Review of 135i in Auto-Motor-und-Sport Out Today

ZweierCoupe · 11-21-2007, 06:48 AM

Germany's most influential car enthusiast magazine has a review of the 135i, which arrived at newsstands today. The review is generally very positive. Their car (yes, Sedona Red, still) was priced at €52.7K (over $78K), including the 19% tax. Taking their cue from BMW's marketing hype, they start off the article with reference to the 2002ti. They claim that the steering is precise and neutral and the grip is good, but concede that this is no bursting sports car. While there's no turbo lag, the turbo nevertheless has the effect of giving it a somewhat soft response, as compared with that of a normally aspirated engine. Since we expect the good things they mention anyway, looking at the negative aspects is a bit more interesting. They cite:

* Excessive wind noise at high speeds

* Cramped seating in rear

* Small 53 liter gas tank

* Expensive purchase price

* Relatively high fuel consumption

The latter point would indicate that actual consumption when driving it hard is much higher than what the officially released data would indicate. Or maybe it's in relation not so much to other cars but with BMW's normally aspirated 3.0 liter engine, with 272 horsepower.

To get a really thorough individual review we'll probably have to wait until the magazine "Sport Auto" test the car on the Nürburgring.

larryn · 11-21-2007, 07:19 AM

The fuel comsumption issue is real. I am supposed to be getting 29mpg highway and 24mpg city with my N52 powered car, and I average 22mpg, even if I semi-baby the car. I don't know how these people get these cars certified for the consumption figures that they do.

The rest of the list is obvious an nothing they couldn't have come to this site and garnered that info from. Other than the fuel comsumption issue, it's almost as if they looked as a picture of the car and wrote the review. I'm looking forward to real detailed reviews, like you mention re:a lap on the Nordshliefe.

Zweier, was there ever such a car as the 2002ti? I've never heard of it. I know of there was a 2002tii. Possibly Germany had one...

atr_hugo · 11-21-2007, 07:32 AM

Larry - I beleive BMW used the 'ti' label for 'Tourismo Internationale' first on an 1800 - that model would have been European only, IIRC.

Brookside · 11-21-2007, 07:35 AM

I agree with Larryn- disparity on these fuel consumption numbers is confusing...but the whole automobile industry seems to exagerate these estimates.

I can live with the rest of the items.

larryn · 11-21-2007, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atr_hugo

Larry - I beleive BMW used the 'ti' label for 'Tourismo Internationale' first on an 1800 - that model would have been European only, IIRC.

I think he's talking about this car, which was badged as a 2002 or a 2002tii. I've just never heard it referred to as a 2002ti, rather as a 2002 touring (wasn't nitpicking, I'm just trying to learn):

atr_hugo · 11-21-2007, 08:32 AM

Ah - I was checking Norbye's BMW book and in '68 there was a twin carb 2002ti - but I suspect you're right about it being a European model only.

Road Runner · 11-21-2007, 08:44 AM

Fuel tank isn't really too bad, every VW I've owned was a 53L tank. I don't think thats too huge a gripe.

11-21-2007, 06:48 AM	#1
ZweierCoupe Private 9 Rep 82 Posts Drives: Join Date: Feb 2007 iTrader: (0)	Review of 135i in Auto-Motor-und-Sport Out Today Germany's most influential car enthusiast magazine has a review of the 135i, which arrived at newsstands today. The review is generally very positive. Their car (yes, Sedona Red, still) was priced at €52.7K (over $78K), including the 19% tax. Taking their cue from BMW's marketing hype, they start off the article with reference to the 2002ti. They claim that the steering is precise and neutral and the grip is good, but concede that this is no bursting sports car. While there's no turbo lag, the turbo nevertheless has the effect of giving it a somewhat soft response, as compared with that of a normally aspirated engine. Since we expect the good things they mention anyway, looking at the negative aspects is a bit more interesting. They cite: * Excessive wind noise at high speeds * Cramped seating in rear * Small 53 liter gas tank * Expensive purchase price * Relatively high fuel consumption The latter point would indicate that actual consumption when driving it hard is much higher than what the officially released data would indicate. Or maybe it's in relation not so much to other cars but with BMW's normally aspirated 3.0 liter engine, with 272 horsepower. To get a really thorough individual review we'll probably have to wait until the magazine "Sport Auto" test the car on the Nürburgring.
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11-21-2007, 07:19 AM	#2
larryn Lieutenant General 2148 Rep 10,176 Posts Drives: '97 332ti, '21 X5 45e, '16 GT4 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle iTrader: (2)	The fuel comsumption issue is real. I am supposed to be getting 29mpg highway and 24mpg city with my N52 powered car, and I average 22mpg, even if I semi-baby the car. I don't know how these people get these cars certified for the consumption figures that they do. The rest of the list is obvious an nothing they couldn't have come to this site and garnered that info from. Other than the fuel comsumption issue, it's almost as if they looked as a picture of the car and wrote the review. I'm looking forward to real detailed reviews, like you mention re:a lap on the Nordshliefe. Zweier, was there ever such a car as the 2002ti? I've never heard of it. I know of there was a 2002tii. Possibly Germany had one...
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11-21-2007, 07:32 AM	#3
atr_hugo No longer moderate 325 Rep 4,401 Posts Drives: '13 135i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: - iTrader: (0)	Larry - I beleive BMW used the 'ti' label for 'Tourismo Internationale' first on an 1800 - that model would have been European only, IIRC.
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11-21-2007, 07:35 AM	#4
Brookside Major 244 Rep 1,136 Posts Drives: 2016 228i M-Sport Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: KCMO iTrader: (0)	I agree with Larryn- disparity on these fuel consumption numbers is confusing...but the whole automobile industry seems to exagerate these estimates. I can live with the rest of the items.
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11-21-2007, 08:32 AM	#6
atr_hugo No longer moderate 325 Rep 4,401 Posts Drives: '13 135i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: - iTrader: (0)	Ah - I was checking Norbye's BMW book and in '68 there was a twin carb 2002ti - but I suspect you're right about it being a European model only.
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11-21-2007, 08:44 AM	#7
Road Runner Lieutenant 18 Rep 470 Posts Drives: Join Date: Aug 2007 iTrader: (0)	Fuel tank isn't really too bad, every VW I've owned was a 53L tank. I don't think thats too huge a gripe.
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