How does the 135 really pull?

[looking]

Ok, guys I've read a lot of thread on hear about new 135 onwers - they all comment on how hard the car pulls. Great stuff but, most of the guys are moving into the 135 from sedans like the A4, older gen BMW's, etc. I want to know how does the 135 feel (in terms of pull) compared to a STi, Evo, Porsche, etc..anything sporty with around 300 hp.

Thanks guys...

[larryn]

I would recommend you driving one and seeing for yourself.

[atr_hugo]

I was passing folks on two lane roads yesterday - leaving it in sixth gear ( a manual) at around 2400 RPM at about 60 mph - by the time I had cleared the other car I was doing 80. What separates the N54 engine from a lot of the others is that all of the torque is available at 1400 RPM (check the dyno runs in the 135i turbo forum).

I owned a beast of a turbocharged Mustang 30 years ago (heavily modded) and it did nothing below 3500 RPM - the N54 is a FREIGHT TRAIN.

The STi and Evo require a bit of time to come on boost. The Cayman S/Boxster S are N/A engines and don't really compare - but their torque also comes up on a curve. The N54 is a flat straight line of 300 lb ft from 1400 to around 5500 - it is an amazing engine.

[PA135i]

Wow. Best description yet. atr_hugo. MY SGM 135i is due to arrive 7 July and should have it Saturday 19 July. I can't wait.

[Qube]

Pulls a lot harder than my 540... 216 kw (290 hp) and 325 ft·lbf (441 N·m). I hate the headrests though, the ones on the 5 are so much softer and conforming to your actual head

The key here is the car pulls in EVERY GEAR because of the low RPM needed to generate peak.

[TP 135i]

My wife has a 2006 Cayman S.
I hadn't driven her car for about 6-7 weeks after getting mine. When I finally had the need to drive hers, afterwards I was left with the feeling that her car was underpowered. Keep in mind that I wasn't racing her car just driving back roads with hills, turns, etc. The 135 just ALWAYS has that torque under your foot and with the Cayman S you have to get it up in the revs before it delivers.
Her car is fantastic....no doubt....but the 135 is my choice for around town (out in the country) driving.

[Z4-Archon]

I had a C5 FRC Vette and a C6 Vette before the 135i

The 135i feels very similar to the C5 Vette. Looking at the stats on paper the C5 will definitely pull away from the 135i, but that they feel the same certainly speaks volumes.

135i ~300hp - ~300ft/lbs 3200lbs
Vette ~350hp - ~345ft/lbs 3150lbs

Both have very flat torque curves, the 135i reaches is max lower but the Vette maintains its closer to redline I believe.

Ron.

[jeremyc74]

I'm coming from a GTO, with around 425Hp/425Tq at the crank. The stock 135i isn't quite as fast overall, but it's certainly got the broad flat torque curve that makes driving around town extremely easy.

In a lot of cases, because of the gearing, the 135i would be faster than the GTO was without downshifting, such as in 6th gear at 60-70MPH. From a dig, I'm guessing the two cars would be side by side up until the top of first gear, then the GTO would start pulling out.

Now, throw the SSTT into the mix, and things are a little different.

[Kris]

I love the torque, with a chip it would be even better. Thats the benefit of turbocharged cars, torque and lotsof it

[imported_Sinner]

It doesn't feel like you've been rear end by a cement truck like a sports car/muscle car does but it'll put a massive shit eating grin on your face each time you punch it.

I think the 135i is like artificial sugar. It doesn't give you quite the buzz the real deal does, but it's better for you with none of the harsh side effects.

[imported_Katera]

About the only thing I can really compare it to is the Porsche Cayman S. I drove it many times when trying to decide between the Porsche and BMW 1. The Cayman is a great car, but the engine does not pull near has hard as the 1. I went with the 1.

[Uptown Bully]

The car does NOT like to go slow.

[JBurer]

Comparing to the RX-7 (with about 400rwhp), the 135i is a lot quicker in most real world, around town situations. Gearing and the quick boost response make it substantially faster off the line with a normal start.

The only place the 135 falls short, in my opinion, is the sports car-like power curve. Because of the great boost response, torque tapers off after 5500rpms so the car is not as fun to revv out. The RX-7, even in a more stock form, feels so rewarding to hit 7500rpms at every opportunity. Rate of acceleration feels like it will continue increasing the longer you have your foot to the floor.

