09-05-2014, 08:19 PM | #1 |
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M135i - "heroic" is the word...
Though I got flamed by a bunch of M3 owners the last time I posted how much I like the M135i (and I am an ex-M3 and Alpina B3S owner), I had such an amazing drive yesterday that I feel almost compelled to write again…
I've owned the car for 8 months and have always been impressed by how fast, tactile and easy it is to change directions in this (at least for BMW) lightweight, small speed demon, but this weekend was the first time I really pushed its limits in my favorite kind of driving (not on the circuit, though I do that sometimes too). I should begin by saying the only mod I have is the extremely well-judged M-Performance aftermarket exhaust and a new set of Super Sports at all 4 corners. Did a 5 hour mountain drive (with a good friend in a Cooper S) through the gorgeous and very challenging hills of Izu and Hakone, about 2 hours outside of Tokyo and I just could not stop smiling or laughing as I attacked some of the most challenging, tight, cliff-hugging roads in Japan. I have taken every sports car I've owned up there countless times (987 Boxtser S, Megane Trophy, Golf Gti, Alfa 147 Gti, Impreza Sti, M3, Alpina), and this car was, by a wide margin, the most exhilarating and fun drive I have ever had there! The suspension setup may appear to be a little "soft" to some, certainly softer than my Megane or Boxtser, but was almost perfect on tight, winding roads. No matter what combination of hairpin, sweeper or quick change in elevation, the M135 changed directions predictably, quickly and fluidly, almost like a ballerina dancer. The insane power deliver meant that I could literally FLY in and out of turns and the brakes had almost no fade at all despite my constant, all-out assault on the mountain roads. The sound of the engine, especially with the many crackles and pops on over run really added to the experience. I think that some of it has to do with how small and light the car is, some with the versatility of the 320hp turbo straight 3, and some of it to do with it being RWD (I never missed the lack of a mechanical diff). Anyway, as much as I have truly enjoyed this car during my normal daily commute and occasional highway blasts, this weekend's drive has made me look at and appreciate the M135is depth of ability in a new way. I don't have enough adjectives to describe how good it is so I will just end by saying that I am truly in awe of this car, one of the best cars to come out of Munich in 30 years!…. Last edited by MeganeTrophyGuy; 09-05-2014 at 11:42 PM.. Reason: typo |
09-06-2014, 01:01 AM | #3 |
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You just made the ten days more I have to wait for delivery of mine that touch more agonising
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Current: 2014 F21 M135i Estoril Blue
Previously: 2012 F21 116D M Sport Estoril Blue |
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09-06-2014, 07:22 AM | #4 |
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You sure picked the right color! Here is something to make the wait a little easier...
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09-07-2014, 11:20 AM | #6 |
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Nice write-up!
Would love to ride those roads as well! Do you get a lot of traffic or cops on roads like that in Japan? I can't really imagine as the "touge" really lives there. |
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09-08-2014, 06:24 AM | #9 |
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Heroic is about right
Have to say that I agree pretty much 100% with your write-up. As a dynamic drive on twisting B roads I love the M135i. Its light and agile, and changes direction beautifully. I would prefer more initial bite from the brakes to allow improved entry speed adjustments and M cars do make the little 1 Series suspension feel slightly unrefined by comparison.
I bought the M135i as a stop gap until the new M3 was released but despite a good M4 test drive I still have the 1 series and as yet have not ordered a replacement. The M135i is just so practical and fun to drive. Here's my M4 comparison, if you're interested http://f20.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1000956 Cheers Steve |
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09-08-2014, 06:10 PM | #10 |
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Thanks for the update MeganeTrophyGuy. I'm very much in agreement with your positive feelings about the car - mine (adaptive/manual) comes alive when driven hard on a demanding road and I love how you can play with the balance at any point in a corner. Likewise, it can be astonishingly agile when you pin the nose into a hairpin, come off the brakes just so, the rear nudges just a touch wide and you power out in gentle oversteer. The slight softness of the chassis and the way the PSS lose their grip so delicately near the limit are lovely.
