Its here - new 135

[MarcR32]

Well, I ended up going with the car, 2011 135i DCT. Overall I think the Golf R32 was a better car but time will tell

I will upload pics once I work out how!

Space Grey, Poplar, Prof Nav. HK audio, comfort access, roof and front sensors

There are so many things I dont like, the audio system doesn't sound anywhere near as good as the base system in the R32 but cost thousands, The car won't let me have the door open and leave the car in gear - it puts itself in park (painful when trying to park in my parking spot), you can't auto close the drivers window with the door open - why?

The Nav screen always tells you to drive safely on every start up and needs the knob pressed to cancel every time I start the car - annoying

Why can't I see audio track names when on Navigation or map mode? Even the Golf has this

I am sure the list will grow but the cost for some of the options for what you get, especially the prof nav is crazy now that I have the car

Aside from that, love the gearbox and the smooth effortless power delivery

Marc

[Alext]

I think the sound system needs a few hours of break-in to sound good. That's what I found. It needs quality media - try an original CD. Adjust the settings also.
I was able to put my windows up with the door open so not sure about that.

[BMW86]

Congrats on the car mate. There are plenty of annoyances with the car but you'll learn to deal with it and appreciate the car for what it is. The DCT is amazing and mated with the N55 you won't be disappointed anytime you put your foot down. The Pro Nav is my favourite option by far but it comes at a price, you lose a cupholder! I also find the seat belt is a little too far back for my liking. I have the 10 speaker sound system and it's more than adequate for my needs but by no means is it a top end system. Comfort Access is a lifesaver too, especially if you're like me and you put your keys in your bag and your bag in the boot and then try to close the boot repeatedly and then realise your mistake! I look forward to hearing your thoughts after you've clocked up some km's. Any plans for mods? You should post pics too.

[MarcR32]

See below

[Blader]

I came from a VW Eos with the Dynaudio system and initially thought the HK system was a little lacking.

It has improved with some use and I have played around with the EQ settings. I don't have iDrive and use the following -

80hz -2
200hz 0
500hz +2
1khz +2
2khz -3
5khz -1
10khz +4

BASS +3
TREB +2
FADER +0
S-VOL 2
Aux-In Level 3 (center position)
LOGIC7 ON

When using either high bitrate mp3 or CDs I am now very happy with the system with well balanced accurate sound and no dramas at higher volumes.

I got the setting from this link with a couple of mods to suit my personal preferences.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...lizer+settings

[BMWRX]

Get the Alpine upgrade for the sound system. It's definitely worth it I've found.

[BBK]

I have found that you don't buy a BMW for the features and it's day to day ease of use... you buy it because when you put the foot down and/or turn the steering wheel or look at it, it makes you smile.

[pinmagic]

Originally Posted by MarcR32

Overall I think the Golf R32 was a better car but time will tell

Just curious - if you thought the R32 was better, why didn't you buy it? (Yes, the R32 is a very cool car, but I happen to prefer the BMW.)

Originally Posted by MarcR32

The car won't let me have the door open and leave the car in gear - it puts itself in park (painful when trying to park in my parking spot), you can't auto close the drivers window with the door open - why?

According to the manual: "The transmission is shifted into P if, with the engine running, you open the driver's door, do not have your safety belt fastened, and subsequently actuate neither the brake pedal nor the accelerator." As with so much of the manual, it's a bit confusing, but it seems to me that, if you leave the seat belt on, or have your foot on the brake or accelerator, it shouldn't shift to P. I'll have to try that with mine next time I'm in the car.

Originally Posted by MarcR32

Why can't I see audio track names when on Navigation or map mode? Even the Golf has this

Check the split-screen mode. Doesn't that solve this issue?

Originally Posted by MarcR32

Aside from that, love the gearbox and the smooth effortless power delivery

Marc

Glad there's SOMETHING you like! I was beginning to worry!

[Blader]

Originally Posted by BMWRX

Get the Alpine upgrade for the sound system. It's definitely worth it I've found.

He already has the HK system which is a better upgrade already

[SR32]

Originally Posted by MarcR32

Well, I ended up going with the car, 2011 135i DCT. Overall I think the Golf R32 was a better car but time will tell

I will upload pics once I work out how!

Space Grey, Poplar, Prof Nav. HK audio, comfort access, roof and front sensors

There are so many things I dont like, the audio system doesn't sound anywhere near as good as the base system in the R32 but cost thousands, The car won't let me have the door open and leave the car in gear - it puts itself in park (painful when trying to park in my parking spot), you can't auto close the drivers window with the door open - why?

The Nav screen always tells you to drive safely on every start up and needs the knob pressed to cancel every time I start the car - annoying

Why can't I see audio track names when on Navigation or map mode? Even the Golf has this

I am sure the list will grow but the cost for some of the options for what you get, especially the prof nav is crazy now that I have the car

Aside from that, love the gearbox and the smooth effortless power delivery

Marc

Congrats mate....I'm doing the same transition as you and just sold my R32....I get my 135 early in January and I hope it treats me just as well as the R did!

