EVO X vs 135i - Top Gear Australia

[Robert]

The 135's suspension is built to please the mass. With some tweaks I am sure it can keep up but I dont think it can overtake the evo. It's just harder to drive a rwd right than a awd

[mtla4]

Originally Posted by Robert

The 135's suspension is built to please the mass. With some tweaks I am sure it can keep up but I dont think it can overtake the evo. It's just harder to drive a rwd right than a awd

What pisses me off is that the M-Sport is useless. It should have included Bmw Performance shocks and springs for more $.

[BMW-driver]

The standard 135i, even M Sport (rubbish) suspension, is not for track purposes. In fast and tight corners the 135i understears like hell and is rolling over like a drunken monkey. It is still amazing though - I must admit - that the EVO in this example, cannot drive away from the 135i. It must be the EVO driver with bad scills but the EVO X is far superior on the track above the 135i. There is no question about that.

Anyway. Indeed with some - good - suspension tweaks, you're car can be transferred into a complete new driving experience. As for my car, the ACS1, the understear is completely gone and rolling over has gone to the past. The car drives fast and precies through corners, in a way a good RWD can do. Absolutely fantastic.

free advise (lol)
So, if you planning to go on the track, don't add an extra 50 hp (and wait nervously for another month to see if their is an upgrade for 55 hp, and a few months later for 65 hp, and ... ) but change the suspension!! AND put on a real meganical sperrdiferential. Combine this with the weight balance 50/50 and the 135i is perfect. In this situation, it might be catch the EVO X

[mtla4]

Originally Posted by acs1.35i

The standard 135i, even M Sport (rubbish) suspension, is not for track purposes. In fast and tight corners the 135i understears like hell and is rolling over like a drunken monkey. It is still amazing though - I must admit - that the EVO in this example, cannot drive away from the 135i. It must be the EVO driver with bad scills but the EVO X is far superior on the track above the 135i. There is no question about that.

Anyway. Indeed with some - good - suspension tweaks, you're car can be transferred into a complete new driving experience. As for my car, the ACS1, the understear is completely gone and rolling over has gone to the past. The car drives fast and precies through corners, in a way a good RWD can do. Absolutely fantastic.

free advise (lol)
So, if you planning to go on the track, don't add an extra 50 hp (and wait nervously for another month to see if their is an upgrade for 55 hp, and a few months later for 65 hp, and ... ) but change the suspension!! AND put on a real meganical sperrdiferential. Combine this with the weight balance 50/50 and the 135i is perfect. In this situation, it might be catch the EVO X

I remember a year ago when people used to ask me is it like an M3(cause of all the ///M logos). I just hate the fact that the car has ///M slapped all over it and well it doesn't change anything exepect wheels, headliner, door sills. I know that it's not a Lotus... but anyhow buyer's remorse I should have gotten an E46 M3. The 135I is great however it doesn't fit my needs and I don't feel like gutting the car changing bushing,suspension etc like I did with my previous cars. I decided not to mod it and I will change it hopefully for a real sports car when the bath(massive depreciation) will me a bit cooler. I dont feel like paying 5K for an LSD and a whole bunch of other stuff.

[MrRoboto]

Originally Posted by mtla4

My friend has an Evo X and on straights I kill him. However twisties our car just plain sucks(stock-lighlty modded). We swapped cars and same results. If I had to mod a car I would get the EVO(I don't consider a tune a mod). It's cheaper and is a better base to start off with. The 135 is a nice turn key package.

Dont see how you cant consider a tune a modification. As for price the 135 and the evo x are pretty damn close in price.

[creepy coupe]

Also the Evo had all it electronic trickery turned on, where as the BM had it off, judging by the tail out malarky anyway.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

Also the Evo had all it electronic trickery turned on, where as the BM had it off, judging by the tail out malarky anyway.

Yeah but in the Evo that makes it faster, in our cars it slows it down.

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

Yeah but in the Evo that makes it faster, in our cars it slows it down.

