Evaluation, 125i/135i, RFT/non-RFT, Slush vs Manual

[sparoz]

As my folks are in town, they have taken my car and I have been driving the 125.

I have to say now that I have beendriving the turbo, and I am so used to the torque that I would take a turbo car any day over. Yes, I am saying the turbo engine is better than the NA (IMO). Forget the tiny turbo lag, the time it takes the needle to hit over 5k is longer than that. Turbos for the win.

RFT/non-RFT
RFT - the ride and grip is almost non-existant in my wife's 125. I have managed to trigger off the traction control more often in the 125 then the 135 which is strange as the 135i has more power, and the ride - it is so much better with the non-RFT. Non-RFT is the way to go.

slush vs manual
I know it's the 125 slush, but I can tell you unless an auto rev matches, I will take the manual any day from now on. Just so use to blipping the throttle when I change gears, making the paddles just a little bit of a gimmick.

[alik01]

If this was on facebook, I would click the 'like' thingy... The 2.0T Q5 is a lot easier to just potter around in than the 130i, but when she sings you just have to forgive all!

[BBK]

The auto in the 125i is a lot worse than the 135i too Steve.

[BMWRX]

Originally Posted by sparoz

RFT/non-RFT
non-RFT - the ride and grip is almost non-existant compare in my wife's 125. I have managed to trigger off the traction control more often in the 125 then the 135 which is strange. But the ride - it is so much better with the non-RFT.

Are you saying the RFT's have more grip than non-RFT's? Very interesting.

[Guran]

Apologies for being pedantic, but actually Sparoz seems to be saying that the non-RFTs have less TRACTION than the RFTs. There's a big difference between traction (friction under longitudinal acceleration/braking) and grip (friction under lateral acceleration ie going around corners). I'd like to see some quantitative comparisons if anyone has them.

[jozeff]

Mate, i reckon after you drive a 130i manual it will definitely raise an eyebrow after the 135 in terms of throttle response and top end.

[Blacky]

I haven't driven a 135 but if I am honest with myself I do find wanting a little more from the 130, sometimes, but I still love the 1er
Mostly I think it is lacking in urge when trying to overtake in a hurry, maybe I am impatient or something but you can never overtake too fast!

I just can't understand why BMW doesn't do a 135 5 door, especially now there is no 130 in Aust. Not everyone wants a 2 door car and some people need a little more room for crap.

[jozeff]

Blacky, i think its also the fact that you get used to the power of cars sometimes and no matter how powerful they are, they seem slow after a while.

I'm coming from a shitbox Mazda 3 MPS which had awesome torque, so sometimes i also feel the 130 has a lack of torque. However the gearshift is awesome in the 130 and the fact that the power doesnt drop off at 5500rpm really gives you that hero feeling when you drive, even if in reality you arent overtaking as fast.

Then again, my renault clio sport felt even faster than the MPS! Not just in a straight line, just the way it darted about everywhere! Awesome steering feel, awesome engine, but definitely not quicker than the MPS.

[Blacky]

Originally Posted by jozeff

Blacky, i think its also the fact that you get used to the power of cars sometimes and no matter how powerful they are, they seem slow after a while.

I'm coming from a shitbox Mazda 3 MPS which had awesome torque, so sometimes i also feel the 130 has a lack of torque. However the gearshift is awesome in the 130 and the fact that the power doesnt drop off at 5500rpm really gives you that hero feeling when you drive, even if in reality you arent overtaking as fast.

Then again, my renault clio sport felt even faster than the MPS! Not just in a straight line, just the way it darted about everywhere! Awesome steering feel, awesome engine, but definitely not quicker than the MPS.

Definitely true, I have had the 1er for 4 years now and I still like driving it but you do get use to it.

[sparoz]

Originally Posted by BMWRX

Are you saying the RFT's have more grip than non-RFT's? Very interesting.

No, I am saying non-RFT have much more grip. Fixed it up in the OP. I was up for like 21 hrs when I wrote that.

[sparoz]

I think I have learnt to grow impatient with the car that needs to get to the high end to sing. If I am on the track where I am constantly up in those revs, I might say it otherwise, but on road - torque low down is way fun! Remember it's a personal opinion.

Just got addicted to the torque more than high reving NA at the moment. Yes, I can take the car up to 7k and it still goes in a NA, but just fallen for the turbos. If someone remember, the first time I drove my wife's car a few months ago I was saying how I missed the responsiveness and the predictability of the NA.

[BMWRX]

Originally Posted by sparoz

No, I am saying non-RFT have much more grip. Fixed it up in the OP. I was up for like 21 hrs when I wrote that.

Thanks for clearing that up Steve. I'm looking at a set of non-RFT's when my stock tyres wear out. Maybe some KU36's. Does anyone have any experience with these on a 135i?

[TimMc]

Originally Posted by BMWRX

Thanks for clearing that up Steve. I'm looking at a set of non-RFT's when my stock tyres wear out. Maybe some KU36's. Does anyone have any experience with these on a 135i?

I think that's what I've got on my track rims. I haven't run them much on the road, just to and from the track. Hopefully again this Friday... Grippy, more compliant but much noisier than standard RFTs.

[sparoz]

Got my 135i back last night - OMG, I love the car!!!

[qship]

I have just put non RFT tyres on my 135 and while I have yet to have a cjance to push the car, it is clear the non RFT's (RE50a pole positions) are quieter and ride a heck of a lot better than the run craps.

[alik01]

I noticed a clear difference in ride, grip the minute I put the PS2s on. Noise is the same, if not less, can't really say I paid too much attention to that element.