New to 1er - Planning to get into a M235i - Questions about 1/2 series

[conradb]

Been a 3er guy my whole life. My lease is almost up on my M3, but there won't be any M2/3/4 to lease at xmas time when I will be placing my order. I don't want an M5/6 or X5/6M. The only car that is really perking my interest would be a 2yr lease on a M235i. I've been watching review vids on the M135i in Europe, and I imagine that's basically going to be the M235i, but in hatchback form.

Is BMW going to stop making the 135i/is coupe when the 2 series are out? I'm looking at the configurator on the bmwusa.com site for the 135i/is, and I can't see why it costs like $3k more just to get 20HP more. Seems like a real gimmick to me. Am I missing something?

I'm just trying to guesstimate what to expect for the M235i. I'm thinking low $40k price area. Any word on a DCT for it? That's the main reason why I'm scoping out the 135i right now. I definitely love the DCT on my M3, and I'd love to keep it on the M235i if they offer it. Otherwise they're going to stop making the 135i and I can't order one with DCT.

Thanks!

[Harlequin]

My guesses would be:

1. Since the 4 Series Coupe is not going to be out until mid-late 2014 and the 2 series hasn't even been properly revealed yet, I'd doubt that you're going to be able to get into an M235i at Christmas.

2. Yes it will be the replacement for the 1er Coupe.

3. The 135is comes with more than just a tune above standard kit. Don't know that $3K is justified but it isn't just for 20HP.

4. Based on what BMW are doing with other models I would expect the M235i to have the new 8-Speed Auto rather than DCT. There's been speculation that BMW will save the DCT for full ///M cars from now on...

5. Can't comment on price since the "Australia Tax" means we pay pretty much double what you guys do...

6. If I'm right about number 1 then the 135is should still be available at Christmas...

[conradb]

Production of M235i begins in November of this year. I talked to the sales people at my dealership already and they have confirmed this.

http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=817401

I'm afraid that the DCT will be going bye-bye for non-M cars. Really tempted to spring for a 135is before it's too late.

[Harlequin]

Wow... OK. I stand corrected... That's a pretty fast turn around from official reveal to production...

Maybe you should reserve judgement though... From what I hear that new 8-Speed Auto box is pretty awesome... And having a DCT myself I can tell you that although it is great, it is not perfect...

[conradb]

Well, yeah. The DCT on the M3 isn't all that great half the time either. At slow speeds and can be downright retarded.

However, those beautiful throttle blips when you downshift are amazing! Do you get that with the 135i TT engine?

[Harlequin]

Yep... Gotta love the sound...

Bear in mind though that if you're looking at a new 135i or (probably) an M235i then you'll be getting the N55 - no TT...

Having said that, general consensus is that the N55 sounds better - especially with aftermarket exhausts...

[conradb]

Originally Posted by Harlequin

Yep... Gotta love the sound...

Bear in mind though that if you're looking at a new 135i or (probably) an M235i then you'll be getting the N55 - no TT...

Having said that, general consensus is that the N55 sounds better - especially with aftermarket exhausts...

Good to know!

[Harlequin]

PS: I believe one of the things that comes with the "IS" for that $3K is the Performance Exhaust...

I have it and it sounds amazing...

[GeeRam]

Originally Posted by conradb

Well, yeah. The DCT on the M3 isn't all that great half the time either. At slow speeds and can be downright retarded.

I've never had a problem with the DCT in my 135i at slow speeds....

One and only issue I have with it is the dimwit software engineer that thought it would be a good idea to retain a 'kick down auto downshift' at WOT when the gearbox has been put into manual mode......I mean WTF would anyone think that is a good idea

So you have be delicate with the throttle so as to get WOT without pressing past the final stiff kick-down part of the throttle action

It's only a problem when on a track though, which for me is only a couple of times per year.

[Harlequin]

Originally Posted by GeeRam

I've never had a problem with the DCT in my 135i at slow speeds....

Try this (simulating being in heavy traffic and the car in front of you takes off and then pauses before taking off properly):

- From a dead stop, lightly accelerate.

- Then let off the throttle completely.

- Then attempt to accelerate again after about a second.

9 times out of 10 the transmission will have decided you are going to stop and there will be a pause before the throttle responds.

If you push in a bit more throttle to try and get it to respond then when the stupid computer figures out that you really do want to go forward it'll give you too much and you'll shoot forward way to fast...

This is not only stupid, it's downright dangerous in certain situations...

(Apparently this can be fixed - to a certain degree - with a software update but as BMW won't officially admit that there's a problem, and they don't like doing software updates if they don't have to, you have to lie your way into getting said update.)

[GeeRam]

Originally Posted by Harlequin

Try this (simulating being in heavy traffic and the car in front of you takes off and then pauses before taking off properly):

- From a dead stop, lightly accelerate.

- Then let off the throttle completely.

- Then attempt to accelerate again after about a second.

9 times out of 10 the transmission will have decided you are going to stop and there will be a pause before the throttle responds.

I spend 50% of my driving in stop-start London traffic and have not come across this issue

[Harlequin]

Originally Posted by GeeRam

I spend 50% of my driving in stop-start London traffic and have not come across this issue

Perhaps you already have the software update...

There's plenty of threads around here about it:

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=735136

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=812994

And more...

[GeeRam]

Originally Posted by Harlequin

Perhaps you already have the software update...

Don't think so....

Mine's still on the software version it left the factory with in May 2011.

[angler]

The 4 coupe starts production this July with deliveries starting in sept.

[conradb]

Originally Posted by angler

The 4 coupe starts production this July with deliveries starting in sept.

Ya but no M4.

I guess I'll wait till the time roles around and keep an ear out for the M2 production timeframe. I'd love to get my hands on that beast.