135ci or 335ci

[b2nvs2001]

The way it seems right now, the way I would like each of any of these 2 vehicles will work out the same with regards to leasing costs for 24 months.

135: ~45k
Metallic, Premium pkg, Sport Package, Comfort Access, Navigation, Premium Audio, Ipod adapter

vs.

335ci: ~50k
Metallic, Premium Pkg, Sport Package, Comfort Access, Navigation, Aero Kit, Ipod Adapter


I know a large part of the decision will be made when I finally get to drive the 135ci but even then how much can you tell when the dealer is sitting right next to you(:wink.

My provisional end plan is this. After 2 years, Im going to need a slightly more practical car anyway and a 3 series is known ubiquitously as having a "you have made it in the world" image and so Im thinking I will be ready to get a 335 regardless at that stage when Im fully established here in the states.

But for now, purely from a driving perspective, is the 135 coupe really going to be that much better to drive? Is it really going to wipe the floor with 335s in terms of driving experience?

I have been waiting for this car for about a year now and I have been waiting anxiously until 2 things happened. The lease prices became identical as a 335 and the 335 SUDDENLY DECIDED () to come with the aero kit from the factory without which I would never have considered the 335 over the 135!

So, without wanting to rehash everything that has been said in this forum (actually go ahead) what would you do? Is it worth paying the premium for the 2 years for driving the 135 (undoubtedly a cheaper car than the 335 with the same monthly payment)?

[infinitekidM2C]

everything about u makes me believe u belong in a 3 series..good luck

[vivid]

I know its not the ans you want to hear but... The 135i is going to be out very soon and you will be able to test drive the cars side by side... Most of us right now are wondering how good the 135i is going to be as not many of us have driven them...

I can;t wait to get behind the wheel and see how good it is.

But the 135i will not have the cache that the 335 will have... that might be your decision right there, more fun to drive VS more prestige and status

[b2nvs2001]

Yes thats right. Everything about me infinitekid. What gave you that epiphany?

Anyways Vivid, are you really going to be able to tell how good the 135 is against the 335 in one 5 minute test drive with the SA or do you have another method of test drive for longer? With regard to cache I really dont care and would prefer to go unnoticed. My comments about the 3 series were just the truth about what everybody thinks - I cant change that.

[vivid]

I bet they have a second hand 335i they could let you take out for an extended period, as far as the 135i goes you could try this. Komen BMW Ultimate Drive you get to drive for 30miles on a predetermined route, every mile you drive BMW donates $1 to breast cancer research.

[b2nvs2001]

The ultimate drive sounds awesome! Also supports something I do research in professionally! Thanks! You should post a sticky to let everyone know about this!

[pwong888]

I don't think the 135i or the 335i will be so different in the performance, for the high lease rate for the 1er, I will wait until the end of the year or go for the 335i, If you are leasing the car. I think is stupid to lease the 1er now.

[MVF4Rrider]

Originally Posted by pwong888

I don't think the 135i or the 335i will be so different in the performance, for the high lease rate for the 1er, I will wait until the end of the year or go for the 335i, If you are leasing the car. I think is stupid to lease the 1er now.

Depends on what you consider performance. I include braking, cornering, and fuel economy in that mix. The 135i beats the 3 in all those catagories, including outright acceleration (marginally). The whole package of the 135i is better than the 335i in terms of "performance."

I'm buying mine so I'm not intersted in lease rates. I plan to mod mine (H&R ARBs before I even take delivery) so that takes leasing out of the picture but gives my 135i an even greater gap in performance over the 335i. Unless you need the additional space, why buy a 335i? No exclusivity in that car...it's too mass produced and too many "normal" people drive them (ie, non enthusaists).

Lease rates or not, I'd rather be driving the 135i (which I have driven already) every day. That's the reason you select one car over the other, not the black and white on price work up sheets.

[pwong888]

Originally Posted by Balls

Depends on what you consider performance. I include braking, cornering, and fuel economy in that mix. The 135i beats the 3 in all those catagories, including outright acceleration (marginally). The whole package of the 135i is better than the 335i in terms of "performance."

I'm buying mine so I'm not intersted in lease rates. I plan to mod mine (H&R ARBs before I even take delivery) so that takes leasing out of the picture but gives my 135i an even greater gap in performance over the 335i. Unless you need the additional space, why buy a 335i? No exclusivity in that car...it's too mass produced and too many "normal" people drive them (ie, non enthusaists).

Lease rates or not, I'd rather be driving the 135i (which I have driven already) every day. That's the reason you select one car over the other, not the black and white on price work up sheets.

