"ModerateSloth" (moderatesloth)
05/13/2014 at 21:09 • Filed to: 135i vs. Jeep
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"ModerateSloth" (moderatesloth)
05/13/2014 at 21:09 • Filed to: 135i vs. Jeep | 4
| 23 |
As many of us know, there comes a time in every enthusiast's life where one feels obligated to cash in their current set of wheels for something newer, better, and maybe faster. A fellow car-centric friend of mine seems to be at this point and is deciding between two very different routes. I figured one opinion would be insufficient so I told him I would see what you guys thought.
Option 1: BMW 135i (2008-2012 with possible 1M conversion)
This is my personal preference of the two options. My logic is that this car will be far more rewarding on a daily basis than Option 2 and offers almost the same amount of freedom in terms of customizability. It seems more practical and with a 1M conversion...dripping with style. Somehow this doesn't seem to be enough to convince my troubled friend so we must consider Option 2.
Option 2: Jeep Wrangler w/ lift (2012)
The rationale for the Jeep is as follows: fun to build up, looks pretty slick if done right, apocalypse ready. My opinion is that you can only build up a Jeep to a certain point, after which it looks like an over-decorated Christmas tree — and then what? I see the appeal of a big meaty set of wheels and off-road capability keeping in mind that the Jeep would most likely be easy to work on and have a unique final result. This is where the dilemma lies. What do you guys think would be the better vehicle?
Important note: 2008 GTI is his current car (mileage is getting up there)
Logansteno: Bought a VW?
> ModerateSloth
05/13/2014 at 21:11 |
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I like the Wrangler idea better.. Doesn't seem as silly as a 135i with a 1M body kit. Plus apocalypse ready like you said.
JR1
> ModerateSloth
05/13/2014 at 21:14 |
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Wrangler doesn't have doors (or windshield if you are really dedicated) and is cheaper to maintain I assume.
Tom McParland
> ModerateSloth
05/13/2014 at 21:15 |
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Wow those two are vastly different. Need more info
1. Budget
2. How many passengers does your friend carry regularly?
3. What kind of activities does he do?
4. What kind of driving experience is he looking for? The BMW is closest to the GTI, but sometimes folks want to go in an entirely new direction.
5. Where does he live? Is AWD a must?
Sorry for all the questions. I would get the BMW, but the car is for him not me.
Devlin Munion
> ModerateSloth
05/13/2014 at 21:19 |
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Easy.....Do both...
Well when I say that I mean, buy the 135i, but avoid the 1M body kit...because well its not a 1M and you would need a lot more than the body kit to make it a 1M.
Then with the money saved from not installing a 1M body kit but an old Jeep as a fun project.
OPPOsaurus WRX
> ModerateSloth
05/13/2014 at 21:22 |
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is he going to offroad it?
iLikeCarsAndSkiing
> ModerateSloth
05/13/2014 at 21:22 |
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example of 1M conversion: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthr…
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ModerateSloth
> Tom McParland
05/13/2014 at 21:24 |
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Here is what I have:
1. No more than 25k for the car, excluding future modifications
2. No more than 3
3. Need to transport skiing equipment, mountain bikes, general outdoor equipment. He is interested in autocross with the 135i
4. Enjoys spirited drives and the peppy nature of the GTI for daily use but has a general calling for venturing into off-road territory. However, where he lives this is rather sparse.
5. Ohio. AWD is not a must, must be snow capable but nothing drastic.
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ModerateSloth
> OPPOsaurus WRX
05/13/2014 at 21:29 |
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Part of the problem with the Jeep. There are very few places to offroad where he lives so it will be kind of an ordeal to find and drive to a place every time he wants to use the full performance of the car. Just my opinion. I've never done serious offroading so I don't know how worth it the trek would be.
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Tom McParland
> ModerateSloth
05/13/2014 at 21:31 |
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Finding a 135 in good shape for 25k will be a challenge. No warranty or very limited coverage at that price point. My guess is he probably doesn't want German maintenance and car payments. Auto-X will increase those costs dramatically. Get the Jeep
There may be other options but I would need even more info and I don't want to bombard you with more questions.
