125i or 135i

[dh58]

I am in a real dilemma. And have come to ask your opinions..

I have been looking to buy a second hand 135i but the color and options I want never comes up

Now I have found EXACTLY what I want in a 125i. So the dilemma is do I get the car I want in everything but the performance (pretty big for me) or do I sacrifice other things to get the performance I want?

And is there THAT much of a difference between the two?

[E92325i]

I'd say go for the 135i. I can't comment on 125i vs 135i but the difference in driving a 325i and a 335i is HUGE and i regret getting the 325i a lot now

That is not to say the 125i/325i is a bad car though... far from it actually

[dh58]

Originally Posted by E92325i

I'd say go for the 135i. I can't comment on 125i vs 135i but the difference in driving a 325i and a 335i is HUGE and i regret getting the 325i a lot now

That is not to say the 125i/325i is a bad car though... far from it actually

Thank you! I am assuming that you are a bit like me in that there are some things you can live with.. eg no satnav.. but there are some things you can't.. performance..

and that is why you regret it

I am leaning towards regretting it later.. :|

[Taymaishu]

With the 325, you're talking about a different engine, different weight, different wheelbase and a different chassis, so it's not really fair to compare to the 125. The only thing they have in common is the "25i"

The 125 has a more powerful engine, less weight, shorter wheelbase and imo a tighter chassis. So in all regards you can expect to feel a hell of a lot more performance in your pants.

No shortage of performance on the 125i.

[dh58]

Taymaishu, why did you debadge your one?

And have you driven the 135i and how would you compare it to the 125i?

[jksgoh]

dh58,
i have a 125i, and although i love it and its a fine car, it sounds like you will deff regret not getting the 135i.
dont get me wrong the 125i is a fun car to drive, but if you are after performance then go for the 135i, the engine is in a different class.

[Taymaishu]

Originally Posted by dh58

Taymaishu, why did you debadge your one?

And have you driven the 135i and how would you compare it to the 125i?

Debadged for a much cleaner look - makes a phenomenal difference! And makes my detailing easier Saw one of the guys who debadged his AW vert and it really makes a difference. Looks much more symmetrical.

Yes, driven both - coupes. I would say the 135i is a phenomenal car to drive. Power on tap at all ranges. But, the 125i is a more rewarding car to drive in my opinion. Getting those revs up, hearing the NA engine SCREAM and the exhaust sounding better with the 125i, i love it.

Sure, if you're looking to go fast and hammer a car into oblivion, the 135 is your choice. I decided cost, insurance and the reward from driving the NA engine were my big thoughts to go with the 125i.

[Blader]

I like Tay have de-badged my car because I prefer the look, but I have done that to all my cars whether they had the largest engine or not

As far as performance goes well it really depends on what you are looking for in that regard.

The 125i particularly in an M Sport manual will go around corners as hard or a little harder than a 135i. It is lighter in the front end and steers a little more sweetly.

As for leaving the auto in Sport Mode and charging off in a straight line well then if that is your thing then the 135i is the answer.

The 125i in the M Sport version requires a little more effort to extract the performance but I enjoy that and find that it adds to the experience but it is horses for courses. It can be equally rewarding to drive on the road as a daily driver and a little less of a threat to one's licence

[Taymaishu]

Originally Posted by Blader

I like Tay have de-badged my car because I prefer the look, but I have done that to all my cars whether they had the largest engine or not

As far as performance goes well it really depends on what you are looking for in that regard.

The 125i particularly in an M Sport manual will go around corners as hard or a little harder than a 135i. It is lighter in the front end and steers a little more sweetly.

As for leaving the auto in Sport Mode and charging off in a straight line well then if that is your thing then the 135i is the answer.

The 125i in the M Sport version requires a little more effort to extract the performance but I enjoy that and find that it adds to the experience but it is horses for courses. It can be equally rewarding to drive on the road as a daily driver and a little less of a threat to one's licence

Could we have posted anything more than exactly the same thing in the same minute?

[Zuzu]

Originally Posted by Blader

The 125i particularly in an M Sport manual will go around corners as hard or a little harder than a 135i.

Ahhhhh..And how did you come to that conclusion..

[Blader]

Originally Posted by Zuzu

Ahhhhh..And how did you come to that conclusion..

A little less understeer with the lighter weight at the front end..... as well as lighter overall......

Purely subjective with absolutely no scientific assessments carried out

[Blader]

Originally Posted by Taymaishu

Could we have posted anything more than exactly the same thing in the same minute?

One of us needs to get a life....... at least I was out all day with the roof down

[sparoz]

Are you looking at a manual or auto?

