Car & Driver review

[trafficalert]

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...ed-test-review

[kits135i]

A lot of bad people hating on the car in the reviews, but glad they liked it.

[IEDEI]

to those of you who have a 135is or have a Performance Exhaust----do you think it "drones" on the freeway as mentioned in the article?

thanks,
prospective 135is buyer

[doublevanosrc]

"Last of it's breed", excellent quote.

[Bama335]

"The 135is feels like the best E90 3-series and more. Its tidy dimensions and short wheelbase—5.9 fewer inches than that of the current 3-series—make it a tossable delight, despite the heavy-for-its-size 3335-pound curb weight. Hydraulic steering that’s heftier than anything in recent memory harks back to before the time of handwringing over efficiency, with a genuine connection to the road and useful, minimally amplified feedback. It isn’t a significantly better handler than a 135i; it just sounds so much better in the process."

This is exactly what I'm looking for - fun in the twisties and maybe on the track. If I want a comfy highway cruiser, I'll drive a different car that day.

[Sleeps]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

to those of you who have a 135is or have a Performance Exhaust----do you think it "drones" on the freeway as mentioned in the article?

thanks,
prospective 135is buyer

I have not noticed any drone during highway drives.. The performance exhaust on the IS is pure sex noises.

[trafficalert]

The performance exhaust drones no matter what people say. I test drove 4 135is cars before buying. They all were identical from 1900-2100 rpms. Many people find it very tolerable, but I did not. My dealer agreed to swap a standard black tip exhaust at no cost. There is also a resonated mid pipe you can add back on that reduces the drone a bit.

[makrop]

Yeah I get no drone at all... N54 here though so maybe that makes a difference? I could maybe see hearing it if its completely quiet in the car with no music or anything, but even then it wouldn't be loud enough to consider "annoying".

Absolutely zero regrets upgrading to the PE. Especially considering it cost me nothing. I even got PAID $350 to do it! HA

[ejm3]

Honestly I am surprised that the 135is doesn't perform much better than a regular 135i.
Not sure its worth the extra money.

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by ejm3

Honestly I am surprised that the 135is doesn't perform much better than a regular 135i.
Not sure its worth the extra money.

well it's about $4k more in terms of MSRP as i'm shopping them right now. BUT you do get all the nice options for that much money. If i were buying a 135i, i'd want an M-Sport package anyways.....so in terms of that, the 135is is worth it----as for that price difference you get different wheels, the performance exhaust, +20hp, and better standard features.....oh and of course a nice "is" badge!

[gregthegr8]

While it might be $4k more in terms of MSRP (haven't checked in a few months), with discounts, most people are getting them for only $2,000-$2,500 more than a 135i with the m sport package. The wheels alone would be about $1800-2000 a la carte, so was worth it to me as I was intent on getting the 313 wheels.

Also, IEDEI, if you're looking to order, supposedly there are only 2 allocations left to order in the entire country after today, if even that, so if you miss that small window, you may be left with whatever dealer stock there is. If you want white or carbon black, those seem to be what most dealers have, anything outside of that is hard to find.

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

Also, IEDEI, if you're looking to order, supposedly there are only 2 allocations left to order in the entire country after today, if even that, so if you miss that small window, you may be left with whatever dealer stock there is. If you want white or carbon black, those seem to be what most dealers have, anything outside of that is hard to find.

it's so funny because i was supposed to order a 135i when it ORIGINALLY came out and i didn't....and now several years later the production is about to end and i'm still trying to order one! haha...full circle!

Thanks for that info. I am wanting one in Deep Sea Blue.....so hoping i can get in on an allocation!

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

it's so funny because i was supposed to order a 135i when it ORIGINALLY came out and i didn't....and now several years later the production is about to end and i'm still trying to order one! haha...full circle!

Thanks for that info. I am wanting one in Deep Sea Blue.....so hoping i can get in on an allocation!

I got ya covered. Ordered one BEFORE it came out (February 2008) and another one at the end (February 2013). I'd get that order in literally ASAP or at least have a dealer check all nationwide inventory of a deep sea blue.

Also on the "drone" I think it's a lil buzzy when going at constant low speed with lil gas (between like 20-30mph) and while at times it's a little annoying, it's more than made up for by the GOOD noises of the performance exhaust on cold start up and anything above light acceleration.

[Pyrat 2]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

to those of you who have a 135is or have a Performance Exhaust----do you think it "drones" on the freeway as mentioned in the article?

thanks,
prospective 135is buyer

Absolutely this drone is present. Other than that the car is unbelievably fun. Have had four track days at two tracks in the last four weeks.

[doublevanosrc]

Originally Posted by ejm3

Honestly I am surprised that the 135is doesn't perform much better than a regular 135i.
Not sure its worth the extra money.

If you factor in the wheels and then yes it's worth it. Personally I prefer the 261Ms but that's just me.

[doublevanosrc]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

it's so funny because i was supposed to order a 135i when it ORIGINALLY came out and i didn't....and now several years later the production is about to end and i'm still trying to order one! haha...full circle!

More proof that BMW's current offerings(the F models) don't quite live up to the "Ultimate driving machine" slogan. So sad

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by doublevanosrc

More proof that BMW's current offerings(the F models) don't quite live up to the "Ultimate driving machine" slogan. So sad

i can't tell you how bored i was after test driving the F31 328xi Sports Wagon....the car i was ORIGINALLY going to trade my A3 quattro in for.......after driving that bohemoth, i got back into the A3 and it felt like a Lotus! lol.

[IEDEI]

thanks to you guys on the all the feedback about the drone. i personally don't care that much about it, but was curious....as ANY performance exhaust is going to have a little bit of drone...especially on a car with some performance.

[doublevanosrc]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

i can't tell you how bored i was after test driving the F31 328xi Sports Wagon....the car i was ORIGINALLY going to trade my A3 quattro in for.......after driving that bohemoth, i got back into the A3 and it felt like a Lotus! lol.

I feel ya man, had a 328 loaner last week and i was just bored driving it. When i hopped back in my 1er I was like this is more like it.

[doublevanosrc]

Originally Posted by kits135i

A lot of bad people hating on the car in the reviews, but glad they liked it.

I saw that I responded to a few of those churning out wrong info.

[bp-plickner]

Funny thing that "drone" or exaust note seems to be good audible reminder that I am traveling near the speed limit and my gas mileage will be reasonable. I can not believe how quick my 135is gets going. Compared to my Mini JCW the 135is is a very refined ride zipping around bends and accelerating out of corners with very little drama. I guess I better read the review.

[gregthegr8]

It's almost scary how quickly they will take off with just the slightest little input on the gas. I've been babying mine pretty much in the break-in period, which will end in the next few days, but the other day someone was driving erratically behind me, swerving in and out of lanes since 45-50 in a 35 wasn't tolerable to him and he was riding my butt. As we were about to go around a bend, I just gave it a bit of gas and 2 seconds later I'm seemingly going way too fast (though it didn't feel like it) and he was way back a block or two in the rearview and then I took a nice corner at speed as if it were on rails.

Can't imagine what it's like to really let one of these things out on a racecourse or long straight away without having to worry about the speed limit or cops.