Yes that was my point

[Upgrade+]

How many agree with this guy lol: Jamesjdm- BMW 135i is NOT a performance car. it is a sporty car with very decent acceleration but on a track it just doesn't add up to a sports car.

it overhearts, understeers, suspension is too soft and on the top end those turbos give out making slow once you get past 80mph.

as a matter of fact, screw both these cars and just give me a 370Z which is a hell of a lot better car and faster than both.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

Yes that was my point

I think you misunderstood. The 135i will be faster with everything turned off (when properly driven) the Evo will be faster with it turned on. They were running each car in it's fastest state in that test.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by Upgrade+

How many agree with this guy lol: Jamesjdm- BMW 135i is NOT a performance car. it is a sporty car with very decent acceleration but on a track it just doesn't add up to a sports car.

it overhearts, understeers, suspension is too soft and on the top end those turbos give out making slow once you get past 80mph.

as a matter of fact, screw both these cars and just give me a 370Z which is a hell of a lot better car and faster than both.

Slow past 80MPH? You can't be serious. The turbos don't know what speed you're going...only RPM, and if they're giving out it's because you're not shifting at the proper points.

The 370Z has also had overheating issues on the track BTW.

[Upgrade+]

^Yeah, I know. I was just laughing shaking my head when I read that. But look at his user name "JamesJdm," that says it all lol.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by Upgrade+

^Yeah, I know. I was just laughing shaking my head when I read that. But look at his user name "JamesJdm," that says it all lol.

Sorry, I misunderstood what you were saying there.

[mtla4]

Originally Posted by MrRoboto

Dont see how you cant consider a tune a modification. As for price the 135 and the evo x are pretty damn close in price.

I consider a tune a necessity(i.e everyone reflashes their 1.8T). Anyhow I love both cars. I was washing my friend's Evo last sunday and I noticed some rust spots on his car. I love both cars my ideal scenario would be to own both. He paid 42K for his Evo and I paid 48K (plus taxes for both). For a daily driver the 135I is WAY better but I prefer the Evo on the track. I'm not a 1/4 mile(I still manage to be in the mid 12's but not as fun as twisties.

[///M ichael]

Originally Posted by Upgrade+

How many agree with this guy lol: Jamesjdm- BMW 135i is NOT a performance car. it is a sporty car with very decent acceleration but on a track it just doesn't add up to a sports car.

it overhearts, understeers, suspension is too soft and on the top end those turbos give out making slow once you get past 80mph.

as a matter of fact, screw both these cars and just give me a 370Z which is a hell of a lot better car and faster than both.

Are you still on stock suspension and tires???

I dont track my car, only street racing! and it is born for that...
The 370Z is super nice, but try to give it 400bhp+ for $600.

[creepy coupe]

Anyone know where the first Top Gear Oz video of the 135 is?

[oldman]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

Anyone know where the first Top Gear Oz video of the 135 is?

It was Series 1 Episode 5. Download via...

http://www.finalgear.com/shows/topgearaus/1/

Just follow the link and it will point you to the torrent.

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

Anyone know where the first Top Gear Oz video of the 135 is?

[ptack]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

Anyone know where the first Top Gear Oz video of the 135 is?

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/0...lia_197417.htm

[BMW86]

Sorry i thought you meant the 2nd episode. doh

[596736]

As much as I love the 135, this video is really not fair. A more fair video would have been using the GSR not the MR. Also, the X has a really poor tune from the factory, it runs way rich. Every X owner I've spoken to says the X didn't feel like an "Evo" until a reflash. People have achieved over 100+whp with a simple MBC and a reflash. I only say that to prove that the X is grossly detuned from the factory. Like someone above said I don't conisder a tune to be a mod.

Not to get way off topic here, I do agree the 135 is a much better overall car. The fit and finish of the 135 blows away any generation evo. Sometimes I hate driving my IX because I can hear things wearing down as I'm driving it, ie: clutch, brakes, body panels and everything else under the sun.

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by 596736

As much as I love the 135, this video is really not fair. A more fair video would have been using the GSR not the MR. Also, the X has a really poor tune from the factory, it runs way rich. Every X owner I've spoken to says the X didn't feel like an "Evo" until a reflash. People have achieved over 100+whp with a simple MBC and a reflash. I only say that to prove that the X is grossly detuned from the factory. Like someone above said I don't conisder a tune to be a mod.

Not to get way off topic here, I do agree the 135 is a much better overall car. The fit and finish of the 135 blows away any generation evo. Sometimes I hate driving my IX because I can hear things wearing down as I'm driving it, ie: clutch, brakes, body panels and everything else under the sun.

That's pretty impressive gains from a reflash. It sounds like the 135i and the Evo X are both fairly detuned from factory because they are both capable of handling so much extra power from a simple tune. Interesting.