On Friday I told you about my efforts to trash our 2008 BMW 135i's tires on the Big Track at Willow Springs. Today I'm telling you that I'd really like to buy and modify a 135i for my personal track-day use.
In stock form, this coupe is as quick as I'd need it to be. In fact, after taking a few laps in our 135i, my instructor, who races a stock-class 135i, said it was no slower than his race car. (Removing the backseat took weight out of the race car, but putting in the rollcage put it back in, apparently.)
Complementing that speed is pretty decent gas mileage: I got a consistent 12 mpg out of the 135i in 230 miles on the track. That would be terrible on the street, but it's about as good as I'd ever hope for during track use.
Our 135i is also very stable through high-speed turns, which describes nearly every turn on the Big Willow course. I'd want to stiffen up the suspension for use on tighter, more technical tracks, but the factory state of tune really isn't that bad. And the ride up to Willow was just fine.
I kind of wish our 1 would take attitude more readily like our E46 M3. But the 1's less oversteery, less personable nature probably makes it safer for someone like me to handle at high speeds... ah, well, maybe that's true, but there's gratification to be had in catching and manipulating a slide, too.
I really like the driving position in our 1 Series coupe -- both for comfort and visibility -- whether I'm on the track or driving to or away from it. The steering wheel, which seems a half-size smaller than the 3 Series wheel, feels just right.
However, the optional power seats with no lateral bolstering have got to go. My left knee got bruised from a day of bracing against the driver door. If I had this particular 135i, the driver seat would be dumped for a Recaro something or other in a hurry.
I'm also getting tired of BMW's rubbery shifters. Our 330i had one, the M3 has one and our 135i has one. They are not that positive. They are not that precise. It's the kind of thing I can put up with, but it's not ideal.
The poor FM reception in our 135i is another annoyance. My favorite LA public radio station usually lasts all the way to Lancaster, CA, but in the 1, it had cut out by Santa Clarita, making it impossible for me to catch up on the morning news. I shouldn't have to buy a satellite subscription just to listen to the radio.
These issues are a nuisance, but somehow the BMW 135i tugs at my heart a little. At $37K and 3,400 lbs, it's not exactly a simple, affordable car. But I like that it's BMW's smallest, cheapest, most unassuming rear-drive, six-cylinder car. I like that it feels just as OK on a road course as it does on the open highway. And something tells me it'll be cheaper to keep up than an E46 M3.
Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 16,363 miles
dougtheeng says:
06:45 AM, 01/19/09
Its definitely a car I could live with on a daily basis. The 135 is getting expensive, so I'll be interesting to drive a 128 and see the feel with that engine. Obviously it won't have the punch of the twin turbo, but I've read that it still has plenty of go. I'm not looking to track a car anyways.
MS3lvr92 says:
09:55 AM, 01/19/09
Good post. A 135i would make a great track car with a few modifications. It's also a great daily driver, but if I were looking for one of those I think I'd lean more towards the 128i. It's more fuel efficient and still has plenty of oomph. Plus it's cheaper, so you could load it up with more options than a competitivley priced 135i.
m_thrizzle says:
11:17 AM, 01/19/09
Of course the 135i is cheaper to maintain than the M3, at least for the first 4 years while it's under the BMW free maintenance plan. But I agree that it will be cheaper to maintain even after the plan is up, but only just a little.
The 135i is going to use the same expensive tranny and diff fluids, and require the same services at the Inspection intervals. The main cost differences may be that the M3 uses 10w-60 and that is $10+ per liter, and M3 tires are bigger and costlier. What kind of oil does the 135i use?
roadburner says:
11:21 AM, 01/19/09
My dealer has a nice Titanium Silver 128i with the Sport Package, Xenons, heated seats and not much else. Almost exactly the way I'd equip it. Manual, of course. Very tempting...
kurtamaxxxguy says:
11:26 AM, 01/19/09
This is a little off-topic but I wonder how long it will be before Edmunds actually tries to craft a track competition team out of its favorites, such as the BMW 135I, the EVO IX
kurtamaxxxguy says:
11:28 AM, 01/19/09
%$#@*&^^% enter button...
anyway, what might be the premier tuner outfits that are customizing 135i's for enthusiast driver duty?
roadburner says:
01:49 PM, 01/19/09
"anyway, what might be the premier tuner outfits that are customizing 135i's for enthusiast driver duty?"
These are excellent shops based on my personal knowledge and experience:
Dinan- Steve's products tend to be the most expensive but they are extremely well engineered. His goal is to add performance without destroying driveability and ride comfort.
Turner Motorsport- Mild to wild, Will Turner has a very extensive selection of powertrain and suspension products. His re-flash for the N54 is an especially good value.
TC Kline Racing- Another good guy, TC doesn't have a lot of stuff for the E82 just yet, but he will have a full line of parts in the near future. I want one of his Carbon Coupes.
UUC Motorwerks- Rob Levinson provides mostly drivetrain and suspension parts, but they are first-rate in terms of quality and performance.
I'm sure that there are other good tuners and shops out there, but I know these guys and they provide excellent products and service.
bimmer13 says:
02:32 PM, 01/19/09
You want to get some quick improvement out of your 135i, head up to Woodland Hills and see Terry Burger at Burger Motorsports and grab yourself a JB3. Less than $400 will get you almost 80hp and 80tq more from the N54.
You can even grab an intake while you are there. Try some comparo tests then.
huyracing says:
05:23 PM, 01/19/09
well if i had to pick a car under $40k right now, it would be this car. as a daily driver/ track car, its potential is pretty good even this early on. as time goes by and more parts are available, i dont see why it wouldn't be capable of hanging with the very best track cars...