You driving a 1er seems like you drive a porshe or lamborghini, for the 0-60 time different is not a big deal for a lot of people who are not race their car on the street.
Maybe money factor is not a big due for you but not for everyone, even thought how much you spend the money on mod the car, it still a 1er, its not a M3.
I'm driving a C32 AMG for now, it come with 350hp, so do you think the performance is downgrade if I change to drive a 1er.

[MVF4Rrider]

Originally Posted by pwong888

You driving a 1er seems like you drive a porshe or lamborghini, for the 0-60 time different is not a big deal for a lot of people who are not race their car on the street.
Maybe money factor is not a big due for you but not for everyone, even thought how much you spend the money on mod the car, it still a 1er, its not a M3.
I'm driving a C32 AMG for now, it come with 350hp, so do you think the performance is downgrade if I change to drive a 1er.

In the end, all cars (including the new M3) are very slow to me so I don't get excited about 0-60 times and so forth. When I want to go fast I opt for 2 wheels and my bike has the ponies to scare even experienced riders. But I do value driving pleasure. For sure the 135i is more fun than the 335i, and just so happens it outperforms it too, albeit marginally. But the 135i seems to be the car of choice to have fun modding too. I paid $4500 under US MSRP so I have lots of "justifiable" cash to play with. As always, I'll start with suspension to get the car to handle the way I want, then I'll mod the motor a bit with software and intake/exhaust. Between the two cars, the 135i IS the enthusiasts car. It has the proportions of what BMW characterizes as such. And it reminds me of the '76 2002 I once owned long ago. The 335i is a boat in comparison. The extra size and weight is of no use to me. And it costs more, so what's the point?

[E82tt6]

Originally Posted by pwong888

I'm driving a C32 AMG for now, it come with 350hp, so do you think the performance is downgrade if I change to drive a 1er.

Based on the acceleration numbers we've seen, it should be AT LEAST an even match in a straight line, and obviously quite superior in all other performance categories.

[ersatzS2]

Originally Posted by b2nvs2001

The way it seems right now, the way I would like each of any of these 2 vehicles will work out the same with regards to leasing costs for 24 months.<snip>what would you do?

Look, the difference between the cars from the perspective of price and performance is basically all rounding error. The 135i is a short-wheel based 335i. It's shorter, with different styling, and a few differentiating goodies like designer calipers. From a rational standpoint, quit working so hard: it's a toss up objectively and comes down to personal preference.
(feeling surly, just returned from a dentist appointment where I paid $750 for a deep root scaling on the right side of my mouth. By the time I get the left side done, that'll be the price difference between the 2 cars!)

[joelk]

Originally Posted by infinitekid2002

everything about u makes me believe u belong in a 3 series..good luck

I agree. I suspect you'll be very happy with the 3er!

[b2nvs2001]

Thanks for all the replies with reasons why I should go either way. Maybe I should restate the question. Why have you all either chosen to keep the 1 over the 3 or vice versa? I agree with those of you that say to not think too hard that its much more of a subjective choice to buy a 135i. But that is precisely the problem. Knowing in theory (from reviews) what a blast the 135 will be to drive compared to the 335 is what is keeping me in the order books for now. Heeling and toeing around corners, I presume, will be a sublime experience but I just need more convincing that the 135i is truly what they say it is - not just magazine hype!

[vivid]

Originally Posted by b2nvs2001

Thanks for all the replies with reasons why I should go either way. Maybe I should restate the question. Why have you all either chosen to keep the 1 over the 3 or vice versa?

I am hoping the 135i will be like the 2002 and be a very drive focused car... The two cars I am looking at are the 135i and the M3

[b2nvs2001]

Originally Posted by Vivid

I am hoping the 135i will be like the 2002 and be a very drive focused car... The two cars I am looking at are the 135i and the M3

which m3 e92 or e46 and why that and NOT the 335?

[TP 135i]

Originally Posted by b2nvs2001

Thanks for all the replies with reasons why I should go either way. Maybe I should restate the question. Why have you all either chosen to keep the 1 over the 3 or vice versa?

Very simple......Because SIZE matters !

[vivid]

Originally Posted by b2nvs2001

which m3 e92 or e46 and why that and NOT the 335?

E92 M3 Coupe... I did not even look at the 335i... My main gripes with the M3 is its too big, lack road feel both from the steering wheel and peddles and handles like a GT... If M could not make the M3 track like then there was no way I could make the 335i...

I am hoping that the 135i will be more diver focuses... I already know it will need some mods like, four grippy equal sized tires, lighter rims, strut brace, coilovers and an ecu chip... I am scheduled for a long test drive on the 14th so I will see then what I really think, but I have high hopes...