Best Bargain Coupe? 2010 BMW 135i - One Take
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- čas přidán 19. 05. 2019
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Is the 2010 BMW 135i could be the best overall performance bargain for under $20k? It's lighter than an M3, has plenty of power, mods easily, and rides quietly. In this price range you have a lot of options from Ford, Chevy, VW, Scion, Subaru, and Honda. The only way to answer this question is hop in a 400HP 2010 BMW 135i and find out.
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SPECS:
ENGINE: N54 inline 6 turbo. 3.0L twin-turbo.
POWER: 300HP @5800RPM (Stock)
TORQUE: 300TQ at 1400RPM
TRANS: 6-speed manual
WT: 3373lbs
WB: 104”, L= 171” W=68.” Shorter than an e46!
MSPORT: Sport seats, sport wheel, shadowing trim, shifter, black headline, some appearance stuff. - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Zach shake my hand Klapman 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Sweet it’s a BMW with a manual transmission
A true driving machine
BASITH PH The older BMW manual transmission that doesn’t rev match downshifts for you. Can’t get any better
Agreed
🔥
Bryce Czirr sure DCT is faster and smoother but the real experience is with the manual
And I still see a lot of racing drivers driving the manual
And there are some people with the manual who outcorner drivers with DCT
Bryce Czirr I see what your saying, but Matt Farrah put it perfectly. Computers will feel old/boring eventually. Manual will always have a timeless qualities.
I’ve wanted a 135i for years now. Watching and trying to get all the information I can get because I’m starting to really want one again
I started with a 2013 128i . Absolutely my favorite car. Then got myself a 2009 135i . I love it even more.
Did the same thing. 2011 dct and then 2009 manual 135i a few years later
I've had a '11 135i for a little over 5 years now. I've at times considered getting rid of it, but honestly, it's so hard to see myself completing parting ways with it. At this point, I can see myself holding onto it for many more years to come.
Are these considered reliable? I’m looking for a fun weekend car.
@@blarghman332 N55 motor is
@inFamousKicks - still have the 135I?
Still got the car?
@@christopher-gardner Yup, sure do! Doesn't get much seat time these days but still going strong
Shadowing = Shadow Line, i.e. gloss black trim.
He has Comfort Access which permits remote access- i. e. no fob in the holder required to start.
Should get a good FMIC instead of hot air sucking DCI which are the most common modding shuck on gullible BMW owners. Older 6MT can benefit from a good short shift kit.
Tracking at high speed tracks will melt the rubber dust seals. Replace with metal. Rotors are skinny so low thermal mass capacity.
All M3 suspension arms all bolt on. M3 rear subframe bushings help a lot. M Factory, Quaife or WaveTec Torsen LSD (in order of preference) and one starts embarrassing some very potent machines.
I am thankful for people who say it is ugly when all I see is a tauter 3 Series E92 335i coupé.
Apex Arc8 will do wonders for wider Michelins PS4S, which will do wonders for the car.
I never drove my 135i without grinning like a fool when I parked it.
Kudos for Zach showing how to drive safely around a bicycle on a blind corner.
This Ive had mine over 2 years and I still giggle like a school girl when I drive it
yea this stuff makes abig difference honestly since my 1 has all the m3 susp parts, plus widebody front end with 9.5 arc 8's all around surprised they didnt comment on the floatiness of the rear end . Rear subframe bushings should ne the first suspension mod after the m3 front control arm kit due to the price difference of labor and parts..
I’m an owner of a stock, 6-speed 128i. Talk about reliability. That thing is bulletproof. Bought it with 120,000 miles two years ago and put a new bmw clutch in it. I drive the car pretty hard on a consistent basis. Never have had an issue with anything. The 128i is not as fast as the 135i but the level of fun is arguably similar (if you get the stick). The car is reliable, cheap, and most importantly, a fantastic driving experience. Would be an interesting comparison between a 128 and 135 (n54 or n55).