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17 F87 M2 Pure - long beach blue 10 E91 320d LCI - space grey - black dakota - steptronic - innovations - 157s - front PDC - Konis 99 BMW Baby Racer - red; 05 Renaultsport Clio 182 Cup - French Racing Blue - Konis - Eibachs - Remus - Turinis |
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09-09-2014, 11:48 AM | #11 |
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Hi MTG,
I always like to read what you have to say about the M135i, as i always seem to agree with your findings. I eventually fitted the MP exhaust, after last time we spoke, and i find it has lots of crackles and pops on the overun, but im now considering adding the BCS sports cat downpipe, after hearing good reports on its performance. Sounds like a great drive you had in the car, as it has spurred you on to another great write up, keep the reports coming, regards, SIMON. |
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09-09-2014, 11:59 AM | #12 | |
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Ive been seriously contemplating changing the M135i, for the new M4, and after a good days outing in a run in M4, was all ready to do the deed. But, you know what ?, i just cant bring myself to do it yet, and its because of how good the M135i is. Others will maybe not agree, but after more and more thought, my mind is changing, and im going to keep the M lite a while longer yet. When i factor how much money i have to put into the M4, and how much more the monthlys will be, for not that much more performance, i dont think its worth it, for me anyway, at this point. Im sure my next car will be an M4, but im not prepared to bail out early of the M135i, and rush to get one. I think that says a lot for the M135i, as it was supposed to be an inbetweeny car for me, until i made my mind up. I sometimes dont drive the M135i for a week or so, so when i do drive it, im always very surprised at how good its performance is, and how it feels on the road, that i ask myself the same question, do you really need much more than this ?. Obviously we all probably do, but the M lite has a certain something thats keeping me hooked, regards, SIMON. |
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09-10-2014, 01:00 AM | #13 | |
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09-10-2014, 01:09 AM | #14 | |
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09-10-2014, 01:10 AM | #15 | |
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09-10-2014, 02:09 AM | #16 |
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I don't drive an M135i, but rather a 116i M-Sport. The steering feel is rather vague during regular driving, but somehow comes more alive when you drive at the limit. You can actually feel what the front wheels are doing, even on snow and ice. I guess the M135i is the same.
Most sporty cars are set up with stiffer suspension, but this can be a disadvantage on bumpy and cambered back roads. Wheels are unloaded, and the balance gets unpredictable. I think the F20 revels in those conditions, but it is perhaps a bit too soft on a super smooth race track. |
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09-10-2014, 04:31 PM | #17 | |
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BCS sports cat DP + MPE
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I have BCS sports cat DP and MPE on my later EWG car - great combo. Adds a tad more volume but heaps more character even in "comfort" without being unruly. To have a listen of a recent recording of my car, without downloading any files, open the link below and click on the "play" icon:- http://www68.zippyshare.com/v/57403212/file.html Go for it ! PD
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Fettled M135i EB AT then AW M2 DCT - both gone but not forgotten:
Current '22 X3M LCI.. |
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09-14-2014, 10:14 AM | #18 | |
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09-15-2014, 02:53 AM | #19 |
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MTG,
No problem. The improved sound is a secondary benefit of sports cat DP as engine feels much more responsive than with stock DP. PD
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Fettled M135i EB AT then AW M2 DCT - both gone but not forgotten:
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09-18-2014, 05:47 AM | #20 | |
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Thanks for posting the sounds, i listened to it over on the other forum. I think it sounds better then the full BCS, to my ears at least. A bit more tinckly then bassy, with loud pops and bangs on the overun, and the turbo spooling, up and down is very audible, just great. Working out when to go and have it done, thenkyou, regards, SIMON. |
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09-18-2014, 06:33 PM | #21 | |
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09-20-2014, 03:37 AM | #22 | |
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Would be very interested to hear your reaction to the 2012 vs. 2014 M5. Though I tend to go for smaller. lighter weight sports cars, the V10 M5 with SMG III has been VERY high on my wish list since it came out (test drove it at least 3x). Engine sound is as important a part of the driving experience for me as handling and response and I thought the V10 one of the most glorious engine notes this side of a Ferrari! Though I know the F10 is faster on paper, I can't imagine it topping the combination of the V10 sound with the extremely sporty SMGIII transmission (I prefer paddle shift transmissions that are less than silky smooth as this is closer to the experience of a manual). Anyhow, great post that every M135i owner will knowingly smile at! |
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