2013 135is owners discussion and photos thread!

[motorchimp]

This makes me appreciate the "s" designation in our car even more, it's understated (and I love that) whereas the <BOLD CAPITAL LETTERS> M235 is ,like Downeaster1 said, trying to be something it isn't.

I haven't driven a 235 but other cars I drove that had electric steering felt sterile.

On a completely unrelated note, I finally fitted a set of Michelin Pilots (A/S) on my car and love the ride. It's definitely cushier than RFTs, and having all seasons on the car just gives it a feeling of extra versatility that i really like. Maybe it's all in my head. But at least when it snows again i won't be sweating having to move the car
The PAS are quite meatier than the Potenzas that came on my car, they have deeper threads and it looks real cool when they stick out of the fenders. More Mad Max-ish.

[leohern037]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

I present the waviest, rumpliest 135is. Aww. What a shame.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251464421506...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Holy cow.... And then there were 5 BSM 6MT's.

[CAVU]

Has anybody read the recent M235i review in Bimmer magazine? The writer says they should have called it the 235is and reserve the M name for proper M cars.

Spent time this weekend using metal polish to remove the discoloration and baked-on flecks of road tar from my exhaust tips. This winter hasn't been nice to them!

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by RickMsport

Has anybody read the recent M235i review in Bimmer magazine? The writer says they should have called it the 235is and reserve the M name for proper M cars.

Spent time this weekend using metal polish to remove the discoloration and baked-on flecks of road tar from my exhaust tips. This winter hasn't been nice to them!

here's a link to the article:
http://www.bimmer-mag.com/issues/122...1#.Ux3sIz9dWSo

and here's the line that makes me NOT want a 2-series:
"There’s always a price to be paid, of course, and those who loved the 1 Series for its manic qualities will find the new M235i disappointingly tame, all the more so for the newfound presence of an “M” on its trunk lid."

[gregthegr8]

Interesting read. Thanks for popping that link in there as Rick was telling me about the article. I'm also glad that for once someone compared the M235 to the 135is, which is the best comparison since it really is just a reworked version of that, with same N55 with PPK tune essentially.

I think any of us that drive it will probably find the suspension and handling improved, but not like the steering, and any perceived improvement in interior may also be counteracted by a bland exterior. I'll still drive one just to see, but doesn't really seem to be all that much of an overall improvement, and just a lateral step, as opposed to an evolutionary or innovative one. And there's something special about that "manic" quality of our cars that seems like they may have neutered it a bit by making it more refined.

[Worra]

Originally Posted by RickMsport

Has anybody read the recent M235i review in Bimmer magazine? The writer says they should have called it the 235is and reserve the M name for proper M cars.

Spent time this weekend using metal polish to remove the discoloration and baked-on flecks of road tar from my exhaust tips. This winter hasn't been nice to them!

Care to share your process? I've been neglecting my exhaust tips this "winter" and I'd like to give them a real nice shining soon.

[Worra]

From that Bimmer article: "The M division tuned the M235i’s exhaust for a deep, raw tone that only gets better as revs increase, and its engineers tell us that it’s all natural, with none of the artificial enhancements BMW has been known to use on its standard production cars."


Is this true? I thought we had confirmed the engine noise through the stereo?

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by Worra

From that Bimmer article: "The M division tuned the M235i’s exhaust for a deep, raw tone that only gets better as revs increase, and its engineers tell us that it’s all natural, with none of the artificial enhancements BMW has been known to use on its standard production cars."


Is this true? I thought we had confirmed the engine noise through the stereo?

it's definitely pumped through the cabin artificially.....however the sound itself is not "fake" but just an amplified version? maybe that's what the engineers meant?

[CAVU]

Originally Posted by Worra

Care to share your process? I've been neglecting my exhaust tips this "winter" and I'd like to give them a real nice shining soon.

Nothing special and certainly nothing scientific. I give them a shot of Griot’s Wheel Cleaner (Griot’s Chrome Wheel Cleaner might be a better choice) while I’m doing the wheels. After washing & drying the car, I use Einszett Anti-Insekt Bug + Tar Remover with a mesh sponge (such as the Viking Microfiber Mesh Bug and Tar Sponge) to get rid of the baked on tar. Then I apply Blue Magic Metal Polish Cream and rub until it turns dark, then polish with an microfiber cloth. Hopefully over time this routine doesn’t cause damage to the finish!

Here's a quick iPhone photo:

[gregthegr8]

Looks sparkly Rick. I know Kouper bought some P21s multi-surface metal polish and am also curious how it compares. I used blue magic metal polish on my last car and had good results, but man it had some vicious fumes.

Seeing perfectly clean exhaust tips begs the question, which is highly debatable on the PE exhaust. I know many people think it sticks out too far and think it looks much better with the BMW CF diffuser or similar one as it houses it better. Then, others kinda like that it sticks out pretty far and is quite pronounced. Money aside, and when perfectly clean, I'm curious which look people prefer - the larger diffuser that covers more of the PE but makes it stick out less, or the stock dinky diffuser?

