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      02-13-2020, 06:25 AM   #1
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2008 135i driver considering 2018 M2...

Hi all,

I used to have a 2008 135i and loved that car. Sold it when my wife and I found out we were having twin kiddos and have regretted. I have a chance to pick up a 2018 M2 today at a very reasonable price but it's out of state and I've never driven an M2 so I'm making a lot of assumptions about how it drives compared to the 135i.

Is there anyone here that's owned both that could enlighten me a bit? Thanks
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      02-13-2020, 07:11 AM   #2
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I've owned both... its better in every way...some say the 135i has better steering because its hydraulic, I did not find that to be true. The suspension on the M2 is way more settled, you get a nice rear diff that improves traction and the car looks 20x better. The N55 isn't quite as strong as the N54 when both are tuned but stock for stock they are close.
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      02-13-2020, 08:11 AM   #3
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Do it u won't regret it. I went from a FBO 09 135 to the LCI M2 and no regrets. Do miss the e82 styling though and steering feel
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      02-13-2020, 08:25 AM   #4
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https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1284383
https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1324812

Bought my M2 used when my '09 135i got totaled. Owned it for 8 years.

Biggest shock on my first drive was how much a few inches in length and width made the M2 feel so much bigger (especially backing into my garage).
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      02-13-2020, 09:09 AM   #5
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Thanks for the replies -- sounds really promising. It's a mineral grey too which is part of the appeal, dunno what BMW has against a gunmetal color on the competition model otherwise I'd be looking at that...
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      02-13-2020, 12:31 PM   #6
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I had/have a 1M and M2 so not direct to your situation, but many 1series people eventually go to an M2. At some point, you need a newer car and it is a logical replacement.

Steering feel is better in older cars with hydraulic racks, some notice it more than others, but there is a difference, and the 1 is smaller. Again, some notice it more than others, with that said, everything else on an M2 would be better, if you liked your 1series, then this is the modern newer, improved version of the 1series, in many ways. The M2 is a great car that is an amazing value in today’s market of performance cars.
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      02-13-2020, 01:17 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by seis-speed View Post
I had/have a 1M and M2 so not direct to your situation, but many 1series people eventually go to an M2. At some point, you need a newer car and it is a logical replacement.

Steering feel is better in older cars with hydraulic racks, some notice it more than others, but there is a difference, and the 1 is smaller. Again, some notice it more than others, with that said, everything else on an M2 would be better, if you liked your 1series, then this is the modern newer, improved version of the 1series, in many ways. The M2 is a great car that is an amazing value in today’s market of performance cars.
Well stated and I couldn't agree more.

I own a 135 and M2. The 2 things I like better in the 1 series are the smaller size and hydraulic steering.
Most everything else goes to the M2. I just puts power down so much better than the 135 and handles great. You'll enjoy the switch.
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      02-13-2020, 01:53 PM   #8
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I also made the 135 to M2 switch but mine's a comp. Much more refined handling. The power is better but don't expect a huge bump. For a huge bump move to the comp. Nice looking car and overall a proper M vehicle compared to the 135.
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      02-13-2020, 03:18 PM   #9
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I currently own a 2011 135i 6MT and a 2018 M2 DCT. I enjoy both cars and know you will love the M2. I have updated the suspension on my 135i with shocks, springs M3 control arms, front sway bar, and sub- frame bushings. I added the BMW performance power kit and M Performance Exhaust and brakes along with a short shift kit. It definitely improved the 135i.

Like others, I do enjoy the steering feel better in the 135i, but both are fun to drive for me! I also have an M340i xdrive that is my wife’s car. It is fun also, but I would say my favorite out of the three is the M2 with great power and suspension.

Good luck with your purchase.
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      02-13-2020, 03:34 PM   #10
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      02-13-2020, 07:51 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by woodman650 View Post
Thanks for the replies -- sounds really promising. It's a mineral grey too which is part of the appeal, dunno what BMW has against a gunmetal color on the competition model otherwise I'd be looking at that...
Womp womp...

(I wish I could've gotten my comp in Mineral Grey. What a great color)

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      02-14-2020, 12:20 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Moflow View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by woodman650 View Post
Thanks for the replies -- sounds really promising. It's a mineral grey too which is part of the appeal, dunno what BMW has against a gunmetal color on the competition model otherwise I'd be looking at that...
Womp womp...

(I wish I could've gotten my comp in Mineral Grey. What a great color)

Exactly why I bought the last year of the OGM2.

Mineral Grey is simply sublime.
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      02-14-2020, 01:26 AM   #13
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Get it no regret
I have had 128i, z4mc, e92 m3. M2 is by far the best among all in terms of power and handling
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      02-14-2020, 03:53 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///M TOWN View Post
Exactly why I bought the last year of the OGM2.

Mineral Grey is simply sublime.
I've always wanted a dark grey car. When I ordered my 350Z back in 2006, i had to get "Silverstone grey" which was like...one shade lighter than I wanted. When I ordered the M2, i had to go with Hockenheim Silver, which is like three shades lighter than i would've liked.

At this rate, i'm just going to end up with a white car the next time i buy something new. I sort of hate white cars.
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      02-14-2020, 05:39 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by woodman650 View Post
Thanks for the replies -- sounds really promising. It's a mineral grey too which is part of the appeal, dunno what BMW has against a gunmetal color on the competition model otherwise I'd be looking at that...

You didn't by chance transfer that car from Carmax did you?
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      02-16-2020, 10:30 AM   #16
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      02-19-2020, 04:02 AM   #17
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I came from a 2010 135i (N55) to a 2017 M2 and its honestly in a different league despite the similar chassis architecture and base engine. For reference I had a manual 135i and a now have a DCT M2.

