Newbie Here.. 135i

[mcmn]

Hi all,

I've been around the car forums online for some time now, after few sedate cars and a few stints Japanese imports (GTR, S15 Silvia etc).. We (wife and I) are settling in on purchasing a 1 series coupe.

I've been in two minds about the possibility of waiting till 2012 for a 1M or purchasing a 135i coupe - second hand. Keen to hear what others are thinking regarding this.

My preference at this stage is 6sp manual over the sequential auto. Whilst the DC-T is appealing, it also limits my ability to locate a second hand car.

Very keen on progressively modifying the car, i.e
- JB4, catless Downpipes, CF Spoiler, etc....

Also keen on getting involved in track days or other events with a group of like minded individuals!

I'd love to hear from anyone that is currently selling or contemplating this move - contact details below!.


paul at mcmahon dot com

[MrBlonde]

Smart move to go for a good second hand 135. There are some on this forum up for sale as the M1s start getting delivered.

Also think about a vert vs a coupe. some stunning verts up for grabs.

[BMW86]

Welcome to the forum. If you are buying new, go for the 1M. Otherwise I'd try and pick up a 135i for under 60k and spend about 5k on mods. The 1M will be track ready though but you can always upgrade to the full 1M/M3 suspension later down the track and add an LSD. FYI, adding an LSD to a manual car is big bucks though.

[JB4-335]

My 2008 135 vert is for sale on carsales. It's the 'sinister' black on black as Kenny said with black wheels. You can't miss it. Awesome car. Come over and I'll take you for a drive.

[mcmn]

thanks JB4135 - I'll take a look - I'm not really keen on a vert as my appearance doesnt suit this sort of attention (I'm honest!)

In terms of getting a 135i into 11's is this possible without the LSD on manual?

Paul

[MrBlonde]

Paul click on the "drag racing standings" link in my signature to see what the cars are running and with what mods.

Running into 11s will take tune/downpipes/methanol kit plus LSD and 16" wheels with drag radials.

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by mcmn

thanks JB4135 - I'll take a look - I'm not really keen on a vert as my appearance doesnt suit this sort of attention (I'm honest!)

In terms of getting a 135i into 11's is this possible without the LSD on manual?

Paul

If you're after best best drag times I recommend the steptronic. It's much more consistent too. If you don't have an LSD you might need slicks otherwise meth will get you there. Dragtimes is a good start to check out the best times for our cars, there's plenty in the 11s.

[mcmn]

Thanks mate.. I'm going to use the momentum here to see if anyone can answer the questions I couldnt find via google!

- in terms of drivetrain strength, is the 6sp seq auto / 6sp manual similarly rated, or is one stronger than the other?

- you mentioned above downpipes - will adding aftermarket exhaust make any significant difference?

- Having never modified a n54 or even a bmw before, whats the risk profile like in doing this? i.e engine durability/strength .. will the aforementioned mods take the engine to an unsafe place..

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by mcmn

Thanks mate.. I'm going to use the momentum here to see if anyone can answer the questions I couldnt find via google!

- in terms of drivetrain strength, is the 6sp seq auto / 6sp manual similarly rated, or is one stronger than the other?

- you mentioned above downpipes - will adding aftermarket exhaust make any significant difference?

- Having never modified a n54 or even a bmw before, whats the risk profile like in doing this? i.e engine durability/strength .. will the aforementioned mods take the engine to an unsafe place..

The engine has been around for years and is bullet-proof. FBO + meth gets you around 300rwkw and there's plenty of people running this setup with no drivetrain issues. In terms of exhaust, you will only see gains if you change the downpipes and you have a tune. Bolt-ons are pointless unless you're running some kind of tune with increased boost.

[MrBlonde]

Originally Posted by BMW86

If you're after best best drag times I recommend the steptronic. It's much more consistent too. If you don't have an LSD you might need slicks otherwise meth will get you there. Dragtimes is a good start to check out the best times for our cars, there's plenty in the 11s.

Dragtimes makes it seem like there are lots of 11 second 135s but actually there's not. There are 22 unverified entries in the 11.x range, but there's only 4 or 5 actual cars/drivers with lots of multiple passes.

There is only 4 verified driver/cars in the 11.x range, one manual tranny and 3 bleeders.

