2013 135is owners discussion and photos thread!

[Worra]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

Worra - I think we found the only diffuser you will hate more than ours - the giant grey plastic rectangle on the M235i.

I'm sure we'll all be seeing and discussing this more in the coming days, but just saw this and all I see in my mind is wow, that diffuser is the ugliest thing ever, doesn't fit or suit the car, and destroys the overall look of the rear. The hell were they thinking?

http://jalopnik.com/2015-bmw-m235i-t...-it-1451294331

Well these are definitely the best pics of the car so far. I don't hate it as much as I did before, but I still don't love the interior, and I especially don't love the rear end. I actually think the only photos I really like are the side profile photos, those aren't bad at all. Needs better wheels though. I hate the bubbly rear bumper.

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by Worra

Well these are definitely the best pics of the car so far. I don't hate it as much as I did before, but I still don't love the interior, and I especially don't love the rear end. I actually think the only photos I really like are the side profile photos, those aren't bad at all. Needs better wheels though. I hate the bubbly rear bumper.

I just don't get the design. It's like a mishmash of 3 different cars/styles with no coherent exterior design. Front looks kinda like z4, side profile looks almost identical to our cars (which is why you probably like it), and the rear is just like it was backed into a wall and flattened, and is like a giant block, at least as shown in those pics.

Our wheels look 1,000 times better, too.

Motor Trend the other day said they plan to show the M235 at the LA Auto Show in November which is 2 blocks from me, so might go see it in person if it's there. Others have said it will debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

I will say this though, having ordered a 135i in 2008 based just on pictures like this, it was so much better looking in person when I finally got to see it 2 months later. I'll take our crappy interiors over that though, and will keep my DCT over an 8-speed auto, though I know most of you are stick people.

[kpro135]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

I'll take our crappy interiors over that though, and will keep my DCT over an 8-speed auto, though I know most of you are stick people.

I also have an F30 as my winter car, The 8-speed auto is terrible!! It never knows what gear it wants to be in, additionally in Sport mode it still has a terrible delay.

[mb135is]

I like the 2 design. Don't love the rear end view at all. I have to see it in person, but I appreciate it thus far. And oddly, it also makes me appreciate the E82. Typically it's one or the other (loved E30, hated E36; loved E46, hated E90).

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by mb135is

I like the 2 design. Don't love the rear end view at all. I have to see it in person, but I appreciate it thus far. And oddly, it also makes me appreciate the E82. Typically it's one or the other (loved E30, hated E36; loved E46, hated E90).

Doesn't do much for me. They could have nailed that back end with an aggressively shaped diffuser, but nope.

What's really interesting to me is all the people on the boards who seem to love the looks of the 2, but trash the 1. That I don't understand, though needless to say, most of them are not 1-series owners. I also don't understand why there isn't a normal 235 and only this M235i. That's like a 128 and 135is only. Odd.

Guess we'll learn more tomorrow and hopefully hear an exhaust clip? And maybe color options?

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

What's really interesting to me is all the people on the boards who seem to love the looks of the 2, but trash the 1. That I don't understand, though needless to say, most of them are not 1-series owners.

i think it's primarily 3-series owners (E90/E92/F30) who are suppressing their frustration from driving something fat and bloated!

i still think the E82 is THE coolest looking BMW in the last 10+ years. I've loved it since i first saw it....and still love it. The detailing is beautiful....and the proportions are 'classic' to my eyes.

[CAVU]

Originally Posted by kpro135

thank ya where in Ohio are you from? I live in Cbus Part time, moving back next year.(

We are West Coast transplants that have been in the Cincinnati suburbs for the last 5 years. Lots of great roads around here to explore and enjoy the 1-series… great drives abound whether I have 5 minutes or 5 days!

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

i think it's primarily 3-series owners (E90/E92/F30) who are suppressing their frustration from driving something fat and bloated!

i still think the E82 is THE coolest looking BMW in the last 10+ years. I've loved it since i first saw it....and still love it. The detailing is beautiful....and the proportions are 'classic' to my eyes.

If they want to get frustrated by something fat and bloated, I could always introduce them to my ex-wife. O=)

Having had one of the first 135s, going to the dark side, and then getting one of the last 135s, I definitely agree on the e82 and is the only car they make or made since the e46 that I liked.

[CAVU]

Originally Posted by Worra

Yeah definitely driving with my windows down about 80% of the time, with no stereo. I think I need to actually break the speakers in as well before I judge them too harshly.

