BMW 1-series coupe- 300hp/300lb ft

[joe_r]

i told you I was going to do it. i actually did some very careful calculations on getting the wheelbases to matchup as close to accurate as I could.

[killer_b]

for the weight and price difference I'd get a (IMHO much better-looking) 335i Coupe

my friend had a 335 coupe and inexplicably traded it in on a Z4 M Coupe like the one you're driving this week. Definitely NOT the move I would have made, but to each his own I guess

[joe_r]

well, the M is still an M, with M logos everywhere, stiffer suspension, probably better brakes, and, at least around here, an M coupe is a rarer site. The 3 coupe and sedan are so prevalent around here. the M probably sounds faster =)

Me... I don't get big coupes. the MB S and CL coupes, and the like. I've tossed the 3 coupe in there. if you need a backseat that is that big, get a 4dr...

the 335i coupe looks so much like a 6 series to me, I confuse them from a distance. Maybe thats a good thing, but the 3 has gotten to big for my tastes.

[agent_nine]

Don't be so sure about the brakes - the Sport package on the 1 includes six-piston fronts.

If I wanted sporty/practical, the M3 sedan would fit the bill, but I doubt I'd pick up a coupe... heh, I'd be happy to have to struggle with that decision though.

[jayson]

Not to bring this thread back from the dead, but I finally test drove both a 128i and 135i. BIG MISTAKE, because now I can't stop thinking about the thing. The power of the 135i is DAMN impressive. It pulls like crazy, is the size of an Integra but if anything reminds me of driving a C5 or C6 Corvette without the harsh ride. I am in the market for a new car, and am now seriously considering this thing. Price is much higher than what I am wanting to spend, but I still have a damn grin on my face more than 24 hours later.

[SK]

I have 3 words for you: CPO. Even used, the 135i still isn't cheap though, and the 335i is a better buy IMO. I almost bought one myself but ended up with an E90 330i, which I love so far.

[jayson]

Originally Posted by SK

I have 3 words for you: CPO. Even used, the 135i still isn't cheap though, and the 335i is a better buy IMO. I almost bought one myself but ended up with an E90 330i, which I love so far.

I will have to drive a 330i, I have to admit though, one of the main reasons that I like the 1 is due to its compact size. 3 series has gotten a little too large for my liking.

Have you had any issues with the fuel pump? I have heard of them being somewhat problematic in these cars.

[SK]

Originally Posted by jayson

I will have to drive a 330i, I have to admit though, one of the main reasons that I like the 1 is due to its compact size. 3 series has gotten a little too large for my liking.

Have you had any issues with the fuel pump? I have heard of them being somewhat problematic in these cars.

The 3 is just the right size now. Previous versions were too small to be anything but a 2-seater unless you were putting kids in the back seat. I can actually drive 4 grown adults to lunch in my car without sliding my seat forward. The best thing about the 3 getting bigger is that the weight has barely gone up thanks to all the aluminum they used in the unibody structure and suspension.

The HPFP failures are strictly on turbo 135/335 cars, not the NA 330i. Here's a breakdown of the cars year by year:

2006:
325i: The basic 3 series with less power than the 330i. Still a 3.0 N52 though despite the 25 in the model number.
330i: The high performance model, a 3.0 N52 with 255hp. 2006 was the only year this car was sold in the US.

2007:
325i: Same basic car as 2006
328i: Replacement for the 330i, has a detuned N52 so as not to compete too much with the new 335i model
335i: New model with a new twin turbo engine (N54)

2008-2010 are all basically the same including the introduction of the 128i/135i in 2008. The 135i has the same engine and power as the 335i but it's a much smaller car overall. Oddly enough, not much quicker. I've seen 11 sec 335i's with crazy turbo setups, but not many really quick 135's. They just aren't as popular I guess, and that reflects in the price. You can pick up a nice E92 335i for less than a 135i these days, probably just because there are more of them and they came out a year before the 135.

The N52/53/54 engines are all new and as such they aren't completely proven yet. However they've been around since 2005 and aside from the HPFP's and some lifter noise on the N52's, they've been a pretty rock solid engine platform. I like mine so far, and while I kinda wish I had the E90 335i, I'll take the simpler and more fuel efficient NA car for now.

[killer_b]

some of the guys I track with had "engine overheat" warnings on the 335i / 135i on the track.

