[MarkW]

I used to be a member here a few years ago when I had a remapped 123d Coupe which I really liked.

Due to a long commute I bought a 520D with lots of gadgets and it was a dull but luxury mile muncher, then I got a job closer to home and I was going to get an M135i but I have a bad back and I really struggled with the seating position and offset pedals so had to rule it out.

Long story short but I ended up with an Audi S3 Saloon which I have had 12 months and still love, but my other half has a Z4 coming to the end of it's PCP and we have been looking at changing into an M135i for her.

We are trying to keep the monthlies down so have been looking at:

Alpine white
3 Door
Sports Auto
Comfort pack with Front and rear sensors
Heated Seats
Sun Protection Glass

We may also consider the BMW Loudspeakers, and my wife would also like a heated steering wheel. Anyone got one?

We are negotiating with the dealer at the moment, so it will depend upon the deal if we go for it, but if we do it will be interesting having a long term comparison with the M135i and S3. The BMW definitely has the better engine, but the S3 has it's good points as well.

Have read a lot of threads on here, but any other M135i tips appreciated.

I remember this to be a really good forum, the Audi-sport.net forum is very negative and unfriendly in comparison so I only frequent it if I need info.

 

[R88]

For your back I would highly recommend the Adaptive Suspension. This option is the reason I'm waiting 2 months for my car instead of 2 weeks when ordering.

 

[Plantjuk]

http://babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=80&t=72965

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Here you go

 

[MarkW]

Thanks for the advice. - We may have to add Heated Steering Wheel then!

TBH this will be my wife's car and I won't get to drive it that often, so not to worried about my back. If we do get one it will be interesting to compare back to back with the S3 though.

I have seen the TRL options list - very useful indeed.

In fact we have had a quote from TRL, but the problem is they are not interested in our Z4 for px, so we would have the hassle of having to sell privately.

We are currently in negotiation with our local dealer who will give us something for the Z4 in px and are coming back with a better offer next week which hopefully will be good enough to go for.

Also can't decide about Sun Protection Glass. We've had it on some cars and not others. I've not got it on my S3 and don't miss it, but think it suits the white M135i. Maybe we should ditch it for the BMW Loudspeakers and heated wheel instead.

 

[Ashley6285]

I had a heated steering wheel on my Approved Used F30 and whilst thinking it was a ridiculous thing to spec over folding mirrors, came to fully value the benefit. If i had the £150 to spend now, i would still go for the folding mirrors over the heated steering wheel, but if possible, go for both!

Also makes the steering wheel feel a little fatter too.

 

[MarkW]

Well we have done a deal with a local dealer on an already built car due to arrive in the UK in a few weeks, pretty much to the original spec we were looking for, so:

Alpine white
3 Door
Sports Auto
Comfort pack
Heated Seats
Sun Protection Glass

So no front sensors or heated steering wheel, but the discount and p/x we got was great so seemed to good to miss. I don't think we could have done much better as they considerably beat TRL's prices.

Also got Black M Performance Grilles and a full tank of fuel thrown in as well. Should be picking up around 3rd week of March.

It's the wife's car but looking forward to having a few drives and comparing it to my S3

 

[Innerchild]

Pretty much identical to the spec I would be looking at, only difference is it would be a 5 door. What kind of deal did you get and where from?

 

[Menace]

Sounds like you may have been in the right place at the right time re: good deal.

If the car was order and cancelled (by customer or dealer) and then said dealer suddenly needed some numbers to stack - that is when silly (good) deals can be achieved.

Don't forget dealers get points for unit sales not cost of sales.

Good purchase you.

 

[Airsafari87]

Heated steering wheel. YES I love mine it's never off at the moment even on cold summer morning it just makes it so much nicer to use

I would not buy a car without one from now on if I can help it. Best 125 quid I think I have ever spent

Ignore the people that call it silly or stupid and go for it

As nicely specc'd as my M135i is, I really wish I had a heated steering wheel too.

Next car I spec / buy will definitely have that option ticked.

 

[MarkW]

Car is through Rybrook Warwick. The deal was the Z4 as deposit, then £312 per month. They had a VIP weekend on and said they could get extra support from BMW. Don't know how true this is, but the deal worked for us.

It wasn't a cancelled order, just a stock car for another dealer. We wanted a car for April and wouldn't have got a new build in time. They looked on the system to see what cars were already in build and available, and this was the best match. We could have had a fully loaded one but didn't want to spend another £30-£40 per month. There wasn't a single car with a heated steering wheel though.

 

[sunshinewelly]

well done, i suffer with a bad back and find the heated seats a godsend.

 

[Mr Mustard]

Would be interested to read any comparison info on the S3 saloon Mark, I'm unable to decide whether to chop my 235 in for one to accommodate the family better.

In particular the magnetic ride, had enough of the 235s jiggly / bouncy ride on passive suspension.

 

[MarkW]

Will update re comparison when we have had it a while.

I didn't notice a jiggly ride on the standard m135i to be honest. The only reason I didn't buy one myself was the offset pedals twisting my back causing back pain.

My S3 has mag ride as it is standard on the Saloon. In dynamic it is quite firm which is where I leave it. Comfort is fine for motorway but I find it too bouncy on normal roads and especially on speed humps it's like a pogo stick!

There is a lot of chat on the Audi forum (mostly negative) of the ride on the standard suspension S3 so I think mag ride is definitely worth it.

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