[cplay4me]

This has been discussed a few times in older threads and other places, but I'm going to throw my personal twist on it...

I currently have a 2018 M2 6 speed with 12,500 miles on it.

Mods:

• Ultimate clutch pedal
• Wagner evo 2 comp IC
• MSTv2 turbo inlet
• Turbosmart BOV
• Charge pipe and boost pipe
• AA high-flow downpipe

I happen to have always been very fond of 1'ers and miss the hydraulic steering of my e92 M3. That being said, I've never had the chance to drive one...I've been considering selling the M2 and downgrading to a nice example of a 135/135is. If I do this, I'm guessing I can put $20k back in the bank.

Let's assume I am willing to put $10k into the 135i, or $5k into the M2 to in further mods.

What would you do and why?

[///M TOWN]

Both are seriously great cars

Do what makes the most sense

I owned a 1er for many many years

I let her go to buy my OG and as much as I miss her I love my OG and I count my blessings accordingly

[akkando]

Originally Posted by cplay4me

This has been discussed a few times in older threads and other places, but I'm going to throw my personal twist on it...

I currently have a 2018 M2 6 speed with 12,500 miles on it.

Mods:

• Ultimate clutch pedal
• Wagner evo 2 comp IC
• MSTv2 turbo inlet
• Turbosmart BOV
• Charge pipe and boost pipe
• AA high-flow downpipe

I happen to have always been very fond of 1'ers and miss the hydraulic steering of my e92 M3. That being said, I've never had the chance to drive one...I've been considering selling the M2 and downgrading to a nice example of a 135/135is. If I do this, I'm guessing I can put $20k back in the bank.

Let's assume I am willing to put $10k into the 135i, or $5k into the M2 to in further mods.

What would you do and why?

I wouldn't get one with an n54, but other than that 135i and 135is owners seem to love it.

[6speed_M2]

I personally wouldn't do it unless you really needed the funds. That's a different situation.

The hydraulic steering is nice, but it's not quite the same as the M3. It's close but not close enough. It reminds me of when I had my 135i & drove the 1M.

Also, the M2 is leagues above it in many ways. Reliability, looks, handling, tech, etc. It doesn't seem like a major step up but it would be interesting to revisit that thought after you test drove a 135i.

I drove a 135i fairly recently actually & it was not as fun as I remembered.

[M3R1]

I have owned a 09' 135. Once I had it modded a bit, I did like it . I had KW street coilovers, JB3 (latest JB at the time) and wider wheel/tire set up. I was going to do an LSD, but never fell in love with the car's looks. It was a very fun street car and has a lot of mod potential.

[ChiTownM]

No way. You will soon miss the M2.

[cplay4me]

Originally Posted by ///M TOWN

Both are seriously great cars

Do what makes the most sense

I owned a 1er for many many years

I let her go to buy my OG and as much as I miss her I love my OG and I count my blessings accordingly

I appreciate this sentiment, thanks for the comment. All good choices and I'm very thankful for the opportunity to enjoy either.

[cplay4me]

Originally Posted by M3R1

I have owned a 09' 135. Once I had it modded a bit, I did like it . I had KW street coilovers, JB3 (latest JB at the time) and wider wheel/tire set up. I was going to do an LSD, but never fell in love with the car's looks. It was a very fun street car and has a lot of mod potential.

From a driving perspective, after the mods, did you enjoy the 135i as much as the m2?

Also, did you have a manual 135i?

[cplay4me]

Originally Posted by 6speed_M2

I personally wouldn't do it unless you really needed the funds. That's a different situation.

The hydraulic steering is nice, but it's not quite the same as the M3. It's close but not close enough. It reminds me of when I had my 135i & drove the 1M.

Also, the M2 is leagues above it in many ways. Reliability, looks, handling, tech, etc. It doesn't seem like a major step up but it would be interesting to revisit that thought after you test drove a 135i.

I drove a 135i fairly recently actually & it was not as fun as I remembered.

Appreciate the input. Did you drive a manual? If so, do you have to stretch your arm out as far to shift as you do in the M2?

One of the things I'm struggling with is that my frame is relatively narrow and the m2 interior is fairly wide. By contrast, porsche interior widths tend to fit my frame better and allow me to place my arms more comfortably on the arm rest, and shift better. I was hoping the 135i might be more compact inside and be a little better fit.