I have both cars - and the 135i is a lot better in terms of engine and torque, it really put a smile on your face. The 125i is typically BMW - well poised, balanced and great responsiveness. Both suffers from the suspensions that accommodates the runflats which is not there in any other cars apart from the 1 coupe and vert.

Handling wise, the edge goes to the 125i, probably because of a slighlty better weight distribution; the engine comes to its own when you get to the revs. However, the 135i gives me a bigger smile any day because how it punches out of corners, and the sheer craziness of the torque when you push your right foot down.

If you are after performance, I would only consider the 125i if you are going to pick the manual as the slush box is quite slow (compare to the 135i); besides you will regret not getting the 135i more than the other way around.

Best thing to do is to test drive both, as good as the 125i is, the 135i will always give you a bigger grin. (Unless you got hold of the oracle's car, which we always knew it is really a 135i that has been badged as a 125i).

As far as debadging - I have ticked the debadged option from the factory. I feel that it gives it a much cleaner look and that's what I had with my previous car. I am actually having a little big of delimma at the moment as I am not sure if I am going to debadge my next car .

[sparoz]

Originally Posted by Zuzu

Ahhhhh..And how did you come to that conclusion..

That's probably the truth though, but the 135i disappears while it is out of the corner .

[Taymaishu]

Originally Posted by sparoz

That's probably the truth though, but the 135i disappears while it is out of the corner .

Not necessarily.. I lost Tim (aus135i) in my rear vision mirror quite early into an Akuna Bay run one night, and as we know he had one of the fastest 135s in the Sydney group.

[dh58]

Thanks guys for your opinions, I really appreciate the time you have taken to answer.

Re debading: AHhh yeah that makes sense. ok.

re manual or auto? Auto. I am in the city and drive during peak hours so I cbf changing gears every few seconds because of the traffic.

Re handling / cornering: I do alot of highway kms so they are sweeping corners rather than nice tight ones.

I drove the 135i and fell in love. It wasn't for any other reason than the performance. So I think that I may regret it if I don't get the 135i.

[sparoz]

Originally Posted by dh58

Thanks guys for your opinions, I really appreciate the time you have taken to answer.

Re debading: AHhh yeah that makes sense. ok.

re manual or auto? Auto. I am in the city and drive during peak hours so I cbf changing gears every few seconds because of the traffic.

Re handling / cornering: I do alot of highway kms so they are sweeping corners rather than nice tight ones.

I drove the 135i and fell in love. It wasn't for any other reason than the performance. So I think that I may regret it if I don't get the 135i.

If that's the case, 135i is the way to go to avoid regret. .

[Taymaishu]

Originally Posted by dh58

Thanks guys for your opinions, I really appreciate the time you have taken to answer.

Re debading: AHhh yeah that makes sense. ok.

re manual or auto? Auto. I am in the city and drive during peak hours so I cbf changing gears every few seconds because of the traffic.

Re handling / cornering: I do alot of highway kms so they are sweeping corners rather than nice tight ones.

I drove the 135i and fell in love. It wasn't for any other reason than the performance. So I think that I may regret it if I don't get the 135i.

Jump in the 125i for a test. You'll be surprised, i guarantee it.

I drive the slushy, and to be honest, when you're giving it a little bit in bends, i think it has an edge on manual. Tight switchbacks, you can keep both hands on the wheel and shift your gears freely.

[banglemangle]

Originally Posted by Taymaishu

Not necessarily.. I lost Tim (aus135i) in my rear vision mirror quite early into an Akuna Bay run one night, and as we know he had one of the fastest 135s in the Sydney group.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=422499
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=401483

[Taymaishu]

Originally Posted by sparoz

If that's the case, 135i is the way to go to avoid regret. .

But I do agree with Sparoz - if you've already driven the 135i and love it, then don't step down

[MickyD]

Originally Posted by Taymaishu

With the 325, you're talking about a different engine, different weight, different wheelbase and a different chassis, so it's not really fair to compare to the 125. The only thing they have in common is the "25i"

there's only about 10kg's weight difference between the 125i and the 325i.
1 Coupe's are ridiculously heavy.

As you state though, completely different engines.

[Taymaishu]

Originally Posted by MickyD

there's only about 10kg's weight difference between the 125i and the 325i.
1 Coupe's are ridiculously heavy.

As you state though, completely different engines.

Fair call - according to redbook though, a flat-optioned 325i compared to the 125i is 55kg heavier in kerb weight, with 20nM less torque. In a longer car, weight and less power can have a huge difference not just straight line, but cornering as well.

Anyhoo