Drove M3 sedan and 135i stick back-to-back

[redwood]

Having driven the 135i and E92 M3 coupe back to back, my fiance and I both prefer the 135. Since she LOVED the E46 M3, she said "I hate myself for saying this, but I think I prefer the 135 to the M3." The M3 does handle harsh roads slightly better with the EDC, but for $20+K less money, I think I could live with the difference. That and I felt I could place the 135 on a dime on the asphalt and the M3 didn't feel quite as precise. The M3 was great, but felt more like a grand tourer.

[adc]

Originally Posted by Advevo

So all the stories of the e90 and e92 you can forget. It just a bmw with an M marketing badge which is a heavy bitch for to much money.

I understand your point - the problem is I could afford the M3 if I really wanted to. All I'd need was the EDC option and heated seats, for a total of around $56k.

By comparison, my 335i was $46k - and I can definitely see where the extra $10k went. That's how much I would have to spend (or more!) on my 335i to bring it to the next level (power, suspension, brakes, wheels/tires, LSD etc.).

Same story with the 135i - get a $40k car and add $10-12k to it in modifications, possibly loose the warranty... When people compare the base price and point to a $20k difference, they aren't comparing apples to apples. To make the appointments similar to a base M3, you'd need to add the Sport Pack, Premium Stereo, Leather, Power seats, etc.


Where I can not afford the GT3 even in my dreams, I think I could swing a 1-2 year lease for the M3, get it out of my system. It's not so expensive in the USA...

[Jack (LA)]

Originally Posted by Katera

Actually I disagree. I drove a new M3 sedan stick and I found it to be heavy and not terribly responsive especially at street speeds. I found the 135i to be a much more responsive car. /shrug

I agree...the M3 just feels big and heavy -- a good GT car/cruiser. :wink: Could have purchased either and preferred the 135i after driving them back-to-back.

On a related point, just had a chance to drive my friend's recently delivered DCT M3 and loved the new tranny.

[Bullitt]

I test drove the new M3 coupe along with the 135i. In my case, I drove the M3 first, and for me, it became the new standard for all cars under $100K to be judged against. After driving the 135i, I found that the most significant differences were suspension and traction. Through hard turns, the M3 felt poised with minimal body roll while beautifully maintaining tire grip on the road with seemingly no effort. Hard turns with the 135i's were a different story. Compared to the M3, the 135i had much more body roll, and tire traction felt effortful and less stable. Fortunately, some of these drawbacks can be improved upon with suspension tweaks.

Although the M3 may have felt more powerful than the 135i, the 135i did not feel much slower. If there is another drawback, I feel the power of the 135i is more dangerous because it accelerates so smoothly and relatively quietly. It can be difficult to guage your speed--it sure is sneaky fast. At least with the M3, the engine roars and screams with resonating feedback. Sensing speed in the M3 was still no easy task by any means.

I just couldn't imagine using the M3 as a daily driver. It's also a gas guzzler like the Shelby GT500. I also didn't see the M3 as twenty plus grand of a better car. The M3 also has slightly less usable trunk space convenience although it is technically larger than the 135i's. If you look inside the M3's trunk, you'll see what I mean (hint: try placing two golf bags without releasing the rear seats).

I must also mention that the steering of the 135i (w/o AS) felt more connected with the road, and its shifter was more fun to use.

It can be disappointing driving a 135i after an M3, but the 135i has so many great things going for it. This forum is one of them.

[pwong888]

Everyday people compare M3 to the 135i, they are in two different level, if money is not a big matter, everyone will go for the M3.

[aesthetect]

way to not read the thread

[Zuzu]

Originally Posted by pwong888

Everyday people compare M3 to the 135i, they are in two different level, if money is not a big matter, everyone will go for the M3.

That is a fair and accurate comment.
In Australia the price difference between thr M3 and 135i is an enormous.......ARE YOU READY...
$90K...Thats right..The M3 is $90K more expensive..
So why you would buy an M3 in Oz unless you could really,really afford it.

[MTMnet]

Thanks for the write up! I am struggling with the same decision issues. Can't quite make up my mind.... 135i, 335i, M3 ...then what if the M1 comes out next year. Cost vs gas mileage vs M car:iono:

I will have to keep driving my E46 M3 until the decision becomes clear. I really wish the 135i had an option for no moon roof!

