BMW 135i 2008/2009/2010/2011 Year Differences

[DSCPLN]

So I'm in the market for a 135i.
I've Google'd and searched the forums for this..

What are the annual differences between 2008 to 2009 to 2010 to 2011 in terms of the 135i?

I'm a graduate of the E36 and E46 series.. So I know that each year BMW introduces slight cosmetic modifications as well as package differences. So, what were the differences across the years for the 135i?

Thanks everyone!

[spiderz17]

Well, the biggest difference is between 2010 and 2011 where the 135i switched from the N54 to the N55.

[BrokenVert]

The 2008 and 2009s have smaller mirrors than the rest

and SGM went off to heaven after the 2008 MY

[My E90]

Larger, non-motorized NAV screen in 2009 along with the newer iDrive control.

[MarkR171]

Engine
- 2008 - 2010 models have the twin turbo N54 engine
- 2011 models have the twinscroll (single) turbo N55 engine

Sport / M-Sport
- 2008 only had the Sport Package option which included shadowline trim, sport seats and the M Steering wheel
- 2009-2011 models had the M-Sport option which included sport package + M Sport style 261M wheels, M door sills, and Anthracite (black) headliner.

Transmission
- 2008-2010 had the option of Steptronic or 6MT
- 2011 128i maintains Step or 6MT
- 2011 135i has the option of Dual Clutch transmission or 6MT
- 2011 128i Steptronic paddles are right side up and left side downshift instead of previous method of push for up and pull for down

Mirrors
- 2008-2009 have smaller mirros
- 2010-2011 have larger mirrors

Colors
- 2008 model year was the only year to offer Sparkling Graphite Metallic
- 2009-2011 introduces Le Mans Blue Metallic available only with the M-Sport Package
- 2008-2009 offered Monaco Blue
- 2010-2011 Deep Sea Blue replaced Monaco Blue

Value Package
- 2011 models have the Value Package option which includes leather interior and i-Pod connectivity at no cost

[BrokenVert]

^good list but 2009s had the M sport package as an option. Only 2008s didn't have m sport

[MarkR171]

Ah, fixed, thanks. Are you sure about that though? A friend of mine has an '09 with Sport and said M sport wasn't available when he got his.

[DSCPLN]

Originally Posted by MarkR171

Sport / M-Sport
- 2008-2009 only had the Sport Package option which included shadowline trim, sport seats and the M Steering wheel
- 2010-2011 models had the M-Sport option which included sport package + M Sport style 261M wheels, M door sills, and Anthracite (black) headliner.

For the 2010-2011 M-Sport Option, did they keep all the options the Sports Package had as well? (Shadowline Trim, Sport Seats, and M Steering Wheel)

[MarkR171]

Yes, M-Sport includes everything the Sport package has and adds the headliner, M door sills, and M Wheels. You can still get the Sport package alone for 2009-11 models but M Sport was/is only a $200 addition.

Also, about the mirrors. Some owners with '10/'11 models have retrofitted the smaller '08/'09 mirrors on their cars.

[DSCPLN]

Originally Posted by MarkR171

Engine
- 2008 - 2010 models have the twin turbo N54 engine
- 2011 models have the twinscroll (single) turbo N55 engine

Is there a summarized difference of the two?

As of now, I'm leaning more towards a 2009 M-Sport 135i.

[MarkR171]

Both are rated at 300hp/300tq and have similar performance. Stock vs Stock, the N55 has a slightly louder rumble. Especially on cold starts.

N54
- Twin Turbo setup
- Easier to get more power from pnp tunes
- HPFP Issue, check the numerous threads and sticky in General Discussion. Warranty for N54 engine HPFP has been extended to 10 years or 100,000 miles.

N55
- TwinScroll single Turbo
- Pnp tunes in testing, but not quite as much gains as N54 tune
- So far no confirmed reports of HPFP issue
- Supposedly reaches peak torque at ~200 less RPM than N54

[DSCPLN]

^ Isn't there supposedly a gain in Fuel Efficiency? Or is that the 1 Series M coupe?

[nordique14]

I would also add that the base stereo in the 2010 is crappier than the base unit in the 2008-09 models

[MarkR171]

Originally Posted by Xinterp

^ Isn't there supposedly a gain in Fuel Efficiency? Or is that the 1 Series M coupe?

Supposedly. Someone with a 2011 135i convertible who recently did a Performance Center Delivery reported 30+ MPG average on the highway. I managed this on the highway:
(CONSP = Consumption, 36.1mpg average)


A more realistic average for every day driving is in the mid 20s.

The N54s aren't too bad either though, I believe.

[DSCPLN]

That's right. Wasn't Harmon Kardon upgrade option only offered recently?

Also, what about aesthetic modifications? Clear corner headlights?
I noticed some models have orange tinted corners while others are clear?

[BrokenVert]

^it isn't uncommon for me to average around 35 highway with my N54

[MarkR171]

All USA cars have the amber corners due to our laws. The rest of the world (at least Europe) has clear corners. Swapping or tinting the corners is fairly common I think. Though, I actually like the contrast it gives.

[DSCPLN]

Hope Google catches some good keywords on this thread..

Like:
BMW 135i Annual Difference
BMW 135i Changes between years
BMW 135i 2008 vs 2009
BMW 135i 2009 vs 2010
BMW 135i 2010 vs 2011

Cause this thread now has a LOT of good information!

[Ash83]

Originally Posted by MarkR171

Engine
- 2008 - 2010 models have the twin turbo N54 engine
- 2011 models have the twinscroll (single) turbo N55 engine

Sport / M-Sport
- 2008 only had the Sport Package option which included shadowline trim, sport seats and the M Steering wheel
- 2009-2011 models had the M-Sport option which included sport package + M Sport style 261M wheels, M door sills, and Anthracite (black) headliner.

Transmission
- 2008-2010 had the option of Steptronic or 6MT
- 2011 128i maintains Step or 6MT
- 2011 135i has the option of Dual Clutch transmission or 6MT
- 2011 128i Steptronic paddles are right side up and left side downshift instead of previous method of push for up and pull for down

Mirrors
- 2008-2009 have smaller mirros
- 2010-2011 have larger mirrors

Colors
- 2008 model year was the only year to offer Sparkling Graphite Metallic
- 2009-2011 introduces Le Mans Blue Metallic available only with the M-Sport Package

Value Package
- 2011 models have the Value Package option which includes leather interior and i-Pod connectivity at no cost

[MB135i]

Monaco blue was only available in 2008 right?

[DSCPLN]

sticky?

[MarkR171]

Originally Posted by MB135i

Monaco blue was only available in 2008 right?

Anyone confirm what year they switched from Monaco to Deep Sea Blue?