[Worra]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

Looks sparkly Rick. I know Kouper bought some P21s multi-surface metal polish and am also curious how it compares. I used blue magic metal polish on my last car and had good results, but man it had some vicious fumes.

Seeing perfectly clean exhaust tips begs the question, which is highly debatable on the PE exhaust. I know many people think it sticks out too far and think it looks much better with the BMW CF diffuser or similar one as it houses it better. Then, others kinda like that it sticks out pretty far and is quite pronounced. Money aside, and when perfectly clean, I'm curious which look people prefer - the larger diffuser that covers more of the PE but makes it stick out less, or the stock dinky diffuser?

I certainly prefer the more recessed look of the pairing with the CF diffusor but what I don't prefer is spending $1600 on a diffusor.

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by Worra

I certainly prefer the more recessed look of the pairing with the CF diffusor but what I don't prefer is spending $1600 on a diffusor.

I think the forum vendors sell it for $1200. But that's still $1200. =P I know there's the one at the site that I believe they'll asterisk out if I type it in that begins with an M and has a B in there four letters in, for $440, but not sure of the quality or fitment and think the mesh reveals too much.

My cheapness aside, I kinda like the protruding exhaust to show off that chrome and it seems to be our car's defining characteristic as it sure makes a unique and intoxicating sound. Plus, I'm getting a goofy grin of late as it keeps setting off car alarm's near me in the garage at work when I'm pulling in/out of spots.

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

I think the forum vendors sell it for $1200. But that's still $1200. =P I know there's the one at the site that I believe they'll asterisk out if I type it in that begins with an M and has a B in there four letters in, for $440, but not sure of the quality or fitment and think the mesh reveals too much.

My cheapness aside, I kinda like the protruding exhaust to show off that chrome and it seems to be our car's defining characteristic as it sure makes a unique and intoxicating sound. Plus, I'm getting a goofy grin of late as it keeps setting off car alarm's near me in the garage at work when I'm pulling in/out of spots.

I LOVE the protruding exhaust.....wouldn't change a thing.

[motorchimp]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

I LOVE the protruding exhaust.....wouldn't change a thing.

+1

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

I LOVE the protruding exhaust.....wouldn't change a thing.

Originally Posted by motorchimp

+1

Interesting. I thought we might be at 75% in the other direction, but so far we have 3 for protruding (myself included), and Worra and mb135is for preferring it housed with the CF diffuser.

[PopsnBurbles]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

Interesting. I thought we might be at 75% in the other direction, but so far we have 3 for protruding (myself included), and Worra and mb135is for preferring it housed with the CF diffuser.

CF Diffuser for me but as someone said, I do not prefer to spend 1000+ bucks on a diffuser. The sticking out looks a bit awkward for me. Having it nested and flush into a diffuser seems more proper.

I'm also scared that if/when the exhaust gets hot, it might end up burning someone's leg. This may just be me overthinking things that may never happen (but I've heard of this with other cars).

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by PopsnBurbles

CF Diffuser for me but as someone said, I do not prefer to spend 1000+ bucks on a diffuser. The sticking out looks a bit awkward for me. Having it nested and flush into a diffuser seems more proper.

I'm also scared that if/when the exhaust gets hot, it might end up burning someone's leg. This may just be me overthinking things that may never happen (but I've heard of this with other cars).

i burned my leg pretty badly once my TT's Borla exhaust which hangs DOWN and OUT while i was getting something out of the trunk! lol......but i took it as a sign of endearment! The TT's exhaust is kind of hooligan looking really....but i dig it like that.

[motorchimp]

Originally Posted by PopsnBurbles

CF Diffuser for me but as someone said, I do not prefer to spend 1000+ bucks on a diffuser. The sticking out looks a bit awkward for me. Having it nested and flush into a diffuser seems more proper.

I'm also scared that if/when the exhaust gets hot, it might end up burning someone's leg. This may just be me overthinking things that may never happen (but I've heard of this with other cars).

Bah after you've ridden a motorcycle for a bit exhaust burns don't scare you anymore ;-)

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

i burned my leg pretty badly once my TT's Borla exhaust which hangs DOWN and OUT while i was getting something out of the trunk! lol......but i took it as a sign of endearment! The TT's exhaust is kind of hooligan looking really....but i dig it like that.

I guess if you don't like someone, have them get something out of the trunk. =)

[JeffyD]

I wouldn't mind getting the CF diffuser, spoiler, mirror caps, and front splitters all slapped on if I could justify refinishing them with a darker shade of LMB over them. But done in such a way as to see the CF weave, and have it basically look black with a blue gloss.

But then I think, yeah, go for it- but also swap out the interior as well to go with the theme. From discounted prices, that's, like, what? 4200+ for the exterior and interior, and that's before taking into account paying someone who knows what they're doing to get the finish right for the blue gloss.

I'll probably wind up doing it. But that's because I'm stupid.

[mb135is]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

Interesting. I thought we might be at 75% in the other direction, but so far we have 3 for protruding (myself included), and Worra and mb135is for preferring it housed with the CF diffuser.

Yes I cannot stand it. Proportionally it makes no sense.

Hello OCD.

[IEDEI]

I can't remember the last time my car was clean......but today it is!!!