Disappointed in 135is

[forerichard]

Hello,
This is my first trip here. Currently own a Sedona Red 2009 135i with the First Stage Power Kit....320hp. Warranty expires end of the year and am considering buying a 2013 135is. I drove one today and was really disappointed; the car felt sluggish, heavy and without the same kick as my current 135i. Automatic trans, switching into manual shift was more difficult. Anybody out there driven one; did you experience the same or different? Like I said, really disappointed. Any idea why the difference in feel?

[Ti335]

Originally Posted by forerichard

Hello,
This is my first trip here. Currently own a Sedona Red 2009 135i with the First Stage Power Kit....320hp. Warranty expires end of the year and am considering buying a 2013 135is. I drove one today and was really disappointed; the car felt sluggish, heavy and without the same kick as my current 135i. Automatic trans, switching into manual shift was more difficult. Anybody out there driven one; did you experience the same or different? Like I said, really disappointed. Any idea why the difference in feel?

You are feeling the difference between single turbo and twin turbo. Although you couldn't tell this by looking at the official BMW numbers, the N54 feels noticeably stronger than the N55.

[zamboni]

Originally Posted by forerichard

Hello,
This is my first trip here. Currently own a Sedona Red 2009 135i with the First Stage Power Kit....320hp. Warranty expires end of the year and am considering buying a 2013 135is. I drove one today and was really disappointed; the car felt sluggish, heavy and without the same kick as my current 135i. Automatic trans, switching into manual shift was more difficult. Anybody out there driven one; did you experience the same or different? Like I said, really disappointed. Any idea why the difference in feel?

If you like your car that much keep the sedona and buy the extend warranty problem solve.

[tuco44]

Originally Posted by forerichard

Hello,
This is my first trip here. Currently own a Sedona Red 2009 135i with the First Stage Power Kit....320hp. Warranty expires end of the year and am considering buying a 2013 135is. I drove one today and was really disappointed; the car felt sluggish, heavy and without the same kick as my current 135i. Automatic trans, switching into manual shift was more difficult. Anybody out there driven one; did you experience the same or different? Like I said, really disappointed. Any idea why the difference in feel?

It's also possible the is, being new, was not properly prepped at the dealers. Been known to happen.

That said, most new cars feel "tight" to me, I know that getting a few thousands kms/miles on them makes a lot of difference. Comparing a well-run in and tuned 135i to a brand new 135is is not exactly a fair comparison.

[forerichard]

Appreciated, thanks for the feed back.

[JimD]

I thought it was interesting that the 1M got the n54 rather than the n55. Does that represent an endorsement of the n54 by the M engine guys? It would seem like they have, if anything, more tools to tune either engine than would the aftermarket. And it seems simpler for the 1M to get the n55 when that was what was shipping in the 135i.

Jim

[b1aze]

That was kind of my point, that the 1M has the N54 while everything else in that year had the N55. I'm sure it's partially cost savings and not needing to with the 1M as much, but still.

[PapaB]

The n55 is a good engine no doubt but the n54 is way more tunable. Both are rated the same bit drive both and there is such a huge difference.

[ParkNuts]

I'd say it's likely you're feeling a worn in car vs a new 'tighter' car like cuco said. If you're going for all out power the N54 is better but the N55 is no slouch with a tune either. You can get a mountain of torque out of it.

I'm in a loaner from the dealership right now because my 1 is getting serviced. They gave me an auto 335. The transition into it from DCT really shows how much better I feel the DCT is - aside from one particular throttle lag issue. If you spend some more time in the 135is you'd see how much more appropriate the DCT is for the car than the auto. Much more responsive. I never drive my DCT in auto mode but the 335 (sport package) loaner never leaves it. Not sure how you thin it's more difficult to get the DCT into manual mode. It's done the same way. Move stick left and make a shift and you're in. Or just make a paddle shift and you're in there temporarily. It's a completely different experience, especially with the 1 in sport mode engaged banging out the shifts.

[forerichard]

Thanks for the added feedback, guess I was just more comfortable in my car with the First Stage Power Kit and my manual shift. Option One is to just extend the warranty and wait another year or so to see what else is coming out. Option Two would be to buy a 135is and be more savy about test driving it.

[WPG D33Z]

Keep what you have unless your currently having issues, I would rather save my money.

[infinitekidM2C]

im disappointed in you richard...disgusted actually

[ORIGIN M.]

The seven speed shifts way smoother.

The iS is a complete package.

[dfv2]

This is more about fear of owning an out-of-warranty car - if you're going to move out of a 135i why the HELL would you go for the same car but worse and way more expensive?!

[ray731]

Personally I love my 135is. I got the manual transmission. I've driven the N54 135i and with the manual it's hard to tell any difference. Maybe don't get the auto...

[cpsquare8]

Well, I own both a 2009 135i automatic trans and a 2013 135is with a manual trans. Simply the auto sort of is not really very compatible with the IS. IMHO these cars with auto transmissions just sort of limp along. Now do you get the most bang for the buck with the manual in an IS - close - and if you drive it you will know. Slushbox -10. I have driven both cars in MT and AT and there is a pretty big difference - both with MT are pretty close. However the sound from the IS will blow your ears out compared to a MT 135i - unmodified.

[miamimbear]

Originally Posted by cpsquare8

Well, I own both a 2009 135i automatic trans and a 2013 135is with a manual trans. Simply the auto sort of is not really very compatible with the IS. IMHO these cars with auto transmissions just sort of limp along. Now do you get the most bang for the buck with the manual in an IS - close - and if you drive it you will know. Slushbox -10. I have driven both cars in MT and AT and there is a pretty big difference - both with MT are pretty close. However the sound from the IS will blow your ears out compared to a MT 135i - unmodified.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I dont think your 2009 has a DCT, you have a 6 speed auto.

There is no way you can say a 2013 is with DCT limps anywhere, zero to 60 is faster than MT

[tuco44]

The older 6 spd auto and the DCT are not comparable trannies. You cannot lump the new DCT in with auto trannies of yesterday.

[ray731]

I test drove the 2012 135i DCT before I ordered the 135is 6 spd manual. I can tell you I chose the 6 spd hands down. I saw the numbers on paper and the claims about quicker shifting than I could physically shift with the manual. I just did not like the way it felt. I like the driving experience in the 6 spd manual car. With that said, OP I really think to get the drive you expect you'll have to go manual transmission again. The DCT doesn't do it for me either.

-Ray

[cpsquare8]

Originally Posted by miamimbear

Correct me if I'm wrong but I dont think your 2009 has a DCT, you have a 6 speed auto.

There is no way you can say a 2013 is with DCT limps anywhere, zero to 60 is faster than MT

Correct. But I have driven a newer 135i with DCT - just did not seem responsive to me - so I agree with the original post. Do not doubt that the 0-60 is faster with DCT v 6MT.

[bahnbrenner]

Originally Posted by tuco44

It's also possible the is, being new, was not properly prepped at the dealers. Been known to happen.

As someone in the midst of purchasing a 135is, I'm a little concerned by this. Whats been known to happen and how can I make sure my car isnt one of the defective ones?

Thanks!

[tuco44]

Originally Posted by bahnbrenner

As someone in the midst of purchasing a 135is, I'm a little concerned by this. Whats been known to happen and how can I make sure my car isnt one of the defective ones?

Thanks!

The dealer needs to do a number of procedures (eg. removing the shipping blocks from the suspension, for one example) before you take delivery. It has happened in the past, that some cars are delivered before all the steps are done. The dealer then needs to make it right, and they will. Not a perm. problem. It's not defective, just not prepped correctly.