Discussion: Will 135i be more of a driver's car than 335i?

Robert · 08-27-2007, 11:27 PM

Will the 135i be more of a driver's car? If so, why and if not why?

kurichan · 08-27-2007, 11:41 PM

I'll take the bait.

If you've ever driven a 335i, you know the answer.

It wouldn't take much at all to make any car more of a driver's car than a 335i.

The 335i is NOT a driver's car, it's big, fat and numb and should be badged as a Lexus or renamed the 335i GT.

Just by virtue of size, the 135i has to be more of a driver's car. If it isn't, BMW has either lost its direction, or is flat out incompetent.

amdmaxx · 08-27-2007, 11:44 PM

Yes, it will
1) Less weight
2) 2002 heritage
3) check the brakes (6 piston calipers)
4) Sport suspension std on 135

Robert · 08-27-2007, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amdmaxx

4) Sport suspension std on 135

335i comes with std sports suspension as well but I am going out on a limb and predict M sports suspension > Std Sports suspension.

kurichan · 08-28-2007, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robert

335i comes with std sports suspension as well but I am going out on a limb and predict M sports suspension > Std Sports suspension.

If it's ANYTHING like the ZHP M tuned suspension, it will be sublime.

EINSER M · 08-28-2007, 12:40 AM

isnt it the whole point of the 135, to re-become a true driver's car?

LonghornTX · 08-28-2007, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurichan

It wouldn't take much at all to make any car more of a driver's car than a 335i.

The 335i is NOT a driver's car, it's big, fat and numb and should be badged as a Lexus or renamed the 335i GT.

The 335i is far and away the best drivers car in its segment (I have driven them all).

KingOfJericho · 08-28-2007, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurichan

If you've ever driven a 335i, you know the answer.

It wouldn't take much at all to make any car more of a driver's car than a 335i.

The 335i is NOT a driver's car, it's big, fat and numb and should be badged as a Lexus or renamed the 335i GT.

Just by virtue of size, the 135i has to be more of a driver's car. If it isn't, BMW has either lost its direction, or is flat out incompetent.

I drove the 335i this weekend and when I read your post I thought "exactly!!!" Granted I'm coming from a 2000lb Lotus but I do drive an Altima most of the time and the 335i coupe still felt enormous. It handled nicely but I was expecting a little... more. Looking at the profile of the car there isn't a tight angle about it. It's very long... almost reminding me of a MB CL. It's certainly more of a Tourer than a sports car by and stretch of the definition (my tester had the sports package to boot). Needless to say, I did not leave thinking "why haven't I bought a BMW yet?" but rather "That's what I've been missing?"

All of my gripes appear to be immediately solved by the 135i. Size is a tight package giving you only the bare necessities and with the same power plant I see nothing but smiles.

ducati · 08-28-2007, 07:07 AM

I think you're fooling yourself if you think the ~150lb weight difference of the 135i will automatically make it a better "driver's car."

There is no heritage in the 1er from the 2002, unless you consider every single BMW made today to contain that heritage.

It is all up to the suspension tuning, as Kurichan alluded. I really hope BMW makes this one swagger with some moxie.

SCA · 08-28-2007, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ducati

I think you're fooling yourself if you think the ~150lb weight difference of the 135i will automatically make it a better "driver's car."

There is no heritage in the 1er from the 2002, unless you consider every single BMW made today to contain that heritage.

It is all up to the suspension tuning, as Kurichan alluded. I really hope BMW makes this one swagger with some moxie.

+1

inTgr8r · 08-28-2007, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LonghornTX

The 335i is far and away the best drivers car in its segment (I have driven them all).

JMO, but no way is the 335 a drivers car.
It's a great car that many novice drivers can get the most out of w/o getting into too much trouble.

RE: the 135i
Yes, it looks like it has a lot of good bit's & pieces (brakes etc)
But, make no mistake... this won't be an M class setup.
A lot of this can be tweaked aftermarket if necessary,
but one of my biggest concerns is the electro/servo steering.

It needs to be vastly improved over the current versions.
There's a reason the Z4M dropped the servo rack used in the Z4 and went with good ol' hydraulic steering.

kere · 08-28-2007, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

It's a great car that many novice drivers can get the most out of w/o getting into too much trouble.

Oh come on! How the hell is a 300hp 5sec car good for a novice?

Maximus Decimus · 08-28-2007, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurichan

If it's ANYTHING like the ZHP M tuned suspension, it will be sublime.

+1

but -1 for calling the 335i numb. We can't compare the 1/335i to cars that aren't its competitors. In its segment, the 335i is the best driving car, as I'm sure the 135i will be in its respective segment. Is the 335 God's gift to mankind like some people seem to think it is??? NO, of course not!!!!

Sometimes I don't understand the comparisons to between different segments. It's like me comparing my old R1 to the R6... What's the point? Different animals, each quite capable at what they're intended to do. Comparison to a Lexus?!?!?!?!?! that's crazy and makes me really question you're seat time in the 335i vs any Lexus offering.

inTgr8r · 08-28-2007, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kere

Oh come on! How the hell is a 300hp 5sec car good for a novice?

I could have said someone who "thinks" he's a good driver

- but face it, for a high powered car, the 335 is a very safe handling car at speed.
BMW doesn't want novice/posers getting into too much trouble.
The 335 is a high volume car that gets into a LOT of novice hands.

LonghornTX · 08-28-2007, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

JMO, but no way is the 335 a drivers car.
It's a great car that many novice drivers can get the most out of w/o getting into too much trouble.