Thanks again.

[M3R1]

Originally Posted by cplay4me

From a driving perspective, after the mods, did you enjoy the 135i as much as the m2?

Also, did you have a manual 135i?

I have driven the OG M2 and have owned a M2c and now have a M2cs.

For perspective, I also had a FBO 335i (below) as well as the 135i (both N54 cars, both manual). The size of the 135i is very good, better than the 335i. My 135i was purchased new and the 335i only had 19k when I bought it and 25k when I sold it. They are great cars if you find a good one that has been taken care of. Keep in mind, the enjoyment go away quickly if you give up reliability.

Dynamically "M" cars really feel more substantial. They of course feel more special as well, but that is to be expected.

Short answer to your question "Did you enjoy the 135i as much as the m2?" No

Did I enjoy "driving" the 135i as it was modded? Absolutely.

If you need the money, life is more important than having a car that stretches you thin. I've been there. There are plenty of cars that can fill that need without being an ///M car.

[cplay4me]

Originally Posted by M3R1

I have driven the OG M2 and have owned a M2c and now have a M2cs.

For perspective, I also had a FBO 335i (below) as well as the 135i (both N54 cars, both manual). The size of the 135i is very good, better than the 335i. My 135i was purchased new and the 335i only had 19k when I bought it and 25k when I sold it. They are great cars if you find a good one that has been taken care of. Keep in mind, the enjoyment go away quickly if you give up reliability.

Dynamically "M" cars really feel more substantial. They of course feel more special as well, but that is to be expected.

Short answer to your question "Did you enjoy the 135i as much as the m2?" No

Did I enjoy "driving" the 135i as it was modded? Absolutely.

If you need the money, life is more important than having a car that stretches you thin. I've been there. There are plenty of cars that can fill that need without being an ///M car.

Appreciate it thanks. At this point, thankfully it's not a financial decision. I own the OG M2 outright. I am actually considering a switch because I am wondering if the interior width of the 135i will fit my frame better.

I have a finicky middle back and the width between my shoulders and arm rest (left side) and shifter (right side) is a bit awkward for me so I'm considering a change.

[6speed_M2]

Originally Posted by cplay4me

Appreciate the input. Did you drive a manual? If so, do you have to stretch your arm out as far to shift as you do in the M2?

One of the things I'm struggling with is that my frame is relatively narrow and the m2 interior is fairly wide. By contrast, porsche interior widths tend to fit my frame better and allow me to place my arms more comfortably on the arm rest, and shift better. I was hoping the 135i might be more compact inside and be a little better fit.

Thanks again.

It was a manual I believe. I owned one before & it seems fairly similar from what I remember. Not much different but maybe 10-20% longer for the 1 series. Also, I think the interior space & ergonomics are very close as well.

It's worth a test drive I suppose. I would look into other possible alternatives as well if you're open to different options & I'd recommend staying with the N55 if you had the choice (coming from the N54).

[Joebie]

ive owned a 135i and now an M2 and they are very very similar cars. The M2 has all the hard/rigid M bushings, "LSD", appearance, and wider tires and fenders and modern creature comforts that really set it apart though.

I would also say that in general the M2 is the more reliable car.

If you dont NEED the money id keep the M2, personally. But if you need the money then the 135i does most the stuff the M2 does for a fraction of the price. You really cant go wrong with either car.

[cplay4me]

6speed_M2

Joebie

Thanks, appreciate the input from you both.

[DanG]

If I remember right the N54 135 had lots of mechanical problems. Several recalls that I can remember. The 128 was the reliable car with similar driving experience.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...ake-road-test/

[cplay4me]

Originally Posted by DanG

If I remember right the N54 135 had lots of mechanical problems. Several recalls that I can remember. The 128 was the reliable car with similar driving experience.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...ake-road-test/

I've thought about a 128, but manual 128i's are difficult to find. The 135 is a bit easier.