However, in nearly every situation you'll see in a daily driver car the 135i is better. Around town power curve and smoothness are magnificent.

[UR2SLOW1]

I still have my 1991 NSX with mild mods that give it about 300hp and all I can say is that after driving the 135i all week I hope in the beloved NSX and it feels weak. Dont' get me wrong, I love the looks and how the NSX drives but the 135i seems like a damn freight train, of course the Dinan tune doesn't hurt a bit :wink:

[Robert]

Let just say, it pulls hard enough to make ordinary speeder think twice about passing you. I just got back from a drive on hwy 133 from Irvine to Laguna Beach. On the way there a couple speeder were behind me and some passed me. Chance happened that we were at a light and I gave a 135i a good push, and I was 5-6 car length ahead of one speeder by 2nd gear. After that he just tuck behind me and follow my moves. (Of course we weren't racing. Just driving spiritedly under the speed limit.)

[mjovic]

If I had to sum up the driving experience of the 135i in ONE word it would be EFFORTLESS.

2nd gear is insane from 4-7,000K RPMs!

[Thud]

Originally Posted by Archon

I had a C5 FRC Vette and a C6 Vette before the 135i

The 135i feels very similar to the C5 Vette. Looking at the stats on paper the C5 will definitely pull away from the 135i, but that they feel the same certainly speaks volumes.

135i ~300hp - ~300ft/lbs 3200lbs
Vette ~350hp - ~345ft/lbs 3150lbs

Both have very flat torque curves, the 135i reaches is max lower but the Vette maintains its closer to redline I believe.

Ron.

That's been my experience too... the TT straight 6 has the satisfying low-end grunt of a V8, reminds me of my old 1993 vette (with 300hp V8) but the 135i pulls harder on the top end.

I can't light up the tires on a whim by mashing the throttle halfway through first gear like my Z06 would, but that's a sacrifice I'll take for far improved comfort and driving dynamics... and a back seat.

[Kris]

I think the 135 pulls as hard as a 18yo boy *laugh*

[holo777]

I'm coming from a lightly modded Evo, with probably around the same HP as the 135. Just got back form a weekend trip to the in laws place in the mountains and here are my observations:

1) With the Evo it felt like there was a 'right' gear. With the 135 there is enough torque where it didn't seem like it made a lot of difference between 3rd, 4th, or 5th. I could leave it in any going around a corner and still accelerate out. I rather miss the driving feel of the Evo there, but I just need more 135 seat time.

2) The Evo is a very peaky car. If you drive it like you stole it it is a blast. The 135 is so much smoother it is amazing. I think I was able to maintain a faster average speed throughout the twisties due to the 135s inherint smoothness. Definately found myself backing off to avoid going too much over the limit.

Verdict: I definately like the 135. Does everything I was hoping for and more. I'm getting to old ot handle a high strung car...

[rick23]

All you can see here is some words and numbers,
Go and test drive it once,
you need is the FEEL,
and its FREE

[Oregon]

Alright, don't laugh, I have a 71' Buick Skylark, 350 V-8, 4-barrel, the thing pulls really hard, it's a muscle car. The 135, however, can outrun the Skylark, plus, the 135 scares me half-to-death every weekend when sorties through local mountain twisties beckon. Early-on, reviews frequently characterized the 135i as a 'muscle car'. Apt.

Throttle response from the N54 reminds me of the V-8 in the Buick, with the V-8 there is the slightest, fleeting hesitation prior to the secondaries in the 4-barrel coming on-line, snap your neck against the headrest, kick yer' butt. At that point, hang on, you are now going fast. To borrow a phrase, the 135 pulls like a frickin' freight train. Many have boosted their cars, I'm just fine with the thing staying stock. Scares me enough as it is.:wink:

[blklacker]

Its the first turbo car that pulls very very similar to a N/A car.. the power is always ready, it never lets you down or makes you wait no matter what gear your in. Honestly it feels like a V8 IMO sooo smooth. its a satisfying feeling knowing you have all that power but saving so much on gas. Upgrades are cheap and you get decent gains.