"1 vs. 3" to "135 vs 128"

[aklein11]

I drove a 328 several months ago, and I drove a 335 today. Currently I have an Infiniti G35 Coupe that is fast as hell and light, tight, and hugs the road. No offense to anyone here, but I was a little let down by the 335. It felt heavy and it wasn't even the convertible! The pickup from a dead stop wasn't impressive - and the part that worried me is, the salesman said that it is basically the same engine that is going to be in the 135. However, he added that because the 135 is so much smaller and lighter, everything will seem faster, sportier, lighter, etc.

I have not driven a "1" series yet, but I am already convinced that I will like it better than the "3" - But I want to buy a 128 and the salesman said that although it is only 70 horsepower less, it is a completely different experience and the 135 is way faster than the 128. I don't need a "fast car", but I don't want it to drag its feet either.

Who here can really describe for us the differences between driving a 128 compared to a 135? Ultimately, I will drive them both before placing my order so that I feel confident that I bought the right one for me.

By the way, I was shocked at how little the guys at my local BMW dealer knew about the "1's" - they were all commenting that I knew more than them. I showed them this forum and told them that this is where I got all my "1" education. One salesman was convinced that they were only making manual transmissions the first year (even though he has 5 steptronics on order). Another salesman was convinced that the car will have navigation, but NOT have iDrive!! It was amazing to hear the things they are telling people......hopefully they will browse this forum to avoid embarrassing themselves again in the near future.

[Spook]

I've driven a G35 a lot (ex has one) and it is a great car. However, I'm surprised you found the 335 sluggish by comparison. The newer G37 is heavier (3616 lbs) by over 100 lbs and while it has 30 more hp (330) than the 335, it has 30 less ft/lb of torque (270). That's why the G37 typically clocks at 5.5 to 60 while the 335 is usually around 4.9 in car mags. All that being said, the 135 will be 10 inches shorter and 200 lbs lighter than a 335. Will likely feel more agile but doubt it will be much faster. As for the 128, it will be slower than the 135 by probably a second to 60 and bit slower than the G35. If you don't care so much about the thrill ride, the 128 is a better deal and is certainly fast enough.

[mateo]

I don't think the G is fast ass hell. I think its real nice, but doesn't seem or feel very quick to me.

JMO

[aklein11]

Originally Posted by Spook

I've driven a G35 a lot (ex has one) and it is a great car. However, I'm surprised you found the 335 sluggish by comparison. The newer G37 is heavier (3616 lbs) by over 100 lbs and while it has 30 more hp (330) than the 335, it has 30 less ft/lb of torque (270). That's why the G37 typically clocks at 5.5 to 60 while the 335 is usually around 4.9 in car mags. All that being said, the 135 will be 10 inches shorter and 200 lbs lighter than a 335. Will likely feel more agile but doubt it will be much faster. As for the 128, it will be slower than the 135 by probably a second to 60 and bit slower than the G35. If you don't care so much about the thrill ride, the 128 is a better deal and is certainly fast enough.

Thank you - that's the response I was hoping for - for someone to tell me confidently that I won't have regrets choosing the 128 over the 135. I guess we just have to wait and drive them both - just a few seconds behind the wheel of each of them will settle my indecisiveness.

[Robert]

Interesting, you mentioned this. When I drove the 335i, I didn't feel the car was sub 5 second fast either and I had the same feeling test driving the g35 many years ago. I think these new luxury coupes are so refined that although the performance is quick it is not axe murderously raw. I wanted the kick my ass quick but I dont think you get it unless it's a AMG blackline

[mateo]

Originally Posted by robert

I wanted the kick my ass quick but I dont think you get it unless it's a AMG blackline

It's all in the new M5. Good lord it scared the crap out of me. I don't scare easy either. Wow...What a car!

[moff]

The 135i isn't really that much lighter than the 335i so don't expect too much - 40kg lighter in fact.

Where the 135i will be better is the handling. Due to the shorter wheelbase the car will have a sharper turn in etc. The 335 is a very big car these days, probably the same size as an E39 5 series.

The 135i is the 'right' size for being thrown around like a car should.

I think one of the earliest identified with the 135i is the skinny front tyres that break traction too soon. I think replacing with 225's will probably help to cure the understeer issues.

[Thud]

Originally Posted by mateo

I don't think the G is fast ass hell. I think its real nice, but doesn't seem or feel very quick to me.

