LFA951

I was getting on I-95 and I was next to a black little BMW and I noticed that when I accelerated to get on the highway, it kept right up with me and my 14 psi, I came home and found out that the little BMW I saw had a 3.0 L inline twin turbo six under the hood with 300HP, the same as the bigger 335i! Anyone familiar with these?

pontifex4

Yes, a few run on track with me locally. It's VERY easy to get a lot more power from them.

onspeed

They're underrated + running low boost. Something like 7psi I think. They have chips and kits and etc to up the boost and get a lot more power for relatively little money. Sound familiar?

V2Rocket

that motor can be rechipped for cheap that will bring you to 380+hp and over 400 lbft...

JDS968

It's a very cool car, but actually heavier than it really should be for its size (just a bit less than the 335i, maybe 100 pounds?).

Although they claim it has 300/300 stock, I've "heard" that it's actually a bit more like 320/320...and with Dinan Stage 3 software (which also requires a Dinan intercooler and oil cooler) it makes 400/430...with a fully-matching warranty. Might as well consider it a factory option.

When it first came out, I got invited to test drive it at South Motors BMW...they only had a Steptronic, but I test drove it anyway...seemed pretty nice, nothing amazing. This was before I was daily driving the 968. I wanted to drive the 6MT but they said they wouldn't get one in the dealership unless you actually committed to buying it, sight unseen. Whatever.

Went to an autocross a few weeks ago organized by David Tuaty, who has a leased 135i. I don't think it had the sport package, but I could be wrong. At the end of the day, we had a contest...everybody drove the course in his car and compared times.

Now that I actually had the chance to drive it without a salesman in the passenger seat...I discovered that it's a dog.

I don't think there's anything wrong with the engine (not like there's much of a chance to wind it out on an autocross course) but the car was made of jello. Would not turn in, body roll so bad I almost got seasick, squirming and waggling, brakes were mush, steering was numb...

Interesting fact, the engine sounds exactly the same at 7000rpm as idle, so you'll have no idea when to shift unless you keep looking at the tach. Which I didn't realize until I noticed the car simply hadn't been accelerating for about 2-3 seconds. It has a soft limiter, so you can ride it and cruise around at 7000rpm nice and smooth all day without noticing.

I'll freely admit that I'm spoiled rotten by the directness of the 968, but I still expected better.

However, I think it's got a lot of potential. If you spent $11,000+ on the Dinan Stage 3 software with intercooler and oil cooler, Stage 3 suspension, and Torsen LSD, you'd have a $49,000 beast that would rape E92 M3s...and maybe base-model Carreras, too...

EDIT: Don't forget, on any new non-M BMW, you have to get rid of the Clutch Delay Valve too...

DeWolf

Ugly. I don't mind BMW's, have an E39 540i, but the 135 is ugly.

LFA951

I didn't think it was "ugly", but it did seem small, kinda reminded me of the tiny T1 from the 90's...

ramius665

The 135i has gotten mixed reviews from C&D and MotorTrend. In both cases they rave about the power and the lack of turbo lag but complain about the "new" BMW steering system that's made it's way into almost every model. A lack of steering feedback has been noted in every review I've read. They compared the new Z4 w/the same 3.0L TT motor against a Boxster S and said the motor was the only thing that kept the Z4 in the competition.

JDS968, I agree with your review completely.

And to everyone with an E39 BMW, myself included, I don't think BMW will be able to meet that level of fit, finish and feeling of a "complete" car anytime soon. I think it will take BMW years to recover from the "Bangle" era and get back to cars that come close to being the Ultimate Driving Machine. Maybe they just need to do a new round of BMW Films?

V2Rocket

what is this?

lart951

135I you got to be kidding anybody driving a modded 951 shouldn't worry about anything but Z06's. You guys embarrass me

DLS

i think the 135i is a pretty cool car with lots of potential but sadly rather expensive yet
look at this one with 458hp
http://www.garaget.org/?car=202076&image=1902357

but in a few years maybe it´s in the right pricerange for me
i like the cayman s but it needs a turbo

JDS968

The 1-series coupe is supposed to look like a 2002, but it really fails in this...it just looks like a 3-series that's been put through a trash compactor. Which isn't bad.

I really think the E39 was one of the best sedans ever built, certainly the most elegantly styled except for the Jaguar X308, and the E60 is without question the most hideous sedan ever built. It's tragic, and Chris Bangle is a dick.

I really like all of the films, but "Star" was epic. I can't watch it enough times.

Any modern BMW with a clutch pedal and no ///M badge has a valve in the clutch hydraulic system that limits the rate of clutch engagement. This makes it impossible to shift properly. It's a retarded nanny-state protect-you-from-yourself idea that doesn't even work right. Full explanation and diagrams here.

Oh shut up already

manticore33

I agree about the e39 being a wonderful car (I own a 530i / 5 speed - fits car seats), but to be honest I still prefer driving the 951. I've contemplated going to an older 5er (3 series is too small, small car to me = Porsche) for the fun of it (I love big-6s), but could never find the right one.

And I do agree that modern BMWs have become too techie (although BMW has always been a gadget car) and disconnect. Wait, let me revise that, most modern cars have become too techie and disconnected from the driving experience.

And the 1-series? Just plan ugly. Actually, there was a thread on the 1-series on Bimmer forums talking about going to FWD for the platform since 60-70% of the owners did not realize it was a RWD car. I realize you need to sell cars, but the mass market catering that keep going on is absolutely killing my lust for any new vehicle.

Pretty soon there will be no cars and everybody will be driving crossovers! :cynical laughter

Paulyy

I had a bmw E30 (3 series) going nuts taking off next to me, keeping up with me. I looked at the boost gauge, it said 0psi

Those 135i's are pretty cool little cars, allthough it's 3 years old, do we forget how old our 951's are 24-22 years old? for it to be keeping up and belting these new cars, i think thats impressive.

Not to brag or anything but off the line my 951 beat a Holden VZ SS (Australian car) with a Chev L76 engine same engine as a Pontiac G8, my 951 is 90% stock.

- Paulyy

JDS968

I heard this as well.

I think if they switch the 1-series to FWD, the BMW CCA will storm the Spartanburg plant and burn it to the ground. Or take it over and start making E30 M3s again