New Lemans Blue 135i

[dmboone25]

Well, I decided to take the plunge on another 135i. I had a 2008 N54 MT 135i, one of the first ones in Indiana, and my lease end was coming up in early 2011. As a result, I was able to take advantage of the pull ahead program and get into a new BMW now.

For anyone looking for a new BMW, you really need to contact David Aviles at Northwest BMW in Maryland (just outside Baltimore). Great guy and great service. He is a true enthusiast and really knows his BMWs. Unfortunately for him, he is a Redskins fan. He got me the best deal possible on my new Bimmer and I couldn't be happier--you may have heard of his eurocarsonline.com website--and the experience definitely lived up to the great things I had read about him online. I will seriously never buy a car again without talking to him first, and would do the whole thing over again in a heartbeat. It was that easy.

The new one is a Lemans Blue 135i, with the DCT, M Sport, Premium packages, as well as heated seats and the iPod adapter. My dad and I took a road trip from Indy to Baltimore on Thursday and Friday to pick my new baby up, and we had a great time driving through the hills, mountains, and flat roads between Indiana and Maryland.

I have to say that, having never driven a DCT on the 135 before, I was a little nervous. I really shouldn't have been...even though I have never owned a car with an Automatic transmission, this thing doesn't make me miss my MT at all. I really mean that. It is that good--I have no idea if it is faster than my 2008 MT N54, but MAN does this thing feel faster...the shifts are so freaking quick...they just keep popping off....

The exhaust note is definitely better as well. Throatier and deeper--especially at start up. We also drove it though a tunnel in West Virginia with the windows down and that was really nice...I am really happy with it...

Here are a few pics from the snow-ridden plains of northern Indiana.

EDIT--I am having trouble loading my pictures--trying to fix now!

[dmboone25]

Here are the pics....

[new2the3]

Very nice car, did you pick it up with snow tires already installed? BTW your old engine was N54 not N52.

[MarkR171]

Just so you know, it's definitely quicker, stock n55 dct vs stock n54 6mt. Not even close.

[NFIDDY5]

If I didn't hate ANYTHING and EVERYTHING maize and blue, I would have gotten this color. But being a Buckeye man till I die, I cannot have that color in my garage.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by new2the3

Very nice car, did you pick it up with snow tires already installed? BTW your old engine was N54 not N52.

You're right--and I know the difference--just had the N52 in the 328i E92 before my N54 135i.

Easy to get lost....lol...I have corrected the original message--thanks!

I brought the snows with me and the good folks at Northwest put them on for me. Top notch place.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by MarkR171

Just so you know, it's definitely quicker, stock n55 dct vs stock n54 6mt. Not even close.

It certainly feels that way...I have been taking drives randomly at night...at lunch...when I need a 5 minute break...just feels so damn good!

Makes me wonder how the 1M would've felt had it had the DCT.

[ki__]

Nice ride!! i woulda gotten the 6MT if i did it again. but everyone to their own

[oman135]

Congrats!
DCT is amazing!

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by BlacknRedi

Nice ride!! i woulda gotten the 6MT if i did it again. but everyone to their own

You know, I was really worried about not getting a manual to be honest with you. I have always had manual cars--this is my first automatic ever.

My dad had an E46 with the slap stick...and then a CTS with their version of it...and those were more novelties than anything....but this DCT is something on a whole new level...and I am really happy I got it...

It seems to save a lot of gas when you just want to cruise around...and the sport button and sport shifting are great when you want more throttle response and better oomph...and then the paddle shifters are just the most fun of all...I am seriously amazed by this transmission.

[H2Orower]

I completely share your enthusiasm over the DCT. This past October I picked up nearly the identical car as yours, and the combination of the N55 engine with the DCT transmission still fascinates me! Enjoy your new car.

[MikeinAlexandria]

I love the color! Car looks awesome. And yep, have heard good things about Northwest BMW.

[Sidh135i]

congrats!

[Hind]

Congrats, best color!

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by H2Orower

I completely share your enthusiasm over the DCT. This past October I picked up nearly the identical car as yours, and the combination of the N55 engine with the DCT transmission still fascinates me! Enjoy your new car.

