Looking to trade my M3 for 135i

cheungms · 09-13-2009, 09:28 AM

Hey guys,

As you can see, I just joined the forum (was on m3post), but never ventured to the 1 series forum before. I am trying to A) learn as much as I can about the 1-series and B) see what everybody thinks about daily driving their 135i.

I'm currently driving an e46 M3 only during nice days and when it's not raining, and garaging during the winter. However, I'll be switching jobs and will not have a company car to drive any longer, so I need something better suited to daily driving.

I test drove the 135i back when I was searching for a "fun" car and thought it was really fantastic to drive, but wanted to know from your opinions what it's like to daily drive it. All opinions are MUCH appreciated! Anybody who has owned both of these cars at one time or another and can help me decide whether I should trade my e46 in would help tremendously!

Thanks!

hlmiii · 09-13-2009, 10:03 AM

Owned 545 w/ sport for almost five years.
Have owned an M3 w/DCT for past year.
Have owned an 135 6MT w/sport for past four months.

In terms of daily drive the 135 is easily the most fun. It is better suited to day in, day out traffic and congested freeway driving than the M3. I've driven several E46's, both SMG and Manual (the most recent being yesterday) - the 135 is far more "fun" and overall a better ride. Technology and capability marches on.

HPFREAK · 09-13-2009, 11:13 AM

It is a good car to drive everyday. Just enough speed and quiet enough not to wake the neighbors. Add a JB3 and you have your M3 speed back plus some

I just put one on and it is a lot of fun. tons of low end and it screams. I think you will like it a lot.

BrokenVert · 09-13-2009, 11:42 AM

I have been using the 135i as my daily for well over a year...22K miles will attest to that. Just remember to get the sport seats

1bonna · 09-13-2009, 11:52 AM

+1 Sports Seats a must

Jaguar66 · 09-13-2009, 12:36 PM

!

HPFREAK · 09-13-2009, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

I have been using the 135i as my daily for well over a year...22K miles will attest to that. Just remember to get the sport seats

rubb it with those sport seats why dont you

BrokenVert · 09-13-2009, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HPFREAK

rubb it with those sport seats why dont you

Sorry man, but Sport Package was my 1 option that was necessary...its even better for a vert than a coupe, we get 17" on nonsports, bleh.

Im sure you find a junked 135 and grab its seat without hesitation tho.

HPFREAK · 09-13-2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

Sorry man, but Sport Package was my 1 option that was necessary...its even better for a vert than a coupe, we get 17" on nonsports, bleh.

Im sure you find a junked 135 and grab its seat without hesitation tho.

I asked the dealer if they could order me the sports and they said no.lol Customer satisfaction my asssss!

driftdriven · 09-13-2009, 01:16 PM

My 135 is my daily driver and here in Vancouver we have sun, lots of rain, snow and tonnes of hills. The car can handle it all and in the winter all you need is a great set of winter tires like Blizzacks and the car drives fine!

Slowboy · 09-13-2009, 02:46 PM

Just got the 135 as a DD, and I don't know how it compares to the M3, but it is a hoot and a half. Better than caffeine in the mornings.

fun2drv · 09-13-2009, 02:59 PM

Keep both!!! That is what I'm doing. I have an '04 M3 and a '10 135i on order. The new 135i will replace my '07 Civic coupe as my daily driver. I think that I'm going to be in heaven with two nice cars in my garage!!!

Addict...Nah Im A Junkie! · 09-13-2009, 03:34 PM

In the M cars you need to work for it. You feel the hp/torque curve and must get up in the rpm's for the car to really go.

The 135 is always on, so a lot easier to enjoy in normal traffic. Just the flat a$$ torque curve. Not as much character, but that is not necessarily a bad thing as a daily driver and in inclement conditions. I had my 135 doing well over 100 when it was snowing. I would never think of doing that in my M (I don't want to die that much).