[Jeef Beef]

Originally Posted by mcmn

Thanks mate.. I'm going to use the momentum here to see if anyone can answer the questions I couldnt find via google!

- in terms of drivetrain strength, is the 6sp seq auto / 6sp manual similarly rated, or is one stronger than the other?

- you mentioned above downpipes - will adding aftermarket exhaust make any significant difference?

- Having never modified a n54 or even a bmw before, whats the risk profile like in doing this? i.e engine durability/strength .. will the aforementioned mods take the engine to an unsafe place..

The N54 is bulletproof. Keeping it stock it'll run 300rwkw all day with tune + meth + downpipes as mentioned.

Either 6AT or 6MT is fine. The DCT equipped cars are N55 which don't have the supporting mods as yet.

Downpipes will add a good dose of power if you have a tune.

[MrBlonde]

Originally Posted by mcmn

- you mentioned above downpipes - will adding aftermarket exhaust make any significant difference?

- Having never modified a n54 or even a bmw before, whats the risk profile like in doing this? i.e engine durability/strength .. will the aforementioned mods take the engine to an unsafe place..

Aftermarket exhaust gives margin gains (or even a loss of power). However downpipes is a proven winner. Click on the link in my sig for dyno sheets at various stages of modification. Also search on Aussie member "JD75" who is Justin who has a similar thread with documented facts about modifications and dyno sheets at each stage. the mod path with bolt on gear is well documented now and the resulting power is understood.

Stock 190 rwkw
Tune 230 rwkw
Tune/Downpipes 260 rwkw
Tune/Downpipes/Methanol 290 rwkw

Risk profile is low with tune/downpipes/methanol kit.

[mcmn]

thanks will look into jd75

[sparoz]

Welcome to the forum!

It's probably very difficult to get a 1M at a decent price next year as many won't be selling yet. As for 135i - there doesn't seem to be many manuals around, but mine's up for sale. There should be a few in Sydney too.

[Zuzu]

Welcome to the forum mate..

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

have you been in a 135i before?

I remember my first dance with one (Jeef Beef) and it's mind bendingly fast. I went for a second ride last week with JB4135 and I'm now selling my 3series coupe and checking out a 135i this weekend

[Taymaishu]

Originally Posted by JB4135

My 2008 135 vert is for sale on carsales. It's the 'sinister' black on black as Kenny said with black wheels. You can't miss it. Awesome car. Come over and I'll take you for a drive.

WTF!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

[sbce90]

Originally Posted by JB4135

My 2008 135 vert is for sale on carsales. It's the 'sinister' black on black as Kenny said with black wheels. You can't miss it. Awesome car. Come over and I'll take you for a drive.

lol the ad also said something like "no joyriders" or similar yeh? Only saw it the day after we all got happy laps at the meet.

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by MrBlonde

Dragtimes makes it seem like there are lots of 11 second 135s but actually there's not. There are 22 unverified entries in the 11.x range, but there's only 4 or 5 actual cars/drivers with lots of multiple passes.

There is only 4 verified driver/cars in the 11.x range, one manual tranny and 3 bleeders.

Hey Kenny what do you mean by 22 unverified entries in the 11.x range? I'm a bit confused..

[Honny]

Welcome to the forum. If you can afford a 1M buy all means get it. However value for money I'm sure the 135i is by far a better choice. As mentioned throw a few mods and it will still cost a lot less than a brand new 1M and likely faster too.

[sparoz]

Originally Posted by Honny

Welcome to the forum. If you can afford a 1M buy all means get it. However value for money I'm sure the 135i is by far a better choice. As mentioned throw a few mods and it will still cost a lot less than a brand new 1M and likely faster too.

I am sure many 1M to be owners won't agree. Having said that, you can pick up a 135i second hand just over $50k, and you won't be able to pick up a 1M anything less than 100k next year. 40-50k is a lot for mods .

[Jeef Beef]

Originally Posted by Honny

Welcome to the forum. If you can afford a 1M buy all means get it. However value for money I'm sure the 135i is by far a better choice. As mentioned throw a few mods and it will still cost a lot less than a brand new 1M and likely faster too.

You can do the same to a 1M. I want to see one with tune, meth, downpipes. Absolute monster killer. Any takers? (Joe )