Should I upgrade to a 135i?

[ArmatageShanks]

So, I bought a 2011 128i last August. I really do love it, but sometimes I feel like it can be lacking in power. While I understand power doesn't mean everything, it would be nice to have a little more "oomf" to my 1er. I feel like a lot of the modifications I'm trying to make to my car already come stock on the 135i, and I could just be wasting time and money when I could just trade in for a 135i. I just wanted some honest opinions from the fellow 1addicts members, especially anyone who may have possibly done the same exact trade. Just cause, here's a nice picture of my "Stealth Bomber".

[135TX]

Hungry for power + get 135i

Want that NA feel and sound, or nostalgic about NA, stick to the 128i

Sounds to me like a 135i is in your future.

[Cavpilot2k]

Many 128 drivers occasionally think "I wish I had a little more power".
No 135 driver ever thought "I wish I had a little less power".

Get a 135.

[ArmatageShanks]

Originally Posted by 135TX

Hungry for power + get 135i

Want that NA feel and sound, or nostalgic about NA, stick to the 128i

Sounds to me like a 135i is in your future.

If a 135i will be in my future, I know that an awesome 128i will also be in someone's future as well. Anyone in SoCal looking for a space grey 128i w/ manual transmission? Haha

[mike@x-ph.com]

Based on your first post, i say get a 135

[IEDEI]

the 128 is a great car...but if you need more power ABSOLUTELY get a 135i. you won't regret it!!!

[inFamousKicks]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

the 128 is a great car...but if you need more power ABSOLUTELY get a 135i. you won't regret it!!!

+1

[Esteban]

Driving around in a car that I felt was lacking in power while knowing that there was a more powerful version of my car out there that I could be driving instead would leave me wondering what that car was like. So at the very least, test drive a 135i and see if it's what you want. The 135i is obviously not the most powerful car out there, but it's torque is fun and addicting. If, after a while you decide you want more, there are safe and easy power mods that can take you higher. Try to stick with a manual if that's what you're used to.

[Ed P]

This is actually a tough one.

I have a 2013 135i M-Sport. Bought one year ago with just a little over 3K miles on it. It was built in 9/13, so is one of the last 135i models built. It's fantastic, especially with the Sport button pushed in manual mode (has the DCT).

A few months later, my son (in college, living at home) bought a 2011 128i, with about 24K on it. It too is great. It's an auto, but again, the sport button really does make it fun.

Around town, they're almost equally fun/capable. Both handle great, and have more than enough power for spirited in/around town driving. Where the 135i really excels, is out on the open road and highway. Effortless cruising at 70-80, with plenty of power and torque on reserve for higher speed dashes around gaggles of cars and trucks.

Around town, I can (almost) never use the extra power of the 135i thanks to traffic and lights. The car almost feels "frustrated" with its surroundings. Not so much with the 128i -- my son loves it (he had a 305hp mustang previously, and much prefers the BMW).

My commute is 37.5 miles one-way, mostly highway, so the 135i is perfect. His is all in-town, with just a tad of occasional highway, so the 128i is also perfect (not that it's not a good highway cruiser, just that the highway is where you can really stretch the 135i's legs.

Good luck!

[ShocknAwe]

Dunno, if I were to get another, I'd probably get a 128i MT stripper and build the long block to try to get ~300whp out of it and a 8k rev limit. That would be the bomb.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Dunno, if I were to get another, I'd probably get a 128i MT stripper and build the long block to try to get ~300whp out of it and a 8k rev limit. That would be the bomb.

I don't want to know how much that would cost.

I would like to have a 130i Coupé from the factory... However, the power of the N55 is intoxicating.

[dm874]

I have an 03' 325i and it has similar power to the 128i. When I got my 1er I hadn't driven my 3 series for months. Recently I was getting my turbo's recalled so i had to drive my 325i and boy was that a slow-poke on the road. Lets just say, if you like power and want power then don't settle for the 128. There's a HUGE difference.

