135 @ ~ 1200 miles - buyers beware

[Yep 135]

Find some back roads and enjoy....You'll never have so much fun!!

[whya1?]

Originally Posted by m3bs

More tractable 128? With a torque curve as flat as Kansas, the 135 motor is hardly lacking. I personally love the fact that I don't have to zing it to ridiculous RPMs to make the car go. VTEC motors rev like crazy, but that gets really old on the street.

Trust me, the flat powerband also gets old. VTEC can get a little old from stoplight to stoplight but on a track or twisty road the VTEC is superior. It gives you a reason to rev.

The 128 makes you work for it; it is just a more rewarding motor than the toe-in instant torque of the 135.

[syenisch]

Originally Posted by whya1?

Trust me, the flat powerband also gets old. VTEC can get a little old from stoplight to stoplight but on a track or twisty road the VTEC is superior. It gives you a reason to rev.

The 128 makes you work for it; it is just a more rewarding motor than the toe-in instant torque of the 135.

I'm not following. :iono:

[GigEm93]

Originally Posted by whya1?

Trust me, the flat powerband also gets old. VTEC can get a little old from stoplight to stoplight but on a track or twisty road the VTEC is superior. It gives you a reason to rev.

The 128 makes you work for it; it is just a more rewarding motor than the toe-in instant torque of the 135.

Hmm, I think I'd rather have the instant torque instead of having to 'work for it'.

[mikeo]

Originally Posted by Omega Man

80 in second? Seriously?

Not with the manual, maybe auto.

[nfs76]

Originally Posted by whya1?

This thread should be saved to remind people not to buy a used 135 due to abuse.

And the turbo runs out of breath over 6k, why would you run it to redline? The powerband flattens out and then drops off in the stock car; better to shift at peak torque or around 6k.

Anyone have the more tractable 128 engine? The one you can actually rev instead of point and shoot?

Hello everybody,

I had the pleasure to follow this great forum for a while and this thread seems to be quite right for my first post. :smile:

The shift display included in the German version (and some other countries versions, as far as I know) actually advises to shift @ around 6,000 RPM for optimal acceleration.

I like the programming of the display, switching from eco-friendly "Please switch @,1500 RPM" to "Oh, you are revving above 4,500 RPM, it seems fuel saving is not you primary concern" :thumbup:


The other thing I noted, that after break-in my MPG went down dramatically from ~24 MPG to ~20 MPG on average, 12 MPG being the worst so far.

This may however be due to the fact that it took me 5 to 6 hours to drive 400 miles during break-in, while I now come close to 4 hours. :biggrin: (Yes, if you time your trip correctly an average 100 mp/h is achievable while staying within legal limits :thumbup.

While I used to be annoyed by the abundance of roadworks on German autobahns, I now tend to enjoy them. Accelerating at the end from 50 to 125 mph in 4th gear alway drives a smile on my face.

Have fun with your 1ers!

Cheers,

nfs76

[whya1?]

Originally Posted by syenisch

I'm not following. :iono:

The 135/335 N54 engine is much like the big American V8s that BMW owners used to harp against. Incredible tip in torque and plenty of thrust throughout the rev range but you suffer at the top end with the engine leveling off/falling in power and when you go to refuel.

I was simply saying that the 128 is more in the spirit of free revving BMW motor. Sure, it takes a bit of work to get the power but that is part of the fun. How sporty is it to simply mash the gas pedal and instantly be transported to 80mph? The 128 is still plenty fast and I truly hope that when BMW releases the Tii versions they are Naturally Aspirated, perhaps the older 330 motor with 255hp? That would be the perfect amount for a lightened (3100lbs?) 1 series.

[whya1?]

Originally Posted by nfs76

The shift display included in the German version (and some other countries versions, as far as I know) actually advises to shift @ around 6,000 RPM for optimal acceleration.

nfs76

Thank you, my point exactly. Revving to 7k is an exercise in futility.

[craiovea]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

Hang on...this car is doing over 80MPH in second gear? That doesn't sound right....must be 3rd right? If it's going that fast in second the first mod I'm going to do is a lower set of gears in the rear end!

80 in second would put the gearing further out than my GTO, and thats WAY too much.

I just got a speed ticket. Acceleration in second gear then break. Didn't look at the speed, didn't see the police. :iono: 68 on a 35 zone. Bastards! Almost went to jail...

I love this car though!

[joe black]

After having the 135 for more than 3 months, I finally spent an entire day riding (read – going as fast as possible) in the mountains with some good friends. I can’t believe I waited this long. The 135 was incredible. It pulled through mountain turns better then my E46 M3 and I was very impressed with the handling – even with the narrow run-flats. What a great car! We had a great time as you might imagine.

[ocinek]

Went to the dealer last night and traded the E46 for a black/black 135 6mt.

Drove it 70 miles, got a ticket for 94 in 65. This car is stupid on the freeway, and I don't mean that in a good/sarcastic way. I need more road noise; the E46 had full racing suspension with all solid mounts/bushings and this thing is a "silent rocket ship boat"

I had TCKline coilovers before, has anyone done a review of the 135i TCKline Smart Design D/A Coilover System w/ 600-700# springs?

[mikeo]

Originally Posted by ocinek

...I had TCKline coilovers before, has anyone done a review of the 135i TCKline Smart Design D/A Coilover System w/ 600-700# springs?

Welcome to 1Addicts! There are a couple of people on 1Addicts that have TC Kline coilovers and really like them. Search on the Suspension forum for "TC Kline" or some derivative of it.

[future135i]

Originally Posted by ocinek

Went
Drove it 70 miles, got a ticket for 94 in 65. springs?

That must be a world record.

[MVF4Rrider]

Originally Posted by whya1?

The 135/335 N54 engine is much like the big American V8s that BMW owners used to harp against. Incredible tip in torque and plenty of thrust throughout the rev range but you suffer at the top end with the engine leveling off/falling in power and when you go to refuel.

I was simply saying that the 128 is more in the spirit of free revving BMW motor. Sure, it takes a bit of work to get the power but that is part of the fun. How sporty is it to simply mash the gas pedal and instantly be transported to 80mph? The 128 is still plenty fast and I truly hope that when BMW releases the Tii versions they are Naturally Aspirated, perhaps the older 330 motor with 255hp? That would be the perfect amount for a lightened (3100lbs?) 1 series.

But I'd prefer to see a 2.5 liter NA screamer of a motor with ITBs. The point of the tii should be to lose and redistribute weight, and provide a peaky powerplant that makes you work for it. Work = reward as you well know.

They also need to flair the fenders (ie, the E30 M3) to be able to actually fit proper wheel rim widths and tire sidewalls to at least equal the 3er's tire circumference. And no sunroof please and with carbon fiber roof, lined inside with a nice dark headliner. Other weight savings can come from cloth seats and more liberal use of aluminum in the chassis, and hell why not source real BBS wheels (preferably forged) like the good 'ole days.

[tnawab]

Ya 80 in second is not true. 70 is pushing it!.. i managed to get 67 or so out in second gear.

[jpick]

Yeah the 135 is wicked. I have read the next gen 1 series may have an awesome 4 cyl turbo of course. I really like the straight 6. No 4 ever sounds as good as a 6 in my experience. You just don't get that roar. I had a 2000 GTI VR6, and my newer 06 GTI is a vast improvement. But that VR6 roared like a lion, the newer GTI's 4 just doesn't sound as good.

[135iUSN]

Originally Posted by wrongprotocol

interesting...i just noticed the 135 has the oil gauge, and my 128 doesnt

another reason to get the 135i

[mielefan]

I agree; I took mine to the track (first time ever to any track) and I began to dismantel everyone I went up against. Mustang GT's, Roush's, G8's, Camero's, even a 600hp Chevy Luv--smoked them all! 13.44 and 107mph was the best time--so fast; they made me put on a helmit!