MOCKBA · 09-13-2009, 04:58 PM

Daily driver, my most complains are:
rough ride
small fuel tank

Artmasterx · 09-13-2009, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Addict...Nah Im A Junkie!

In the M cars you need to work for it. You feel the hp/torque curve and must get up in the rpm's for the car to really go.

The 135 is always on, so a lot easier to enjoy in normal traffic. Just the flat a$$ torque curve. Not as much character, but that is not necessarily a bad thing as a daily driver and in inclement conditions. I had my 135 doing well over 100 when it was snowing. I would never think of doing that in my M (I don't want to die that much).

Just out of curiosity, how is doing 100 in the different in the two cars? It seems like asking to die either way...

My 128i is a fun DD and would probably be comparable to an E46 330i in terms of performance. If it was your only car, it does have a limited ability to carry cargo, but with the fold-down seat it is actually pretty good. Just not as good as something like a hatchback would be as far as utility goes. Overall I am happy.

BrokenVert · 09-13-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Artmasterx

Just out of curiosity, how is doing 100 in the different in the two cars? It seems like asking to die either way...

His M is much smaller than a 135i. I have side by pictures of his M and my 135i.

BlueC · 09-13-2009, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

His M is much smaller than a 135i. I have side by pictures of his M and my 135i.

What does that have to do with driving 100mph while it's snowing?

Doesn't matter the size of the car, it's dangerous regardless. In that scenario it's all up to the tires.

BrokenVert · 09-13-2009, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueC

What does that have to do with driving 100mph while it's snowing?

Doesn't matter the size of the car, it's dangerous regardless. In that scenario it's all up to the tires.

I know its dangerous either way, but the 1 has a bigger wheelbase which makes it more stable.

BlueC · 09-13-2009, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

I know its dangerous either way, but the 1 has a bigger wheelbase which makes it more stable.

I thought the E46 and E82 were relatively similar in size? Simply curious.

BrokenVert · 09-13-2009, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueC

I thought the E46 and E82 were relatively similar in size? Simply curious.

Addict...Junkie has an Z3 M roadster. Hes simply talking about the characteristics of M engines.

BlueC · 09-13-2009, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

Addict...Junkie has an Z3 M roadster. Hes simply talking about the characteristics of M engines.

Ah, that makes sense.

Addict...Nah Im A Junkie! · 09-13-2009, 06:30 PM

135 has snow shoes

M roadster has no traction control or nannies.

