135i or 1M?? More mods?

[zbmw7]

OK, so I am going to buy a 1 series to modify. Could more overall horsepower be achieved with a 135 or the 1M? What mods are out there and what are the best companies to juice the most horsepower out of the turbos?

I am going for the widebody look so I would like the M so I dont have to add the flared fenders custom to a 135.

The reason why I ask this question is because I see all these mods for the 135 and none for the M..such as Active Autowerke's extensive upgrades to the 135.

[RnmEvo9]

1M is the better car to start with especially with the suspension enhancement and LSD. In terms of power, both are going to yield around the same power (08-10 135i, not 11 and up 135i) as they have the same motor and turbos. If you are referring to the 11 and up 135i, your best bet is to get the 1M as that and the 335is are the only cars out now that still offer the N54.

[Vigilante375]

Well you could buy a 1M and make it faster but you also run into the limited amounts of parts out for it so far. Yes there are parts out for it but at what cost? A lot. You could buy a 135i, make it fast and nimble for less.....that's my input. Parts for the 1er series that cheap, but if money is no factor then just buy the 1M and mod away.

[ErvGotti]

Get the 1M it's about as track ready as you could get except maybe better brake pads and tires, not that the stock ones on the 1M is bad. As far as power mods the 1M has the N54 so it's just as moddable as any N54 equipped 135i.

[Carolinagirl]

1M!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!! FTW

[zbmw7]

THanks guys I really appreciate it. I am going to look for a 1 m but they are pretty hard to find.

[1SerieStud]

Get a 1M and don't look back you won't regret your decision. Also, if your concern is power/engine mods, keep in mind that most (but not all) things available for the N54 will work with this car...there really isn't a shortage of mods for it nor are they more expensive than what you'd pay if you had a 135i, unless it's 1M specific, for example: an axle-back exhaust, a diffuser, a lip/splitter, etc.

There are a few new ones being sold with a premium added over msrp, but there are also a couple with very low miles being sold as well closer to msrp. If money is not an issue, jump on the first one you find that meets your criteria because this car is very difficult to come across. Best of luck!

[M3Newbie88]

1M hands down if you are buying new...... you will yield about the same power but then you want the look and chassis/suspension.. If I didn't mod my car so much already id get 1 too haha..

[ilikebmxbikes]

It really boils down to your budget. If you are comparing new 135i to new 1M, I would say 1M 100% is a better option.

1M is limited and comes with N54, LSD, M3 suspension / Bushings / M3 Steering Rack / Additional Cooling / Wide Body / Perf Wheels / Other subtle upgrades

However, if you are comparing a New 1M vs a Used 08-10 135i it gets a little greyer. My 135i is fully modded and as much as I have enjoyed modding it over the past year, if I were to start now, I would go after the 1M and lightly tune it.

[doublevanosrc]

1M all the way, you could never mod a 135i into a 1M. Unless you somehow modify the track width.