135i vs 335i

[alexc93]

This isnt a thread bashing either cars to start! i just am gauging some opinions...i currently drive an AT 335i e90 and used to drive a 6spd JCW Mini cooper. I miss the MT and am wondering if i should trade my e90 for a MT 135i or a MT 335i Coupe.

Please give some opinions!
Is the 135i a lot more of a stiff drive?

Whats the handling comparison etc etc?

Thanksss

[Eyeman]

I would not use the word stiff to describe the 135, even if just to say it's stiffer than the 335, because it really doesn't seem stiffer. Maybe the 135 is a little tighter but more tossable and aggressive would be better terms. The 335 seems a little more smooth and stable to me whereas the 135 kinda gives this sensation that you want to be aggressive. The 135 is kind of a little bully of a car to me.

135 seems alot like driving a 335 in some sort of sport mode. The throttle seems to be much more aggressively mapped. Of course the 135 exhaust being louder has something to do with it also. From what you described it sounds like you'll like the 135, but just don't expect it to be stiffer, it's not, it's kind of bouncier if anything.

[GaryS]

First, definitely dump the automatic if you enjoy shifting a manual.

Second, 135i is not a stiffer ride than 335i. But it's slightly less comfortable because it bounces a little more, especially in back. The 135i is more fun for daily driving because of its shorter wheelbase. It's also in general a little rough around the edges compared to the 3-series.

I would just look at it as sportier wheelbase versus more practical rear seat.

[x5mad]

I found the 335 more comfortable and smoother than the 135. It was also more stable around the corners and just more planted overall. Against the norm here, I actually found the 335 exhaust louder and nicer sounding.

I would have gone for the 335 except for just one thing. I was not prepared to pay 50k more for the 335 vert over the 135 vert (Australian car prices are ludicrous).

[fancyfl1ght]

Originally Posted by alexc93

This isnt a thread bashing either cars to start! i just am gauging some opinions...i currently drive an AT 335i e90 and used to drive a 6spd JCW Mini cooper. I miss the MT and am wondering if i should trade my e90 for a MT 135i or a MT 335i Coupe.

Please give some opinions!
Is the 135i a lot more of a stiff drive?

Whats the handling comparison etc etc?

Thanksss

The 335i is a cruiser compared the 135i. It is small, fast, and way too much fun to drive than the 335i. The ride is a bit more anxious, but its a nice change from the rather sedate 335i.

I have DCT so that really makes the car special since DCT rips through the gear before a blink of an eye.

Around the corners, well, all I can do around them is have a cheek to cheek smile that I cannot wipe off.

Too bad for the run flat tires, they make my 135i vert chatter at every road imperfection, but thats the price you pay for a BMW.

I am so happy I got the 135i over the 335i (I test drove it next to a M3 sedan).

Do it, you will be happy!

[Sidh135i]

Go for something new! test drive the 1!

[Rawhide]

They're both great vehicles. I chose the 135 over the 335 for a variety of reasons, price being one - but it wasn't the major deciding factor by a long shot. My payments would not have been that dramatically higher.

In the end, the 135 just puts a bigger smile on my face. And its so rare it's almost like driving my own personal BMW model sometimes.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by alexc93

This isnt a thread bashing either cars to start! i just am gauging some opinions...i currently drive an AT 335i e90 and used to drive a 6spd JCW Mini cooper. I miss the MT and am wondering if i should trade my e90 for a MT 135i or a MT 335i Coupe.

Please give some opinions!
Is the 135i a lot more of a stiff drive?

Whats the handling comparison etc etc?

Thanksss

The only way you'll know what the true differences are is by driving both.

That said, all we can give you is our experiences of both, which may give you some insight, but in the final analysis it's your experience that will matter most for what you like and want to drive.

Contrary to what others have said, I prefer the ride and handling of the 3 series sport suspension equipped 3's.
The 3 sport is a better balanced suspension.
The longer wheelbase adds to the 3's better ride, and the sport suspension calibration is better balanced.

The shorter 1 series SHOULD be more tossable and more lively, but it's been castrated by the poorly tuned suspension. "Bouncy" is not a good trait for a properly tuned suspension. However, I wouldn't call my 135i bouncy. It has a good sport stiff ride that is quite compliant over most roads. The overall ride is pretty darn good.
The problem is in transitional handling where the 1 tends to have a bit more wallow than one would expect. Initial turn in is not as sharp or crisp as a sport 3. My 1 does track through a turn quite well once it's settled into a turn, but the problem is it's soft, or slow, to settle into a turn without feeling like it's leaning a bit too much.

What should have been a positive, the lighter weight and shorter platform, is greatly hindered by it's overall suspension tuning.
It is the #1 problem in the 1 series in terms of handling.
After that, it's a great car and still a lot of fun to drive.

If I were to do it again would I choose the 135i over a 3?
Good question. I can't say that I would. If BMW does not bring a new 1 with a proper suspension I probably won't get one. And, with the cost of a similarly equipped 3 being so much more, I'll probably look elsewhere for my next car. I think BMW will get it right next time.

