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      05-12-2013, 06:44 PM   #1
mjh93sa
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M135i: The North Wales Tour

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With increasing numbers of the M-Lite on the road, and ever more people taking delivery it seemed that is was time to put together a meet with the aim of getting a few together in the same place to act geeky, compare cars, options, mpg figures and so on (as well as have a bit of a drive).

So organised primarily by TMP, and some collaborative route planning we took on the welsh valleys last weekend.

With a few late additions and drop-outs we managed to assemble a total of seven cars, 5 F20 M135is, and one each F21 M135i and E82 135i. In an unlikely coincidence that resulted in 2 Estoril Blue, 2 Glacier Silver, 2 Artic White and a single Space Grey. Interestingly only the E82 was a manual, all of the M135is being autos.

Given that North Wales was the target a hit list of places to visit soon emerged and the routes were planned to take on the Evo Triangle, Mach Loop and Llanberis pass. The BMW navigation system came into its own with the ability to plan the route in the BMW portal and then email to all of the participants to upload into the car before arrival.

The weather didn’t quite listen to the plan, and through the day (as the images show) we experienced a variety of conditions, from bright blue skies and fluffy white clouds, through torrential rain, to thunder and lighting, hail that coated the road in ice… and finally a rainbow to close out the day!

The Jekyll and Hyde nature of the cars was certainly to be seen, with everyone arriving with tales of nigh on 40mpg being achieved on the motorway runs to the meeting point on the English-Welsh border. After a spirited 200 miles through the back roads and valleys of north Wales the radios were filled more with talk of remaining miles than how good the car sounded on full chat through the lanes, having dropped to a more respectable 22mpg or so.

The scenery was stunning, the food excellent, the company and the cars without reproach and the locals with a couple of exceptions friendly and welcoming. The exception was the gentleman (?) who arrived to put £5 of fuel in his little car and found all of the pumps taken by thirsty M135is.

Anyway, enough talk and a few pictures (with more to follow I am sure):



































and some driving shots....





























Rain:



Hail:

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      05-12-2013, 07:15 PM   #2
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Nice~
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      05-12-2013, 07:15 PM   #3
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Just curious, how many of those cars were sticks?

BTW. Great pictures. It looks like it was a lot of fun.
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      05-12-2013, 07:26 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmerjph View Post
Just curious, how many of those cars were sticks?

BTW. Great pictures. It looks like it was a lot of fun.
if you read it - you would find out only the e82 was manual.
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      05-12-2013, 07:46 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///Chase View Post
if you read it - you would find out only the e82 was manual.
This is a picture thread. How dare you expect me to read.
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      05-12-2013, 08:28 PM   #6
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Funny shit. By reading it, you'd never have to ask a thing. How dare you.




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Originally Posted by bimmerjph View Post
This is a picture thread. How dare you expect me to read.
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      05-12-2013, 09:02 PM   #7
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I'd buy an EBII 4 door with a stick in a heart beat if they were sold here.
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      05-12-2013, 09:33 PM   #8
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I'd buy an EBII 4 door with a stick in a heart beat if they were sold here.
Cool. Glad you took pictures. Just try to get 30 per second next time
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      05-12-2013, 09:37 PM   #9
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Loving those POI shots. I think it shows how driver-orientated the interior is. You may have a passenger but it reminds them that they're just that, a passenger and it's your car with the controls tilted towards you.
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      05-12-2013, 09:41 PM   #10
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Cool pics, the weather never cooperates on that island,
don't know how people deal with that.
I would be------>
Last what's the deal with all cars being automatic???
Is this for fuel economy, new edge of people or just too lazy to shift?
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      05-12-2013, 09:57 PM   #11
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Maybe it is because many consider it is the best set-up for a boosted car.

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Originally Posted by Cuz5150 View Post
...Last what's the deal with all cars being automatic???
Is this for fuel economy, new edge of people or just too lazy to shift?
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      05-12-2013, 10:30 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by red-sauerkraut
Maybe it is because many consider it is the best set-up for a boosted car.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cuz5150 View Post
...Last what's the deal with all cars being automatic???
Is this for fuel economy, new edge of people or just too lazy to shift?
Agree. Funny that in the USA the majority of cars are autos. European cars tend to have more hp than USA models. For this range the best setup for the engine / tranny being auto for great results! It's nothing to do about being lazy, it's about enjoyment!
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      05-12-2013, 10:44 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pbw
Quote:
Originally Posted by red-sauerkraut
Maybe it is because many consider it is the best set-up for a boosted car.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cuz5150 View Post
...Last what's the deal with all cars being automatic???
Is this for fuel economy, new edge of people or just too lazy to shift?
Agree. Funny that in the USA the majority of cars are autos. European cars tend to have more hp than USA models. For this range the best setup for the engine / tranny being auto for great results! It's nothing to do about being lazy, it's about enjoyment!
Absolutely correct sir.
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      05-12-2013, 11:31 PM   #14
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epic in-car shots
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      05-13-2013, 12:14 AM   #15
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Nice! More pics of that F21 please
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BMW have tapped into this by mirroring typical BMW dynamics and steering communication within the new UKL cars.
You mean massive body roll, a steering system that is not connected to the front wheels, and the engine note played through the speaker system?!?!?!?!
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      05-13-2013, 01:02 AM   #16
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Very nice pics! M-Lite rules!

Glad to see someone else has a silver one
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      05-13-2013, 01:36 AM   #17
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Great story and pics...thank you!

As a matter of interest, does everyone's cars get a dirty rear end, especially if it's a bit wet? By that I mean obviously some sucked back dirt and road grime, as well as some exhaust carbon?
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      05-13-2013, 02:08 AM   #18
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VERY NICE ROADs~ Even in the rain~
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      05-13-2013, 02:27 AM   #19
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Great shots! Looks like you had a blast.
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      05-13-2013, 02:30 AM   #20
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Fantastic. Thanks for taking the time to post. It looked a great road trip. My cars on order and thanks to your post which a reassured me I've ordered the right colour (silver) No offence to any other owners of course. Out of interest didn't any of your route include the "Top Gear" road?
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      05-13-2013, 02:32 AM   #21
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It looks like it was a lot of fun.
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      05-13-2013, 02:40 AM   #22
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Great pics,,,,,love the coordinated car park and in-car scenic shots.

Interesting profile of drivers....seems the M135i appeals to a certain age group of fashion unconscious, denim loving males...(I would fit right in)

Regarding UK weather....there's an expression that goes something like;
"Don't like the weather? Give it 5 minutes; it'll change"

Also interesting the predominance of ATs. I have always hated ATs so was particularly nervous about ordering my car with AT, despite being really impressed at the test drive. Having driven the car for 1000 miles, partly on some really 'interesting' Yorkshire roads, I love the gearbox but am still adapting my driving style. The AT needs a very different approach given the lack of clutch and the speed of the shifts and I'm still not finding the rhythm that seemed intuitive with MT. Its in there for sure but requires a very different style of breaking and down shifting. Possibly has to do with needing to limit the revs, which is quite difficult in a car that shifts so quickly and revs so freely
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