[Bullitt]

Originally Posted by mtmnet

Can't quite make up my mind.... 135i, 335i, M3 ...then what if the M1 comes out next year. Cost vs gas mileage vs M car:iono:

You can cross out the M1 right away. According to several recent press releases, the folks at BMW do not plan on building an M1. However, nothing has been said for or against a possible M135.

[MTMnet]

Originally Posted by Bullitt

You can cross out the M1 right away. According to several recent press releases, the folks at BMW do not plan on building an M1. However, nothing has been said for or against a possible M135.

An M135 with Dual exhaust pipes, M3 side vents, carbon fiber roof....sounds good to me!

And how about Space Gray or Silver Gray as a color choice. Decision made!

[Bullitt]

Originally Posted by mtmnet

An M135 with Dual exhaust pipes, M3 side vents, carbon fiber roof....sounds good to me!

Ditto...but any possibility of an M135 may be at least 2 or 3 years out.

[JCtx]

I wasn't the only one to notice the shifter difference with the M3. What I'm suspecting is the 1 and 3 series have the shifter directly bolted to the tranny, and the M3, for some reason, had to use a remote shifter (like my GTO). Even a good linkage shifter will never be as good as a directly mounted one. My brother just ordered a white one, by the way.

Hey Phiberglass, your sig looks like it's riding on white-wall tires; thought it was a photoshop tease until paid close attention to the wheels. Must be the lighting. It's a nice car; I'd take that same shot at a slight angle to do your wheels more justice. Just an opinion. Later gang.
JC

[adc]

Originally Posted by elp_jc

I wasn't the only one to notice the shifter difference with the M3. What I'm suspecting is the 1 and 3 series have the shifter directly bolted to the tranny, and the M3, for some reason, had to use a remote shifter (like my GTO).

No, the M3 shifter is also direct mounted, like the 135. It's just that it has a different tranny. :iono:

A simple short shifter mechanism will work wonders on the M3 - I've tried a few in the E46 M3. Even a shorter knob will improve the shifting - it definitely did on my 335i (which shares the tranny with the 135i, but comes with a taller knob).

[GT3]

Originally Posted by Advevo

I once test drive a 997 GT3. If you can not afford one never test drive one. You can throw every other car in the sea. This car is soo damn good. When i drove i one i could not afford one. I had an e46 m3. I instantly sold my m3 i could not enjoy a car at that price anymore. I drove the new M3 also the e90 and e92 are shitty cars compared to a 997 GT3. So as long i can t afford a porsche i won t spend big money on cars and be happy with the cheaper 1 series.

997 GT3 the best driver car atm. A friend of mine has a 599 ferrari i rather buy two 997 GT3 instead of one 599. That good is a 997 gt3 as a drivers car.

Now there's a man talking from experience. :respekt:

On topic: BMW steering has been going downhill for a while now. No surprises with your comments on steering feel and feedback. They are no E36 for sure!

[aus]

I'm pretty sure the M3 has electric steering because it's packaged with a Dynamic Efficiency package in some parts of the world, which requires the electric steering. The 135 has the hydrolic steering and it generally gets good comments on the steering.

[SlickShift]

Nice review. It seems like everyone how a different comment about the two cars after driving them.

[adc]

Originally Posted by aus

I'm pretty sure the M3 has electric steering because it's packaged with a Dynamic Efficiency package in some parts of the world, which requires the electric steering. The 135 has the hydrolic steering and it generally gets good comments on the steering.

No M car has electric steering. 100% on that.

EfficientDynamics does not necessarily require electric steering, just electric auxiliaries. The reason being, of course, to only turn them on when needed. In case of the steering, it's needed 100% of the time.

What the M3 implements of the various EfficientDynamics pallette is brake energy regeneration.


If you don't believe me, search for engine bay pictures - the power steering filling neck should be easy to spot.



Whatever it is, it wasn't very good. I understand it was the only way for the M people to make the car feel light on its feet and to eliminate the feeling of great mass, but completely robs the car of any feel & feedback. That was the only sore spot for me in an otherwise fascinating and beguiling automobile. IMO.

[hitthemark41]

Originally Posted by Katera

Exactly. For the vast majority of us the 6 is simply a better engine to have in day to day driving. Taking nothing away from m3 which I still love, I simply think it is a track car. Using it for day to day driving seems like a waste.

+1...exactly the reason I didn't go with a used E46 (warranty issues aside)...the 1er really IS a fantastic every day package!