You already have. 128i, optioned up to 135i equipment level (M Sport, lighting package, brakes, 6MT) is just as good, just a little slower but no less fun. Much more rare than 135i, though. Most 128i are strippers with 6AT and no M Sport and no Adaptable HID and smaller brakes.
Perry Tolley is thought the 128i was amazing for what it was. I think it’s slept on and I kind of like it over a E36M
I often wonder how much of the issues with the 135i simply stem from owners mod'ing the crap out of them, which isn't as possible with the 128i.
see this is what i like to see ppl that openly talk about how abusive their driving style/characteristics are...and how theyve fallen in love with a car that can TAKE that level of driving. PPl just think they can throw money at anything to adapt any platform as if some of these mods dont lead to a chain of necessary mods or weight reductions etc. I think im going to have to hunt down a manual 128i myself i see alot more happy "customers" in that car, a lot more driving going on a lot less tooling/tuning. We had a 325ci in the family and they drove the snot out of it only had to change their bushings...and a engine pull job that was DIY...pain but a lot cheaper than paying a shop to do a procedure/pull. Growing up thats what got me into cars seeing that dude step up from a single cam turbo d16. To the e46 platform and the 3-5th gear pulls, i learned stick in that thing before i even had a license. I think the turbo is more suited for the larger/heavier 335/535 cars as sporty 4 door dailys. i have their ev i3 as my daily...and ive had a couple courtesy cars XD....that 1500 rpm torque curve is pretty emotionless NGL. These newer bmw's cater to a demographic with "purchasing power" not DRIVERS that will pay for that feel of "simulated sporty performance" Tried a n52 X drive...SMDH....the turn initiate was like something out of Granturismo with a controller....almost no feel/calibration...the rear sluggish/catching up....i guess unless youre at 80-120mph...which is barely possible on public roads. Not to mention the 4000+ pounds of weight....even worse with the x drive....the thought of how it would handle/feel with a 6 cyl made me sick...i really need to get into a 1 series before its too late...or i wind up buying a used BRZ 2nd gen.
50k mi? You haven't even scratched the surface of the N54 maintenance adventure...
RavTokomi Agreed! They make tons of power, and fun. I owned 2 n54s, but I gotta say - Good riddance! Fuel injectors, bad coil packs, HPFPs going out, leaky turbos, massive carbon buildup issues, weak electric water pump, and I think that’s it, but both of my N54s had similar issues. The fast carbon build up being one of the worst issues, and the dog shit HPFP.
I've got an e91 wagon with a NA 6 and the maintenance picked up quite a bit post 100k miles. The X5 we had with this motor was awful. As in, I'll never buy a post '10 BMW ever again.
*E92 Has limped in the Chat*
Master Driver of Toyota Zupr4 LMAO!!
Can confirm N54 woes. It's gone now lol.
owned an '09 335i n54, a '11 335i-msport n55, and now an m4 comp. I love the m car, but let me tell you, with some very cheap mods the n54 is an animal compared to the other two. I bet it could walk my stock m4 with like maybe 600 bucks poured into the engine bay of my old n54. No seriously
They LIE about N54 numbers! I swear I was gaping GT’s, Camero’s, etc.. turbo 💨 Gone ✅
That one loose strand of hair sticking out from George's side parting onto his forehead is driving me crazy, and all I want to do is reach into my screen with scissors to snip it off.
😂😂😂
Most awkward ending ever, did they just fall in love??
14:26 ... "The package is good...."
That is totally gheyyy!
Cool.
Yeah cool.
Cool man.
he said he was going to get some rubber soo....
That's hilarious. At the end, I said to myself are they going to fuck or what hah.
“Whew, yeah it’s gettin steamy in here.”
I picked up a salvaged title 08 335i 6mt for $5800 a few years ago. Did all maintenance, new belt, new ignition, new injectors, valve cleaning and fbo/ coilovers. My favorite car I've ever owned. Love it more than my f80 M3 😉
Of course you do. The F80 has that horrible, numb, electric steering. It's almost as terrible as the lifeless "Video Game" steering on the Q50 Infinity.
