BMW 135 coupe vs 130 coupe

[Littlered]

Is the 135 worth the $30k premium over the 130? Anybody test driven both cars? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Friendstar]

yes.

 

they'r very different beast altogether

 

the 135 is using the 335 award winning engine.

[Littlered]

yes.

 

they'r very different beast altogether

 

the 135 is using the 335 award winning engine.

 

I understand that the 2996 IL6 also won some awards. The missus likes the 130 more. The shape is more sorted. The 135 has a backside that looks like an afterthought. I agree with her. But that twin-turbo 6 ...

 

It's now a $30k question.

[Chickenbackside]

Put it this way.

 

You could spend $30k on a 130 and won't get the power of a 135.

 

But put $30k into a 135 and you will have a beast.

 

How much power do you need? NA and TC'd engines both have their own strong points. If you're a power freak, no doubt $30k is worth the extra power and the ability to easily top up a lot more. If you value smoothness, instant response and all the good things about a really nice NA engine, then the 130 is very sweet indeed.

[Sturtles]

Is the 135 worth the $30k premium over the 130? Anybody test driven both cars? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

There are not many twin-turbo inline sixes left in the world to be purchased. Even the new GTR is using a V configuration.

 

For 30k, you'll have an engine that is rarer than a Ferrari.

 

Kudos to BMW for sticking to the inline six. Its an good and affordable engine for the masses.

 

Of course, if the pocket is deciding, then those Audi coupe/convertible are also not a bad idea.

[Qr25vet]

Is the 135 worth the $30k premium over the 130? Anybody test driven both cars? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

its worth every single cent...Lets just say that the 135's engine has more torques than an E46 M3's engine with no lag whatsoever in the turbos as they're So small Not to mention that the engine so far I've not encountered any significant issues so yea...Why not get a manual while yea @ it?

Edited May 9, 2009 by Qr25vet

[Littlered]

Anyone have any views on the 2 cars beside the engine? There's a 1 year old 130 on offer for 108K. Looks like a steal..may go down to check it out.

[Kyojin]

I understand that the 2996 IL6 also won some awards. The missus likes the 130 more. The shape is more sorted. The 135 has a backside that looks like an afterthought. I agree with her. But that twin-turbo 6 ...

 

It's now a $30k question.

 

the looks is inspired by the iconic 2002. not an afterthought. if i were getting a 1er, i'll go for the coupe style just for that reason.

 

someone spoke of lag and instantaneous power. the N52 inline6 twin turbo engine has almost zero lag. pulls from 1500 all the way through. easy to extract more power with a huge list of piggy-back chips available from US or EU.

 

for $30k more you also get 6-pot front brakes.

[Picanto]

the looks is inspired by the iconic 2002. not an afterthought. if i were getting a 1er, i'll go for the coupe style just for that reason.

 

someone spoke of lag and instantaneous power. the N52 inline6 twin turbo engine has almost zero lag. pulls from 1500 all the way through. easy to extract more power with a huge list of piggy-back chips available from US or EU.

 

for $30k more you also get 6-pot front brakes.

 

but 30k is a lot if $$.

 

[Friendstar]

There are not many twin-turbo inline sixes left in the world to be purchased. Even the new GTR is using a V configuration.

 

For 30k, you'll have an engine that is rarer than a Ferrari.

 

Kudos to BMW for sticking to the inline six. Its an good and affordable engine for the masses.

 

Of course, if the pocket is deciding, then those Audi coupe/convertible are also not a bad idea.

 

 

sorri for the noob question.

 

other than the lower CG, what other benefits do inline six have over a V6?

[Qr25vet]

smoother and freer revving engine cos in theory the 6 cylinder engine is the most balanced of the lot...wheras in a Vee engine its more...rough....

[Watwheels]

sorri for the noob question.

 

other than the lower CG, what other benefits do inline six have over a V6?

 

I dunno about the low CG thing but if the inline 6 compared to a 60degree or a 90degree V6 obviously it's the weight and space. Having an inline 6 the engine block is smaller and weighs less without compromising much of the power.

 

There are a few narrow V6 configurations other brands are using like VW(3.2L, 3.6L V6s) and Citroen/Peugeot which more or less can consider as an inline6 (the angle IIRC is around 15degrees). The 3L Citroen/Peugeot narrow V6 is so compact it only requires 4L of engine oil.

 

I know Audi V6 are 60degrees angle.

[inlinesix]

sorri for the noob question.

 

other than the lower CG, what other benefits do inline six have over a V6?

Engine Smoothness

[Damienic]

yes.

 

they'r very different beast altogether

 

the 135 is using the 335 award winning engine.

 

The 135 is rated by JC as one of the best car ever produced by BMW..

 

[Sturtles]

I dunno about the low CG thing but if the inline 6 compared to a 60degree or a 90degree V6 obviously it's the weight and space. Having an inline 6 the engine block is smaller and weighs less without compromising much of the power.

 

There are a few narrow V6 configurations other brands are using like VW(3.2L, 3.6L V6s) and Citroen/Peugeot which more or less can consider as an inline6 (the angle IIRC is around 15degrees). The 3L Citroen/Peugeot narrow V6 is so compact it only requires 4L of engine oil.

 

I know Audi V6 are 60degrees angle.

 

 

I'm not the expert here, but narrow V6 is still not = equal to inline 6 in terms of construction.

 

Borrowing Damienic's link for illustration,

 

 

Inline 6 is a straight bank of cylinders, where as V6

 

 

is 2 bank of 3 cylinders connected to single output crankshaft.

 

 

 

In terms of CG, the V6 has the advantage of a shorter height over the I6, but because of the inherent stability of I6. I6 is more balanced, and requires no compensation balancing mechanism, making it lighter, and simpler.

 

 

 

[Ahbengdriver]

Oh did you say looks? Then I think all the 1-ers look odd to me . Its SMALL.

 

If I were you that had to get a 1 series irregardless, then spend that $30k and get the 135i. $30k is not much when you look at the price level of the 135i, how many percent is that of the price ? In the USA and Europe I believe the 3L engine is slowly being phased out by BMW. The 3L TT engine is currently probably the best if not one of the best of many already great engines BMW had made. Won 2 years in the row as world best engine dude. . The 130 is and will be smoother a bit bcos its an NA engine but the 135 is essentially same but they ve added 2 small turbos. There is hardly any turbo lag which u will find many other turbo charged cars, and trust me I know what turbo lag is bcos I ve been driven in EVOs and STIs with large turbos. Its gonna be used in many BMW models going forward because it was such a huge success. I can tell u from people who bought 330 that upon the 335 making its appearance, all squeeze balls.

 

Tell your wife to go for another test drive, this time let her take the driver's seat in both the 130 n 135. Thats how I convincec mine and bought the 335 myself instead of the 325.

 

 

[Littlered]

Went down to test drive the 130. Was great. Smooth drive, power, NVH, space, everything was great. Unfortunately, the 135 was not available. Only on indent basis. But the 125 gives a very good impression of the body, if not the engine.

 

Power wise, I thought the 130 is more than sufficient. But the interior of the 130 is super plasticky. Grey and boring, really. The 125 interior is more inspiring with more leather, and overall classiness.

 

Hmm...

[Turbonetics]

it boils down to what you want for a car?