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      08-15-2018, 02:57 PM   #1
ferocity02
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How robust is the 135i drivetrain?

Aside from the engine and transmission/clutch, how robust is the 135i drivetrain, e.g. driveshaft, guibo, pumpkin, diff, half-shafts?

I'm looking to purchase either a 6MT 335i or 135i, preferably N54 but would be okay with an N55 too. I will be modding to achieve a 450-500rwhp DD. I've owned a 2007 335i for 4 years now and it's been great, but I'm looking to get something a bit newer with a 6MT instead of the crappy 6HP21 gearbox. The 335i drivetrain (xDrive aside) seems fairly robust, but how does it compare to the 135i?

I'm eyeing a 135i because it seems like it would be a little more fun being lighter and smaller. But they are harder to find though especially in a 6MT.
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      08-16-2018, 11:57 PM   #2
Ur3ss
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ferocity02 View Post
Aside from the engine and transmission/clutch, how robust is the 135i drivetrain, e.g. driveshaft, guibo, pumpkin, diff, half-shafts?

I'm looking to purchase either a 6MT 335i or 135i, preferably N54 but would be okay with an N55 too. I will be modding to achieve a 450-500rwhp DD. I've owned a 2007 335i for 4 years now and it's been great, but I'm looking to get something a bit newer with a 6MT instead of the crappy 6HP21 gearbox. The 335i drivetrain (xDrive aside) seems fairly robust, but how does it compare to the 135i?

I'm eyeing a 135i because it seems like it would be a little more fun being lighter and smaller. But they are harder to find though especially in a 6MT.
I'm curious about this too. I have a feeling it'll be fairly similar to the 335i. Mine recently got totaled in a t-bone accident. From what I can tell all my parts from the 335 should be able to transfer to a n54 135. I'm going to check 1 out tomorrow, if it's clean I might just get it.
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      08-17-2018, 08:21 AM   #3
ferocity02
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ur3ss View Post
I'm curious about this too. I have a feeling it'll be fairly similar to the 335i. Mine recently got totaled in a t-bone accident. From what I can tell all my parts from the 335 should be able to transfer to a n54 135. I'm going to check 1 out tomorrow, if it's clean I might just get it.
I was loosely comparing parts on RealOEM and indeed the 135i and 335i appear to share most of the drivetrain parts.
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      08-17-2018, 03:46 PM   #4
iminhell1
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I've made ~ 300 drag passes (on track) in 2.5 years.
ZERO breakdowns.
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      08-20-2018, 12:40 PM   #5
Big boi m5
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I have the autotragic Zf6 model. It was much cheaper than the sticks in my area and my wife insisted. It's a pretty good transmission compared to the ones in, for example, the 2018 Cadillac CTS. However, I would now insist on a manual or DCT transmission over it. On the street it's only 20% slower than the DCT but on the track it struggles.

There are many people boosting the engine up to 500 hp. I guess that's fine for daily driving but I always laugh at people boosting the engine but not the brakes or chassis. You would probably do very poorly at the track if you attempted it.

Brakes -> chassis -> engine

If you are serious about driving the car anyway. The 135i benefits more from tightening up, i had no problem keeping up with modern M3s, because they are so fat.

If you want to go fast in a straight line ignore me, I know nothing about it, (prob would upgrade brakes first though! )

Bang for your buck? 135i is amazing. Like I said, $15k and you're competing with an M3 at track day.

I am beginning to think the M235i (same car with 2 inches more of cabin and a meaningless marketing badge) is the new best though, the N54 is expensive and famous for a reason.
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      08-20-2018, 01:07 PM   #6
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Slight edit to upgrade order, IMHO:

Driver —> chassis —> brakes —> power —> repeat.
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      08-20-2018, 02:04 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gangplank View Post
Slight edit to upgrade order, IMHO:

Driver —> chassis —> brakes —> power —> repeat.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gangplank View Post
Slight edit to upgrade order, IMHO:

Driver —> chassis —> brakes —> power —> repeat.
Ha forgot and agreed!
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      08-20-2018, 04:27 PM   #8
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Depends on if you start pushing more power. Axles are a common failure point especially at north of 450whp and tires that actually hold that to the road.

That said? Easy to get axles that hold it. Mfactory makes direct replacements.
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      08-21-2018, 03:50 PM   #9
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Axles and transfer case on the Xi are the weaker links but they are pretty robust under 500WHP. After that, anything is possible with either platform.
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