[BMW135pls]

Bolt on 500hp in a light car that can turn. Can't argue with that.

[mistawall]

id say if you make decent money and dont have a problem with some additional maintenance costs get the 135. some 135s have no problems some have a bunch. some just need the usually hpfp, injector and turbo warrantys used and then they are fine. from what i read the 128 is a bit more reliable up into the high miles. but so are the 135 with proper maintenance.

[ArmatageShanks]

So I went to Irvine BMW yesterday to try and test drive a 135i. Although their website said they had a 2012 with manual in stock, the representative assisting me said that they only had one on the lot, which had steptronic. I wasn't interested. He then proceeded to tell me how I don't want a 135i because it's an old and out of date car, and started showing me new M235i's. Yeah, cause I want to make the leap from $30,000 to $50,000. After that, we started discussing the possibility of a trade-in. I was just curious what I would be offered. Ended up sitting at his cubical to discuss it, and after a little he said he needed my keys and that he'd be right back. I assumed he was just going to check mileage and a few other things. After 10 minutes, he comes back and makes me an offer of $12,000. For a 2011 128i, with 37,000 miles, sport suspension, BMW PE, BMW PI. Haha yeah right, gtfo with that offer. I tell the guy to have a great day and leave. When I get in my car, the seat was adjusted and so were my mirrors. This pissed me off to no end. Why did this guy mess with my car? And did he take it for a drive? How is that relevant to a quote on a possible trade-in? Anyways, I'm still searching for a 135i just to test drive, but I want it to be manual so I can really see what it'll feel like for me. Thanks everyone so far for the advice.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by ArmatageShanks

So I went to Irvine BMW yesterday to try and test drive a 135i. Although their website said they had a 2012 with manual in stock, the representative assisting me said that they only had one on the lot, which had steptronic. I wasn't interested. He then proceeded to tell me how I don't want a 135i because it's an old and out of date car, and started showing me new M235i's. Yeah, cause I want to make the leap from $30,000 to $50,000. After that, we started discussing the possibility of a trade-in. I was just curious what I would be offered. Ended up sitting at his cubical to discuss it, and after a little he said he needed my keys and that he'd be right back. I assumed he was just going to check mileage and a few other things. After 10 minutes, he comes back and makes me an offer of $12,000. For a 2011 128i, with 37,000 miles, sport suspension, BMW PE, BMW PI. Haha yeah right, gtfo with that offer. I tell the guy to have a great day and leave. When I get in my car, the seat was adjusted and so were my mirrors. This pissed me off to no end. Why did this guy mess with my car? And did he take it for a drive? How is that relevant to a quote on a possible trade-in? Anyways, I'm still searching for a 135i just to test drive, but I want it to be manual so I can really see what it'll feel like for me. Thanks everyone so far for the advice.

Yes! Good for you! Stick to your guns! Don't let them talk you in to something you don't want, because they will try. Just be patient and keep looking.

[BMW135pls]

Originally Posted by ArmatageShanks

So I went to Irvine BMW yesterday to try and test drive a 135i. Although their website said they had a 2012 with manual in stock, the representative assisting me said that they only had one on the lot, which had steptronic. I wasn't interested. He then proceeded to tell me how I don't want a 135i because it's an old and out of date car, and started showing me new M235i's. Yeah, cause I want to make the leap from $30,000 to $50,000. After that, we started discussing the possibility of a trade-in. I was just curious what I would be offered. Ended up sitting at his cubical to discuss it, and after a little he said he needed my keys and that he'd be right back. I assumed he was just going to check mileage and a few other things. After 10 minutes, he comes back and makes me an offer of $12,000. For a 2011 128i, with 37,000 miles, sport suspension, BMW PE, BMW PI. Haha yeah right, gtfo with that offer. I tell the guy to have a great day and leave. When I get in my car, the seat was adjusted and so were my mirrors. This pissed me off to no end. Why did this guy mess with my car? And did he take it for a drive? How is that relevant to a quote on a possible trade-in? Anyways, I'm still searching for a 135i just to test drive, but I want it to be manual so I can really see what it'll feel like for me. Thanks everyone so far for the advice.

