Looks aside - 135i > 235i

[new2the3]

Besides from the exterior looks and updated interior I think the driving dynamics on the 135i are better. This is an interesting review by road and track where they found the 135i was more fun and they would still take the "old ugly car"

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-revi...2014-bmw-m235i

I certainly am still loving my 09 N54 135i with 6mt.

[Chunner]

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-revi...2014-bmw-m235i

This one is my favorite:

"10 things you must know about the BMW M235i. 16 badges say it's an M car. We (Road & Track) say it's not."

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Have you driven one? Its an all round better car with a much better suspension.

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by new2the3

Besides from the exterior looks and updated interior I think the driving dynamics on the 135i are better. This is an interesting review by road and track where they found the 135i was more fun and they would still take the "old ugly car"

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-revi...2014-bmw-m235i

I certainly am still loving my 09 N54 135i with 6mt.

Thanks for posting this. Good read and who knew that IEDEI wrote for road & track. I still have never quite understood why so many people find the 135 to be so ugly. Had a 2008 135 and now a 2013 135is, and I'll gladly keep my old ugly car, too.

[new2the3]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

Have you driven one? Its an all round better car with a much better suspension.

I haven't driven one yet. I would like to for fun but I am not in the market for a new car. The exterior style and interior are much better. I'm not convinced that the 235's suspension is much better than the 135i. I bet a lot of the difference is due to the fact that the 135i came with RFT (only 215 up front) compared to the m235i with Michelin PSS tires. The 235i is also larger and heavier.

[Chunner]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

Thanks for posting this. Good read and who knew that IEDEI wrote for road & track. I still have never quite understood why so many people find the 135 to be so ugly. Had a 2008 135 and now a 2013 135is, and I'll gladly keep my old ugly car, too.

LOL, tell the Doc about my newest thread on the 2er forum.

http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=976139

[ItsHectic]

Any cars independant suspension is better than the 135i. Its like M division were tasked at making it harsh.

[the1andonly]

Ill go so far as to say Id rather have my 128i manual than an M235. Ive driven a 135 manual, 228 manual and M235 manual. The 2 series is a fantastic car, but its too modern for my taste. modern isn't always a good thing when cars are concerned. The 1 has a "rawness" the 2 doesn't have, its to refined. The handling, the acceleration, the tame exhaust note...its to refined. The 1 series feels like a car...the 2 series feels like a computer, quiet, efficient, precise. Its not a step forward, its a different experience. and in my opinion, the opinion as a designer, the 1 looks WAY better. it will age well, the 2 will look forgotten in 5 years.

look at this car, its effing gorgeous!

[ItsHectic]

You sound like you would much enjoy a 330ci, thats much more raw than a 135i, better throttle response, aged well, just needs reinforced subframe, obviously a bit of maintanance/new parts.

[128Convertibleguy]

Originally Posted by the1andonly

The 2 series is a fantastic car, but its too modern for my taste. modern isn't always a good thing when cars are concerned. The 1 series feels like a car...the 2 series feels like a computer, quiet, efficient, precise.

It's pretty funny. That (more like a computer than a car) how I feel about my 128. We'll see if actual tires and suspension mods help. But anything that doesn't have gauges or an actual oil dipstick or a rear mirror dimmer or drags the brakes for me when it's wet out... The convertible top motion is also spooky. Not to mention the windows rolling down and up just a tiny bit when I open and close the door.

[Qunadry]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

Have you driven one? Its an all round better car with a much better suspension.

Try a 135i with real tires instead of run-flats!

[3002 tii]

I will be the first to admit that when I saw the initial photos of the red m235i on that dock, I thought it was the BEST looking BMW in years. However, after seeing the car in person, I was far less impressed. The front end looks great, especially the headlights. But the rear is just too boring, like they didn't know how to finish off that section. I actually prefer the looks of the 1-er, it has that mean bulldog stance... some people hate, I love it.

The only gripe I have about the 1-er is the outdated interior but what do you expect from a car that's been in production since 08. I picked up my '13 knowing this but the tradeoff was also having a car with all the bugs and kinks worked out.

[Dafttt]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

The only gripe I have about the 1-er is the outdated interior but what do you expect from a car that's been in production since 08. I picked up my '13 knowing this but the tradeoff was also having a car with all the bugs and kinks worked out.

So true, my interior has been a rattlebox recently.

But the overall design and materials have been in production since the e87 debuted in 2004, with R&D and tech dating back even further. The interior is over a decade old now.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by Daft Auto

So true, my interior has been a rattlebox recently.

But the overall design and materials have been in production since the e87 debuted in 2004, with R&D and tech dating back even further. The interior is over a decade old now.

You should see the navi in my 07 Z4, based on the first gen X3. My friend recently asked me was that MS DOS loading when I turned the ignition. I actually wanted a navi-less Z4 but none were available at that dealer and the price was too good pass up. On the 1-er, same deal... the price I got was basically getting navi for free and it's not bad in terms of the info it gives on vehicle status and etc. But I use Waze 90% of the time for GPS lol.

[yllwwgn]

Style opinions aside, having driven the M235 and still loving my 135, I have to say I felt that the the M235 DOES handle/feel better. Stock for stock, the dampers/springs are way better matched, the changes in direction are more responsive, and the underpinnings felt much better sorted all around. Where the 1 has felt "cheap" soemtimes, the M235 never did for me, and felt like it can actually justify it's pricetag... where the 135 sometimes didn't.