Thanks. I am just so impressed every time I drive it...I never thought that a slushbox could do it for me, but this one does for sure.

Originally Posted by MikeinAlexandria

I love the color! Car looks awesome. And yep, have heard good things about Northwest BMW.

They really are top notch--David is great and made the whole process so easy. And the amount I saved was incredible...

Originally Posted by /// Yr1of D1///

congrats!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Hind

Congrats, best color!

Love the color--it is really hot.

[Olagüe]

Originally Posted by /// Yr1of D1///

congrats!

+10

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by maxnix

Well, it's an automatically activated clutch with optionally controlled automatic shift. But it is amazing and one thing the 1M (but not the M3 nor the 335is) will sorely miss.

I almost got the LMB, but defaulted to AW for TX heat. Enjoy!

Which color interior?

I actually had a 2008 AW 135 that I turned in--by far the EASIEST color to keep looking good. The thing never looked that dirty!

I got the Boston Gray interior--first time I haven't gotten Dakota Black, but they are putting down the black carpet in the bottom now, so I won't be as worried about the dirt showing up.

[vividracing]

Nice car

Have fun in the snow.

Graeme

[Sonic RR]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

I have to say that, having never driven a DCT on the 135 before, I was a little nervous. I really shouldn't have been...even though I have never owned a car with an Automatic transmission, this thing doesn't make me miss my MT at all. I really mean that. It is that good--I have no idea if it is faster than my 2008 MT N54, but MAN does this thing feel faster...the shifts are so freaking quick...they just keep popping off....

The exhaust note is definitely better as well. Throatier and deeper--especially at start up. We also drove it though a tunnel in West Virginia with the windows down and that was really nice...I am really happy with it...

I have a 11' LeMans Blue DCT also

I didn't post because I didn't feel like getn flamed. My car went 13.039 at National trails raceway. All stock, even had RFT's on it. I was running my buddy in his Syclone. He lost

I never did find Launch Control or a way to trick the clutch so I could get off the line.

Congrats you will enjoy

Chad

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by vividracing

Nice car

Have fun in the snow.

Graeme

The snow is a lot of fun. Thanks!

Originally Posted by Sonic RR

I have a 11' LeMans Blue DCT also

I didn't post because I didn't feel like getn flamed. My car went 13.039 at National trails raceway. All stock, even had RFT's on it. I was running my buddy in his Syclone. He lost

I never did find Launch Control or a way to trick the clutch so I could get off the line.

Congrats you will enjoy

Chad

Nice choice!

I'm not sure at all if the new one is faster--just really feels that way. I haven't really had a chance to play around with it that much, seeing as I am rolling on snow tires--but I think it will be fun to try and figure it all out.

[IndyMike]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

The snow is a lot of fun. Thanks!



Nice choice!

I'm not sure at all if the new one is faster--just really feels that way. I haven't really had a chance to play around with it that much, seeing as I am rolling on snow tires--but I think it will be fun to try and figure it all out.

Impeccable color choice!

There's at least one other LMB coupe in the lesser Indy metro area and it has the Dinan S2 package.

I run summer rubber year around (R32 is my daily driver), but since I have an appt at D-R Tuesday morning to fix a couple of bugs and they are calling for a mixed bag between now and the morning I wish I had snows if just for one day.

I'm sure you'll enjoy the sequential gear box, but my predictions are if you really enjoy the dynamics that only a manual can bring you'll go back (forward?) to a 3rd pedal at the end of the lease.

Oh, and I made a similar trip from MD to Indy around Christmas back in 2003 for the re-delivery after ED of a ZHP except I did it on the stock performance tires. It's definitely a beautiful trip, rolling through MD and western PA. That was until it started to snow and near blizzard like conditions hit at a place called 'The Summit' in PA. Can't explain how I made it through other than God had some guardian angels riding along with me.

So you're a lot smarter than I was in bringing snows along with you.

[pleasedeleteme92]

The lemans blue is beautiful, if I had not gotten the blue water, that would have been my choice!