2013 135is owners discussion and photos thread!

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by Chunner

I can not tell you why I need a fire extinguisher. I am sorry, I just can not.

Could also be to cool down IEDEI. Ha!

[Gangplank]

Meth?

[Kouper]

Originally Posted by Chunner

I can not tell you why I need a fire extinguisher. I am sorry, I just can not.

We don't need no stinkin' fire extinguisher! I think everyone is clearly missing the point of why you "need" one..... because it looks cool!

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by Kouper

We don't need no stinkin' fire extinguisher! I think everyone is clearly missing the point of why you "need" one..... because it looks cool!

But it adds unnecessary weight and obviously would slow you down. Plus, I'm a serial arsonist.

[Kouper]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

But it adds unnecessary weight and obviously would slow you down. Plus, I'm a serial arsonist.

I think the nominal few pounds are more than offset by Chunner's
2013 BMW 135is Coupe | Dinan Stage 3 | M3 Subframe Bushings | Dinan Monoball Joints | Dinan Toe Links | 1M Strut Bar | MPS AS/3

Now Greg, I admit you would be better served spending the extra money and weight on a high pressure air freshener for that ubiquitous "junk in the trunk" you seem to always carry around.

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by Kouper

Now Greg, I admit you would be better served spending the extra money and weight on a high pressure air freshener for that ubiquitous "junk in the trunk" you seem to always carry around.

I'm very sensitive to smell, so no air fresheners. Instead, I vacuum seal what's "in the trunk." Also saves on space.

[champignon]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

I'm very sensitive to smell, so no air fresheners. Instead, I vacuum seal what's "in the trunk." Also saves on space.

Can you vacuum seal passengers? Does it reduce back seat driving?

[Chunner]

Originally Posted by Kouper

We don't need no stinkin' fire extinguisher! I think everyone is clearly missing the point of why you "need" one..... because it looks cool!

You hit the nail on the head friend! "LOOKS SO COOL" ha..........

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by Chunner

You hit the nail on the head friend! "LOOKS SO COOL" ha..........

And you can use it to knock your passenger out if they misbehave and then be moved to their proper location in the trunk. Or under one of the tires.

[2PUTT]

Originally Posted by Chunner

You hit the nail on the head friend! "LOOKS SO COOL" ha..........

make it legit and join me at this event...it's open to all makes and models.

http://acna-nj.org/pocono-raceway-may-6-2016-hpde/

[Chunner]

Originally Posted by 2PUTT

make it legit and join me at this event...it's open to all makes and models.

http://acna-nj.org/pocono-raceway-may-6-2016-hpde/

Very tempting!

[2PUTT]

Originally Posted by Chunner

Very tempting!

Great time and place to experience your "investments" in full effect. We call it the most fun you can have with your clothes on!! =)

Bring friends and family. There's shopping nearby and Los of their things to make a weekend out of it.

[Chunner]

bump

[Gangplank]

Huh?

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Huh?

You know... ...to the top.

[PopsnBurbles]

I know this is nothing compared to the M2 comparison but one of my brothers just bought a Macan S with PDK. As most of you guys may know, the Macan has a 3.0TT V6 putting out 340hp and 339lb.ft. of torque and obviously AWD. I still don't understand the car very much. Anyway here are my impressions compared to the 135is. (Well, no one has gone past 3k rpm yet because of break-in.)

Steering: The EPS doesn't really give me a good feel of the road or what's going on. The weighting is vague but the lightness isn't bad. On the other hand, the Macan's steering is a lot more "direct" (as in it follows my inputs more religiously) than my 1er. The short steering lock-to-lock ratio is wonderful in normal applications. At this point, none of us have any idea how the steering is in spirited driving (and I doubt this car will ever see track time). Overall, I think the 1er's steering is dead even with the Macan's for daily applications simply because the short steering ratio is wonderful and the directness is sweet for lane changes. (My daily is far from normal highway/city though )

Brakes: The Macan's brakes are great especially considering it's a big vehicle (relative). I know it will stop when I want it to unlike the Cayenne (2008?/2009?) I drove a few years back. It feels just right for daily applications and is dead even again with my 1er's brakes. Again, I'm not sure how the car will react in a spirited drive but I know the 1er won't fail me ever (unless I'm being an idiot attacking a 20mph left hander at 90mph).

Power/Accel/Engine: I can tell right off the bat that the Macan S is more powerful than the 1er. My basis for this is how the car revs before carrying its weight. According to Google, Macan S weighs 4110 lbs but my brother's has the PDK, 20in wheels, and panoramic so I'm sure it's closer to 4300 (or even more). The 3.0 TT V6 revs happier than the N55 and quickly puts out the effort to carry almost 1000lbs. more.

Alone, the Macan has just the right amount of pull, urgency, and smoothness for a city and it's even better on the highway. You really don't feel the weight very much. Once it's rolling whether at 35/40mph or 65/70mph (lol speed limits), it's golden. The throttle sensitivity is just right and isn't jumpy. The power delivery is very smooth and a lot more "linear" than a stock N54 or the 4 Cyl. in the Evoque.

Compared to the 1er, the Macan's weight became apparent. However, that's something I wouldn't have noticed if I didn't drive the two cars back to back. Personally, I would take the Macan's power delivery over my 1er for a daily drive. For having fun, the 1er is still king because of that rushed feeling the car gives off while not being jumpy/scary. (We haven't pushed the Macan yet to know its true acceleration capabilities.)

