2013 135is owners discussion and photos thread!

[owen2001]

Originally Posted by Worra

I definitely drive around looking for the low-risk parking spots, but I make sure I stay in the lines so as not to have someone harm the thing.

+1. You should see how far away I park sometimes

[Worra]

Two pics for you guys this morning. Here I am at Cars and Coffee

[Worra]

And here I am right now, at the dealer. Getting my paint sealant put on. Wonder what I'll get as a loaner?! PS - to any aspiring 135is owners, BMW of Mountain View has two DCT lemans blue cars sitting on the lot.

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by Worra

And here I am right now, at the dealer. Getting my paint sealant put on. Wonder what I'll get as a loaner?! PS - to any aspiring 135is owners, BMW of Mountain View has two DCT lemans blue cars sitting on the lot.

You getting your post break-in oil change, too?

[Worra]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

You getting your post break-in oil change, too?

Not yet - still only at 800 miles

[Worra]

So I got a 128i vert as a loaner. I think its probably just me, coming from my 135is but, this car is rubbish. I hate to talk bad about the 1-series but man, this car is just very disappointing.

The automatic transmission is terrible
You can't see out the back to save your life
Blind spots are worse
The lack of chassis rigidity was immediately obvious on the not-so-smooth highways around here
Suspension is mushy
Did I mention the transmission is awful?

[Marc08EX]

Originally Posted by Worra

And here I am right now, at the dealer. Getting my paint sealant put on. Wonder what I'll get as a loaner?! PS - to any aspiring 135is owners, BMW of Mountain View has two DCT lemans blue cars sitting on the lot.

Is it the permanent ceramic type nano coating? Or just a traditional sealant?

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by Worra

So I got a 128i vert as a loaner. I think its probably just me, coming from my 135is but, this car is rubbish. I hate to talk bad about the 1-series but man, this car is just very disappointing.

The automatic transmission is terrible
You can't see out the back to save your life
Blind spots are worse
The lack of chassis rigidity was immediately obvious on the not-so-smooth highways around here
Suspension is mushy
Did I mention the transmission is awful?

yeah, the Steptronic is a miserable little gearbox.....but still i think that's a pretty cool loaner! put the roof down and play the playboy, man!

[Worra]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

yeah, the Steptronic is a miserable little gearbox.....but still i think that's a pretty cool loaner! put the roof down and play the playboy, man!

I wish I could, but the weather is cloudy and mostly chilly today, not a great day for it.

[gregthegr8]

Wait, are you saying you don't think a 128 is a classic? =P

I imagine the one you have is a base base with no options, no m sport anything, suspension, etc., so a real turd coming from a 135is. Bet you're regretting taking it in now, eh? Wait til you see how much you appreciate it though getting back in your car.

[Worra]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

Wait, are you saying you don't think a 128 is a classic? =P

I imagine the one you have is a base base with no options, no m sport anything, suspension, etc., so a real turd coming from a 135is. Bet you're regretting taking it in now, eh? Wait til you see how much you appreciate it though getting back in your car.

Its funny because getting a 128 as a loaner is what drove me to ditch my E90 for the E82 to begin with. I think the 128i is a fantastic car, it just needs proper suspension and a proper gearbox.

[Worra]

Originally Posted by Marc08EX

Is it the permanent ceramic type nano coating? Or just a traditional sealant?

Its more like a traditional sealant. I actually don't care much about it, but it came with the interior leather protection, which I did want. Can't say I'd recommend just the perma plate paintguard to anyone on its own.

[Kouper]

Originally Posted by Worra

I wish I could, but the weather is cloudy and mostly chilly today, not a great day for it.

Oh, c'mon -- I see plenty of sun out there. And you can always use the heated seats. Don't be a wuss

[Worra]

Originally Posted by Kouper

Oh, c'mon -- I see plenty of sun out there. Don't be a wuss

Alright, maybe I'll drop the top on my drive back to the dealer after work

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by Worra

Alright, maybe I'll drop the top on my drive back to the dealer after work

Don't mess up your hair!

[Worra]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

Don't mess up your hair!

Will post before and after pics.

Ok, maybe not.

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by Worra

Will post before and after pics.

Ok, maybe not.

Kouper at least has greater access to the best sound system BMW makes, so his convertible makes a lot more sense.

Wait til you see how happy you'll be when you get your car back.