There were a few things that really bothered me about the 135i; firstly the chassis bushes, everything from subframes to engine mounts to suspension arms are so insanely soft I felt like I could feel the whole car squirming underneath me whenever it was driven fast. This was amplified when I fitted coilovers and stickier tyres. Secondly the steering really wasn;t what I was expecting. the ratio was so slow that it really ruined the handling of the car for me as it would take so much lock to correct any oversteer that it put me off driving the car over the limit. There were a few other things that bothered me such as the poor spec (only myself to blame for that one) and also lack of width for decent size wheels and tyres.

To the M2; what a machine! BMW M really know what to do when it comes to chassis engineering. With everything carried over from the F80/82 platform the chassis is quite spectacular in its communication and responses. The squishy bush feeling is non-existent and the rear axle feel in particular is excellent and really helps when driving the car out of a corner just on the limit of traction. Secondly the engine and gearbox combination is an excellent combination for the road. The later generation N55 in the M2 feels like a completely different engine that that in the 135i; so keen to rev and much better sounding. These things when combined with the much wider track for proper size wheels, tyres and brakes make for a formidable car on the road and track without any modification at all.

Take from that what you will but comparing a non-M car to proper M car, well there really is no comparison if you enjoy the sensations of driving. An M2 will blow your mind after a 135i.
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      02-19-2020, 06:49 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mee2 View Post
I came from a 2010 135i (N55) to a 2017 M2 and its honestly in a different league despite the similar chassis architecture and base engine. For reference I had a manual 135i and a now have a DCT M2.

There were a few things that really bothered me about the 135i; firstly the chassis bushes, everything from subframes to engine mounts to suspension arms are so insanely soft I felt like I could feel the whole car squirming underneath me whenever it was driven fast. This was amplified when I fitted coilovers and stickier tyres. Secondly the steering really wasn;t what I was expecting. the ratio was so slow that it really ruined the handling of the car for me as it would take so much lock to correct any oversteer that it put me off driving the car over the limit. There were a few other things that bothered me such as the poor spec (only myself to blame for that one) and also lack of width for decent size wheels and tyres.

To the M2; what a machine! BMW M really know what to do when it comes to chassis engineering. With everything carried over from the F80/82 platform the chassis is quite spectacular in its communication and responses. The squishy bush feeling is non-existent and the rear axle feel in particular is excellent and really helps when driving the car out of a corner just on the limit of traction. Secondly the engine and gearbox combination is an excellent combination for the road. The later generation N55 in the M2 feels like a completely different engine that that in the 135i; so keen to rev and much better sounding. These things when combined with the much wider track for proper size wheels, tyres and brakes make for a formidable car on the road and track without any modification at all.

Take from that what you will but comparing a non-M car to proper M car, well there really is no comparison if you enjoy the sensations of driving. An M2 will blow your mind after a 135i.
Finally someone that can truly qualify my own concerns and feelings about the 135i in words... I could not have said it better... people forget that it was a car built around runflats and the moment you changed them out, everything had to be upgraded... also the steering rack was indeed super slow.
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      02-19-2020, 07:12 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ASAP View Post
Finally someone that can truly qualify my own concerns and feelings about the 135i in words... I could not have said it better... people forget that it was a car built around runflats and the moment you changed them out, everything had to be upgraded... also the steering rack was indeed super slow.
Thanks ASAP! After fitting the suspension and tyres I quickly realised the limitations of the chassis. A few laps of the Nurburgring confirmed that it was never going to be what I wanted it to be without transplanting the majority of an E92 M3 chassis underneath the car. I can only assume that the 1M was the car I was hoping for hence the move towards the more reasonably priced M2!
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      02-19-2020, 10:04 AM   #20
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You didn't by chance transfer that car from Carmax did you?
No. It's a CPO from a dealer.
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      02-19-2020, 04:31 PM   #21
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I also came from an 08 N54 135. And as others have said, you will absolutely love it. Handling, power, sound, all a good step up from the 135. I know some people make a big deal of the steering feel. But to me it's still an improvement, especially in Sport+.
Loved, and still miss, my 1er, but my M2 is now my Baby!
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      02-26-2020, 02:49 PM   #22
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Currently drive and have owned an '09 135i for ten years, and I owned a '17 M2 for about a year. I sold the M2 last year, and I don't particularly regret it.

Yes, the steering in the M2 was very light and unnatural in the M2 (with or without Sports Plus enhancements). While the 135i steers heavily at low speeds, there's a certain charm to the physical/hydraulic nature of it.

The two things that really disappointed me about the M2.... the general ergonomics and quality of life aspects of the car (i.e. the elimination of a cruise control stalk, overly electronic interior that was in some ways inferior to the 135i's more simplistic interfaces), and the sense of power.

While people have debated me on this one, the N55 engine in the M2 just felt lazy and laggy as compared to the N54 in the 135i. I've given up trying to understand how or why. It's just the way I felt in comparison, and it bugged me so much that I immediately went to look for ways to try to fix it (to limited success). The M2 has more power, but it felt slower to me because the throttle/turbo response just felt slow. In the 135i, just tapping the gas pedal lurches the car forward a bit and gives a general sense of eagerness to accelerate. I think I'm in the minority here about this, but this was a big reason why the M2 did not ultimately become the replacement vehicle that I expected it to be.

In the end, the 135i still feels like a semi-mechanical beast of sorts, which is what was lost on the way to making the M2. My two cents of course!
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