135i vs 1m

[gnpower]

I've been reading a couple of different reviews for both cars and I was shocked that most of them claim the same 0-60 and 1/4 mile times for both cars. Is this true? I would think the advantage would be the new 1M, no?

4.7 / 13.7's

[RnmEvo9]

It's the same motor in a much better track ready chassis, what did you expect?

[ItsHectic]

I have found the times manufacturers list is usually slower than what the car is capable of based on what magazines publish, dunno if this is due to tyres and timing methods or them trying to be conservative to not be called out on it.

The speed listed by BMW for the 135i is 5.3 in Manual 0-100km/h.

I would expect its really around 5.1-5.0 possibly but if people are claiming 4.7 then the 1M is probably more like 4.5 4.4 then.

Although the times are usually only .1 .2 off.

4.7 0-100 with only 13.7 QM does not seem right to me...?

[gnpower]

I expected better numbers for the extra HP's and torque.

[TX78666]

I think the difference is probably the weight savings in the M. The driver's wallet is $20-30k lighter, from what I can see.

I joke, because I am a little jealous, sometimes.

[GeorgeJ.]

Originally Posted by RnmEvo9

It's the same motor in a much better track ready chassis, what did you expect?

The 1M has the N54 twin turbo motor which has lots of after market tuning options. I gather it is essentially like the 335is with the slightly tweaked N54 motor. It has been my guess that they used this motor so that owners would have greater options in terms of modifications. R&T just did a comparison and the 1M did 4.4 and 12.9 seconds to sixty and through the quarter mile.

The current 135i has the N55 motor which has few (but growing) tuning options. Most of the stuff I have read indicates the best times for this car have been 4.7 seconds to sixty. The factory rates it as 35 hp less than the 1M plus the 1M has wider tires and other differences that should improve it's acceleration, not to mention every other performance dynamic.

My 2012 135i now has the BMW Performance Kit which is said to add 20 hp and a bit more torque (though nothing like the torque of the 1M). The marketing info for this kit indicates it cuts two tenths off the time to sixty. As such my car should be a tenth slower than the 1M, I seriously doubt it. I notice the improvement and it is a fun car, but not in the same league. I would really like to see a 1M vs 135i comparison and a test of a 135i with the BMW Performance Kit

I was almost down to a coin toss about which car to go with and I opted for the conservative approach. I enjoy my car alot, though there will be those occasions where I will lust a bit more for the sportier car. - GJ

[JimD]

I think you are comparing apples and oranges. If you compare the BMW conservative 1M times to the magazine test report 135 times I have no doubt you can get similar numbers. But that is not a fair comparison.

I just looked on the BMW NA website and got a 0-60 time of 5.1 seconds for a manual 135i and the sticky on the 1M page here has a 4.7 second 0-60 for the 1M. So they aren't the same.

The other thing which could be the same is a chipped 135i versus the 1M - in a straight line. A chipped 135i with a bunch of suspension mods could even keep up in a 1M but it would be cheaper just to buy the 1M.

Jim

[atl_1M]

George - how much did the performance kit for the 135 set you back? As far as I know, they haven't published the price of the retrofit, at least that's what my CA told me.

Also, did you think it was worth it in the end?

Thanks

[koastal]

Why did they use the 6spd manual in the 1M instead of the DCT ?. Is it just a purist thing or isnt the DCT strong enough ?

[GeorgeJ.]

Originally Posted by ssiddiq1

George - how much did the performance kit for the 135 set you back? As far as I know, they haven't published the price of the retrofit, at least that's what my CA told me.

Also, did you think it was worth it in the end?

Thanks

I just copied from an earlier post that I made on this very subject. It was worth it to me. - George

I just had the Power Kit installed on my 2012 135i and it was closer to $3k. I am happy with the result, which I am guessing is close to the same output as the 1M but no M3 suspension, brakes, LSD, and cool gearbox/clutch/flywheel which really matter as well as the neat cosmetic and interior bits that are fun. I still have a fun and to me a good value car though as you can see I am a more loyal BMW owner than most.

The total parts was $1,988.34/tax 164.05 and labor was $810 for a total of $2,962.39 or $148.12 per horsepower. On the face of it this seems like a rip but I really like it and for $478 per month plus tax it is a great car, whats another $83 per month for a bunch of grins when I drive it. Plus no worries about warranty, screwing up the lease, etc. The increase in power feels like allot more than what it advertised so I would do it again in a heartbeat. Cheers, GJ

[1speedbike]

Originally Posted by koastal

Why did they use the 6spd manual in the 1M instead of the DCT ?. Is it just a purist thing or isnt the DCT strong enough ?

1M isn't available with DCT. Manual only

[koastal]

Originally Posted by 1speedbike

1M isn't available with DCT. Manual only

Why ?

