Naturally Aspirated or Turbo

[raceman]

Originally Posted by dragon1761

very well said. +1. I read some of the posting on this topic. I believe no one is trying to bash on the 135i.

Why to bash excellent car of course?
135i provides 5 sec acceleration from the scratch, so it's no-brainer choice if that is only goal.
N52 engine is different type of character and consecutivelly joy.
Some people think that it is ridiculous that N52 equipped 1 can be preferred choice over N54.
N52 after very reasonable tuning without dangerous changes that will shorten engine life, comes to power range very near to stock N54.
It's pure bliss and joy, both with MT or AT (although MT is definitelly better choice).
In terms of getting more power than 300 HP, I would be scared to tune N54 to 360 HP+ anyway.
After all I would easily buy 135i, if that would suit me more, so to each its own.
BMW should make coupe as 130i with 280 HP and 130ti with 306 HP excluding 125i/128i at all, with price difference of 3000 $.
I'm sure that more than 50% of buyers would take 130i and definitelly not because of 3000$ price difference.

[Mega Man]

Originally Posted by raceman

Why to bash excellent car of course?

I'm not bashing the 135i at all...I drive one.

The only point I'm trying to make is that some people prefer the 128 to the 135. That preference could come for a number of reasons. If I were choosing the 128 over the 135 it would be because of my ability to drive, knowing that I'd probably be better behind the wheel of an all-motor car than a turbo car.

[Alext]

There is a funny video of a race between a 135i and 130i. The camera car is the 130i and the occupants sound like geeks. The things they say are hilarious. The race is from a stop, anyway as soon as 2nd gear hits the 135i just pullllls away. Totally destroys the 130i in acceleration. It is a pretty interesting comparison. I think the 135i has a tune.

[raceman]

Originally Posted by Alext

There is a funny video of a race between a 135i and 130i. The camera car is the 130i and the occupants sound like geeks. The things they say are hilarious. The race is from a stop, anyway as soon as 2nd gear hits the 135i just pullllls away. Totally destroys the 130i in acceleration. It is a pretty interesting comparison. I think the 135i has a tune.

We did many such tests and 135i MT doesn't destroy 272 PS 125i MT (basically 130i) in acceleration (except if 2-3 car lengths at 100 km/h means destroying).
With 300 HP 125i vs stock 135i the difference in 0-100 km/h is pretty marginal.
135i always pushes harder from low revs, but lacks edge in 5000+ RPM what brings tuned 125i damn close.

[walkerkd]

here is what i find very funny.. Why does everyone wanna compare apples to oranges. makes no sense at all.. enjoy your car if you don't buy what you desire. this is the 128i part of the forum and all i read is how the 135i is better. who cares the NA motor is awesome and fun to drive ive driven both. and Ive owned NA cars as well Turbo cars. i just got the car i wanted and equipped the way i wanted. please stop the madness and let this thread DIE already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[raceman]

Originally Posted by walkerkd

let this thread DIE already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why?
This is NA engine appreciation thread !

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by raceman

We did many such tests and 135i MT doesn't destroy 272 PS 125i MT (basically 130i) in acceleration (except if 2-3 car lengths at 100 km/h means destroying).
With 300 HP 125i vs stock 135i the difference in 0-100 km/h is pretty marginal.
135i always pushes harder from low revs, but lacks edge in 5000+ RPM what brings tuned 125i damn close.

lol i think you just answered your own question mate. 3 car lengths to 100km/h is pretty big. spend another $350 or so and you'll get 3 or 4 more

[walkerkd]

Originally Posted by raceman

Why?
This is NA engine appreciation thread !

i understand that lets appreciate the NA motor not compare it to a turbo motor.. thats all im saying.. i appreciate all the information dont get my wrong... but y compare to something like a turbo motor. i have a single 70mm turbo mustang and NA stangs just well with the same displacement come not even come close to my outlaw stang just wont happen. anyway i will shut up and watch!!! SORRY!!!!

[808@702]

It all comes down to skill, experience and technique when driving any ride. A 128 in the hands of a good NA driver will beat the C pillar off of any 135 not driven by a turbo savvy pilot.

All turbo proponents should ask themselves, do I know how to drive this thing properly?

[808@702]

It all comes down to skill, experience and technique when driving any ride. A 128 in the hands of a good NA driver will beat the C pillar off of any 135 not driven by a turbo savvy pilot.

All turbo proponents should ask themselves, do I know how to drive this thing properly?

[808@702]

And by the way (you all know this right?), I see all these video of 1 series doing drag racing straight line time testing listen to my car go fast and straight. This is not what BMW designed these cars to do, They are made for mountain-curvy/ coastline-traction/ track-twisting/ daily-braking on curvy and humpy and real world roads. Nuff Said. The car is the greatest. Believe me I know. Aloha!

[m3bs]

Not all of us go straight.

[808@702]

You nevah pass um?

[m3bs]

I pass the Vette regularly in my E36M3 track car. We were very close in the 135 - until I swapped tires with my M3, then I was 2 seconds faster than he was.

[808@702]

OK you passed um great vidio. What top speed? Max.

[808@702]

XXLNT

[808@702]

Great vid. I live in Vegas and wish I had a track such as yours, Thanks bruddah. I will keep practicing. I love my car with BMW Performance mods!

[m3bs]

Max indicated with JB3 map 4 was about 155, which I suspect is closer to 145 actual. With stock brakes, I was backing out way early, braking before the 5 marker. Still, easily 10 MPH faster than my M3. On the stock map, it indicated about 145.

[Add1ct]

17 months later I really wish I had gone with the 128i that I intended to get. the 135 has been a nightmare

[foundonroad]

Ditto to flyer up there,....I have a 128 sport....plenty fast enough for what I do....no track, etc. Well said.....

[italiantank26]

My 128i with a PBX, injen intake, and lighter tires is just a blast to drive. I can only imagine what the addition of an exhaust would do to it

[808@702]

Hey tank, I was thinking about the PBX. Did you install? And how easy, I have seen the install literature, it looks tough!