[cc3]

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On Top Gear tonight Clarkson spins the M135i at 120 mph in the wet when going in a straight line !!

Video (external link):

Top Gear Lap times for reference (compiled by basiluf):

01:24.4 Audi R8 (damp) Series 10, Episode 2
01:24.4 Aston Martin Virage Series 17, Episode 2
01:24.6 TVR Sagaris Series 6, Episode 7
01:24.8 Alfa Romeo 4C Series 21, Episode 2
01:24.8 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR FQ-400(damp) Series 5, Episode 7
01:24.8 TVR Tuscan Mk.II Series 6, Episode 3
01:24.9 Bentley Continental Supersports[5] Series 15, Episode 1
01:24.9 Porsche Boxster Spyder Series 15, Episode 2
01:24.9 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Series 15, Episode 3
01:25.0 Noble M12 GTO-3R Series 1, Episode 2
01:25.0 BMW 1 Series M Coupe (damp) Series 17, Episode 1
01:25.0 Caterham R400 N/A
01:25.1 BMW M135i Series 21, Episode 5
01:25.1 Lotus Exige S Series 8, Episode 3
01:25.3 Porsche Panamera turbo Series 15, Episode 3
01:25.3 BMW M3 (E90 Saloon) Series 10, Episode 10
01:25.4 Ford GT40 Series 5, Episode 8
01:25.7 Lotus Evora Series 13, Episode 1
01:25.7 Audi RS4[6] Series 7, Episode 2
01:25.7 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder Series 8, Episode 7
01:25.8 Lamborghini Gallardo (wet) Series 3, Episode 4
01:25.9 Morgan Aero 8 GTN Series 5, Episode 5
01:26.0 Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black series Series 11, Episode 2

[ILUSV]

Did they test the GTI with mechanical Diff?

[cc3]

Originally Posted by ILUSV

Did they test the GTI with mechanical Diff?

Yes I think that's the term he gave to it. M135i had a serious issue with aquaplaning

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by cc3

Yes I think that's the term he gave to it. M135i had a serious issue with aquaplaning

With respect, blaming any model car for what happened on Top Gear is a little silly. Aquaplaning is a function of the depth of water on the road, the speed, the tyre inflation and the tyre tread's ability to shift water.

What caused the accident was hitting deep water at 120 mph

What we saw was just a serious lack of good judgement and driving skill. 120mph on a road with lots of standing water is an accident looking for someplace to happen. In this case it happened.

In Germany where autobahns are often unlimited, there are often 80kph speed limits applied when the road is wet. Travelling at 193kph on a very wet road is simply ignorant, and clearly demonstrated what can happen to any car when water builds up in front of the tyre

[AAddict]

Originally Posted by cc3

Top Gear tonight and Clarkson spins the M135i at 120 mph in the wet when going in a straight line !! Golf GTI just kept going. Looked a scary moment. Also slower on a dry lap compared to the 1M time done on a damp track.

LMAO, you should work for a tabloid with an imagination like that.

[westphone]

The girl behind Jeremy distracted me a bit, ha ha~

[cc3]

Originally Posted by AAddict

LMAO, you should work for a tabloid with an imagination like that.

Just reporting the facts.

[ILUSV]

So what was the verdict? Did the top gear like/dislike the M135i? I'm sure the GTI did very well, I have yet to read a bad review.

[cc3]

Originally Posted by ILUSV

So what was the verdict? Did the top gear like/dislike the M135i? I'm sure the GTI did very well, I have yet to read a bad review.

He preferred the GTI

[scheneider]

Still the fastest hot hatch's time among the competitors

[Bradbury]

I don't understand why they didn't give the A45 AMG a go around the track. Also, it would be interesting to see what the Golf R/Audi S3 could do compared to the M135i.

[GarlicBread]

anyone else watch the top gear last night with the 1 series vs vw gti

[ctuna]

What was the verdict?

[kdbryce]

yeah I saw it, but the site I watched it on messed up the second part of the video and I missed the lap times and everything!

man, that is an ugly car, though

[richarddaviesgb]

BMW was quicker round the track and in the drag race....well if it had finished it would have done. Clarkson aquaplaned and left the road sideways, and backwards and then facing the other side too.
Basically, standing water, rear wheel drive and wide tyres/run flats = aquaplane.
He then spent the rest of the show saying the 135M was stupid. Which in all fairness, it did spin and wasn't as if he could do much about it.
On the other hand, Stig didn't seem to have a problem...

[E94]

Link?

Edit: Found it...If anyones interested here is one I found - http://watchfullmovie.info/media2/me...d=1xzg70qdqiza

[TeinBMW]

BMW was quicker but the VW was a better all around car.

[bomiheko]

I do agree that the VW is a better all-round car, but I don't think people buy BMWs for being all round, they buy it for the performance.

[GarlicBread]

equal priced cars the BMW did look better. btw for those of you that don't know the shoebox apk for android or moviebox for jail broken iPhone are great for TV shows

[NGEE]

Originally Posted by richarddaviesgb

Basically, standing water+rear wheel drive+wide tyres/run flats+absolute wanker = aquaplane.

FIFY

[sleepydinosaur]

BMW should really bring the hatchback over to US instead of the oddly proportioned coupe. It's an excellent driver's car, and a hatchback adds much needed utility to a small car.

I remember Top Gear also did a similar match up between the old mk5 Golf R and 130i. I thought the R would be a closer match here as well.

[ken1137]

LOL... you guys need to drive a 135 then compare it to the VW. I do agree a stock 135 sucks, although still better all-around versus a GTi. Clarkson cannot drive on wet pavement. I modded my 135 (I had 400 whp= GIAC Stage II + FBO) with M3 suspension bits and it was amazing.