[IEDEI]

LOOKS???

135 > M badged Civic (M235i)

i've seen the M235i in person and parked next to it and it looks like a hot mess.....designed by inspiration from generations of Honda Civics.....lacks aggressiveness and soft in the details. Our cars look MEAN....like a 'bulldog'...i don't get the feeling from the M235i. It looks like an angry accountant who is upset that he misfiled an executives taxes. The 135 looks like an angry fighter who has been told he's too small to defeat his opponent.

i'm not buying this bucket of hype i think BMW have just really pushed this car in promoting it....and it has resulted in it getting all these reviews. I'm not saying it's a 'bad car' by any means....in fact i'd say aside from the F80 M3 it's STILL the best thing BMW puts out these days and is a continuation of our 135s....which is a good thing.

I just think it's hilarious when people call it a lightweight, RWD small coupe with 320hp and seem to have amnesia that the 135 was just that right before hand.....and in all likelyhood a way more organic, fun, and unpredictable experience. Hell i just threw my tail end out this morning on a small little turn at 20mph and didnt even intend to!

[Chunner]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

LOOKS??? 135 > M badged Civic (M235i)

IEDI, Greg was right. You truly do not like that m235i. Are you a moonlighting for Road & Track?

Check out my new thread. The 2ers are upset at me...

http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=976139

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by Chunner

IEDI, Greg was right. You truly do not like that m235i. Are you a moonlighting for Road & Track?

Check out my new thread. The 2ers are upset at me...

http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=976139

lol i was actually banned from the 2-series forum at one point....did you know that? They reinstated me because i wanted to follow M2 news and asked them to. I couldn't even see the 2-series forum when i logged on! They are a defensive bunch, especially about those M badges. I think it's because they are taking plenty of crap from people about the 16 badges already! lol.

I promised i wouldn't antagonize the 235 forum anymore.....lol. In their defense, i guess they are just excited about their cars. Fair enough...

[Chunner]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

lol i was actually banned from the 2-series forum at one point....did you know that? They reinstated me because i wanted to follow M2 news and asked them to. I couldn't even see the 2-series forum when i logged on! They are a defensive bunch, especially about those M badges. I think it's because they are taking plenty of crap from people about the 16 badges already! lol.

I promised i wouldn't antagonize the 235 forum anymore.....lol. In their defense, i guess they are just excited about their cars. Fair enough...

No way... get out. All I did was post an article. Road & Track did all the antagonizing but they are mad at me. I do not get it.

[gregthegr8]

You guys are trouble! I may drive one in a few weeks and I'm sure the suspension setup and handling is better than our cars, but the looks are so bland and boring. Doesn't sound as nice as ours and same power essentially.

There was a comment to that road and track article that made me smile. It said the M235i is built like a cheerleader whereas the 135 is built like a linebacker. That pretty much sums it up for me. And somehow all the flaws of our cars make them more endearing on some level. I suppose the M235i is a lot more refined, but the reality is I am not. So, I'll take the sometimes squirrely, bat out of hell, crazy brute we got. And I'll be keeping tabs on that M2, at least if it looks like the orange render.

[CAVU]

Originally Posted by Chunner

LOL, tell the Doc about my newest thread on the 2er forum.

http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=976139

Some folks are easily fired up! That was quite the entertaining read...

Originally Posted by IEDEI

lol i was actually banned from the 2-series forum at one point....did you know that? They reinstated me because i wanted to follow M2 news and asked them to. I couldn't even see the 2-series forum when i logged on! They are a defensive bunch, especially about those M badges. I think it's because they are taking plenty of crap from people about the 16 badges already! lol.

I promised i wouldn't antagonize the 235 forum anymore.....lol. In their defense, i guess they are just excited about their cars. Fair enough...

If you two guys don't stop acting up, all members of the PPK sticker secret society (Greg for President) will be banned from the 1M and M235i forums!

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

I will be the first to admit that when I saw the initial photos of the red m235i on that dock, I thought it was the BEST looking BMW in years. However, after seeing the car in person, I was far less impressed. The front end looks great, especially the headlights. But the rear is just too boring, like they didn't know how to finish off that section. I actually prefer the looks of the 1-er, it has that mean bulldog stance... some people hate, I love it.

The only gripe I have about the 1-er is the outdated interior but what do you expect from a car that's been in production since 08. I picked up my '13 knowing this but the tradeoff was also having a car with all the bugs and kinks worked out.

+1. I'm still happy with my decision to pull the trigger on a '13. I'm still planning to maneuver myself into an M2 build slot if they ever materialize.

[bbbbmw]

Since I'm an old geezer... I'm seeing the same progression at BMW as GM in the 1970s. Bean counters (accountants) are slowly taking over the company, and making moves that improve profitability, at the expense of the cars. Which is their prerogative, of course; BMW is selling more cars than ever. The 135i and 128i leaned more towards why people bought BMW's in the first place - handling, engineering, power, and balance. Looking at the 2 series, and cars like the 320 - these will sell more, but dilute the brand. As long as BMW can design a model or two to keep the brand while churning out the Camrys of the marque, they will probably do fairly well. But at present, there is no enthusiast's car - not even the M3. They need to create one in the next 18 months - let's hope for a 2M.