How does the 135 really pull?

Advanced · 06-30-2008, 02:19 AM

test drove this car before . . and i've only driven it once.

that test drive totally blew my mind . . i went on the highway and had to pass this truck . . and in a blink of an eye i was doing 170km/h and i almost missed the exit . . hehe~

i cant wait to get mine . . still waiting end of july!!

ohh so exciting!!

Steve135i · 06-30-2008, 08:17 AM

When you all say the 135i pulls like a freight train in any gear, what about the 29.2 turbo lag I have been reading about? This is making me wonder about the pull it has.

jeremyc74 · 06-30-2008, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve135i

When you all say the 135i pulls like a freight train in any gear, what about the 29.2 turbo lag I have been reading about? This is making me wonder about the pull it has.

This comes up over and over. The new software DOES NOT reduce the power of the engine. It introduces a slight delay in the power coming on.

ptack · 06-30-2008, 08:49 AM

In my 3 different test drives I never noticed any turbo lag. Compared to a test drive in an Audi A3 2.0T it was night and day.

blklacker · 06-30-2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve135i

When you all say the 135i pulls like a freight train in any gear, what about the 29.2 turbo lag I have been reading about? This is making me wonder about the pull it has.

I have Steptronic so I cannot comment on the 6MT.. I do know after putting 2,832 miles on this ride I have never felt this hesitation people have commented on. Maybe its only inherent in the manuals. Here is my thoughts

#1 With step the turbo's never loose boost when I have wide open throttle during down or upshifting. The step always puts the car at the correct gear an RPM way faster and more efficient than any manual. The car is always in the correct power-band and it happens so quickly you never loose boost.

#2 with manual as soon as you drop the clutch the boost is lost slightly which could simulate turbo lag many have complained about. Again this is just mine and another members theory no need to flame.

rushbmw · 06-30-2008, 01:45 PM

Well, my previous car was a 2004 Subaru STI with Cobb Stage 2 and modified suspension. The STI was an amazing car! There wasn't a moment when driving balls to the wall that I wasnt impressed by that car. It made an average driver feel like they raced cars there whole life. However, the problem was that you had to drive that car hard. Going around town and trying to be mellow just made that car angry.

The power between the two is very different. The STI pulled was strong as long as I keep the RPM's up. The 1 series pulls hard in any gear. If the 1 series was chipped Im sure it will blow away my old STI.

Around town the pull of the 1 series makes the car so enjoyable and thats why I love this BMW.

Riss Racing · 06-30-2008, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blklacker

#2 with manual as soon as you drop the clutch the boost is lost slightly which could simulate turbo lag many have complained about.

Simple fix = change CDV

itsthechuck · 06-30-2008, 02:08 PM

My stock 135 pulls harder than my Stage 2 supercharged R32, also much faster than my E34 540Msport. However I had a heavily modded WRX (built engine, turbo swap, the works) which pulled harder than the 135 but only over about 3800 RPM, I can't wait to get the 135 tuned to compare. Oh yeah, I have the new software that everyone complains about also, doesn't bother me at all.

JB135i · 06-30-2008, 02:10 PM

Some of my recent cars-

Engine comments only here.

2006 STi, the 135i pulls harder and has a wider band for sure, and less lag.

2004 S2000, no comparison in power band of course. The Honda engine is raw and fun in my opinion. Nothing like having that VTEC kick in on a nice summer day with the top down! Not as fast as the 135i, but a much better sports car feel to that motor.

2003 modded EVO, got it to an estimated 315-325hp. The 135i feels faster, though the EVO likely was faster. Never did any measured runs with it and it's been a while since I have had that car.

Uptown Bully · 06-30-2008, 02:18 PM

I too have the Step. I'm coming from an 03 WRX. In the WRX, it took till about 3000 RPMs before the turbo hit, but when it did, it slammed you into the seat. The 135i does not do that. Instead, it gives you a smooth, constant, roar from the second you press the gas. I miss the PUNCH of the WRX but wouldn't go back in a million years. My 135i outperforms it in every possible way (sans awd). There is power there whenever you want it, or DON'T want it haha. Like I said earlier, this car does NOT like to go slow. Maybe it's because I have the Step but if I try to mosey on out of a light you can feel it going "come onnnnnnn come onnnnnn press my gas, jerk!". :biggrin:

baseballbreath · 11-15-2008, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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!

Yeah I love the pull from 2nd to 3rd.

Mega Man · 11-15-2008, 07:00 PM

Pulls a lot harder than my '98 Integra

Not as hard as my '03 CBR600RR though.

But if you like being on four wheels and in a cage, this car is great!

