BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

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      01-25-2013, 08:16 PM   #23
Rockster
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From a mechanical grip standpoint, the BRZ sticks to the road very strongly unless you try to mash it into corners. You can mash the BMW into corners with a late turn in and it will do it but it feels top heavy and leans more while doing it. The BRZ would do it but at 10/10 and slide on through.

On the skid pad I suspect the 135 and BRZ are really close but the 135 is more tolerant of sloppy driving. The BRZ will start to either slide the rear tires or even drift a bit with all 4 tires...and it isn't scary. The "DSC" of the BRZ will kick in (in Sport mode) and it is really good at managing that situation in a way that isn't scary.

The BRZ feels about 1000lbs lighter than the 135. I actually thought the BRZ was underpowered until I drove the 135 and now I realize that it probably isn't. Just wouldn't fit the car if you weren't winding it out all the time at public road speeds. Do that in the 135 and you are living in triple digits much of the time. The boxer engine loves to live in the 4500-7000 range and it is really nice to drive when all wound up. It isn't fast at all but feels good to wind out. The 135 power curve is different in that it drops off at the top and of course no comparison at all in that the BMW is potent.

The steering is unmatched in that it is very responsive but never feels too much so with the BRZ. They nailed it because I suspect I would be saying something similar about the 135 if I hadn't driven the BRZ.

Bottom line is that the 135 is rewarding in a different way than the BRZ. I am certain the BRZ doesn't handle better, but it is stunningly convincing at making you think so. From the driver's seat you can see the road in front of the car very closely, you are low to the ground, the riding position is dead perfect and the feeling is there. Different experience, and a good one. I drove roads today in the 135 at the same pace as the BRZ. Real curvy ones. In the 135 it was quiet, refined and more civilized...so it abstracts some of the experience but by design and that is rewarding and feels great.

The BRZ is dead-on engineered and the BMW is over engineered. Both cars will make you smile but the BMW is not inferior from a handling standpoint. The difference is the approach to the driving experience from two different aspects. Put a used BRZ on your bucket list to look for in a few years or so and you won't be disappointed but the 135 is a better car.

Last edited by Rockster; 01-25-2013 at 08:22 PM..
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      01-25-2013, 09:05 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rockster View Post
From a mechanical grip standpoint, the BRZ sticks to the road very strongly unless you try to mash it into corners. You can mash the BMW into corners with a late turn in and it will do it but it feels top heavy and leans more while doing it. The BRZ would do it but at 10/10 and slide on through.

On the skid pad I suspect the 135 and BRZ are really close but the 135 is more tolerant of sloppy driving. The BRZ will start to either slide the rear tires or even drift a bit with all 4 tires...and it isn't scary. The "DSC" of the BRZ will kick in (in Sport mode) and it is really good at managing that situation in a way that isn't scary.

The BRZ feels about 1000lbs lighter than the 135. I actually thought the BRZ was underpowered until I drove the 135 and now I realize that it probably isn't. Just wouldn't fit the car if you weren't winding it out all the time at public road speeds. Do that in the 135 and you are living in triple digits much of the time. The boxer engine loves to live in the 4500-7000 range and it is really nice to drive when all wound up. It isn't fast at all but feels good to wind out. The 135 power curve is different in that it drops off at the top and of course no comparison at all in that the BMW is potent.

The steering is unmatched in that it is very responsive but never feels too much so with the BRZ. They nailed it because I suspect I would be saying something similar about the 135 if I hadn't driven the BRZ.

Bottom line is that the 135 is rewarding in a different way than the BRZ. I am certain the BRZ doesn't handle better, but it is stunningly convincing at making you think so. From the driver's seat you can see the road in front of the car very closely, you are low to the ground, the riding position is dead perfect and the feeling is there. Different experience, and a good one. I drove roads today in the 135 at the same pace as the BRZ. Real curvy ones. In the 135 it was quiet, refined and more civilized...so it abstracts some of the experience but by design and that is rewarding and feels great.

The BRZ is dead-on engineered and the BMW is over engineered. Both cars will make you smile but the BMW is not inferior from a handling standpoint. The difference is the approach to the driving experience from two different aspects. Put a used BRZ on your bucket list to look for in a few years or so and you won't be disappointed but the 135 is a better car.
What an unexpected but very pleasant thorough review! Thanks for taking the time to do this. Much appreciated

BRZ/FRS always made on like it boasts handling over power, so I naturally assumed it would be better than a 135i. I'm surprised.
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      01-25-2013, 09:35 PM   #25
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Thanks - I don't mean to hijack the thread but I wanted to respond because your question is one I've asked myself many times.

The BRZ/FRS is special and remarkable in how it makes you feel when you drive it and I assure you I have more miles than almost any auto journalist (7000 including two track days and many miles in the twisties). It is special in ways you didn't even know a car could be but that doesn't make it better, just different. This is why people are gushing over it...myself included but that refreshing and different take on the driving experience isn't superior at all.