I have an '09 and i love it. Even though i went onto an Audi S4 8.5 after, as my daily; i still cant part with the 135.
Selling my b8 S4 for a 135i! How funny!
Key fob in the pocket to start depends entirely on the option for comfort access. There is a different security module in the car for this option that communicates with the key, there are also sensors in the door handles with this package that detects your hand and pings the key which unlocks the doors with no need to press the unlock button.
If you want a more reliable 135i, get an N55. You'll still do the water pump and oil filter head gasket, but won't have to deal with other shit as much. No need to walnut blast it either. No issues on mine in 4 years. But focus on doing suspension bits first, and get rid of runflats.
Tomas Trunecek
Most N55’s are reliable... mine, replaced all the mentioned and replaced the following.
Vanos system, HPFP, boost solenoid controller, then spun rod bearing and ended up replacing the whole motor. Before anybody says oh you were a horrible BMW order this car was it religiously maintain had the oil changed every 6000 miles. All of these problems started at around 65,000 miles by the time the car got to 95,000 miles all the above had been done.
Doesn’t make as much power as the n54 tho
Youll still be slow and they do need walnut blasted anythig with direct injection does
Had to do both of those on my N55 (2011 e90). On top of that I had to do eccentric valvetronic shaft, thermostat, and oil pressure sensor and temp sensor.
Yeah that's what I heard when I was looking around it I want series the last year or so. That ultimately the n54 is able to produce more power for the n55 has who are The kinks ironed out in terms of those things failing.The one positive aspect is there's a huge aftermarket for the 1 35
So there's a lot of things that you can just buy off handed install without having to take it to the dealership.
I just recently purchased a 2008 135i and it is absolutely amazing.
Until maintenance hits
These cars are great. After owning one and heavily modifying it for a little less than a year, Id like to add a few things to the video.
This chassis understeers like a pig, stock. Sway bar kit helps, if you go coilovers, so does playing with spring rates. It doesn't want to rotate really at all.
The first thing you should do after maintenance is an LSD. If you plan on really driving the car (autocross, this sort of canyon driving, etc) being able to put the power down becomes difficult with the stock open diff. LSD setups are very expensive for this platform, even the basic helical LSD setups due to the welded ring gears for the final drive. I think if I had bit the bullet and installed an LSD, I would still have my 135.
Maintenance! Do your research. Water pumps and thermostats are service items, known to fail about every 70k without warning. Upgrade injectors to Index 11 or 12, a failed injector WILL leave you stranded. Coilpacks and proper spark plugs are a must if you do even a basic tune, just for peace of mind. Keep in mind these cars are very difficult to work on yourself, but much cheaper if you DIY. Cramped engine bay, lots of the oem hardware is single use and you must replace the hardware with new items from bmw if you dont want to break aluminum bolts and ruin your day. Lots of the bigger engine services (turbos, turbo lines, oil pan gasket, etc) requires taking the front subframe and suspension off. Its daunting for sure.
Honestly, if you want a high horsepower modern tuner bmw and have a big budget to extend to maintenance and mods, get an n54 135i. Fantastic daily drivers with lots of potential. For a simple, more reliable, but still fun car for the money, find an N55 135. Couple more thousand up front, but youll most likely have a better ownership experience.
My recommendation would be for someone looking at any 135i, go drive an m235i. Factory lsd, fantastic powerband, better interior, and a very rewarding driving experience. These cars are arguably an even better value, even though you're probably spending 10k more.
that's a pretty astute description of the car. i'd argue that you're asking for too much car for this price. with suspension setup, lsd, and $2k of fbo power mods most kids are eating e90 m3's on the track. stock, definitely not, but this car is 1/3 the price. for me, the extra money for the m235i wasn't worth it. i think what you mean to say is that someone who demands as much as you do out of a car should look at an m235i. you're already in a completely different price range if you're willing to dump over half the car's price on an lsd and coilovers. i wish the car was easier to work on too, i hate how some of the common jobs are pretty hard to complete.