[Dam Road]

My two cents is that you put a pro in each and have him on a closed course. Compare the times. The pro would be able to extract what a racer wannabe might not even realize was present. I would think the 1M has the design and engineering to reduce times by seconds and a second is a very big thing on a track.

The 135 is a great car, the 1M is just greater.

[JimD]

The stated reason for the MT was the low volume. Personally I drive manuals so it would not be a detriment to me.

[NYC6]

Had a similar issue when I was shopping for my Corvette. A knee injury made a Z06 purchase for me not worth the effort. I decided to get a Z51 C6 instead of the Z. Over some time I added Z06 brakes and wheels that mounted the same size tires(325/275) then I installed a Vortech S/C. So now I have a Corvette while not a Z06 does everything the Z06 can and then some. My car has almost 100 more hp that the LS7 car and whips it in a straight line or on a track. Dont have the Z06 badges on my fenders and dont miss them at all.

My thoughts are the same for the 1M vs. 135i debate. I have the 135 now and when I choose I will up the ante and make some mods(LSD, tune, IC, wheels...) and for not a ton of cash I will have a car which will perform as well as(or likely better) than the M. The 1M is a great car but theres more than one way to skin a cat.

[1speedbike]

135i 0-60 time from BMW: 5.1 seconds. Real world time, tested by actual people: 4.7-4.8 seconds.
1M 0-60 time from BMW: 4.7 seconds. Real world time.. probably more around 4.4 seconds.

A conservative to moderately tuned 135i can run it in around the same time. A 135i with full bolt ons can get down to 4 seconds flat, and I've *heard* even into the 3 point somethings. But a stock 135i definitely can't outgun a stock 1M.

About $4500 will allow you to outhandle a 1M in the twisties. It could be less.. OS Giken LSD <$2000, set of good coilovers $1500, M3 sway bars, bushings, control arms ~$1000. Lots of 1M owners have already upgraded their 1M coilovers to KWs; the KW sets are more aggressive/sporty. Technically, if you're not worried about traction all that much, just the coilovers and sway bars, etc will let you get up to that performance level without dropping 2 grand on the LSD. But then you'll always be looking for traction, especially considering how you'll want to accelerate out of those turns that you're now taking so nicely due to the rest of the suspension mods..

[RiefferD]

Does anyone know if Bmw strengthened the internals of the 1m, or is it the same n54 engine thats in the 135i? I'm wondering if a stock 1m could handle more boost than a 135i.

[NYC6]

I haven't heard of any changes. AFAIK its the same stout, forged, durable N54 shortblock we have known for years now. But I'll stand by waiting to hear more.

[1speedbike]

Originally Posted by RiefferD

Does anyone know if Bmw strengthened the internals of the 1m, or is it the same n54 engine thats in the 135i? I'm wondering if a stock 1m could handle more boost than a 135i.

Originally Posted by NYC6

I haven't heard of any changes. AFAIK its the same stout, forged, durable N54 shortblock we have known for years now. But I'll stand by waiting to hear more.

Engine and internals are the exact same as a 2010 135i (differences from a 2008 135i are few.. and include mainly a lighter weight crankshaft or something like that, and maybe some different piston rings). Only additions to the engine are extra cooling ability (as if you were to add the performance power package), and the tune (again, same one supplied by the PPK and is available on the 335is. 330 hp/330 ft lbs with overboost to 370 ft lbs).

A 1M can likely handle just the same amount of boost. No extra turbo cooling (same intercooler and intake, no water or meth spray obviously haha), despite the extra oil/water cooling. No upgraded internals.. but the N54 engine is very durable as it is..

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by RiefferD

Does anyone know if Bmw strengthened the internals of the 1m, or is it the same n54 engine thats in the 135i? I'm wondering if a stock 1m could handle more boost than a 135i.

The 1M is reported to have "different" piston rings. That is what M3adjuster was told durring the "lucky preview trip" held last year by the M engineers. We still do not know what else was changed. But the engine code is the same as the Z4 drive35is.

[1speedbike]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

The 1M is reported to have "different" piston rings. That is what M3adjuster was told durring the "lucky preview trip" held last year by the M engineers. We still do not know what else was changed. But the engine code is the same as the Z4 drive35is.

I was looking at a thread a while ago that was discussing the engine differences between the 135i and the 1M. In it we all figured/learned from realoem that the piston rings are the same as on a 2010 135i, and same "lightweight" crankshaft as on the 2010 135i, though these are "upgraded" from the 2008 model. I think it might have been adrean8j (or someone else haha) that looked it up.

I'm pretty sure there was so much whining and arguing in the thread that it was eventually locked and likely deleted...

[NYC6]

Originally Posted by frank crooker

The 1M APPEARS TO BE A FANTASTIC BMW,,,,,,,,,,,

That was way to hard to read. For one, cap lock!