When I test drove the BRZ I was really disappointed. I can't imagine any modern day BMW owner feeling different. However, I had an aging BMW Z4 3.0 /SMG that I needed to move away from so I was happy at the thought of a Toyotabaru that had low maintenance and fun. It was a full month and 1000 miles before I fell in love with it. I bought it on a whim out of curiosity when my local dealer had 4 deals fall through the month of release.

Again, you aren't missing out on the "twins" because they are judged on the approach they took to accomplishing what the 135 is already. Not on the pure result.

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      01-26-2013, 01:00 AM   #26
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Nice BRZ review.
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      01-26-2013, 10:17 AM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JasonCSU View Post
It always cracks me up when a seller says their mileage is "all highway miles". How is that even possible?
Sorry, I should have said mostly highway miles. I can tell you that that my job requires me to do a lot of travelling. I spend 80% of my driving on the interstate. Is it 100%? No, but do you really think I meant 100%

If I were to sell my car, I would tell the potential buyer that the miles are all, oh excuse me mostly, highway miles.

Seriously?
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      01-26-2013, 12:27 PM   #28
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Nice review! The car is an 08 with 46k miles, for 22k dollars. Does anyone know a car that meets my specs that is slightly lower in miles and slightly higher in price?
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      01-26-2013, 12:27 PM   #29
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As for being patient, I have been patient for about 9 months
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      01-26-2013, 03:04 PM   #30
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Originally Posted by 1NS0MN1A View Post
Nice review! The car is an 08 with 46k miles, for 22k dollars. Does anyone know a car that meets my specs that is slightly lower in miles and slightly higher in price?
I would creep BMW and look for a CPO. The warranty is just extra peace of mind. Especially with the HPFP issue. Just my .02.
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      01-26-2013, 04:20 PM   #31
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How about something like this:

2010 135, 29K miles and Certified for not much more...

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...gIndex=1&Log=0
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      01-26-2013, 04:42 PM   #32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by john_w_lewis View Post
Sorry, I should have said mostly highway miles. I can tell you that that my job requires me to do a lot of travelling. I spend 80% of my driving on the interstate. Is it 100%? No, but do you really think I meant 100%

If I were to sell my car, I would tell the potential buyer that the miles are all, oh excuse me mostly, highway miles.

Seriously?
Yes, seriously. That wasn't meant as a dig towards you. I was infering to used car sales in general. When looking at cars being sold privately, they always seem to be advertised as being "mostly" highway miles. It just seems odd that all these vehicles appear to be immune to city driving, and stop and go traffic.
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      01-26-2013, 05:08 PM   #33
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rockster View Post
How about something like this:

2010 135, 29K miles and Certified for not much more...

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...gIndex=1&Log=0
Lol did you read my thread? That car meets none of my criteria which were

Convertible
red seats
manual trans.

Thanks for your efforts though
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      01-26-2013, 05:34 PM   #34
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46k miles isn't that high depending on service.. You can still buy a warranty for $2k or whatever. Breaks will need done at 60k probably, depending on use. Tires can be expensive, but if they are new that's great. That's a lot of performance for $22k
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      01-26-2013, 05:36 PM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1NS0MN1A View Post
Nice review! The car is an 08 with 46k miles, for 22k dollars. Does anyone know a car that meets my specs that is slightly lower in miles and slightly higher in price?
Thats a good deal, I don't know why you are so concerned about it. I paid more than that for my 68k 135i. 46k miles isn't that many.
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      01-26-2013, 05:42 PM   #36
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Especially since they extended the turbo warranty
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      01-27-2013, 07:01 PM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1NS0MN1A View Post
Lol did you read my thread? That car meets none of my criteria which were

Convertible
red seats
manual trans.

Thanks for your efforts though
Sorry, I obviously missed the important details :-)
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      01-30-2013, 08:59 PM   #38
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Just picked mine up today 08 135i with 55k for $21750, it's been taken care and has all maintenance records.
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      01-31-2013, 06:44 PM   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JasonCSU
Quote:
Originally Posted by john_w_lewis View Post
Sorry, I should have said mostly highway miles. I can tell you that that my job requires me to do a lot of travelling. I spend 80% of my driving on the interstate. Is it 100%? No, but do you really think I meant 100%

If I were to sell my car, I would tell the potential buyer that the miles are all, oh excuse me mostly, highway miles.

Seriously?
Yes, seriously. That wasn't meant as a dig towards you. I was infering to used car sales in general. When looking at cars being sold privately, they always seem to be advertised as being "mostly" highway miles. It just seems odd that all these vehicles appear to be immune to city driving, and stop and go traffic.
My 2008 128i was driven 29,900 miles by the previous owner in a period of less than 1.5 years. I believed the sales guy when he told me they were mostly highway miles. Thats a lot of ground to cover in any city in such a short period of time. Now I average 11,000 miles a year and it wouldn't be anywhere near even that small amount if it weren't for all the highway driving I do.
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      02-03-2013, 06:09 PM   #40
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I bought a Crimson red 2008 135i with just under 30,000 miles for 23.7k a couple weeks ago. It has 1.5 years of CPO remaining from the previous owner too!
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      02-03-2013, 07:46 PM   #41
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Some weeks ago I purchased my 2009 135i M Pkge with 11,950 miles from the previous original owner. Like new.
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