The sound of the HK actually seems to be improving. Perhaps break-in of the speakers has something to do with it. I barely used the stereo at all during the first 1800 miles, but have been exercising it a bit now and then as I experiment with the EQ to get the best possible sound out of it. I'm now at 2600 miles, and I know I don't have more than 1 hour on the speakers at a moderate volume.

[mb135is]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

What's really interesting to me is all the people on the boards who seem to love the looks of the 2, but trash the 1. That I don't understand, though needless to say, most of them are not 1-series owners. I also don't understand why there isn't a normal 235 and only this M235i. That's like a 128 and 135is only. Odd.

Guess we'll learn more tomorrow and hopefully hear an exhaust clip? And maybe color options?

I think it's because it's a better design for the masses. More people will like it -- you could call that better, though it doesn't mean it's better for everyone. The E82 is more of a "love it or hate it" polarizing design. E82 is by no means (to me) a beautiful design, but in a quirky way, it works to my eye. But I also LOVE the "dork" original M Coupe.

They bring only the M235i here because the 228i is supposed to up the performance ante a little bit, and because BMW knows what the market is.

Bama said it best in the debut thread - car looks great, now the question is whether it drives like the E82 or the F30.

And it looks like they have lots of options and ways to improve that diffuser, which I agree is terrible.

The ONLY part of the M235i that I want is the LSD. Maybe it'll be available to us? I doubt it. Also, that red in the debut car is interesting - looks not quite as dark as Imola, but somewhere near there.

[Worra]

I'm sure we can all tell our dealers we want to test drive one as soon as they are around :P

[fam]

I can't seem to take a good picture of my Lux 5000k angel eyes, but here are a couple snaps including one of the LCI blackline tails. Big fan of those.

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by fam

I can't seem to take a good picture of my Lux 5000k angel eyes, but here are a couple snaps including one of the LCI blackline tails. Big fan of those.

You install the blacklines yourself? I've seriously considered getting them, but my fear is about having a good seal. Were they plug and play, too?

They look great.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

You install the blacklines yourself? I've seriously considered getting them, but my fear is about having a good seal. Were they plug and play, too?

They look great.

Hopefully LCI don't have this issue. I guess you could always put a thin bead of silicone to reinforce the seals.

[3002 tii]

Wash, quick spray wax and showing my very conservative tint job lol. 60% Wincos, 45 rear. Looks close enough to factory, no trouble with cops but still keeps the heat out.

[kpro135]

Originally Posted by mb135is

I like the 2 design. Don't love the rear end view at all. I have to see it in person, but I appreciate it thus far. And oddly, it also makes me appreciate the E82. Typically it's one or the other (loved E30, hated E36; loved E46, hated E90).

Same here, but I don't know that I love the F30...

Originally Posted by rikMsport

We are West Coast transplants that have been in the Cincinnati suburbs for the last 5 years. Lots of great roads around here to explore and enjoy the 1-series… great drives abound whether I have 5 minutes or 5 days!

I actually miss Ohio now that I'm on the east coast.

[Bama335]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

You install the blacklines yourself? They look great.

+1, really like that look

[kpro135]

Originally Posted by 3002 Tii

Wash, quick spray wax and showing my very conservative tint job lol. 60% Wincos, 45 rear. Looks close enough to factory, no trouble with cops but still keeps the heat out.

Looks good, I love that blue I've been in Jersey for 2 years now with 35% tint on all of my vehicles and haven't had a bit of trouble. I earned a speeding ticket and he never mentioned it, just an FYI

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by kpro135

Looks good, I love that blue I've been in Jersey for 2 years now with 35% tint on all of my vehicles and haven't had a bit of trouble. I earned a speeding ticket and he never mentioned it, just an FYI

I've never been pulled over for tints, it's always month-end/holiday checkpoints where they look to give out easy registration, license and tint tickets. I've been hit with 1 tix for 50% on my Z coupe and 35% on my old VW. So figured I'd try my luck with 60% lol.

[fam]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

You install the blacklines yourself? I've seriously considered getting them, but my fear is about having a good seal. Were they plug and play, too?

They look great.

Very easy...15-20 min process and I'm not a big DIYer by any stretch. The Lux install was far more annoying.

[bp-plickner]

fam & 3002Tii

Great pics of some awesome cars!

Thanks

[CAVU]

Originally Posted by fam

I can't seem to take a good picture of my Lux 5000k angel eyes, but here are a couple snaps including one of the LCI blackline tails. Big fan of those.

How do you like your angel eyes? I'd like to go with a higher Kelvin temp and get a whiter effect… I think 5000K is perfect. Especially if the upgrade is around $130 from BMS.