We normally do 20-minute sessions so it wasn't from extended running, nor was it from crushing desert heat :P

Dunno if they solved that issue on the newer models

a friend is getting his new 135i this week. He had a 335i, traded it for a Z4 M Coupe, then traded that for an X3 and now back to a 135i. I'd hate to be paying for all that

[SK]

Right....oil coolers are a must on those cars...any turbo car really. I think it's an option (!) on the 135/335.

[jayson]

Thanks for the info, I have a lot of thinking to do here. I see that the N55 is replacing the N54's for 2011.

* New engine shares the same aluminum block as the previous engine
* New cylinder head with VALVETRONIC
* Single turbo with Twin Scrolls (faster response and at the same time more efficient)
* Unchanged 300hp and 300 lb-ft torque for 135i
* 7% improved efficiency

Not sure what that all means in terms of reliability, but I am sure it is all well and good. I believe that the sport package includes an oil cooler on both 128i and 135i.

Whatever I buy I am planning on keeping for the long term. I cant justify spending that kind of money / taking the hit on depreciation otherwise.

Decisions, decisions.

[jayson]

Interesting thread regarding direct ignition / turbo engines (mostly European) and deposit buildups in the valvetrain:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...1574495&page=1

Makes me curious about the 128i & tuneability vs. full blown 135i.

[Tam]

Looks like demand for used 135s pretty high, can't find any used ones on Craiglist in San Diego and only a small handful in L.A..

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst...628433118.html

Gotta love the BMW depreciation, 12k in one year.

[SK]

Originally Posted by Tam

Looks like demand for used 135s pretty high, can't find any used ones on Craiglist in San Diego and only a small handful in L.A..

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst...628433118.html

Gotta love the BMW depreciation, 12k in one year.

Seriously, buy a 335i. My 330i was less than 50% of sticker price.

[nonsense]

I remember reading a GRM article on the 335i vs 135i. I recall that the 335i was faster around the track because it's size made it more stable, thus easier to drive at the limit.

Honestly I don't see the point of spending all that money on a baby 3-series. Maybe if they brought the wagon /5-door/hatch version to the US.

[jayson]

Originally Posted by nonsense

I remember reading a GRM article on the 335i vs 135i. I recall that the 335i was faster around the track because it's size made it more stable, thus easier to drive at the limit.

Honestly I don't see the point of spending all that money on a baby 3-series. Maybe if they brought the wagon /5-door/hatch version to the US.

I don't really think of them as a "baby 3", because at the end of the day there really is not all that much of a price difference between the 1's and 3's. (especially when accounting for the incentives that BMW is currently offering). The majority of my dealers lot is current and CPO 3 series vehicles and there are some steals to be had right now. In regards to the 1, I honestly love them for what they are, a *marginally* overpriced compact RWD rocket ship. The fact that you don't see them all over the place is also appealing. Yes there is some fat on the top with pricing, but that comes with buying a BMW... only having to pay for fuel and tires through 50k miles helps make up for some of it... (and then the option to extend to 100k).

So, I think I have decided on a 128i. Huge incentives on 2010 models, and we found one a couple states away that is almost exactly what I am looking for. People are starting to get their arms around tuning the 128i N52 engine, it looks like cams, ECU flash and perhaps some intake and exhaust work puts you between 250 - 275hp. Tuneability could be a big plus.

[mike-y]

The 335i lapped faster than the 135i mostly because the 135 understeers more.

if your looking at getting a bimmer, be aware of the different option packages. There are basically 4 major packages - Sport, Premium, Cold Weather, and the i-drive/navigation,

Out of the 4, sports package is a must, because it gets you the better suspension, wheels and tire package, and also the sports seats, which are way better than the standard seats. It's totally worth the extra price, just for the seats alone.

The other packages aren't as necessary, imo, and you can also pick and choose many of the premium options separately, though it is a better deal to get the package if you do want everything.

Also, starting in '09, some options were removed from the premium package, and now there are sold separately, or are no longer standard equipment. The upgraded sound system and xenons are separate now, and the sunroof is no longer a standard option on the 328. The 3's "base" stereo used to have 10 speakers (including 2 subs), but now it only comes with 4 speakers, and sucks in comparison.