The R32's are brilliant for such a small outlay..I remember hopping back in my R after test driving the 135i thinking it really wasn't as big a step up in performance as I had anticipated.

On my mountain bike for the next month! I can't freakin wait to get this 135!

[alik01]

Congratulations mate. Car looks amazing - love the colour.

All cars have little annoying things but you learn to love it and as long as it puts a smile on your face when you put your foot down - who really cares about some silly feature or the other. I've learned to love almost everything about mine, except for that fact that it's not a 135i/1M!

[135 Jie]

Im sure you will love it more after cleaning the brake dust of the rims every week

[Yogijet]

Originally Posted by MarcR32

Well, I ended up going with the car, 2011 135i DCT. Overall I think the Golf R32 was a better car but time will tell

I will upload pics once I work out how!

Space Grey, Poplar, Prof Nav. HK audio, comfort access, roof and front sensors

There are so many things I dont like, the audio system doesn't sound anywhere near as good as the base system in the R32 but cost thousands, The car won't let me have the door open and leave the car in gear - it puts itself in park (painful when trying to park in my parking spot), you can't auto close the drivers window with the door open - why?

The Nav screen always tells you to drive safely on every start up and needs the knob pressed to cancel every time I start the car - annoying

Why can't I see audio track names when on Navigation or map mode? Even the Golf has this

I am sure the list will grow but the cost for some of the options for what you get, especially the prof nav is crazy now that I have the car

Aside from that, love the gearbox and the smooth effortless power delivery

Marc

Give it time. After the engine breaks in and you can really drive, you will be sold on it and forget the annoyances. I tested the R32 as well and dismissed it immediately on driving the 135i.

[MarcR32]

SR, a month wait? why did you sell the R32 so early?

I must admit that I like the 135, but the R32 is an amazing car and had a noise to match - something the 135 is missing. I am getting used to its annoyances, of which there are many

I don't remember being that annoyed with the Golf, had the new R been a 6 cylinder then I most likely would not have upgraded

Its the 135 worth $25-$30k more than the R?

Marc

[SR32]

Hey Marc,

Yeah - I did sell it a little too early! I'm heading overseas for a 2-3 weeks over xmas so the wait shouldn't be too bad. I also live on one side of Albert Park lake and work on the other side of it so the ride in isn't too bad either.

I sold the car within half a day about 6 weeks ago and seriously had four buyers from the VW forum lining up for it. That's without even placing an ad up! The guy placed a deposit and was willing to go without it for 6 weeks! It was all too easy so I just said yes

Am sure the 135 will grow on you. I personally can't wait to get mine. I know I will miss the R32, though - hopefully the 1er treats me the same way. Not one thing went wrong with the R32, not even a rattle....

Like I previously said in an earlier post, we hopped back in the R32 after our 135 test drive and felt my manual R32 was just as quick and probably more fun (talking 2nd/3rd gear sweet spot acceleration - THE KIND YOU GENERALLY DEAL WITH EVERY DAY WITH INNER CITY DRIVING).

Having said all of that....my 3 year lease was up. I was due for a new car and within my price range, the 135i was the closest thing to the R32 that I could find. I like my cars high powered, AWD/RWD and SMALL and the 135 ticked all the boxes (except for the 2 doors - which I'll have to get used to!) I am also VERY limited with my cars because of my 6ft6 frame. Thankfully the Germans know tall people like performance cars too!

On a side note, Interesting to hear that the new R (29,600 pounds) is actually priced ABOVE the 135i (28,600 pounds) in the UK.....my other half and I test drove it a few weeks back (placed an order on it to replace the S3 mid-next year) Is a great drive and sounds a bazillion times better than the S3....I seriously can't beleive they managed to make a 2.0T sound that good!

[MarcR32]

Hi SR

Seems like you did exactly the same as me, my lease was also up. I sold my car to a friend so didn't get the best price I could. That said, I will still see it around

I also like high powered small cars, the R is a good car but no longer a 6 cylinder and so passed on it in the end for the 1. I am from London, the market is difficult there and there are high taxes on 6 cylinde cars so to assist BMW are agressive with there pricing

It had a few rattles when I sold it, just par for the course with poor Sydney roads

The 135 is growing on me, shame they got some of the software wrong in the navigation and stop you doing things that are normal in day to day driving

[Brissie]

Originally Posted by MarcR32

Its the 135 worth $25-$30k more than the R?

Marc

Of course not! It is because of the BMW price premium in this country, and the socialist's (or should I say the ALP) great idea, the LCT.

[alik01]

Originally Posted by bmw135fan

Of course not! It is because of the BMW price premium in this country, and the socialist's (or should I say the ALP) great idea, the LCT.

Too true! Sadly...