no coolant temperature gauge?

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

I agree with the above statement 100%.

IF VAG (VW/Audi) cars are doing better than BMW's... than why are VW suppliers rating VW the worse to deal with? VW has become the Walmart is price fixing for parts and suppilers. They hate doing bisiness with VW but they HAVE TO in order to stay alive in the market place.

What I have always liked about BMW is that they put a few more euros into designing a part then VW does. Even when just a few more euro cents would make a repair job so much eaiser... VW will not spend the money. BMW does.

In my e36 I replaced my water pump and it was so easy. MUCH easier than in my old VW Golf. Same thing goes for window regulators, it was really easy in my BMW compared to my VW. VW pop revits their ring gears in place bc it is faster and cheaper. BMW welds their ring gears in place. Things like this the average customer will never see.... but it makes a difference to how the car will perform down the road.

Posted for reference, nothing more.

My 2006 A4 was brilliant for the 40k miles I put on it.
-1 reprogram for a faulty auto window.
Added APR software worked great, no problems

My 135i at 10k miles:
-Long cranks-reprogram-works pretty good
-TPMS fault-found faulty wiring-all good now
-No audio output-reprogram-happened once since that
-AC dead-filled system-all good

I'm fine with the relatively great reliability of the last 3 in a row German cars I've had.
I'd have no problems selecting a VW or Audi for my next car.

[john08135i]

Originally Posted by boostm3

>>If you use your easter egg and get in the hidden menu you can view it live while your driving.
During HOT days or when i was towing i would always go in that menu and watch it.<<

easter egg = remote device? What's the menu entry procedure?

Here is how you get to it.
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...ghlight=easter

[imported_mega]

Originally Posted by JHZR2

The 135 is no modified M3... it is designed to sit in traffic in the heat with the AC on for the most part. Keep the PM up and it should be OK to you. Though fundamentally you are correct - you may not know until it is too late.

I think your giving the n54 more credit than it's due, the early 335i's had oil temp problems when driven spirited, the engine is tuned hotter than your post lets on, and the early 335i cooling systems simply could not keep up

the water temp was not a problem, the oil temp is, thankfully we have an oil temp gauge and the car will go into limp mode if the oil temp gets too high

[bradleyland]

I've owned a lot of VWs and seen their reliability go up and down through the years. My last car was a MkV GTI. Same chassis, (but different body) as the new ones. It was, by far, the most reliable, but still had its quirks. The coolest thing about owning a VW was the community. There is a huge network of VW fans. You can find a meet just about anywhere. Not that there aren't a lot of BMW fans as well, but just look at VWVortex. It's the only car forum on the first page of the forum list at Big-Boards.com. It's HUGE.

The GTI was a lot of fun to drive, but 200 HP + FWD really put a damper on things as you pushed it hard. It also has a really high center of gravity and relatively soft suspension, so the car leans like crazy when you push it hard. Still, it has one of the best balanced suspensions of the "pocket rocket" class of cars. The Mazdaspeed3 is an incredible car in the same class, but the VW interior is a lot nicer, IMO. The GTI will actually oversteer a bit with some trail-braking. Very cool for a FWD car.

Coming from the GTI to the 135i, it has been worth every penny. Just having RWD is worth the price of entry. It changes the dynamics so much. You should definitely go drive a GTI though. You might find that it's what you're looking for. There are some things about my GTI that I actually liked more than the 135i. Namely the trip/MPG computer and the double din stereo. The steering wheel controls in the new VWs are extremely nice as well.

[bradleyland]

As far as the water temp gauge goes, I'd rather have an oil temp gauge in a turbo charged car. Turbos can really push oil temps, so it's a good thing to keep an eye on. You've got a great bit radiator cooling your water, but not much for the oil.

Speaking of which, does the 135i run an oil cooler? A lot of turbocharged cars do, but I haven't read anything about the 135i having one.

[bradleyland]

Sounds like an oil cooler is included with the sport package.

[bryce]

^i believe an oil cooler is standard on any -35i model. older 335i's didn't have them in place so bmw will install an oil cooler free for those models. with the n54/n55, and oil cooler is definitely a mandatory piece of equipment

[BrokenVert]

^Nonsport 135 verts don't have oil coolers

[GuamX1]

Maybe I am old school but I like gauges and a dipstick

[doublevanosrc]

I still can't believe BMW didn't put neither in the 128i.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by doublevanosrc

I still can't believe BMW didn't put neither in the 128i.

You could always buy a instrument panel (kombi) for a 135i and have it coded to work on a 128i.

See Comar1979 's post #162
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...=353861&page=8

As for the oil dip stick... I hope BMW brings them back. So stupid they deleted it.