[magha]

I had a manual n54 135 FBO and traded that in for an 18 LCI m2. Worlds apart when it comes to cornering braking and all that good stuff. In a straight line pretty close but if you have any inclination to track keep the M2 the diff on the oner isn't very track friendly

[cplay4me]

Originally Posted by magha

I had a manual n54 135 FBO and traded that in for an 18 LCI m2. Worlds apart when it comes to cornering braking and all that good stuff. In a straight line pretty close but if you have any inclination to track keep the M2 the diff on the oner isn't very track friendly

Nice, appreciate the input. Unfortunately no track nearby, so unlikely I'll get to do that.

I'm curious how far you could get putting coilovers on a 1 and changing the lsd. I realize that's a good chunk of change, but I'm probably going to put coilovers on the m2 and have it a little lower if I keep it.

[magha]

Originally Posted by cplay4me

Nice, appreciate the input. Unfortunately no truck nearby, so unlikely I'll get to do that.

I'm curious how far you could get putting coilovers on a 1 and changing the lsd. I realize that's a good chunk of change, but I'm probably going to put coilovers on the m2 and have it a little lower if I keep it.

Oh slap some ohlins on the m2 and don't look back! If I could take the 135 steering and put into the m2 I'd miss nothing other than the looks of the oner

And you're welcome always happy to contribute

[Aeko]

Just bought an M2C last week and a lot of what I'm reading here rings true. The 135i has great steering but apart from that it really does not hold up to the M2. The 135i can be made to be good... very good... but overall I feel like the level of quality is miles apart. The 135i I test drove didn't seem any nicer inside than a modern Camry imo.

[cplay4me]

Originally Posted by Aeko

Just bought an M2C last week and a lot of what I'm reading here rings true. The 135i has great steering but apart from that it really does not hold up to the M2. The 135i can be made to be good... very good... but overall I feel like the level of quality is miles apart. The 135i I test drove didn't seem any nicer inside than a modern Camry imo.

Yeah I get that.

To be honest, I don't mind the simplicity. Interior tech, creature comfort/fit finish feel, etc. don't matter a ton to me.

This is my "fun car", so the things that matter most to me (NOT in any order) are:

• comfortable seat
• good manual gear box
• good steering feel
• handling
• strong motor
• looks
• tunability (I think I made that up)
• how I physically fit in the car
• the intangible feel I get when driving it, etc.

[10"]

Originally Posted by cplay4me

This has been discussed a few times in older threads and other places, but I'm going to throw my personal twist on it...

I currently have a 2018 M2 6 speed with 12,500 miles on it.

Mods:

• Ultimate clutch pedal
• Wagner evo 2 comp IC
• MSTv2 turbo inlet
• Turbosmart BOV
• Charge pipe and boost pipe
• AA high-flow downpipe

I happen to have always been very fond of 1'ers and miss the hydraulic steering of my e92 M3. That being said, I've never had the chance to drive one...I've been considering selling the M2 and downgrading to a nice example of a 135/135is. If I do this, I'm guessing I can put $20k back in the bank.

Let's assume I am willing to put $10k into the 135i, or $5k into the M2 to in further mods.

What would you do and why?

I owned a 135is before my 1M and have driven several M2s.

The 135is was a great car—-the steering is MILES better than any M2. It isn't as good as the 1M's steering but it was really good. I'd say the 135is steering was actually a little heavier than the 1M's—-but with a bigger dead spot. But even dead spots on these late hydraulic racks feel like an old school race car compared to the massive dead steering that happened in the M2.

The only thing I didn't like so much about the 135is is how unsettled the back end felt over the bumps and uneven roads. I suppose this is fixable with perhaps an LSD or adjusted suspension. But it's NOT an M car and M cars always feel so sorted out in the rear—especially something the M2 does quite well.

The 135is was really the same as the standard N55 135 but came with a package of options—-a really nice package but if you can find a cheaper standard 135 you can replicate it easily. The performance exhaust on the 135is is awesome—-quiet when needed, loud and popping off when caning it!! Sounds like popcorn popping! Lol

I do think the 135 was a way more fun car to drive than the several M2s I've driven just because it was way more engaging and simple. It was the last old school BMW driving experience before the computers took over—But it has its issues too like suspension and mediocre braking.

The manual transmission in the 135is is very similar or possibly the same unit as the M2. No major differences and it feels great.

It's easy to find regular 135s on the used market—-you should go drive one. The 135is largely is the same car with just some little options.