@@dho We're on the same page!
Agreed. And if you ***really*** want a trouble free car, get a 128i 6mt as did I. The n/a sweetness of the inline 6 with rwd/hydraulic steering and no direct injection-make it a lovable classic. Very hard to find one with the m sport package though.
@@Bmwguy2011 Or lighting or brake packages either.
No 235i/240i came with the Drexler clutch LSD unless it was ordered with the car then port installed.
I like the sleeper look and sound.
Keep up the great work on the one takes and podcasts Zach! :)
i love how polarizing the 135i is, one of the reasons why i bought it. my opinion? the look of the e92 335i's are outdated. i think the 135i styling is way more durable than the looks of its 3 series counterpart. it really has some level of resemblance to the e46 m3 coupe, but with rounder lines. if you don't appreciate the looks, you probably aren't alone, but i love the way the 135i looks. the 335i coupe looks like a boat to me from the sides and rear, it's just a soccer dad car where i'm from. the 135i stock sits really low and sounds great, cold starts are amazing.
respect your opinion. I think exactly opposite!
@@LiveLifeLasting I prefer the overall looks and increased comfort and function of my 335is, but I thought my 135i was tauter and a touch quicker in tossability.
E60 and E90 were out of date cosmetically the day they were released.
true it had me looking at 535s instead...while having to consider a tune/pipe or turbo/pipe combo to account for the weight aspects of the 535....then i was just like FORGET IT this isnt going to be a daily/purchase anyways its a pure for fun car...so now im looking at 128i's or clean/bone stock 135s.
Thx for the vid. I drive a '12 135i w/6M, 100k miles and completely agree... important to understand what your signing up for with a used BMW. Mine is well sorted but it wasn't without a lot of time, effort and $. Almost every 'soft part' on car has been replaced much of which was done by me - not unlike a restoration - all aligned with my expectations. Otherwise BMW ownership can be a very frustrating and expensive experience.
135i is by far the best performance car you can buy to date, 450hp fbo and reliable for 10-12k. I owned my n54 for 3 years, drove it from 60k to 100k, and had an amazing experience with it, never had to do any expensive maintenance except injectors. It always started every single morning, even in -40 degree weather, and has never left me stranded. This is a car that is reliable, but it not easy to maintain, but still worth it in my opinion
You bought a good one but I work on them quite often and they do have design flaws. If anyone is buying used one over 100k miles be warned quite a few repairs are expensive or time consuming. Turbos, waste gates, oil leaks, valcovers, bushings, fuel pumps, computers, water pumps, etc. Keep a stack of cash for these items.
Every anecdotal story should be taken lightly and this one is no exception. Like any car they need maintenance but reliability is not a term I would use to describe this car not even loosely.
@@k24dc2tr8 The car started everyday for 3 years and never broke down, that's why I called it reliable, now it's it difficult and expensive to maintain? Yes very, but this doesn't mean the car isn't reliable, because you know exactly when anything is going on break and it's not a surprise. The maintenance this car needs doesn't make it unreliable, but just difficult to maintain there a big difference there
DolphibDivingChamp 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣 very funny.
@@Powertoolz Turbos on N54 are warranted to 120K miles or 10 years. HPFP since 2011 pretty much bulletproof. Everything else is maintenance.
Great review Zach, keep it up man
I think the e82/e81/e87 1 series may well have been the last great small bmw to be made. Unsung hero
I'm learning this engine, just bought my first ever BMW couple months ago a 2011 1M with 25k miles. just tackling the belt, tensioner & pulleys at the moment.
I have an '11 m sport convertible. I can't see a situation in which I would sell it, ever. It's a modern classic and definitely a future collectible. They are quite rare because in '11 most BMW buyers (lessors) would have chosen a 328i for less money.
Tow hook and roof rack! Quite the combo!
N54 is a beast of an engine. My friend has one with rb turbos he beats gtrs
I love how smooth this drives!
