How much horsepower does a nearly 10 year old BMW make?  BMW 135 Dyno test results.  

"DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars." (dfwscars) 01/19/2017 at 20:51 • Filed to: dyno, bmw, bmw 135, n54, bmw 135i

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A decade isn’t too long a time for a car, but one has to figure after all those years, at least a few ponies had to be put out to pasture, right? So how many horses had bitten the dust here was what I went to find out.

Meet my project car a early edition 2009 BMW 135 Cabriolet- I named her Bella.

Why not have a convertible in the snow?

These cars are now down to 10-15k with lowish miles- & as Jalopnik pointed out recently although not the most beautiful car, are a heck of a driver Heck the 135 even beat a Porsche Cayman on a track in no part to the M suspension as standard (ouch I’ll talk about that in my review of this car) and the N54 twin turbocharged engine that pushes at least 300HP/Torque.

One thing I’ve always admired about BMWs is that they understate not just their 0-60 times, but also the power. So, how did the little one do almost at nearly 9 year into it’s life?

Giving it all she has.

Well the fact is the results weren’t bad. A power curve that is impressively flat and also if you assume a 15% loss, a 317 BHP figure. That’s right this car throughout the power band put down 260HP and peaked at 274.

As you would expect with a turbo there was some fall off on the high end there, but overall it was pretty linear and impressive power curve for something that is cheaper than any new car in America.

Tell me what you guys think, I was sort of impressed.

For all the sights and sounds check out the video below and subscribe/follow me if you want to see how the project on this car goes (exhaust, air intake, tune, etc):

How much horesepower does a 10 year old BMW make? Dyno of the 135 project car & a Camero ZL1

As always- if you found this interesting, informative, not illogical- please recommend w/ the star at the top. It really helps (I think).

DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars. > DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars. 01/19/2017 at 20:52

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Let me know what you guys thought and any Mods you think I should do!

e36Jeff now drives a ZHP > DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars. 01/19/2017 at 21:02

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What kind of mileage does it have?

Party-vi > DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars. 01/19/2017 at 21:04

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Drop $500 and get a Burger JB4 and add 100hp for me please thx

DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars. > Party-vi 01/19/2017 at 21:10

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Seems like a good tune! they say it’s Track Only tho? Maybe just that’s them covering themselves? I had looked at the AFE or Dinan Stage 1 tunes, because I don’t want the power to overwhelm the handling of the car

DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars. > e36Jeff now drives a ZHP 01/19/2017 at 21:12

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Hey there, it’s at about 60k. So I hopefully have a way of stress free driving to go. I had a CPO E36 ZHP back in the day, was such a dream to drive (it was what inspired me to go w/ the 135 actually).

DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars. > e36Jeff now drives a ZHP 01/19/2017 at 21:12

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at first I read your comment as “what kind of milage does it get?” and I was thinking “what is this a Prius form?”

Phatboyphil > DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars. 01/19/2017 at 21:24

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Strip the interior and add a roll cage for rigidity :D

Also critisisms: THIS IS GARBAGE! WHO GAVE THIS GUY AUTHORSHIP!!! RAAAAAWWWR!

/jk no one really critisizes here lol.

DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars. > Phatboyphil 01/19/2017 at 21:27

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Haha, well thanks- coming from YouTube, you get quite a lot of “feedback.” I already got the model without power seats or premium package to save weight- LOL. That’d be hilarious tho to basically see how close I could get it to an M4 CLS.

Phatboyphil > DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars. 01/19/2017 at 21:32

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You should definitely do a post of funny hate comments lol.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars. 01/19/2017 at 21:38

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Also consider an MHD tune. It works from any Android device and costs a reasonable amount with good support.

DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars. > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 01/19/2017 at 21:41

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ya that w/ the exhaust and air intake I am doing will get it in 1M/M2 territory power wise. Which is sort of the goal. Don’t want to sink too much in it though in case anything breaks so I have $ for that, and because once my other lease runs out in 3 years want to pick up a older Porsche Trubo or a preowned Alfa at that point.  

DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars. > Phatboyphil 01/19/2017 at 21:44

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Oh that’s a great idea- I’ll have to start documenting them.

ToyotaFamily > DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars. 01/19/2017 at 21:47

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Isn’t carbon buildup a big issue on these?

DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars. > ToyotaFamily 01/19/2017 at 21:49

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It was an issue on my Audi S5 4.2 (had a clean under warranty at 35k) which I traded in not too long ago (i.e. shakes when cold, not why I traded it in tho). Haven’t experienced any of that here & clearly it’s still going at near full power 50k in- so I’m hopeful it’s not.

ToyotaFamily > DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars. 01/19/2017 at 22:09

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that’s surprising given the mileage. hopefully it gives you 0 trouble in your ownership, but like the other guys said, get a tune on it. you’ll love it more, trust me lol.

Patrick Nichols > DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars. 01/19/2017 at 22:20

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Welcome to oppo, stay out of the basement!

Matt Nichelson > DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars. 01/19/2017 at 22:26

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Welcome to Oppo.

Stay out of the basement. That’s where whatever Hondabro feels like calling himself this week lives.

How long have you had your car?

Party-vi > DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars. 01/19/2017 at 23:15

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I hate to say it but a Dinan tune would be a waste of money. Also the “track only” is definitely CYA for them.

DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars. > Matt Nichelson 01/19/2017 at 23:59

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Will avoid basement like the plague- I generally do. Had her a few months but barely driven a few hundred miles- as it’s winter. Going to change that soon!

DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars. > Patrick Nichols 01/20/2017 at 00:00

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Thanks! That’s what I’m hearing ;-)

MyJeepGetsStuckInTheSnow > ToyotaFamily 01/20/2017 at 00:49

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Yes. Walnuts every 60k miles. Also the turbos. I had 6 replaced in 70k miles.

DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars. > Party-vi 01/20/2017 at 11:51

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definitely good to know on the Dinan, I had a sense their stuff could be a bit overpriced.

Joey the Car guy > DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars. 01/20/2017 at 20:15

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That’s pretty good!

DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars. > Joey the Car guy 01/20/2017 at 20:16

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I was impressed.

NJAnon > DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars. 01/24/2017 at 00:31

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for a 8 year old car thats good. my car’s automaker did the opposite: they overstated the power numbers for my class of car.

DFW's cars, Ferrari Dave’s thoughts on cars. > NJAnon 01/24/2017 at 04:25

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That really is a bummer. I hate that and it’s so easy to find out- why do it and ruin your reputation? So smart to say this car will make at least 300HP- and then surprise people.