like you stole it in built up areas and expect
12mpg. I am sure if you drive it gently out of town it will be far better!
tonylal said:
I came out of a manual
that was averaging 20.5mpg in london traffic. Now I note the computer
on my dct is averaging 12.5mpg.
Yikes, 12mpg is downright scary! However, are you saying you were getting 8mpg more from a 135i manual? Didn't think there was supposed to be any real difference between a manual and a DCT!that was averaging 20.5mpg in london traffic. Now I note the computer
on my dct is averaging 12.5mpg.
Just to add the new models have the N55 "twin power" units.
135i is one of my fav cars and to give you a further idea on fuel consumption my Z4 35is with DCT (N54 340 bhp) is averaging 32mpg in light town traffic.
If the wife can't stretch to a 1M she will have the 135i regardless. Nothing comes close to these cars in this segment IMHO.
135i is one of my fav cars and to give you a further idea on fuel consumption my Z4 35is with DCT (N54 340 bhp) is averaging 32mpg in light town traffic.
If the wife can't stretch to a 1M she will have the 135i regardless. Nothing comes close to these cars in this segment IMHO.
AC Schnitzer said:
remap, lsd, non runflats and some proper suspension will soon see of the 1m.
Having tried the 1M recently, I slightly doubt that unless it can cure the throttle lag. Plus the 1M is a much better looking car - the shape is much better-looking as a result of the flared wheelarches. A tuned 135i will of course be more subtle assuming you keep it looking standard...Different engines too. A DCT-equipped 135i will be running the N55 single-scroll engine whereas the 1M is getting a re-worked version of the older N54 bi-turbo unit.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff