M1

[Taymaishu]

I'm still unsure.

If I was in the price market below an M3, i'd get a 135 due to the affordability.

Otherwise, i'd buy an E92 hands down.

Personal choice - i'd never get an M1.

[BBK]

Originally Posted by Taymaishu

I'm still unsure.

If I was in the price market below an M3, i'd get a 135 due to the affordability.

Otherwise, i'd buy an E92 hands down.

Personal choice - i'd never get an M1.

Fair enough

But if you had between $100k and $130k to spend on a NEW car, what would you buy? If you wanted something quick, prestigious and handled well. The only choices I see are the Audi TTS or RS and the Porsche Cayman/Boxter. I believe there is a market for it, problem is its short life span and the fact the next gen 1 series will be out soon and make the M1 look outdated right from the get go (even if the coupe won't arrive till maybe 2014/15)

[135BANDIT]

I would get the Audi S5 sport back with the supercharged 6

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/410...urt-motor-show

JD -

[Taymaishu]

Originally Posted by BBK

Fair enough

But if you had between $100k and $130k to spend on a NEW car, what would you buy? If you wanted something quick, prestigious and handled well. The only choices I see are the Audi TTS or RS and the Porsche Cayman/Boxter. I believe there is a market for it, problem is its short life span and the fact the next gen 1 series will be out soon and make the M1 look outdated right from the get go (even if the coupe won't arrive till maybe 2014/15)

As above, the S5 or the 135i with some A/M mods.

[spdrcr]

Originally Posted by Jeef Beef

Agree with beemer, I'm quite sure if all other variables equal (i.e. the driver) the M3 will definitely be faster.

Fair call but I'd like to test to be sure. My 135i wasn't stock (quaife, kw suspension, wheels) but it was by no means a track monster. I'd happily turn a few laps in an e92 M3 to give a judgement

I seriously doubt it would go much quicker than 1:50 at eastern creek, even with semi slicks on.

[BigBoss168]

Originally Posted by BBK

But if you had between $100k and $130k to spend on a NEW car, what would you buy? If you wanted something quick, prestigious and handled well. The only choices I see are the Audi TTS or RS and the Porsche Cayman/Boxter. I believe there is a market for it, problem is its short life span and the fact the next gen 1 series will be out soon and make the M1 look outdated right from the get go (even if the coupe won't arrive till maybe 2014/15)

Maybe because I drove a Boxster for 7 years (up until 2 weeks ago), I would go for the base model Cayman if I had to buy a NEW car in the $100-130k range. Whilst it's definitely not nearly as fast as some of the competition (although it's better with the new direct engine 2.9 engine), IMO you can't beat the chassis, handling, steering, brakes and the general "road feel" of the Cayman.

Of course, if you expanded the criteria to include cars < 2 years old you could include some pretty nice machinery in that range.

[sparoz]

Originally Posted by Taymaishu

I'm still unsure.

If I was in the price market below an M3, i'd get a 135 due to the affordability.

Otherwise, i'd buy an E92 hands down.

Personal choice - i'd never get an M1.

When I had my M3 envy - there were the E36 and E46 M3s. To me, the M1 will be the true successor to the E46 M3. So, I would always pick the M1 regardless. That's my preference though .

Originally Posted by BBK

Fair enough

But if you had between $100k and $130k to spend on a NEW car, what would you buy? If you wanted something quick, prestigious and handled well. The only choices I see are the Audi TTS or RS and the Porsche Cayman/Boxter. I believe there is a market for it, problem is its short life span and the fact the next gen 1 series will be out soon and make the M1 look outdated right from the get go (even if the coupe won't arrive till maybe 2014/15)

Limited run, first every 1erM, and last ever 1erM to have an I6 - that would be an instant collectable. I would actually look into a used Cayman S, if I didn't have M3 envy when I was younger. Despite how great the E92 M3 is, in my mind it is different to the old M3s.

Originally Posted by spdrcr

Fair call but I'd like to test to be sure. My 135i wasn't stock (quaife, kw suspension, wheels) but it was by no means a track monster. I'd happily turn a few laps in an e92 M3 to give a judgement

I seriously doubt it would go much quicker than 1:50 at eastern creek, even with semi slicks on.

I am not a track junkie (yet), but the few laps that I did in the driver's training, the M3 handled much better than the stock 135i as I recalled. It is hard to compare though since I didn't drive the cars back to back but almost a year apart.

[harpoon]

Interestingly, on a track day at eastern ck last week my mate and I swapped cars for a session. He has a Cayman s.

I came back slightly underwhelmed. I missed the torque form the 135 and found the gearbox to be nowhere near as tight as the 135. Although the turn in and general handling was far better, I had a lot more fun in my car. The punch out of corners from the turbos is very hard to match.

My mate came back and I expected him to pan the 135 (as mates will do), but he was gushing. He said Fuck that is AWesome! That's way better than my car! I was very surprised but he was seriosuly blown away with the 135. He felt his laps were faster in my car than his own(although we don't time cause its not permitted).

This is just the opinion of two novices obviously but interesting I thought. Made me realise the value that the 135 represents.

[BBK]

A5 sportback doesn't count, it's a four door, not exactly in a similar class to the cars I mentioned. We are trying to find cars that are similar in price AND category. If you are going to compare, it would have to be the A5 coupe, but even then that is more a competitor to the 3series, not 1.

I say new cars too, because it isn't really fair to compare older cars with cheaper price tags. I guess that's similar to comparing modified cars too.

If you put the money into aftermarket mods to a 135i to get it to M1 spec, I dare say you would be paying similar money (maybe a little less) but have lower re-sale.

[135BANDIT]

Originally Posted by BBK

A5 sportback doesn't count, it's a four door, not exactly in a similar class to the cars I mentioned. We are trying to find cars that are similar in price AND category. If you are going to compare, it would have to be the A5 coupe, but even then that is more a competitor to the 3series, not 1.

I say new cars too, because it isn't really fair to compare older cars with cheaper price tags. I guess that's similar to comparing modified cars too.

If you put the money into aftermarket mods to a 135i to get it to M1 spec, I dare say you would be paying similar money (maybe a little less) but have lower re-sale.

I understand that the S5 comparison may not fit your original argument, but i feel a lot of buyers have compromised buy buying a 135 due to price, i was definitely one whom could not justify an extra 30k for the 335. But i wanted a 335.

Also redbook stats show that a 2008 M3 depreciated quicker than a 2 door 335 - not a great endorsement for resale values of M series cars. The 135 is holding up due to limits on supply IMHO.

NEW RESALE
335 $111,950.00 $85,800.00 77%
M3 $170,201.00 $121,240.00 71%
135 $72,230.00 $64,600.00 89%

Still i guess its horses for courses - still no M1 for me, perhaps if it was supercharged instead of Turbo

JD

[sparoz]

Originally Posted by 135BANDIT

I understand that the S5 comparison may not fit your original argument, but i feel a lot of buyers have compromised buy buying a 135 due to price, i was definitely one whom could not justify an extra 30k for the 335. But i wanted a 335.

Still i guess its horses for courses - still no M1 for me, perhaps if it was supercharged instead of Turbo

JD

Interesting to note the difference preferences in the forum as I seems to see more people would like a 3er and compromise for a 1er because of price. I must be one of the few who took the 1er because I like it better. I was deciding between the two for a while, and made my decision straight away after test driving the two car back to back.

I guess it really leaves the Cayman and the Boxter in that bracket then? In which the M1's overall package would probably win out?

[BigBoss168]

Originally Posted by sparoz

Interesting to note the difference preferences in the forum as I seems to see more people would like a 3er and compromise for a 1er because of price. I must be one of the few who took the 1er because I like it better. I was deciding between the two for a while, and made my decision straight away after test driving the two car back to back.

I guess it really leaves the Cayman and the Boxter in that bracket then? In which the M1's overall package would probably win out?

The 3-series was never on my list when it came to replacing my Boxster. I test drove one and preferred the more compact dimensions of the 1.

My shortlist was (in addition to the 135i coupe):
- Current model Boxster/Cayman S
- 2005-6 997 Carrera
- 370Z
- Audi TT-S
- E92 M3 sedan
- 2005-6 E46 M3 coupe
- EDIT: And of course a lightly-used C63 AMG

Ultimately the choice of the 1-series from the list came down to a) wanting to drive something different to my Boxster and b) I needed something a bit more driveable in the city because I live in the CBD c) I was nervous about the 4-5 year old cars and d) unbeatable value for money.

[Alext]

The 135i is undoubtedly the best bang for your buck in BMW's current Australian line-up.

I would never get an M1 also unless it had a nice high revving six. It wont be hugely different from a tuned and modded 135i for a LOT more money.

A Z4 is my next car in the sub $150k bracket. I am just waiting for the next model year to see what refinements/improvements they make..ie: possible introduction of the N55, possible M version, cosmetic updates etc.

Have considered an M3; love the engine and performance delivery but not the size or the interior. And the price in Australia is a total rip off.

The only other car in this price bracket would be something from Porsche and the only car there that has mildly held my interest is the Cayman.

[Gumball]

I have no aspirations to a M3 or any other BMW. Would not get a M1 either. 135i was just the right car for me.

I dream of a R35 GTR....

[aus135i]

bone dry stock 135i (had the SSK ) with RFT i did high 2:04 @ EC back in 2009.. not sure what times the current M3 can pull....

still yet to try the car as it is now... whos going to EC next? =P

wait wait that was wrong! Corrected the numbers.... Hehhehe my bad LoL.... Was thinking that was alittle quick

[Guran]

Warren Luff did a 1:52.0 in an E90 M3-DCT at Eastern Creek in the Jan 2010 issue of MOTOR.

The E46 M3 CSL did 1:48.0 with Dean Evans at the wheel in the Feb 2004 issue of MOTOR.

So 1:53 was a pretty damn impressive effort Tim.

I'll be driving my MX-5 at EC on 16th May in the NSW Supersprints. They still have spots available if you're interested. Cost is $215 for the day and includes laptiming of course ($15 is for the Dorian hire).

[555]

Originally Posted by Gumball

I have no aspirations to a M3 or any other BMW. Would not get a M1 either. 135i was just the right car for me.

I dream of a R35 GTR....

So did I.. until I found out the running costs... and the 15K brake changes....and all the hassles.

I had always planned to get a GTR, now not so much... my 135i was an interim car... but I'm liking it a bit more than I thought I would.

[Taymaishu]

I still reckon the 135i is by far the best value for money i've ever seen.

I think this will continue to be the case if and when the M1 is released. There's not much room to move between the M3 and the 135i, however the price, i expect, will be OTT.

[aus135i]

Omg I need to get cams for that event

[Aussie M3ti]

We have done 1:51 around the creek in our 130i. It needed serious changes to the front geometry to dial out the understeer. That was two weeks ago at private practice. That is totally stock engine and drivetrain with a quaife. Some BC shocks and springs, and interior stripped out on stock 17inch wheels and R spec tyres.

So a 135i should go harder than that.

My Z3M Coupe does 1:47 with fairly stock drivetrain (filter, clutch and cat delete).

[WAY]

I'm with Jeff. A modded 135i like his and mine were faster than a M3 at most circuits I dare say. The ones that M3 has the advantage would be the faster and longer tracks.

Taka, get the M1 so we can have a Spyder vs M1 race in street class. Sick of trying to compete against crazy modded Rex and EVOs and GT2/3 in club class. I think Jeff won street class in his 135i previously?

[spdrcr]

Originally Posted by WAY

I'm with Jeff. A modded 135i like his and mine were faster than a M3 at most circuits I dare say. The ones that M3 has the advantage would be the faster and longer tracks.

Taka, get the M1 so we can have a Spyder vs M1 race in street class. Sick of trying to compete against crazy modded Rex and EVOs and GT2/3 in club class. I think Jeff won street class in his 135i previously?

When I did it in 2008 there was only two groups, basically race (ie fully stripped with cages etc) and non race. I just had another look at the results here: http://www.australiantarmacchallenge.com/res-08nsw.php and I won the non RS outright (effectively street and club combined) and came 8th overall (all race cars ahead of me).

If I still had the 135i now I think I might have some trouble in the club class with the R35 GTRs that are getting around.

ps: put my entry in for the NSW round today - will you have your new car by June 26?