Wife is smitten with 135is. Need advice.

[ebruner]

Hey guys, I'm new to the boards. My wife has been driving a 2011 Mazdaspeed 3 and is wanting a new car. I stopped in a local dealer this afternoon with her to take a look at a Cayman S and the wife accidentally became smitten with a 2013 135is. This particular car has 13k miles. I've owned an r53 mini in the past so I do have some fake bmw experience but I've been into the miata game since so I'm out of the loop on ze germans.

There's a good chance that I may end up owning this car tomorrow and the price is right from what I gather (34k). I've done some searching and it seems like a pretty solid car for the price. Any long term gotcha's? This car is a DCT car, are there any issues with that? My wife has always driven a MT but honestly the DCT is really a better fit for the driving she's going to do now. FWIW I would always do all of my own wrenching. Any advice for what to watch for? This car is going to be doing about 6k miles a year and 2-4 autoX events with her behind the wheel, no track use. That's what the miata is for.

since every thread is useless without pix, I'm going to throw in a photo of money pit. see below.

[Gray_Panther]

An amazing money-pit, indeed!

But there's a 100% chance you will be getting this car tomorrow. Enjoy the 1, for it's the only 1 for her! Try not to get too jealous!

[anglocanadian]

My wife loves the way ours "talks" to her when she,s driving

[gap]

Happy wife, happy life... get the car!
I have a 2000 Miata and 135i both great driver's cars, different but equally enjoyable.
No real major worries with the car.
Plenty of info on here, welcome to the fold.

[mr.fabulous]

You seem to have and continue to make all the right decisions, GET THE CAR and *welcome*!

[CAVU]

You didn't say whether or not she drove the 135is. If she was hooked after the test drive, then it's over ... get the car. The 1er is the type of car that speaks speaks to you if it is THE one.

[PopsnBurbles]

Test drive the car first! A lot of females tend to dislike the car's loudness and "bumpy" ride. (I'm still on stock runflat tires.). I personally think it's the right amount of volume.

In terms of handling, I prefer the Mini in the tightest, narrowest, and slowest corners. Aside from those conditions, I like the 1 better.

[zx10guy]

I would echo the sentiments about doing a good and thorough test drive. Especially through stop and go sections of traffic. What you'll find is a throttle delay between when you push the accelerator pedal and when the car actually moves. I found this minimized with the PPK software install which the 135is comes stock with. But the delay is still there but not as pronounced. It can get hairy when you're trying to make a lane change in bumper to bumper traffic. When you get used to it, you learn to add in this delay in anticipation on when to start making a tight lane change. A way to fix this is to throw the shifter into S mode with the Sport button activated. But it's really not practical to drive around all the time that way. I have used this when I know I'm in tight traffic and know I need a little more aggression from my car to get it where I want it.

Another issue I've run into with the DCT is during quick decelerations and then an immediate application of gas. I've managed to confuse the transmission a few times where there was a huge dead spot. The car would just coast with no drive when I pressed on the accelerator pedal. After what seems like a few seconds, the car would figure things out and there would be a rough engagement of the gear and the car would now move. This happened with the car in regular D mode.

I'm not sure if it's my driving style or my car in particular but these are quirks I've had with my car after owning it for almost 2 years and 25K miles. If I had to do it all over again, would I have not bought the car? Most likely I would have still bought it. If I had a choice between a 6 speed and the DCT, I would have definitely gotten the 6 speed. The DCT is nice. I does shifts quickly both in full auto and manual modes....once the car gets moving. It's a blast to drive when you're into it hard but keep in mind what driving your wife will be doing the majority of the time.

[ebruner]

Thanks for the advice guys. The advice about the DCT was most definitely appreciated. My wife loved the car and it's sitting in the garage at the moment. She loves the exhaust on it.

The DCT is certainly different than a mt. She ended up liking it quite a bit but would likely have been just as happy with a 6mt. Overall though she's stoked on it and so am I. We're going to go for a little drive and I'll snap a photo or two.

Thanks again for the advice. lol anyone need a mazdaspeed 3 for cheap?

[Gray_Panther]

Congratulations!! Enjoy the party!

Post pictures often!

[ebruner]

crappy cell phone shots, sorry.




check out this LSB pedo van my wife and I saw.

[Gray_Panther]

Not crappy at all, the car looks great!!!

[Ric in RVA]

Congrats on the car and the wife with fantastic taste!!!

I have an R53 mini as well and find the 128i a great car.


(PS thats not a pedo van too many windows...

THIS is a pedo van...

[meg180]

I had a 135is and I absolutely loved it! The only reason I got rid of it was because I got an amazing deal on a new M3. Otherwise I would still be driving that car with a smile on my face!!!

[Overpar56]

Like your NB Miata.

The DCT has a reflash via a TSB if the lag gets bothersome. Since you have PPK2 already, you might not notice the lags. If your 1er starts raiding revs at a stoplight (goes up to around 1100 rpm) the TSB fixes that.

You didn't mention if you bought a CPO but you're still under the 4/50k. The dealer should do the TSB if they can replicate some of the systems that the TSB addresses.

[e36addict]

Nice NB! My girlfriend has an NA, and it's more fun to drive than any of my vehicles

Congrats on the 1er. The DCT is a wonderful transmission, despite some of its laggy traits and quirkiness sometimes. I absolutely love mine.

[swagon]

Congrats to you and your wife!

[Fade135is]

I just picked mine up Saturday and so far I'm in love congrats on the new car!

[mr.fabulous]

tell us about your mirrors (not factory AFAICT)

[ShocknAwe]

Nice looking car! Mirrors do look different for some reason!

[IEDEI]

congrats! the 135is is a great car! I loved mine!

[Gray_Panther]

Aren't those the standard sideview mirrors that come black painted for the 135is?