AlBel1214 · 11-15-2008, 07:09 PM

After today my friend with a modded WRX knows how hard my 135i pulls now... ;-)

former · 11-15-2008, 07:12 PM

I'm coming from a 2006 Cadillac CTS-V. 400 hp/400 lb/ft.

The 135 is a very similar performer - it pulls very strongly in every gear when you are on boost. I was surprised at how low I could go in 6th gear, for example when slowing down for traffic and still pull at a decent pace. So it has very good livability. And I was surprised at how hard it was accelerating north of 100 mph.

It has a very similar power to weight ratio as my Caddy. That said, a naturally aspirated V-8 still has more grunt. I noted a (very) slight lag at very low RPMs such as when coming off of idle. The Caddy has so much torque that it'll idle at about 17 mph in 4th, 25 or so in 6th gear.

But, I digress, the key is that this is a very powerful and quick car. :thumbup:

morgie2 · 11-16-2008, 08:05 AM

The word is effortless. It spools out torque immediately.

Haywood · 11-16-2008, 09:24 AM

I'm coming from 2 SRT's - a SRT-8 with a 6.1L monster and the Crossfire SRT-6 with the AMG supercharged V6. Because of the German influence in both cars, they were great to drive. I do miss the huge HEMI engine and the feeling of a big V8, but the car was heavy. It was slightly modded at about 450hp's.

The best comparison is with SRT-6. Even though the engine is more powerful (349hp), the 135i felt quicker when I first test drove it. It definitely has to do with the efficiencies of the twin turbo's and the available torque at the low end. The X-fire was pure sports car with a very tight suspension. Not a car to drive on long distances. Like the STI, it punishes your body on bad roads. The overall refinement, quality, engine, looks, etc of the 135i was the reasons I traded both cars in. I am definitely happy and have no regrets.

MVF4Rrider · 11-16-2008, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by excel

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...

Good luck with that. I don't think anyone on this forum understands that gearing is a torque multiplier, and with that even cars like mine with less engine torque actually put measureably more torque on the pavement (which equals greater acceleration) than the 135i. People on this board are extremely blinded by peak engine numbers as if they tell you anything significant. Not trying to be rude or contentious, but most here would all argue how much more torque the 135i has than most cars and with that it's arguably quicker. Well, until you create torque tables using gearbox ratios, final gear ratio, and factor in tire circumference and vehicle weight differences, you can't measure how much torque is being created across the rpm range and gears for a given car. Peak torque doesn't mean d**k and cannot be used to assert some sort of acceleration differences.

But if you looking for purely subjective opinions not based on any data or fact, you're in the right place.

clived · 11-16-2008, 01:44 PM

Balls, I'm totally with you regarding gearing / torque multipication effect, but I'm not quite with you on why the 135i is at such a loss compared to other cars with respect to its gearing - it's not like it's using a 3 speed auto or anything ;-) Also, the fact that a lot of torque is available over a very wide range of rpm gives it somethng of an advantage over many more peaky cars.

Back on topic, sure, the 135i is quick, but it is all relative - I suspect that for most people posting here using the most forceful adjectives they can find, the 135i is the fastest, most poweful car they have ever driven or been a passenger in. From my perspective what the 135i has in abundance is flexibility - whilst my fairly modded '01 RS4 (450bhp) was certainly quicker when on boost, it was quite easy to be off boost - the 135i is easier to drive fairly quickly - but nobody should be fooled into thinking that it is magically or supercar quick.

MVF4Rrider · 11-16-2008, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clived

Balls, I'm totally with you regarding gearing / torque multipication effect, but I'm not quite with you on why the 135i is at such a loss compared to other cars with respect to its gearing - it's not like it's using a 3 speed auto or anything ;-) Also, the fact that a lot of torque is available over a very wide range of rpm gives it somethng of an advantage over many more peaky cars.

For sure the 135i is not slow. But the drastic torque fall off in the last 2,000 rpms means you can't use the whole rpm range (at least from 3rd gear on) for maximum benefit. Nonetheless it works. You just need to know the optimum shift points to maximize acceleration. Easy for my car...redline. Redlining a 135i through all gears is not the quickest way to accelerate. Redlining the first two gears is ideal, then it's about a 500 rpm step down with each next gear. You can thank the steep diving torque curve (and corresponding chosen gear ratios) for that little inconvenience.

I remember after breaking in my 135i (and really getting on the throttle in all gears) my first thought after sending the rev counter sailing was that the acceleration felt only slightly better than when I was shifting at the maximum break in rpm (at least in the upper gears). This is why (above). That was a major disapointment to me. I like an upper end power rush.

