Interesting review from the UK

[RPM90]

Jeremy Clarkson reviews the 135i Euro version.

But, this bit is interesting, as it doesn't make sense with what we get in the US.

"But it’s the engine that impresses most of all. It has one small turbo to spin up the instant you apply the power, and then a bigger one that trundles into life later to keep the power coming . . . in bigger and bigger lumps. This, and there’s no other way of saying it, is a great engine. A masterpiece. It doesn’t zing like the BMW straight-sixes of old but there’s so much muscle you don’t notice."

This description is of a sequential turbo setup. My understanding is that the US TT 3.0 is a true "twin turbo", meaning 2 equal sized compressors running off of 3 cylinders each.
Am I wrong here?

Also, he claims 30.7MPG, though I'm sure that's a British gallon, which is bigger.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/dri...cle3103294.ece

[elciddragon]

I thought that was a pretty standard Clarkson review. Go to the times online site again and read the one on his page from this past sunday about the Honda Insight if you want a really spectacular one.

It is a twin turbo and not a sequential turbo as you mention. He probably drives at least a new car every day or two so its easy to see how he might get confused, or just assume something about the technical specs...but that doesn't chang the fact he loved it, and he doesn't like much!

[ptack]

Old review. Unfortunately for us, they never reviewed the car on Top Gear. Maybe they will if BMW does a performance version of the 135i.

[Citizen Z]

I think he's getting the 2.0 and 2.3 liter diesels mixed up with the N54. BMW's turbo'd diesels do have sequential turbos.

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by ptack

Old review. Unfortunately for us, they never reviewed the car on Top Gear. Maybe they will if BMW does a performance version of the 135i.

No he didn't which was a big dissapointment and a bit strange considering here thought it to be the best BM for some years

[elciddragon]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

No he didn't which was a big dissapointment and a bit strange considering here thought it to be the best BM for some years

Maybe if your other choices include zondas, enzos, and koeniggsssseegggss that may explain why the 135 was put on the back burner and never appeared?

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by elciddragon

Maybe if your other choices include zondas, enzos, and koeniggsssseegggss that may explain why the 135 was put on the back burner and never appeared?

Possibly, but they have done Golf GTi, Focus ST, Cayman S, so it's not as if they don't test cars in the 135 range.

[Artmasterx]

I hear they have had a big budget cut for the show this year, so maybe it will mean a few more mortal people's cars than before. Or maybe the same cars, but just less exotic and ridiculous challenges, which are really the best part.

It starts back up in June, right?

[moff]

Originally Posted by Citizen Z

I think he's getting the 2.0 and 2.3 liter diesels mixed up with the N54. BMW's turbo'd diesels do have sequential turbos.

its the 35d engine he's getting confused with. It has a small and a large turbo. The small for low revs and the larger one kicks in at higher.

IIRC teh 123d also has the same setup with it's 2.0d, but there's no 2.3d.

[cagekicker]

typical clarkson!

[MrRoboto]

December 30, 2007

[shmee150]

Originally Posted by Citizen Z

I think he's getting the 2.0 and 2.3 liter diesels mixed up with the N54. BMW's turbo'd diesels do have sequential turbos.

the 120d is a 2l normal diesel, the 123d is a 2l TT, there is no 2.3l.

[shmee150]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

No he didn't which was a big dissapointment and a bit strange considering here thought it to be the best BM for some years

I think they never did it for the same reason there aren't very many of them. the 135i might be (correction; IS) a fantastic car, but released at a similar time to the new M3 and also at a very high price point. I think British people like myself are suckered into the high economy of the diesel engines and hence most buy the 120d with a few 123ds here and there. Top Gear wouldn't review a "normal" car unless it was mass market and I don't think the 135i really is.

Just my thoughts!

Tim

[lib]

Originally Posted by Artmasterx

I hear they have had a big budget cut for the show this year, so maybe it will mean a few more mortal people's cars than before. Or maybe the same cars, but just less exotic and ridiculous challenges, which are really the best part.

It starts back up in June, right?

It seems like every year they claim there is a push for smaller budgets and "normal" cars. It never seems to happen.

Since the spy shots of them filming in the UAE has a Bugatti Veyron, Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR 722, Lamborghini SV LP670-4 and a McLaren F1 all in the same scene together I seriously doubt that will change this season.

Besides, it's not like they're buying the supercars you see. If they want to cut their budget in a season they'll keep showing you the same caliber of cars and just cut out one of the trips.

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by shmee150

I think they never did it for the same reason there aren't very many of them. the 135i might be (correction; IS) a fantastic car, but released at a similar time to the new M3 and also at a very high price point. I think British people like myself are suckered into the high economy of the diesel engines and hence most buy the 120d with a few 123ds here and there. Top Gear wouldn't review a "normal" car unless it was mass market and I don't think the 135i really is.

Just my thoughts!

Tim

Not so long ago he did the Cayman S, due in part to the producer ordering one, it would have been nice to back it against the 135i, bearing in mind the £6k price diffeence.