JMO

The G35 / G37 has something infiniti calls "acceleration swell." Basically it gives you more impression of speed than what the numbers really say.

When you go WOT off idle, you don't actually get WOT, the electronic throttle gradually opens the throttle more as the rpm's rise which causes a sensation that is supposed to feel like "unlimited power." IMO it felt more like electronically simulated turbo lag when I test drove a G35.

The 335i by comparison has a torque curve like an electric motor. Immediate torque off the line, and pretty much flat up to redline. Maybe it doesn't have the "whoa" produced by the G35's weird nonlinear acceleration, but the G35 will definitely be staring at the 335's tail lights during a race.

[spudw]

Originally Posted by aklein11

I want to buy a 128 and the salesman said that although it is only 70 horsepower less, it is a completely different experience and the 135 is way faster than the 128. I don't need a "fast car", but I don't want it to drag its feet either.

Ultimately you'll have to drive the 128i and see for yourself. If you really don't need a "fast car", 0-60 in just a tick over 6 seconds is hardly slow. So it depends on how you define "fast car". For a daily driver, a 128i with sport pack will be a very entertaining car.

And those salesmen should be taken out back and shot. If I had the priviledge of selling a product like BMW everyday, I'd make sure I knew everything about a hot, potentially iconic, new sports coupe making it's debut. I'd find another dealership and hope you can get a salesman that is enthusiastic about the product.

[E82tt6]

A 128i should be pretty similar to a G35. I expect it to run in the mid 14s, maybe 1-2 CLs behind over a 1/4th mile. A 135i will likely in the 13.3-13.5 range, 10 car lengths or so ahead of the 128i, 7 or so ahead of a G35, and 2 CLs or so ahead of a 335i. It should be noted if you drove a new 335i, it will feel faster after breakin. The engine is also very smooth, with a very flat torque curve, that will mask acceleration.

If you want to really feel what it's like, stomp on it at 4400 in 2nd or 3rd, and you'll better feel "instantaneous" acceleration.

[john970]

Originally Posted by aklein11

By the way, I was shocked at how little the guys at my local BMW dealer knew about the "1's" - they were all commenting that I knew more than them. I showed them this forum and told them that this is where I got all my "1" education. One salesman was convinced that they were only making manual transmissions the first year (even though he has 5 steptronics on order). Another salesman was convinced that the car will have navigation, but NOT have iDrive!! It was amazing to hear the things they are telling people......hopefully they will browse this forum to avoid embarrassing themselves again in the near future.

Yeah, it's like this at every dealership I've been to, BMW or not. They literally don't even read what is in the 5 page sales booklet.

The last time I helped someone buy a new car, I was almost arguing with the sales guy about a particular model being available in black which was the color my friend wanted. Finally he checked. How do you sell a car for a living and not know what colors it comes in?

I just give up and don't ask the sales guy any questions, just tell him to let me drive this and what I want and let him get his manager to negotiate the price.

I'm sure there is someone at every dealership that does genuinely know tons about the cars they sell, but this is the exception rather than the rule in my experience.

[Spook]

From the BMW website:

135 - 3373 lbs
335 - 3550 lbs

Difference: 177 lbs

[SA135i]

aklein11, one question, did you drive the automatic 335i? If so I can attest to being initially a little sluggish off the line as I test drove one. I really do not like that aspect of the auto tranny (i..e that momentary hesitation between planting your foot and the car deciding to react) and is the main reason why I'm getting rid of my current car (my first and last auto) and going manual in the 135. The test drive I had in the 135 certainly had no trouble launching off the line.

[M3Newbie88]

Originally Posted by mateo

I don't think the G is fast ass hell. I think its real nice, but doesn't seem or feel very quick to me.

JMO

I am wondering if he modded his car to be able to call it fast ass hell.. because fast as hell is more like something that is 400 plus HP with massive torq.. but a G35.. hmm no.. lol.. unless you have a whole bunch of aftermarket parts like a turbo/headers/intake and all those goodies..

[Hermann]

@ aklein11
Maybe you drove a almost new car, which just has a few miles down. The brand new x35 engines need to drive approximately 5, 6 or 7000 km until this sluggish feeling disappears. Then they accept the gas the way they should.