Heinzftw · 11-16-2008, 08:43 PM

Freight train

MVF4Rrider · 11-17-2008, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heinzftw

Freight train

Case in point ;-)

jeremyc74 · 11-17-2008, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Balls

I remember after breaking in my 135i (and really getting on the throttle in all gears) my first thought after sending the rev counter sailing was that the acceleration felt only slightly better than when I was shifting at the maximum break in rpm (at least in the upper gears). This is why (above). That was a major disapointment to me. I like an upper end power rush.

You are just refusing to adjust to a different style of power delivery. The 135i isn't about peak numbers. It's about having as much area under the curve as possible.

There's nothing wrong with an upper end power rush, but there's also nothing wrong with that same power rush happening at 2000RPMs. The broad torque curve of the N54 means that a bad gear selection isn't going to cost you nearly as much as it would with a peaky motor, and there's something to be said for that.

06-30-2008, 02:19 AM	#23
Advanced Second Lieutenant 82 Rep 249 Posts Drives: M2 Competition Join Date: May 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	test drove this car before . . and i've only driven it once. that test drive totally blew my mind . . i went on the highway and had to pass this truck . . and in a blink of an eye i was doing 170km/h and i almost missed the exit . . hehe~ i cant wait to get mine . . still waiting end of july!! ohh so exciting!!
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06-30-2008, 08:17 AM	#24
Steve135i First Lieutenant 5 Rep 304 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jun 2008 iTrader: (0)	When you all say the 135i pulls like a freight train in any gear, what about the 29.2 turbo lag I have been reading about? This is making me wonder about the pull it has.
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06-30-2008, 08:49 AM	#26
ptack Brigadier General 269 Rep 4,470 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: May 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i [6.50]	In my 3 different test drives I never noticed any turbo lag. Compared to a test drive in an Audi A3 2.0T it was night and day. __________________ 135i, SGM, Coral, Sport Package, Auto, Premium Hifi, USB/ipod, Apex EC-7s, PPK Stage II
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06-30-2008, 01:45 PM	#28
rushbmw Private First Class 16 Rep 128 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	Well, my previous car was a 2004 Subaru STI with Cobb Stage 2 and modified suspension. The STI was an amazing car! There wasn't a moment when driving balls to the wall that I wasnt impressed by that car. It made an average driver feel like they raced cars there whole life. However, the problem was that you had to drive that car hard. Going around town and trying to be mellow just made that car angry. The power between the two is very different. The STI pulled was strong as long as I keep the RPM's up. The 1 series pulls hard in any gear. If the 1 series was chipped Im sure it will blow away my old STI. Around town the pull of the 1 series makes the car so enjoyable and thats why I love this BMW.
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06-30-2008, 02:08 PM	#30
itsthechuck Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 244 Posts Drives: 135, E34M, E30rally,S6, E30 M3 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The Bucket, RI iTrader: (0)	My stock 135 pulls harder than my Stage 2 supercharged R32, also much faster than my E34 540Msport. However I had a heavily modded WRX (built engine, turbo swap, the works) which pulled harder than the 135 but only over about 3800 RPM, I can't wait to get the 135 tuned to compare. Oh yeah, I have the new software that everyone complains about also, doesn't bother me at all.
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06-30-2008, 02:10 PM	#31
JB135i Lieutenant 17 Rep 478 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SW burbs iTrader: (0)	Some of my recent cars- Engine comments only here. 2006 STi, the 135i pulls harder and has a wider band for sure, and less lag. 2004 S2000, no comparison in power band of course. The Honda engine is raw and fun in my opinion. Nothing like having that VTEC kick in on a nice summer day with the top down! Not as fast as the 135i, but a much better sports car feel to that motor. 2003 modded EVO, got it to an estimated 315-325hp. The 135i feels faster, though the EVO likely was faster. Never did any measured runs with it and it's been a while since I have had that car.
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06-30-2008, 02:18 PM	#32
Uptown Bully I hate coleslaw! 4 Rep 170 Posts Drives: Join Date: Apr 2008 iTrader: (0)	I too have the Step. I'm coming from an 03 WRX. In the WRX, it took till about 3000 RPMs before the turbo hit, but when it did, it slammed you into the seat. The 135i does not do that. Instead, it gives you a smooth, constant, roar from the second you press the gas. I miss the PUNCH of the WRX but wouldn't go back in a million years. My 135i outperforms it in every possible way (sans awd). There is power there whenever you want it, or DON'T want it haha. Like I said earlier, this car does NOT like to go slow. Maybe it's because I have the Step but if I try to mosey on out of a light you can feel it going "come onnnnnnn come onnnnnn press my gas, jerk!". :biggrin:
