[j4ck100]

Hi All,

I currently own an E46 M-Sport Saloon 330d. It's fast in a straight line as it has been remapped, but after driving some friends cars, I have come to realise that in the corners, she is a bit of a barge (1650KG and an anvil in the front!). My friends and I are planning a big European road trip encompassing the Nurburgring in the summer, and my 330d just is not suitable for this, so shortly it will be time to say goodbye.

I have always fancied the "35i" engine, and I am now torn between the E82 (135i Coupe) and the M135i.

So, my question is, to what degree does the M135i handle better than the 135i coupe - as I understand they both have the same poke - and N54/N55 engines are both good albeit N54 can be unreliable when it comes to Turbo's etc - comments here appreciated to.

I have heard reports that the 135i can tend to under-steer due to thinner tyres at the front?

Would love to hear from anyone who has driven both or anyone's thoughts in general.

Many thanks, soon to be babybmw owner,

Jack

 

[br0wny]

I often wish I got an e82 135i. So I'm of no use as I also love my m135i finally.

 

[j4ck100]

For what reason out of interest?

 

[br0wny]

I think they can be made to look more aggressive and they are much sharper and more focused feeling going on my dad's pre and lci 120d coupe's

 

[marco_polo]

Both great cars, both come with staggered tyres.

The E82 is cheaper and easier to modify, if that's your thing. The M135i is marginally quicker around a track as standard though.

E82 is arguably prettier, and will cost you less (in depreciation), but the M135i will probably still be under warranty.

Choices, choices....

 

[Red5]

I would say, that if you plan to buy and drive, then the M-Lite will be a fair bit better.

However, they both need mods to make them genuine drivers cars. If you plan to mod them, then it becomes less clear cut!

Modded with LSD, springs, dampers, some arms and bushes, then the 135i could, with it's stiff coupe chassis and hydraulic steering, possibly have the edge, but for £8-£10k less of your hard earned.

Very well modded N55 E82 cars come up for sale quite often, for less than £15k. If you buy an M-Lite, you'll probably have to do all the mods yourself! But, you will have a newer, smarter car with less miles (probably)

What do you like the look of?

 

[j4ck100]

So would I be right in thinking that a 135i isn't just a 1 series coupe with a big engine? They did beef up suspension / brakes etc?

Obviously the m135i has beefed up components over the standard 1 series models...

Looks don't sway me either way to be honest

The front tyres are 215 on the E82 which is narrower than the m135i

How much M trickery went into the m-lite over the 135i ? I'm trying to figure out if buying the 135i over the m135i would be like buying a 330i over an m3

 

[br0wny]

What about the m235i?

 

[rob180bhp]

The e82 is a 1 series with a big engine, don't expect to much from a stock car suspension/handling wise, but has huge potential

The m135i is more refined and probably more relaibe

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk

 

[br0wny]

So would I be right in thinking that a 135i isn't just a 1 series coupe with a big engine? They did beef up suspension / brakes etc?

Obviously the m135i has beefed up components over the standard 1 series models...

Looks don't sway me either way to be honest

The front tyres are 215 on the E82 which is narrower than the m135i

How much M trickery went into the m-lite over the 135i ? I'm trying to figure out if buying the 135i over the m135i would be like buying a 330i over an m3

Neither is an M car

 

[rob180bhp]

You can't compare the 330 or e82 or m135i to a proper M car because they will all fail unless modified

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk

 

[R88]

What about the m235i?

I agree, Coupe to Coupe makes for a better comparison. Budget permitting of course.

 

[Red5]

So would I be right in thinking that a 135i isn't just a 1 series coupe with a big engine? They did beef up suspension / brakes etc?

Obviously the m135i has beefed up components over the standard 1 series models...

Looks don't sway me either way to be honest

The front tyres are 215 on the E82 which is narrower than the m135i

How much M trickery went into the m-lite over the 135i ? I'm trying to figure out if buying the 135i over the m135i would be like buying a 330i over an m3

No, it's not like that at all!

Out of the box, the M135i just feels like a more modern car in all areas. The E series cars are essentially dating back to 04, although the stiffer coupe came out around 08. While the F series cars are from 2012.

Yes, the tyres are 215 on the 135i, but they are runflats! almost everyone bins them, fitting proper tyres in 225/40/18 and 255/35/18.

The 135i has a basic M-Sport suspension set-up, just like on a 120d M-Sport, so an OEM 135i falls behind a slightly M fettled M-135i.

If you mod them though, you'll be buying almost the same bits. The difference and improvement to the older car is greater, but possible creates a more 'Fun' car.
The M135i has a little more 'GT-ness' about it and is more refined.

Will you be modding either car?

 

[Red5]

What about the m235i?

I agree, Coupe to Coupe makes for a better comparison. Budget permitting of course.

It does in theory, but in the real world, where money talks, it's a bit more tricky!

The best 135i cars are about the same price as the entry priced M-Lite choices. The 235i is WAY more money isn't it?

 

[R88]

It does in theory, but in the real world, where money talks, it's a bit more tricky!

The best 135i cars are about the same price as the entry priced M-Lite choices. The 235i is WAY more money isn't it?

Not sure for used. New it's around £3k more which equates to ~9% price difference.

 

[marco_polo]

The E82 got the nice 6 pot Brembos up front, and hydraulic PAS. The 4 pots on the F20 are just as good, but the ePAS feels pretty disappointing by comparison.

Neither come with an LSD, but the E82 will take the E90 DCT M3 rear subframe, with Drexler included. If you want an LSD for the M135i you're looking at £2k+

 

[br0wny]

Depends what you want from the car really.

 

[sunshinewelly]

if you look at my first thread on thread on these forums i was in the same boat as you as i really liked the looks of the 135i coupe and did not like the looks of the m135 - but that was until i saw them in the flesh.

the cabin of the m135 is so much nicer to be in than the 135i coupe which swung it for me. Also in the flesh i actually liked the m135 better than the 135i coupe which looked a little bit squashed.

you also have the benefit of a 5 door m135 - but i went for a 3 door one as i find it a better looking vehicle

also there is not a lot of difference in the prices to be honest. the m135 is newer tech which can be seen simply by considering the cabin.

its a much nicer place to be. (this is coming from a man who was all set on a 135 coupe)

i previously owned a 530i m sport which feels like a tanker compared to the m135.

i may mod it in due course but at the moment i am loving it in its basic form - the auto box is just amazing

 

[Red5]

It does in theory, but in the real world, where money talks, it's a bit more tricky!

The best 135i cars are about the same price as the entry priced M-Lite choices. The 235i is WAY more money isn't it?

Not sure for used. New it's around £3k more which equates to ~9% price difference.

That's not what I mean though. I know the M135i and M235i are only a few grand apart when new.

The 235i is very recent, so there are no second hand ones for £19.000!

Second hand, as we are talking about used, the 135i and M135i are quite close.

 

[j4ck100]

Wouldn't be looking to mod for now so i guess the m135i is the better bet ? 235i out of the question finances wise for now, whilst i do like it .

interesting that people bin the 215 run flats on the front of the 135i coupes

So in conclusion, the m135i and 135i coupes out of the box are very similar in terms of handling would it be fair to say?