[WhereItsAt]

The new G35 Sedan (2007/08) is a high 13 second car. The previous model was a low to mid 14 car. The G37 (coupe only currently) is also a high 13 second car. The new G coupe is VERY heavy and with little torque fast acceleration is not going to happen. I prefer the G styling over 3 (My opinion, my taste - please lets remember this). But there is no arguing that the N54 is a much stronger motor with a much higher ROI when modding. The only reason I would get a 128 over the 135 is affordability. If you can afford it, get the 135.

I have a G35 (just traded in my 05 for an 08) and was originally thinking of getting the 135 as the replacement. But I needed more space for a daily driver. Later this year I will buy a weekend car, the 135 is calling my name the loudest!

[Smokey]

I like the G37, but it's not faster than the 335i. I have driven both and the 335i made me question Infiniti's 330hp rating.

[aklein11]

Originally Posted by SA135i

aklein11, one question, did you drive the automatic 335i? If so I can attest to being initially a little sluggish off the line as I test drove one. I really do not like that aspect of the auto tranny (i..e that momentary hesitation between planting your foot and the car deciding to react) and is the main reason why I'm getting rid of my current car (my first and last auto) and going manual in the 135. The test drive I had in the 135 certainly had no trouble launching off the line.

Hi, I did drive the automatic. I can drive manual, but prefer automatic. Here in Los Angeles, it's just not worth it in all the traffic and congestion. However, I will admit that driving stick is fun and it gives you a great sense of "one" with the car (sorry for the pun).

[aklein11]

Originally Posted by Hermann

@ aklein11
Maybe you drove a almost new car, which just has a few miles down. The brand new x35 engines need to drive approximately 5, 6 or 7000 km until this sluggish feeling disappears. Then they accept the gas the way they should.

Yeah, it was brand new with less than 100 miles. I understand what you all are saying about breaking in the engine. But it still doesn't change the fact that it felt heavy. Again, I was just making an observation - certainly not criticizing the 3 series. I'd give anything to have one. And I pointed out these things because it adds more to the "1 vs. 3" question. For me, my purchase will definitely be the "1".....

[aklein11]

Originally Posted by 1LazyBmw

I am wondering if he modded his car to be able to call it fast ass hell.. because fast as hell is more like something that is 400 plus HP with massive torq.. but a G35.. hmm no.. lol.. unless you have a whole bunch of aftermarket parts like a turbo/headers/intake and all those goodies..

In all honesty, I am not a fast car kind of guy. That's why I would probably be happy with the 128. Having said that, my definition of "fast as hell" is probably quite different from some of the other members in this forum. Most of you really know your stuff, and I have learned a lot from all of you. My G35 is by far, the fastest car I ever had. I had a 2002 BMW Z3 2.5I and I had a 2005 Lotus Elise as well. My G35 takes your head off when you hit the gas (no modifications). I have been spoiled by the G and most other cars seem sluggish in comparison. At least I know I can get the 135 if the test drive of the 128 doesn't do it for me.

Thanks again for all the responses and feedback.

[crex]

Originally Posted by aklein11

In all honesty, I am not a fast car kind of guy. That's why I would probably be happy with the 128. Having said that, my definition of "fast as hell" is probably quite different from some of the other members in this forum. Most of you really know your stuff, and I have learned a lot from all of you. My G35 is by far, the fastest car I ever had. I had a 2002 BMW Z3 2.5I and I had a 2005 Lotus Elise as well. My G35 takes your head off when you hit the gas (no modifications). I have been spoiled by the G and most other cars seem sluggish in comparison. At least I know I can get the 135 if the test drive of the 128 doesn't do it for me.

Thanks again for all the responses and feedback.

I drove a new manual 335 at the dealer and it didn't feel that fast the first time out but recently I drove a used one with 20k miles on it. I swear that was the fastest car I had ever driven. I'm not sure what the difference was but it was definitely a lot faster than the g.

[Genericuser1]

G35. fast as hell and lite are not normally put into a sentence together. I like the G35 and G37 but they are heavy cars IMO. The VQ is a great engine too but I don't think it compares to the N54.

I'll be interested in the lighter 370Z that should be debuted soon, the new VQ in a 3,300 or 3,400 lb car would be impressive.

Also there is feel fast and fast, the two can be mutally exclusive. A RX8 can feel slow as dirt but its not. Not saying its fast either but t feels slower than it is.