Ultimate driving machine?

yak52pilot · 03-26-2008, 12:06 PM

I ordered my 135i about a month ago. Then i got to see it in person and wasnt too impressed with exterior and interior seemed real cheap. So it was up to the test drive to sway me away or make me stick to my ED order.
So i test-drove a black automatic 135i today. Liked the stearing feel. Hated the weight. Its still too nose-heavy to be a fun car. 135i will never make a good track car. Bottom line: The 135 is a very nice daily driver and commuter. The price is right too. But whoever called it an Ultimate Driving Machine has never driven a Lotus.
Do you think i am gonna stick to my order and pick it up in Germany? Hell Yeah:biggrin:

135, Crimson, Sport, Cold, SatRadio, ParkDist

peppebmw · 03-26-2008, 12:14 PM

Initially I felt the same way about the interior. Coming from Audi's and VW's whose interiors are top notch the BMW was a slight let down. Don't get me wrong the BMW is all business and everything fits into place just nicely. I just feel that some of the plastics (like on the radio buttons) could be a little nicer. Overall I think the car is fantastic. I have no intentions of tracking the car so it suites me just perfectly!

dbtheo · 03-26-2008, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yak52pilot

135i will never make a good track car.

thats a pretty silly statement.

what are you basing that on? weight alone?

ARES45 · 03-26-2008, 12:38 PM

A lotus is an excellent track car, the 135 beat a cayman around... what do they call that thing with the cars and the curves? oh yeah A TRACK. This makes me think it might be a good track car stock, and could be a great one with some mods.

Edit: By the way you must have a fun life as a yak 52 pilot who drives a lotus.

plien69 · 03-26-2008, 12:45 PM

Having spent more than 15 minutes inside the car today, I've started to notice places where BMW has saved a buck or two on the interior:
* No seatbelt height adjustment
* Glovebox tilts out and is lined, but rest of glovebox cavity is unfinished
* Driver's side mirror is distorted. Not sure if this is a defect in my car or not.
* Limited tool set
* No padding/sound proofing under the hood (not such a bad thing, IMO)
* Grade of the plastics seems just a touch cheaper/harder/shinier than in other BMW models

Engine and chassis more than makes up for all this, tho.

yak52pilot · 03-26-2008, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARES45

Edit: By the way you must have a fun life as a yak 52 pilot who drives a lotus.

Wow! Few people know what 52 is. But its just a hobby. A big one. No Lotus or any other car comes close to the excitement of aerobatics. But i am sure you know exactly what i talking about. Wish we could swap 'rides' for a day:biggrin:

yak52pilot · 03-26-2008, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plien69

Having spent more than 15 minutes inside the car today, I've started to notice places where BMW has saved a buck or two on the interior:
* No seatbelt height adjustment
* Glovebox tilts out and is lined, but rest of glovebox cavity is unfinished
* Driver's side mirror is distorted. Not sure if this is a defect in my car or not.
* Limited tool set
* No padding/sound proofing under the hood (not such a bad thing, IMO)
* Grade of the plastics seems just a touch cheaper/harder/shinier than in other BMW models

Engine and chassis more than makes up for all this, tho.

Exactly ny point! I could care less for interior as long as everything else is right. And in 135 - its as good as it gets

ARES45 · 03-26-2008, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yak52pilot

Wow! Few people know what 52 is. But its just a hobby. A big one. No Lotus or any other car comes close to the excitement of aerobatics. But i am sure you know exactly what i talking about. Wish we could swap 'rides' for a day:biggrin:

I am not allowed to do true 'aerobatic' maneuvers, so trust me the 52 is likely more fun, but I do love my job and my 135 (even my regal though it is feeling rather neglected lately).

Drawarms · 03-26-2008, 12:57 PM

again, bmw made this car for pure speed on that sunday afternoon.

yak52pilot · 03-26-2008, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drawarms

again, bmw made this car for pure speed on that sunday afternoon.

I only drove automatic. Manual is probably a beast!

60Driver · 03-26-2008, 01:09 PM

The BMW cabin is famously 'spartan'. Not everybody's cup of tea. I've owned three in my life (a fourth soon) so I guess I'm used to it. I don't remember the 135i I test drove in Germany as being overly plastic but then again I was in 6th gear on the Autobahn.

I don't pretend to be anything other than an ordinary driver but I distinctly remember taking my 1988 Toyota Supra (brand new at the time) on a 140MPH sweeper on the Autobahn and later, pulling the leather seat out of my butt because it was so damn squirrely. I sold the Supra and bought a 1991 525i and ran it on the same sweeper. The car handled like it was on rails and the leather stayed firmly attached to the seat.