[Remonster]

I came from an E90 and have driven plenty of E90s, E92s and an E93. I like the 135i a lot more, it's not that much stiffer but the fact that it's shorter and just as wide (in back, front may be a bit narrower but I know the rear axle is the same) makes it noticeably more fun.

I do miss the rear seat room and accessibility of my E90 so if that's an issue for you maybe you're better in a 3 series but I absolutely adore my E82. The brakes and exhaust note are another area where the 1 is definitely superior.

[dc503]

My last car was an e90 335i 6MT. I don't think it's a huge departure for street driving but it's definitely more playful. The 135i turns in with a little more eagerness and the overall dynamics feel similar but with a touch more urgency and lightness.

Go out and drive a 135i to see what you think.

[jameselee]

@RPM90: Thanks for articulating your impressions of the suspension so well and with such candor. Other similar reviews, plus my own impressions after a few test drives, led me to order the BMW Performance Suspension, which I hope will improve the weaknesses.

[sparoz]

I had the same dilemma when I ordered my car. I test drove it back to back and I like the feel of the 1er more. A bit more focused, lighter, and it felt like it can tossed around better. I also feel you are more connected the the 1er, and able to feel the car better than the 3er. However, where the 3er is very composed around the bends and flat on turns, the 1er feels more edgy as the soft suspension gave way to the body roll, causing the annoying understeer (interestingly, only the 1er coupe and vert has this softer suspension to accomodate the runflats while the 3er stays flat like its previous generation).

Finishing wise, the 3er is definitely nicer than the 1er (may be not by much), but everything from the e46 3er is there.

Well, you better test drive both and decide. .

[Raine]

There's definitely a lot of body roll (for the passenger at least lol) if you're going hard and fast around a corner.

I can only compare this to the 530i lol...that car is literally a cruiser, you fall alseep driving it.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by jameselee

@RPM90: Thanks for articulating your impressions of the suspension so well and with such candor. Other similar reviews, plus my own impressions after a few test drives, led me to order the BMW Performance Suspension, which I hope will improve the weaknesses.

From what others have said about that suspension, you'll love the 1 with that suspension. It seems like that suspension should have been on the 1 from the onset.
Good call.

Enjoy your ride!

[Terradude]

I came to the 135i directly from a 2005 MINI JCW. The MINI was a great car, huge on the fun factor with excellent responsiveness, great cornering and pretty good gas mileage too. The 135i is that and more.

The 135i is much, much faster - maybe not as "quick" as the MINI but it can be scary fast. The suspension is not nearly as rock hard as the MINI - that's the reason I sold it. We moved and my commute tripled and driving on our bumpy roads was killing my back. I found myself swerving all over trying to miss the pothole when I knew they were there. Now with the 135i I don't swerve around, I glide over them and the suspension does what it should. Maybe there's a touch of understeer when you're pushing the limits at the track but I'm sure that 99% of us don't track this car. If we do, the first $$ in mods should go to some minor tweaks in the suspension.

I found the 135i to be a very good step from the MINI without getting something (the 335i) that I see hundreds of every day.

[jameselee]

Originally Posted by Terradude

I came to the 135i directly from a 2005 MINI JCW. The MINI was a great car, huge on the fun factor with excellent responsiveness, great cornering and pretty good gas mileage too. The 135i is that and more.

Thanks. I was going to test drive a Mini (and GTI & A3) after the 135, but was hooked as soon as I drove the 1 and couldn't even think about anything else afterward. I would have wondered what I was missing, but your comments confirm my choice was right for me.

[Gort]

One thing you will miss in the 135i if you need it is trunk space. I don't need much and have more fun driving my 135i coupe than I did the E92 335i (MT's). It is a rougher ride in the 135i, but not that bad.

[Frustration]

Not sure how many have owned a 135 in n54 and n55 as well as a 335...


The difs are primarily in room and ride comfort. The 335 having a little more of each.

The 1 on paper (and in a 1 forum) sounds like it should be notably quicker and better handling but RPM really hit it. The 1 didnt cut enough weight or nail down the suspension enough to be what some claim.

I love my 1. I loved my 3. I'm happy with both decisions.

[Tom K.]

I currently own a 128i 'vert (for touring and fun) and a E91 328i wagon for practical daily use. The ZSP equipped 128i rides about the same on rough surfaces as the (non SP) wagon, now that I've replaced the OEM tires with Conti DWS non RFT rubber. However, you are always aware of the shorter wheelbase in the 1er - this may be a positive or negative, depending on your priorities.

The 328i feels larger inside, although I suspect that the two are pretty close in front seat space but naturally the rear seat & trunk space edge goes to the 3. So far, gas mileage is about the same as is performance (both are 6 MT).

So my recommendation is one of each! Seriously, test drive both, preferably on the worst roads you can find, and see what kind of deal may be gotten on each.

Tom