Sounds like my dealership experience. I wanted an 08-10 135i for under 20k. The guy said we don't have any, and won't be getting them in either. He tried to sell me on a 12' 128i for 24k. I said no. He tried to sell me on a brand new X1. I said well it's an ok car, nothing wrong with it, but is it a twin turbo inline 6 sport coupe? He said it's a crossover. I said then you don't have what I want, shook his hand and left.

[swagon]

I'm not sure whether to laugh or roll my eyes reading the dealership experiences above.

I'm no conspiracy dude, but I think most of the stealerships are treating us, 1Addicts, badly. And that they don't care about the little 1 Series.

"I WANT A 135i!"
"NO, YOU WANT AN M235i OR A 328xiA!"

I've had good luck so far with the dealerships we got our two BMW's from. Ran into a cool SA when looking at the 135i they had there, who had two posters in his office - one with a 3.0 CSL and one with an E21 Gr. 5, and his favourite BMW was a manual E46 M3.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by swagon

I've had good luck so far with the dealerships we got our two BMW's from. Ran into a cool SA when looking at the 135i they had there, who had two posters in his office - one with a 3.0 CSL and one with an E21 Gr. 5, and his favourite BMW was a manual E46 M3.

This guy sounds like a petrolhead. A fellow enthusiast who appreciates cars like we do. BTW, love the E46 M3. Manual, of course. Nothing like that N/A screaming straight six. And that body!

[swagon]

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

This guy sounds like a petrolhead. A fellow enthusiast who appreciates cars like we do. BTW, love the E46 M3. Manual, of course. Nothing like that N/A screaming straight six. And that body!

Yes, when we said that about the E46 I jumped a little because it's my biggest BMW crush (and the 3.0 CSL). Timeless design and that glorious intake noise makes me, ehm, moist.



At the time when we were looking at E82's, a mint 18k-mile E46 M3 popped up for sale. 6-speed, Imola Red, M-Texture Alcantara interior and those gorgeous forged 19" rims. Price wasn't too bad either. Really wanted to buy it, but I'd be even more anal about it than I am about the 135i, I'd just have to store it over the winter and wax it in the garage on rainy days. It'd be really a third car and the garage is unfortunately only for two vehicles.

I hope I'll at least have the opportunity to drive some of the N/A M cars in the future. Prices going up and most of the older cars are trashed.

[highbrowed]

I say get a 135i, once you get a JB4 in there the maniacal laughs will begin.
Once you get FBO and you can easily walk 90% of the cars on the street, it gets really fun.

For some reason nobody seems to think my car is fast, the look of surprise I get when I beat much more expensive cars is 100% worth all of the "problems" people say these cars have.

[Solo_M_Tech]

I had a 128i and it took me all of 2 months to do an AA tune and 3 stage manifold conversion. Still left me lacking.... Ended up parting it out and bought my 135i. After a year, Im Full bolt on, JB4 ISO, Coilovers, M3 control arms, M3 rsfb, Stainless brake lines, Stoptech rotors and EBC Yellow-R pads, Full custom Exhaust, and Im still wanting more...... Honestly I don't think I'm one of those people who really reaches a limit with power. However.... Knowing what I know now, and what I specifically want in a car, I would Love an N/A bmw again. E46M3, E90M3, or hell a 128i with a 3.2L stroker kit and lightweight flywheel. Gutted with full cage, seats, no interior, no radio, Lexan and 255 square. Pick a different car for a daily.

Point is the power is fun. It's addicting. Find out exactly what you need and your overall intent for the car, make a plan and stick with it. If you just want a fast daily, get the 135i. If you plan to make a dedicated track monkey, stick with the 128i. Just my opinion.