Ultimate Driving Machine? That can be a highly debated, highly opinionated determination. Confidence inspiring, grin inducing, fantastic, fun car to drive? Hell yeah.

looking · 03-26-2008, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plien69

Having spent more than 15 minutes inside the car today, I've started to notice places where BMW has saved a buck or two on the interior:
* No seatbelt height adjustment
* Glovebox tilts out and is lined, but rest of glovebox cavity is unfinished
* Driver's side mirror is distorted. Not sure if this is a defect in my car or not.
* Limited tool set
* No padding/sound proofing under the hood (not such a bad thing, IMO)
* Grade of the plastics seems just a touch cheaper/harder/shinier than in other BMW models

Engine and chassis more than makes up for all this, tho.

I'm not going to justify the lack of fit and finish (this is relative though, the interior is still pretty good), but I think we need to consider that this is the models first year in NA. Like all models, they will improve throughout their life cycle. With that said, I can't believe that there's no seabelt height adjustment!

The last time I can remember where a car didn't have that feature was cars built in the 60-80's! Skimping out on things like the seatbelt height adjustment really makes me wonder about BMW! As far as I know that feature actually improves safety....not the best place to be saving cost! Disappointing to say the least.

jraymond · 03-26-2008, 02:19 PM

Out of curiousity - Does anyone feel the seatbelt doesn't fit them just right? I honestly haven't noticed

2fast · 03-26-2008, 03:02 PM

Sounds like this is your 1st BMW. Give it a few months/yrs...then decide if this is the ultimate driving machine.

Exige S makes a GT3RS feels porky, so comparing the two almost seem....trollish...

yak52pilot · 03-26-2008, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eventually

Sounds like this is your 1st BMW. Give it a few months/yrs...then decide if this is the ultimate driving machine.

Exige S makes a GT3RS feels porky, so comparing the two almost seem....trollish...

Nah, i had a Z4. Loved the handling and feel, but reliability was not there. We sold it before the warranty ran out.
The problem with Exige is that i cant drive it every day and everywhere. Only drove it 1700miles last year. And its the worst car for commute. Thats why i cant wait to pick up my 135 on June 11.:smile:

yak52pilot · 03-26-2008, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 60Driver

Ultimate Driving Machine? That can be a highly debated, highly opinionated determination. Confidence inspiring, grin inducing, fantastic, fun car to drive? Hell yeah.

+111 You got it pinned.

looking · 03-26-2008, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jraymond

Out of curiousity - Does anyone feel the seatbelt doesn't fit them just right? I honestly haven't noticed

For me, factory setting for seatbelts always are a bit to high (around the shoulder) for me. In an accident I'm pretty sure that, at factory setting, the belt could get pretty close to my neck. Ya I know I'm being picky, but still.

WhiteOne · 03-26-2008, 06:33 PM

As my daily driver, I can't think of a car that can even compete. The 135i is comfortable and easy to live with while being totally entertaining. Easy to enter and exit (I'm old), doesn't sit to low, has room for luggage and has the best engine I have ever come accross. I have owned and driven a lot of cars through the years but , I have never experienced this much anticipation before. I can't wait to get mine. ED in June:thumbup:YOMV

Italteen3 · 03-26-2008, 06:43 PM

I don't think it's fair to say it can never be a good track car. Few simple mods could go a long way. Now it may never be as tight as a Lotus but in a straight line it has it beat :biggrin:

Chop79 · 03-26-2008, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARES45

I am not allowed to do true 'aerobatic' maneuvers, so trust me the 52 is likely more fun, but I do love my job and my 135 (even my regal though it is feeling rather neglected lately).

I think flying an Apache would be more entertaining than tooling around in a old Yak. :wink:

Thud · 03-26-2008, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yak52pilot

Its still too nose-heavy to be a fun car.

Yeah, that 50/50 weight distribution is a bitch.

blacknbean · 03-26-2008, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thud

Yeah, that 50/50 weight distribution is a bitch.

its not really 50/50..more like 52/48. it would be interesting to see what kinda weight can be taken out the front to make it less nose heavy