As far as tuning on the N52, there is only an ecu reflash and a piggy back box.. Expect about 8-10hp and tq. There really isn't anything else for the valvetronic motors at this point.

but the 325, 328, and 330 all share the same motor. Everything is pretty much the same (block, head, cams, etc), except for the intake manifold on the 330, and software programming. The valvetronic portion of the program controls cam lift (think of valvetronic as a fancier version of vtec). ONce someone figures it out, you can turn a 325/328 into a 330, since cam lift and duration are controlled electronically. Unfortunately, at this point in time, no one has taken the time to figure out how to do this.

but the bmws are definitely nice cars. Some things are unnecessarily complicated though, and reliability can be hit and miss with these cars, though most of the NA models are pretty good on that front. Of course, expect to pay BMW prices on most everything you might need. No more $18 rotors, that's for sure!

[Gunner1]

I need to drive one of these.
but I would never buy one because I'm too much of a g37 fan and its vq motor.

How do the bimmers compare with a g37s?

[psidriven]

Originally Posted by nonsense

Honestly I don't see the point of spending all that money on a baby 3-series. Maybe if they brought the wagon /5-door/hatch version to the US.

+1. They have them in Mexico. So close, yet so far.

[SK]

Originally Posted by mike-y

The 335i lapped faster than the 135i mostly because the 135 understeers more.

if your looking at getting a bimmer, be aware of the different option packages. There are basically 4 major packages - Sport, Premium, Cold Weather, and the i-drive/navigation,

Out of the 4, sports package is a must, because it gets you the better suspension, wheels and tire package, and also the sports seats, which are way better than the standard seats. It's totally worth the extra price, just for the seats alone.

The other packages aren't as necessary, imo, and you can also pick and choose many of the premium options separately, though it is a better deal to get the package if you do want everything.

Also, starting in '09, some options were removed from the premium package, and now there are sold separately, or are no longer standard equipment. The upgraded sound system and xenons are separate now, and the sunroof is no longer a standard option on the 328. The 3's "base" stereo used to have 10 speakers (including 2 subs), but now it only comes with 4 speakers, and sucks in comparison.

As far as tuning on the N52, there is only an ecu reflash and a piggy back box.. Expect about 8-10hp and tq. There really isn't anything else for the valvetronic motors at this point.

but the 325, 328, and 330 all share the same motor. Everything is pretty much the same (block, head, cams, etc), except for the intake manifold on the 330, and software programming. The valvetronic portion of the program controls cam lift (think of valvetronic as a fancier version of vtec). ONce someone figures it out, you can turn a 325/328 into a 330, since cam lift and duration are controlled electronically. Unfortunately, at this point in time, no one has taken the time to figure out how to do this.

but the bmws are definitely nice cars. Some things are unnecessarily complicated though, and reliability can be hit and miss with these cars, though most of the NA models are pretty good on that front. Of course, expect to pay BMW prices on most everything you might need. No more $18 rotors, that's for sure!

Agreed, the Sport package is necessary, if for nothing other than the seats and steering wheel. I still wish they had a cloth option; I'll probably end up getting mine recovered in an Alcantara/cloth combo since the leather just isn't my taste. Something like this from the UK cars would be perfect:


I do think the Premium package is a good one to get though...like Mike said, you can order all those options separately but it's cheaper to just get the package. Didn't know they downgraded the stereo to the Euro standard though, that's a bummer. Stereo upgrades aren't super easy in these cars so getting a good one to start with would make some sense. The Xenons are good too, so get em if you can.

There isn't much for tuning on the N52 because of the ^@*!ing N54...everyone wants a 335/135 so all the money and time is directed there. You can do an intake manifold swap from the 330i but I think you need a reflash to handle that.

The cars aren't cheap, but neither are most parts/labor for other new luxury/sport vehicles. They don't seem to scary to work on as long as you get the right tools and manuals. Of course bimmerpost.com is a good place to read up on how-to's and other crap...I've learned more about this car in 4 weeks than I did in a year of owning my first Honda.

Originally Posted by Gunner1

I need to drive one of these.
but I would never buy one because I'm too much of a g37 fan and its vq motor.

How do the bimmers compare with a g37s?

You're too much of a Nissan whore, you won't like the BMW. Nothing to see here, move along ;)

Can you still get the G sedan with a manual trans?