Anyone else having second thoughts due to the new software

[Mad Dragon]

Originally Posted by Steve135i

When a went to a dealer last week I also talked to a salesman and he also said the first 135i's back in march had no lag. The new ones do. He said BMW is working on a fix now. I see no reason not to believe an honest salesman. ???

Even if he is honest, he may not be technically knowledgeable enough to understand how the car operates.

[aus]

Originally Posted by thunder135

My 135 is a Feb 08 build with a V80 ECU.

How can I check to see if I have 29.2 installed ?

How does the "lag" feel - What should I be looking for ?

Thunder135

You won't have the new software unless you brought it in for service and they had a reason to update it. Basically, it's slow to get going when you step on the gas while at a low RPM.


I finally got to drive a manual today and was very happy to say I did not notice any lag, but of course you have control over how much gas to give it. I also noticed that the clutch catches WAY high, like my knee was above the steering wheel high to disengage it. It was a little rough shifting if I pushed to clutch all the way to the floor. The SA said it will drop with time. This thing needs a clutch stop BIG time, but then you may not be able to start the car.

[BMW Dreamer]

I really need to go drive this car with the manual and step. The manual just doesn't soung very good. My Si's manual is probably 10X better.

[Steve135i]

Originally Posted by aus

You won't have the new software unless you brought it in for service and they had a reason to update it. Basically, it's slow to get going when you step on the gas while at a low RPM.


I finally got to drive a manual today and was very happy to say I did not notice any lag, but of course you have control over how much gas to give it. I also noticed that the clutch catches WAY high, like my knee was above the steering wheel high to disengage it. It was a little rough shifting if I pushed to clutch all the way to the floor. The SA said it will drop with time. This thing needs a clutch stop BIG time, but then you may not be able to start the car.

So you don't like the manual :iono:

[InsaneSkippy]

I personally love the manual. I test drove an automatic but ordered manual without driving one. The automatic was fun in the sense that you could just hit the gas and go. However, the manual quickly became the clear winner once we got to Europe and drove around there.

[WhiteOne]

If the auto would really operate with the paddles it would be better. I was driving the step in 3rd. Getting the feel of her in some twisty bits. Coming out of a curve I put it to the floor. It downshifted to 2nd. I did not want 2nd. I wanted to feel the pull in 3rd. The manual is better. More controllable. So that is what I bought.

[MastaMind]

Coming from a manual Honda, I don't think the 135's 6MT is bad at all. It's not quite as slick feeling, but it's definitely not vague or sloppy. The clutch does grab slightly higher than I would like, but it's not unbearable by any means.

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by MastaMind

Coming from a manual Honda, I don't think the 135's 6MT is bad at all. It's not quite as slick feeling, but it's definitely not vague or sloppy. The clutch does grab slightly higher than I would like, but it's not unbearable by any means.

Have you removed or modified your CDV?

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by Jeff1962

I really need to go drive this car with the manual and step. The manual just doesn't soung very good. My Si's manual is probably 10X better.

I owned a 06 Civic Si remember? The Si's MT was not better. The Honda was always notchy, and would pop out of gear!

Since removing the CDV, the MT in the 135i is the best I have ever driven. :wink:

[dclee1]

^ +1 like I said before, compared to an S2K the manual isn't as good (shift throws are shorter and a bit smoother in the S), but it's still a great manual transmission and certainly up to par with a Civic Si's stick. Saying it's 10x better without having driven both is a bit of unsubstantiated hyperbole.

[MastaMind]

Originally Posted by ChrisK

Have you removed or modified your CDV?

I have not yet removed the CDV, but it's on the list of things to do. I hear it makes all the difference in clutch feel, so it's definitely worth doing.

Any words of advice on the issue? It looks pretty straight forward.

[fshowcars]

Originally Posted by MastaMind

Coming from a manual Honda, I don't think the 135's 6MT is bad at all. It's not quite as slick feeling, but it's definitely not vague or sloppy. The clutch does grab slightly higher than I would like, but it's not unbearable by any means.

thats interesting... i thought the clutch engaged really smooth and grippy all through the gears... maybe i'm just used to different style clutches, but i haven't done the cdv mod either. Mine catches quite low. :iono:

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by MastaMind

I have not yet removed the CDV, but it's on the list of things to do. I hear it makes all the difference in clutch feel, so it's definitely worth doing.

Any words of advice on the issue? It looks pretty straight forward.

All I can say is that by removing the CDV and with 3K+ miles the trans is as smooth as they come.

[aus]

Originally Posted by WhiteOne

If the auto would really operate with the paddles it would be better. I was driving the step in 3rd. Getting the feel of her in some twisty bits. Coming out of a curve I put it to the floor. It downshifted to 2nd. I did not want 2nd. I wanted to feel the pull in 3rd. The manual is better. More controllable. So that is what I bought.

That's surprising since I've downshifted to 6600 RPM on my 335 by accident when the auto downshifted right before I pushed on the paddle and ended up with a 2 gear downshift.

Originally Posted by Steve135i

So you don't like the manual :iono:

As for the manual, I only wish the clutch would catch a lot lower that it did with the car I drove. I don't think you can install a clutch stop either since it won't start without the clutch depressed.

[sbefar01]

I have the 29.2 and there is no lag, not sure why people say there is lag. Just bought my car in november.