03-26-2008, 12:06 PM	#1
yak52pilot New Member 2 Rep 28 Posts Drives: Join Date: Feb 2008 iTrader: (0)	Ultimate driving machine? I ordered my 135i about a month ago. Then i got to see it in person and wasnt too impressed with exterior and interior seemed real cheap. So it was up to the test drive to sway me away or make me stick to my ED order. So i test-drove a black automatic 135i today. Liked the stearing feel. Hated the weight. Its still too nose-heavy to be a fun car. 135i will never make a good track car. Bottom line: The 135 is a very nice daily driver and commuter. The price is right too. But whoever called it an Ultimate Driving Machine has never driven a Lotus. Do you think i am gonna stick to my order and pick it up in Germany? Hell Yeah:biggrin: 135, Crimson, Sport, Cold, SatRadio, ParkDist
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03-26-2008, 12:14 PM	#2
peppebmw Lieutenant 21 Rep 412 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: middle of CT iTrader: (1)	Initially I felt the same way about the interior. Coming from Audi's and VW's whose interiors are top notch the BMW was a slight let down. Don't get me wrong the BMW is all business and everything fits into place just nicely. I just feel that some of the plastics (like on the radio buttons) could be a little nicer. Overall I think the car is fantastic. I have no intentions of tracking the car so it suites me just perfectly! __________________ 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth 2021 Jeep Wrangler JLU Sport S 2022 RE Continental GT 650
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03-26-2008, 12:38 PM	#4
ARES45 Major 34 Rep 1,002 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	A lotus is an excellent track car, the 135 beat a cayman around... what do they call that thing with the cars and the curves? oh yeah A TRACK. This makes me think it might be a good track car stock, and could be a great one with some mods. Edit: By the way you must have a fun life as a yak 52 pilot who drives a lotus. __________________ "Don't run, you'll only die tired" ~ Gunship Pilot
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03-26-2008, 12:45 PM	#5
plien69 Captain 22 Rep 841 Posts Drives: 2014 M235i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	Having spent more than 15 minutes inside the car today, I've started to notice places where BMW has saved a buck or two on the interior: * No seatbelt height adjustment * Glovebox tilts out and is lined, but rest of glovebox cavity is unfinished * Driver's side mirror is distorted. Not sure if this is a defect in my car or not. * Limited tool set * No padding/sound proofing under the hood (not such a bad thing, IMO) * Grade of the plastics seems just a touch cheaper/harder/shinier than in other BMW models Engine and chassis more than makes up for all this, tho.
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03-26-2008, 12:57 PM	#9
Drawarms Private First Class 13 Rep 150 Posts Drives: 2010 VW GTI Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LI, NY iTrader: (0)	again, bmw made this car for pure speed on that sunday afternoon.
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03-26-2008, 01:09 PM	#11
60Driver Lieutenant 6 Rep 459 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	The BMW cabin is famously 'spartan'. Not everybody's cup of tea. I've owned three in my life (a fourth soon) so I guess I'm used to it. I don't remember the 135i I test drove in Germany as being overly plastic but then again I was in 6th gear on the Autobahn. I don't pretend to be anything other than an ordinary driver but I distinctly remember taking my 1988 Toyota Supra (brand new at the time) on a 140MPH sweeper on the Autobahn and later, pulling the leather seat out of my butt because it was so damn squirrely. I sold the Supra and bought a 1991 525i and ran it on the same sweeper. The car handled like it was on rails and the leather stayed firmly attached to the seat. Ultimate Driving Machine? That can be a highly debated, highly opinionated determination. Confidence inspiring, grin inducing, fantastic, fun car to drive? Hell yeah. __________________ ~My other car is a Blackhawk~ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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03-26-2008, 02:19 PM	#13
jraymond Lieutenant 19 Rep 411 Posts Drives: 135i SGM Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: U.S. iTrader: (0)	Out of curiousity - Does anyone feel the seatbelt doesn't fit them just right? I honestly haven't noticed
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03-26-2008, 03:02 PM	#14
2fast Private 0 Rep 64 Posts Drives: 330 Join Date: May 2005 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	Sounds like this is your 1st BMW. Give it a few months/yrs...then decide if this is the ultimate driving machine. Exige S makes a GT3RS feels porky, so comparing the two almost seem....trollish...
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03-26-2008, 06:33 PM	#18
WhiteOne Major 28 Rep 1,000 Posts Drives: 2008 AW 135i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama iTrader: (0)	As my daily driver, I can't think of a car that can even compete. The 135i is comfortable and easy to live with while being totally entertaining. Easy to enter and exit (I'm old), doesn't sit to low, has room for luggage and has the best engine I have ever come accross. I have owned and driven a lot of cars through the years but , I have never experienced this much anticipation before. I can't wait to get mine. ED in June:thumbup:YOMV
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03-26-2008, 06:43 PM	#19
Italteen3 Captain 60 Rep 765 Posts Drives: 135i JB Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Somewhere..... iTrader: (0)	I don't think it's fair to say it can never be a good track car. Few simple mods could go a long way. Now it may never be as tight as a Lotus but in a straight line it has it beat :biggrin:
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