[owen2001]

I had my tint done on Friday, and my car's been sitting in the garage all weekend while I waited for the tint to cure. Today is a beautiful sunny day, so I pulled the IS out for some quick pix.

I did FormulaOne Pinnacle Series 30% tint all around, including the sunroof (but not the windshield). On the windshield I added the FormulaOne Air Series for reduced heat and increased UV protection.

The FormulaOne Pinnacle Series is ceramic (not metallic) and I can honestly say that the reduced heat in the car was absolutely noticeable while I was driving in the sun. My IS is black on black and gets pretty hot inside while driving in direct sunlight. I am extremely pleased with the heat reduction inside the car and with the color/style of the FormulaOne series tint. Not too dark & not too light.

There are absolutely ZERO issues with the FormulaOne tint adhering to the "dot matrix" pattern on the windows. The dot matrix issues were a concern for me, but these guys nailed it. It looks perfect.

I'm no photographer, so I took a few in different lighting outside. Car looks WAY better than in the pix. (Sorry Greg - someone was parked in front of the salon!).

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by owen2001

I had my tint done on Friday, and my car's been sitting in the garage all weekend while I waited for the tint to cure. Today is a beautiful sunny day, so I pulled the IS out for some quick pix.

I did FormulaOne Pinnacle Series 30% tint all around, including the sunroof (but not the windshield). On the windshield I added the FormulaOne Air Series for reduced heat and increased UV protection.

There are absolutely ZERO issues with the FormulaOne tint adhering to the "dot matrix" pattern on the windows. The dot matrix issues were a concern for me, but these guys nailed it. It looks perfect.

I'm no photographer, so I took a few in different lighting outside. Car looks WAY better than in the pix. (Sorry Greg - someone was parked in front of the salon!).

As I already told you, car looks amazing with the tint, and my favorite is the pic just above. I have the same issue when taking pics of mine as it never quite seems to look as good in the picture as it does in real life as I'm looking at it. I've also found that the tint tends to look very different depending on the angle and lighting. At certain angles it may look like a full on limo tint, and in other conditions and angles it looks light.

With all tinted windows though, I think it really shows off the lines of the car even more since your eye isn't drawn to the lightest thing (usually the windows). That's probably why if you pay careful attention when you watch car commercials, usually every window on them is completed blacked out, including the windshield.

Glad to hear you're happy with the windshield tint, too though since I have the same tint and don't know anybody else that had it done to compare to on here. You also have much better insight into before and after with the tint since mine was done the next morning after getting my car.

Everything is so black and wet looking though, now you'll have to make sure you always put fancy tire dressing on there to match! I highly recommend trying black magic tire wet wax. Lasts for weeks, even through the rain, can get in any store, and is a thick gel that shines up after 15 minutes and doesn't sling and fly off like many others I've used, mucking up the quarter panels. I know some like a more matte look to their tires, but I kinda like all shiny.

[owen2001]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

Everything is so black and wet looking though, now you'll have to make sure you always put fancy tire dressing on there to match!

Thanks for the heads up about the wheels. I actually need to get two things in my "new" detailer's bag - wheel sealant (like the Duragloss 501 or DP's) and the wet gel for the tires.

For today's photo shoot, I literally just pulled the car out of the garage and snapped a few pix. The car's actually pretty dusty, but don't tell anyone! You can't see it in the pix

For anyone (like Worra!) who may be interested in tint, etc., please feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I was really concerned about the "dot matrix" issues that other owners have encountered. If you avoid the thicker tints (like the Huper Optik dual layer stuff), you may have better luck. That's not to say that HO won't work on your car - I've just heard/read many threads where installers suggest that the thicker tints have a tougher time adhering to the dots. That's why I went w/ the FormulaOne.

[AGAV13]

It's a sad day, I just put on my snow tires and rear mud flaps. Didn't have time to install the from flaps, will do that this weekend.

[ozarkgolfer]

Originally Posted by Worra

So I got a 128i vert as a loaner. I think its probably just me, coming from my 135is but, this car is rubbish. I hate to talk bad about the 1-series but man, this car is just very disappointing.

The automatic transmission is terrible
You can't see out the back to save your life
Blind spots are worse
The lack of chassis rigidity was immediately obvious on the not-so-smooth highways around here
Suspension is mushy
Did I mention the transmission is awful?

No blind spots with the roof in the correct position and you don't even need those parking sensors.