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11-15-2008, 07:00 PM	#34
Mega Man エアーマンが倒せない 278 Rep 2,041 Posts Drives: 2009 135i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (7) Garage List 2009 135i [0.00]	Pulls a lot harder than my '98 Integra Not as hard as my '03 CBR600RR though. But if you like being on four wheels and in a cage, this car is great!
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11-15-2008, 07:09 PM	#35
AlBel1214 Major 52 Rep 1,118 Posts Drives: past 135i, now c6, future M3?? Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Philly iTrader: (0)	After today my friend with a modded WRX knows how hard my 135i pulls now... ;-) __________________ -----LS3 C6----- *z51 suspension,* *NPP dual mode exhaust(wild2mild),20% tint,* zr1 replica wheels, gloss black fender stripes** R.I.P SGM 135i w/ some mods
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11-15-2008, 07:12 PM	#36
former Practical Idealist 9 Rep 408 Posts Drives: 2009 135i Coupe Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Greater Los Angeles Area iTrader: (0)	I'm coming from a 2006 Cadillac CTS-V. 400 hp/400 lb/ft. The 135 is a very similar performer - it pulls very strongly in every gear when you are on boost. I was surprised at how low I could go in 6th gear, for example when slowing down for traffic and still pull at a decent pace. So it has very good livability. And I was surprised at how hard it was accelerating north of 100 mph. It has a very similar power to weight ratio as my Caddy. That said, a naturally aspirated V-8 still has more grunt. I noted a (very) slight lag at very low RPMs such as when coming off of idle. The Caddy has so much torque that it'll idle at about 17 mph in 4th, 25 or so in 6th gear. But, I digress, the key is that this is a very powerful and quick car. :thumbup:
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11-16-2008, 08:05 AM	#37
morgie2 First Lieutenant 16 Rep 377 Posts Drives: 135i convertible Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	The word is effortless. It spools out torque immediately.
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11-16-2008, 09:24 AM	#38
Haywood I know a thing or 2 about a thing or 2... 3101 Rep 3,470 Posts Drives: E36 M3 Coupe, e39 M5, i3s Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: LI, NY iTrader: (11) Garage List 2003 BMW e39 M5 [0.00] 1997 BMW e36 M3 [0.00]	I'm coming from 2 SRT's - a SRT-8 with a 6.1L monster and the Crossfire SRT-6 with the AMG supercharged V6. Because of the German influence in both cars, they were great to drive. I do miss the huge HEMI engine and the feeling of a big V8, but the car was heavy. It was slightly modded at about 450hp's. The best comparison is with SRT-6. Even though the engine is more powerful (349hp), the 135i felt quicker when I first test drove it. It definitely has to do with the efficiencies of the twin turbo's and the available torque at the low end. The X-fire was pure sports car with a very tight suspension. Not a car to drive on long distances. Like the STI, it punishes your body on bad roads. The overall refinement, quality, engine, looks, etc of the 135i was the reasons I traded both cars in. I am definitely happy and have no regrets. __________________ 2019 Imperial Blue Metallic i3s BEV 2003 Le Mans Blue e39 M5 Dinan S1 1997 Alpine White e36 M3 (the old gal) 2013 Mineral White e92 M3 (sold ) 2014 Carbon Black 650i M-sport (sold)
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11-16-2008, 01:44 PM	#40
clived Captain 39 Rep 812 Posts Drives: Evolved 1M Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Balls, I'm totally with you regarding gearing / torque multipication effect, but I'm not quite with you on why the 135i is at such a loss compared to other cars with respect to its gearing - it's not like it's using a 3 speed auto or anything ;-) Also, the fact that a lot of torque is available over a very wide range of rpm gives it somethng of an advantage over many more peaky cars. Back on topic, sure, the 135i is quick, but it is all relative - I suspect that for most people posting here using the most forceful adjectives they can find, the 135i is the fastest, most poweful car they have ever driven or been a passenger in. From my perspective what the 135i has in abundance is flexibility - whilst my fairly modded '01 RS4 (450bhp) was certainly quicker when on boost, it was quite easy to be off boost - the 135i is easier to drive fairly quickly - but nobody should be fooled into thinking that it is magically or supercar quick. __________________ 2019+ BSM M2C 2011-2012: VO 1M Coupe, many toys, Evolve Stage 3. 2008-2011: 135i M Sport Le Mans Blue / Lemon / HGSL. Evolve OBD remap - 390bhp. Also in the family: X3 M40d / Audi S4 (V8)
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