09-13-2009, 09:28 AM	#1
cheungms Private 5 Rep 78 Posts Drives: None Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Phila, PA iTrader: (0)	Looking to trade my M3 for 135i - need opinions! Hey guys, As you can see, I just joined the forum (was on m3post), but never ventured to the 1 series forum before. I am trying to A) learn as much as I can about the 1-series and B) see what everybody thinks about daily driving their 135i. I'm currently driving an e46 M3 only during nice days and when it's not raining, and garaging during the winter. However, I'll be switching jobs and will not have a company car to drive any longer, so I need something better suited to daily driving. I test drove the 135i back when I was searching for a "fun" car and thought it was really fantastic to drive, but wanted to know from your opinions what it's like to daily drive it. All opinions are MUCH appreciated! Anybody who has owned both of these cars at one time or another and can help me decide whether I should trade my e46 in would help tremendously! Thanks!
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09-13-2009, 10:03 AM	#2
hlmiii Lieutenant 86 Rep 541 Posts Drives: '11 1M '10 M5 '05 M3 '12 CRT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston iTrader: (1)	Owned 545 w/ sport for almost five years. Have owned an M3 w/DCT for past year. Have owned an 135 6MT w/sport for past four months. In terms of daily drive the 135 is easily the most fun. It is better suited to day in, day out traffic and congested freeway driving than the M3. I've driven several E46's, both SMG and Manual (the most recent being yesterday) - the 135 is far more "fun" and overall a better ride. Technology and capability marches on.
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09-13-2009, 11:13 AM	#3
HPFREAK Lieutenant Colonel 63 Rep 1,884 Posts Drives: C6 ZO6 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Socal iTrader: (8)	It is a good car to drive everyday. Just enough speed and quiet enough not to wake the neighbors. Add a JB3 and you have your M3 speed back plus some I just put one on and it is a lot of fun. tons of low end and it screams. I think you will like it a lot.
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09-13-2009, 11:42 AM	#4
BrokenVert Resident Kerbalnaut 477 Rep 10,703 Posts Drives: Topless Brute/Hybrid Boogaloo Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fahrvergnügen/NY iTrader: (0)	I have been using the 135i as my daily for well over a year...22K miles will attest to that. Just remember to get the sport seats __________________
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09-13-2009, 11:52 AM	#5
1bonna First Lieutenant 6 Rep 333 Posts Drives: 135 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: So Cal iTrader: (0)	+1 Sports Seats a must __________________ "Never try to be the wind, learn how to ride the wind"
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09-13-2009, 12:36 PM	#6
Jaguar66 M Power 41 Rep 1,469 Posts Drives: '09 ///M-Sport 135i Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Rafael iTrader: (3)	! Last edited by Jaguar66; 04-11-2010 at 07:55 PM..
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09-13-2009, 01:16 PM	#10
driftdriven Captain 53 Rep 905 Posts Drives: BMW 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	My 135 is my daily driver and here in Vancouver we have sun, lots of rain, snow and tonnes of hills. The car can handle it all and in the winter all you need is a great set of winter tires like Blizzacks and the car drives fine!
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09-13-2009, 02:46 PM	#11
Slowboy New Member 0 Rep 14 Posts Drives: 135i Cabrio Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Smelling the roses iTrader: (0)	Just got the 135 as a DD, and I don't know how it compares to the M3, but it is a hoot and a half. Better than caffeine in the mornings.
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09-13-2009, 02:59 PM	#12
fun2drv Lieutenant 260 Rep 560 Posts Drives: '23 M5 Comp Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Columbia, TN iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW M5 [10.00] 2023 BMW M5 [0.00]	Keep both!!! That is what I'm doing. I have an '04 M3 and a '10 135i on order. The new 135i will replace my '07 Civic coupe as my daily driver. I think that I'm going to be in heaven with two nice cars in my garage!!!
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09-13-2009, 03:34 PM	#13
Addict...Nah Im A Junkie! Captain 34 Rep 786 Posts Drives: 09 135i, 98 M rdstr Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	In the M cars you need to work for it. You feel the hp/torque curve and must get up in the rpm's for the car to really go. The 135 is always on, so a lot easier to enjoy in normal traffic. Just the flat a$$ torque curve. Not as much character, but that is not necessarily a bad thing as a daily driver and in inclement conditions. I had my 135 doing well over 100 when it was snowing. I would never think of doing that in my M (I don't want to die that much). __________________ '09 135i 6MT : Space Grey/Black ette : Cold Weather Package : Sport Package : Glacier Silver Aluminum Trim : iPod and USB : Nav : HD radio : Premium hi-fi system
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09-13-2009, 04:58 PM	#14
MOCKBA Captain 54 Rep 870 Posts Drives: 135 convertible Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SFBA iTrader: (0)	Daily driver, my most complains are: rough ride small fuel tank __________________ 535i/HUD Kamerton brings me true sound fidelity
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09-13-2009, 06:30 PM	#22
Addict...Nah Im A Junkie! Captain 34 Rep 786 Posts Drives: 09 135i, 98 M rdstr Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	135 has snow shoes M roadster has no traction control or nannies. __________________ '09 135i 6MT : Space Grey/Black ette : Cold Weather Package : Sport Package : Glacier Silver Aluminum Trim : iPod and USB : Nav : HD radio : Premium hi-fi system
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