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ModerateSloth
> Tom McParland
05/13/2014 at 21:36 |
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Hmmm, that is very true. That maintenance is going to really drive up the costs long term especially with the autocross, I didn't consider that. I'll pass it along to him. Does anything similar to the 135i come to mind that would perhaps be a little more wallet friendly?
BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion
> ModerateSloth
05/13/2014 at 21:36 |
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BMW all the way, everyday.
Seriously though, if his GTI has supplied his demands so far, I don't see much reason to go for the Jeep. It doesn't seem like he needs all that offroading capability/apocalypse readiness, plus the 1 Series (which I went from hating to loving) is a very quintessential take on the concept of compact sports coupe. That alone would be reason enough for me. :p
Textured Soy Protein
> ModerateSloth
05/13/2014 at 21:37 |
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I have a 135is.
The back seat is worthless. No adult humans are going to fit back there.
Anything involving bikes, skis or whatever else is going to need some kind of external carrier.
I can still drive around in Wisconsin winter, transport outdoor equipment and drive off road. Because I also have an old Grand Cherokee.
Assuming your friend is only going to have one vehicle, I'm not sure the 135 is the car for him.
(Side note, I'm not sure what you're getting at with "1M conversion," but if you just mean a body kit, an LSD is way more of a valuable modification than some fender flares.)
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Textured Soy Protein
> Devlin Munion
05/13/2014 at 21:38 |
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The 135 + old Jeep combo is a great one. I love my 135is and old Grand Cherokee.
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ModerateSloth
> Textured Soy Protein
05/13/2014 at 21:41 |
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Good points, it seems you have changed my mind as well. As far as the 1M conversion goes I'm afraid I'm not as educated as I should be. I haven't done the research, just going off of some pictures he sent me. I'll suggest the LSD option, he is probably familiar.
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OPPOsaurus WRX
> ModerateSloth
05/13/2014 at 21:43 |
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I think the style looks awesome, it just seems like a waste of money if your not going to use the mods. How bout going used and getting both?
BKRM3
> ModerateSloth
05/13/2014 at 21:47 |
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Well...
https://www.bmwcca.org/ads/2009-bmw-1…
wbizarre - OEM fetishist
> ModerateSloth
05/13/2014 at 21:48 |
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Here's how I see it:
Rationale for the BMW: BMW.
Rationale for the Wrangler. Wrangler.
If you live in the Tundra and love BMW, you can make the BMW work in snow. If you live in the urban jungle and love the Wrangler, you'll have a smile on your face wrangling the Jeep around on asphalt. These are two very different options. I can't really think of anything to help your friend choose. The BMW makes more sense as a step up from the GTI, but car enthusiasts don't really make sensible decisions, do they? Toss a coin. If his heart sinks a little at what comes facing up, get the other choice.
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ModerateSloth
> OPPOsaurus WRX
05/13/2014 at 21:48 |
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Could be an option, only issue is storage and the fact that he probably would not be able to make all the modifications that he wants because of the money spent on two cars instead of one. Could be wrong though, I'll pass it along.
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Tom McParland
> ModerateSloth
05/13/2014 at 21:52 |
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Hmmm...Hyundai Gen coupe is kinda close. Mini Coopers, Fiat Abarths, and the Oppo favorite Fiesta ST are all excellent autoX choices.
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Textured Soy Protein
> ModerateSloth
05/13/2014 at 21:55 |
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The 1M has a bunch of other suspension bits and bobs to go with the wider track allowed by the fender flares.
135 + fender flares + wider wheels & tires /= 1M
The 1M also has the active M differential. On my car with the open diff, I can pretty easily incite it into spinning one wheel and making the traction control go nuts. Which is why an LSD is a good move.
For what your friend wants, sounds like some kind of performance-y awd hatch or wagon would be the ticket.
DipodomysDeserti
> ModerateSloth
05/13/2014 at 22:12 |
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BMW all the way. Buy a beater 4x4 off CL for offroad adventures.
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Devlin Munion
> Textured Soy Protein
05/14/2014 at 08:47 |
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You have a great combo indeed! My Dad had a few Grand Cherokees growing up. They were beats, and the "is" is the best one you can buy as well.
Mbdurham
> ModerateSloth
05/14/2014 at 08:57 |
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25k won't touch a 1M. I'd say Jeep given the activities he is interested in or 135 with roof rack