Well, I guess everyone is allowed their opinion

, and of course this subject is pretty subjective so everybodys opinion will likely differ.

Most of the major car magazines rave about how good the 335i is as a drivers car. Infact C&D even got one around VIR faster than the M coupe and RS4. This is what they had to say:

"The 335i does everything remarkably well, which is why many of us at Car and Driver think it’s the best all-around car in the world. "

If you do not think the 335i is a drivers car, well, I wouldn't hold my breath for the 135i because it will not be much different. Bigger brakes don't suddenly make a "drivers car" IMO.

I however find the 335i to be quite the drivers car (for what it is of course), so I am excited about the 135i :headbang:.

m1ster s · 08-28-2007, 09:44 AM

Let us not forget that the 1 is riding on the previous gen platform, whose handling I actually prefer to the new 335.

LonghornTX · 08-28-2007, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m1ster s

Let us not forget that the 1 is riding on the previous gen platform, whose handling I actually prefer to the new 335.

No, it is not :wink:.

The e90/e92 has essentially the same platform as the 1 series.

Vornado · 08-28-2007, 12:16 PM

In the future, any cars still driven by humans will be considered drivers cars.

kamakazitp · 08-28-2007, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vornado

In the future, any cars still driven by humans will be considered drivers cars.

being able to choose the route to your destination will be considered a compromise.

m1ster s · 08-28-2007, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LonghornTX

No, it is not :wink:.

The e90/e92 has essentially the same platform as the 1 series.

My mistake. I swear I read that somewhere...

Vornado · 08-28-2007, 12:44 PM

You probably read it in Car & Driver when they had the issue with the M1 on the front saying (Just kidding, it's the 135i). They claimed it was based on the E46 platform. They were mistaken, however.

Quote:

Originally Posted by m1ster s

My mistake. I swear I read that somewhere...

kurichan · 08-28-2007, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LonghornTX

The 335i is far and away the best drivers car in its segment (I have driven them all).

In its segment perhaps. :wink:

08-27-2007, 11:27 PM	#1
Robert Major General 430 Rep 6,967 Posts Drives: 135i -> is350 -> Tesla M3 perf Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Socal iTrader: (1)	Discussion: Will 135i be more of a driver's car than 335i? Will the 135i be more of a driver's car? If so, why and if not why? __________________ - There's nothing in my pocket other than knives and lint
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

08-27-2007, 11:41 PM	#2
kurichan Mr. Happy 8 Rep 479 Posts Drives: Join Date: Aug 2007 iTrader: (0)	I'll take the bait. If you've ever driven a 335i, you know the answer. It wouldn't take much at all to make any car more of a driver's car than a 335i. The 335i is NOT a driver's car, it's big, fat and numb and should be badged as a Lexus or renamed the 335i GT. Just by virtue of size, the 135i has to be more of a driver's car. If it isn't, BMW has either lost its direction, or is flat out incompetent.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-27-2007, 11:44 PM	#3
amdmaxx My gift Registry: M2 122 Rep 1,432 Posts Drives: Future Mowner of Monster Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Yes, it will 1) Less weight 2) 2002 heritage 3) check the brakes (6 piston calipers) 4) Sport suspension std on 135
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-28-2007, 12:40 AM	#6
EINSER M Major General 420 Rep 5,728 Posts Drives: BMW i3 rex Join Date: May 2006 Location: SoCal iTrader: (44) Garage List 2018 I01 i3s \| CURRENT [10.00] 2018 G01 X3 \| CURRENT [10.00] 2017 I01 i3 \| SOLD [10.00] 2017 F48 X1 \| SOLD ... [0.00] 2016 I01 i3 \| SOLD [0.00] 2017 F22 M240 \| SOLD [8.00] 2016 F25 X3 diesel ... [0.00] 2006 E60 550 \| SOLD [6.00] 2011 E90 335 \| SOLD [8.66] 2012 E82 135 \| SOLD [5.50] 2011 E82 1M \| SOLD [7.94] 2007 E85 Z4M\| SOLD [4.50] 2003 E53 X5 4.6is S ... [9.00] 2008 E92 328 \| SOLD [0.00] 2008 E82 135 \| SOLD [0.00] 2008 E90 335 \| SOLD [0.00] 2003 E46 M3 \| SOLD [7.50] 2006 E90 330 \| SOLD [10.00] 2003 E46 330ZHP \| SOLD [0.00]	isnt it the whole point of the 135, to re-become a true driver's car?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-28-2007, 07:07 AM	#9
ducati First Lieutenant 11 Rep 394 Posts Drives: Join Date: Aug 2007 iTrader: (0)	I think you're fooling yourself if you think the ~150lb weight difference of the 135i will automatically make it a better "driver's car." There is no heritage in the 1er from the 2002, unless you consider every single BMW made today to contain that heritage. It is all up to the suspension tuning, as Kurichan alluded. I really hope BMW makes this one swagger with some moxie.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-28-2007, 09:44 AM	#16
m1ster s I am the last Iron Fist 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: Join Date: Aug 2007 iTrader: (0)	Let us not forget that the 1 is riding on the previous gen platform, whose handling I actually prefer to the new 335.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-28-2007, 12:16 PM	#18
Vornado A swell fellow 3 Rep 146 Posts Drives: Hot air balloon Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	In the future, any cars still driven by humans will be considered drivers cars.
	Appreciate 0 Quote