DCT vs PDK: PDK wins hands down. It's smoother, more responsive, and easier to live with. You can tell the DCT still "modulates" the clutch when taking off from a stop. The PDK had ZERO signs of lurching or not responding (DCT issue) when you step on the gas pedal. We haven't pushed the car yet to see if the PDK is as badass as the DCT under load. Again, for daily applications this is the winner.

Ride/Suspension: The 1er can be harsh for some and just right for us who are willing to live with it. Admittedly, this is partly due to the runcraps we have. I can't imagine the Macan being harsh (2008/2009 Cayenne) to anyone while not being floaty (MB ML350). Boy, I'm so happy Porsche has gone a long way with tuning an SUV's suspension right.

Sound: It's pretty loud but not as loud as the 135is. The cold start is beautiful and is not enough to bother the neighbors...unlike my stock car. It sounds sweet and it's a shame that the exhaust is so far back + there's a ton of sound insulation. It has a deeper sound than our cars. It also has the pops and burbles that I very much love but it's fewer and have less volume than what we have. I can't wait to hear it past 3k rpm. From what I've heard so far, I like my car's exhaust note better.

Other sounds...road and wind noise is a lot less than the 135 but that's to be expected. It doesn't feel like I'm inside a fridge like I did when I sat in a Tesla or the ML350 (this is a good thing IMO).

Interior: I'm a simple guy who doesn't like complicated things. If I were given a choice, all I'd want is a steering wheel, pedals, gear shift/lever, parking brake, seats (BMWP seats...someday), a/c, and a radio. Anything more is too complex for me. The macan has 10000 buttons. I prefer my bare interior style over the Macan's fancy one. Quality is a completely different story. Everything (literally) feels much nicer in the Macan even the plastic bits (which we have a lot of). The Macan has an amazing instrument cluster. I wish BMW copied them. Oh yeah, the "start-key" on the left side is nice because I'm a lefty.

Overall: If my daily consisted of highways and some city driving or if I'm a normal person, I'll take the Macan anytime, any day, any week over the 1er (can't believe I just said that). If I'm out to have a fun drive, there's no contest...the 1er wins from its size, sound, and steering. If my drive is 100% city streets, it's a toss up because the small size of the 1 is highly advantageous but the Macan's smoothness and softer ride (both are highly favorable in LA traffic + LA roads) could not be discounted either. At the end of the day, I love my car a lot and I know I'll still pick it because a) it's more fun, b) my daily route is far from normal, c) it's cute and d) I'm not normal. For those wanting to upsize, the Macan is a great answer.

[motorchimp]

Interesting review as I've always wanted to test drive a Macan. My boss has a turbo so maybe i can bug him about it sometime.

But speaking of SUVs', we just traded my wife's King Pin X3 for a Carbon Black X5 with MSport and everything imaginable minus the bigger engine. I still can't get over the fact that the rear tires are 315. The fronts themselves are 275. It's ridiculous.

I will say I'm finding myself driving the 135is less now

Don't hate.

[2PUTT]

Different gearing can easily make a vehicle feel it has more power or quicker even with the extra weight.

[PopsnBurbles]

Originally Posted by motorchimp

Interesting review as I've always wanted to test drive a Macan. My boss has a turbo so maybe i can bug him about it sometime.

But speaking of SUVs', we just traded my wife's King Pin X3 for a Carbon Black X5 with MSport and everything imaginable minus the bigger engine. I still can't get over the fact that the rear tires are 315. The fronts themselves are 275. It's ridiculous.

I will say I'm finding myself driving the 135is less now

Don't hate.

You should at least get a ride along in his Macan. I'm sure the turbo is even sweeter. The biggest difference for me was the PDK vs DCT. I'm 100% envious of the PDK's awesomeness.

That M-Sport X5 looks awesome. I didn't know they offered it in carbon black. My experience with an X5 isn't very desirable (well, it was a first gen X5). Does that have the N55 also? How does it compare to the older N55 in the 135?

Get back in the 135is and everything will feel weirdly good.

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by PopsnBurbles

You should at least get a ride along in his Macan. I'm sure the turbo is even sweeter. The biggest difference for me was the PDK vs DCT. I'm 100% envious of the PDK's awesomeness.

That M-Sport X5 looks awesome. I didn't know they offered it in carbon black. My experience with an X5 isn't very desirable (well, it was a first gen X5). Does that have the N55 also? How does it compare to the older N55 in the 135?

Get back in the 135is and everything will feel weirdly good.

I had the 1st gen 05 X5 w/ 4.4 v8 & sport suspension (pre Msport days). Other than the 135i it's the best driving car I've ever owned. My 04 e60 545 sport was a close 3rd. I miss the X5 sometimes. The v8 maintenance was brutal though.

[PopsnBurbles]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

I had the 1st gen 05 X5 w/ 4.4 v8 & sport suspension (pre Msport days). Other than the 135i it's the best driving car I've ever owned. My 04 e60 545 sport was a close 3rd. I miss the X5 sometimes. The v8 maintenance was brutal though.

I drove the 215hp I-6 one and it was horribad.

[motorchimp]

Our X5 has the new N55, it's pretty responsive although I haven't really pushed the thing at all yet. It sounds really good although subdued, no where near the scream of the 135is, but still makes a great sound.
Yeah it's really wonderful to drive, the steering and suspension are wonderful. I LOVE it.