Oppo on the BMW 135i?

"Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney" (braddelaparker)
08/05/2013 at 16:31 • Filed to: None

What is the Oppo consensus on the BMW 135i? Hadn't really considered one in my car search until I ran across one today and realized that a 4 or 5 year old example runs under $20k now. I then realized that I had absolutely no first-hand experience with the cars, nor knowledge of anyone who does.

Anyone have opinions to share on how they drive/general thoughts? Ran across an Edmunds review online in which it was compared favorably to an E46M and an E92 335i. Also, did much change between the model years? Probably looking at '08-'09 in my price range.

DISCUSSION (21)

Z_Stig > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
08/05/2013 at 16:34

I think the early ones came with a twin turbo, then they switched to a single turbo. No horsepower or torque difference between the two though. Awesome cars either way though.

404 Name Not Found > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
08/05/2013 at 16:34

The 135i is a good car because it is pretty modifiable. I know of a couple BMW techs who drive this car and get it tuned with chips and whatnot. I can't comment on anything else.

Agrajag > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
08/05/2013 at 16:34

It is one of the few modern BMW's I would buy. I haven't driven it but from what I know of them I would certainly like to.

philipilihp > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
08/05/2013 at 16:35

I had a 135i convertible as a loaner from BMW for a day about a year and a half ago and it was a pretty awesome little car. Great handling, engine is amazing. I might be biased, since my DD has the same engine (E90 335i) but I definitely recommend the 135. Just don't expect passengers/carseats to function. I (attempted to) put my son's forward facing carseat in and I couldn't put the passenger seat in a sitable position.

Saracen > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
08/05/2013 at 16:38

I test drove a 135i and 335i (2008, so equipped with the N54 engine). I thought both were pretty darn good, but I preferred the 335i slightly due to what I felt were better interior ergonomics.

The N54 is the car's strength and its weakness. The powerband is amazingly flexbile. It just makes power and torque everywhere. Perfectly smooth and makes a great noise. But it also has more than its share of problems, as has been mentioned on oppo in the past.

Then a few weeks after that I drove an M3 and my desire for a 135/335 has been completely erased.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Agrajag
08/05/2013 at 16:39

This is about where I'm at with the thought of it. Really the only thing in the current range (er, couple year old range) that gets me going. Think I'll go drive one and see what I think.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > Saracen
08/05/2013 at 16:40

Interesting, a friend of mine just bought a '08 335... We'll see how his engine holds up!

Saracen > Z_Stig
08/05/2013 at 16:40

1. Came with the N54 up until 2009.

2. There is absolutely a difference between the N54 and N55. The N54 typically puts down 30 more whp on the same dyno, and is several tenths of a second quicker to 60.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Saracen
08/05/2013 at 16:43

The N54 issues are my one concern, going to look into that.

Saracen > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
08/05/2013 at 16:43

My co-worker has a 2007 335i he bought new. He maintains it very well and it has pretty low miles on it. Still has nothing but problems. HPFP, wastegate, VANOS, problems with the turbos, etc...and he isn't the only one out there.

Saracen > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
08/05/2013 at 16:44

The N55 may be more reliable, and while it's less powerful and not as tunable as the N54, is still plenty powerful.

Z_Stig > Saracen
08/05/2013 at 16:49

Thanks Saracen. I meant to say BMW rated them the same.

Grab Paddle > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
08/05/2013 at 16:52

Kinja'd!!!

I had one. A 2008 135i M sport Coupe. It was a blast. REALLY fast, fun in the turns but with some drawbacks, space inside not being one of them. The cabin, backseat, and trunk are huge for a small car with that much power. The one thing I would say is a must is to get rid of the run-flats immediately, they ride too rough and aren't very confidence inspiring in the corners. I had the N54 motor and bought a COBB AP which gave it around 335hp and 360lb-ft. It was surprisingly fast. So much so I ran with a z06 on the highway and I don't think he expected it to keep up. It is expensive to maintain though and that is why I bought a certified pre-owned. It's a little more expensive but it has a warranty, and all scheduled maintenance is included. I took it in to check the rear brakes squealing and they just replaced all the pads all the way around under the program: $1600, thanks BMW.

All in all, I miss the car sometimes, but I'll keep the Porsche.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
08/05/2013 at 16:56

I considered one when I was in the market in 2009. To get one the way I wanted it would have been near $40k, and near $43k after taxes and fees. Would have needed to be special ordered too since I could really only afford to add red leather and metallic black paint. The interior felt far from a $40k car. Even the driving characteristics felt nice at best. Not great for a $40k car, but nice. Maybe was expecting too much from a $40k BMW? It would have been worse knowing I couldn't afford to spring for some of the nicer features too. Like power seats, cold weather package and M sports stuff. If I could have gotten it near fully loaded for $36k, I might have gotten it.

It probably makes a nice used car if you can find a clean one for under 20k.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Saracen
08/05/2013 at 16:59

I'd probably rather trade the merits of the N54 for the reliability of the N55, but if I'm spending the money on a 2011+ 135 then I'm just going to buy a slightly older Cayman S for the same money.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123
08/05/2013 at 17:01

That all sounds reasonable. Not something I'd drop the money on new, but they seem like a reasonably good deal at this point in their depreciation curves.

Saracen > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
08/05/2013 at 17:03

I gotta agree with you there..

...or maybe a Z4 M Coupe

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Saracen
08/05/2013 at 17:06

Z4Ms are in the picture, but just a touch too pricey still. What I really want is a 4-5 year old Cayman S, and I can afford it, but I'm a cheap bastard that thinks he can do more pragmatic things with the difference in price. It's a tough life.

Saracen > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
08/05/2013 at 17:12

I hear you. That's why I got a Golf R instead of a used M3. Though the damn thing is still tempting me.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Saracen
08/05/2013 at 17:14

I think I'd pull the trigger on a MKIV R32 immediately if I could find one in DBP in good condition that was even relatively close to me. Well within my comfort zone on price, depreciation curve is flattening out, and while they're not amazing performers, they're competent.

Unfortunately, they're few and far between, and a whole lot of them have been ravaged by the kind of savants on VWVortex that bought them once they became cheaper.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney
08/05/2013 at 17:17

I really rather like the 1-Series coupes in general. I don't think I'd buy one, but the automotive world is a much better place for them being in it.

Never driven one though.