Yep definitely saw the moment when Zach thought “I wish I hadn’t put so much into my e46, because now I have to start all over and get one of these” 👍🏻
I had one a few years ago, and it was one the funnest cars I have had, I would get one again in a heartbeat
Proud owner of a 2009. Great car!
Adam Bernard me too!😁
I’m really looking into getting one of these. Anything I should look out for?
@@ryanwilsonbackup bruh .. if u ended up buying one.. then you know lol. proud owner of a n54 135i .. a lot of money is needed to have these cars mint
2009 owner as well. Just spend money on maintenance first, then mods. Just keep up with the maintenance and you'll be good to go.
Had one for a few years, sold it then regretted it and got another a few years later! 09 manual here and I can't think of another car if rather have...
Have had an N54 E82 for 6 years that has 150xxx miles, probably the best overall car in the fleet, despite not being the best in the winter. Maintenance is pretty straight forward when common sense and mild mechanical sympathy is applied.
Exactly right1
Thanks for your service, my grandfather put 20 years in the corps. Awesome car btw
*corps
Deric' Anslum thanks
I have a 2008. Runs on a E60 blend :) Love the machine
I got a 09 BMW 128i sport pack stick shift with 80k I bought at Manheim Auction in Orlando for $5200 in excellent shape including auction fees last August.
J Taylor what a steal man!
@@buzzyinurface
If I do my research I can find automatics out there for that price and lower definitely with little more miles at the Central Florida auctions I go to during the week. But you're right It's just the stick shifts is the one hard to get at that price!
With a JuiceBox ots tune and a DP my old auto 2008 135 was fast as hell. Twin turbo inline 6 on a relatively light car is a recipe for speed.
I had an 09 135i convertible for 5 years. I loved the N54 in it.
POG... Pencil Operating Geek
OIF 9-10 OND
In 2011 I got 21 skull fractures and was in a comma for 15 days.
Still can and love to drive, and that tiny 1 series sleeper with just a few lil tweaks can push it's M3 bigger other around
Zack does a great job on these One Takes. Love the 135i, they are not pretty but man they are a lot of fun. Had a loaner for week in 2009 and didn't want to give it back.
Yeah, only people who have never driven them are critical.
@osp80 well e30 m3 and e46 m3, but other than that, I have to agree. I mean, maybe I'm biased cause I drive one
You damn in the rear son-of-a-b....nothing but respect bro. Eventually you will be in the suck. Don’t rush it.
That’s cool if you’ve never deployed bro you’re still in with us, you STILL have my respect bro! I’m currently 7 years in the navy right now deployed 2 times salute!
I just recently purchased a 2012 135 (n55) 6MT M package - and have spent about 3k on maintenance alone so definitely think about doing jobs diy on this car if you are thinking about buying one. They drive beautifully when it runs right...you may spend months chasing down issues
I had the same exact car for 3 years. Maintenance became a serious issue after 50k miles.
I bought one to flip and fell in love with it
Been looking for a 128i manual for some time now. Just prefer n/a, but these cars are so underrated.
YocoWheelin I've had an auto 128i before,I now have a manual one and it is so much fun
jealous. Would love to find a m package.
I’ve had mine for about 2 years now. Best car I’ve driven. Sport or “m” package is definitely worth it for the seats alone. Car is a riot on the backroads and the track.
YocoWheelin 128i's are a blast. I also recommend the sport seats. You might have to look outside of you local area to find the right one.
The manual tranny model 128i is almost impossible to find! No one gives them up.I was lucky at the auction last August with 80k miles one I bought. Luckily I have access to the auction being on my car dealer.
Got to love a fully balanced motor of theses
I've had both the 128i and the 135i. Wrecked the 128i (not my fault) sold the 135. Buying another 128. I feel it is a better balanced car and is way easier to maintain. A btter street car. But I do have to say the straightline rush is awesome on the 135i. Find a sport manual 128 and drive it!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!!
What type of Maintenance are we talkin about? Are we talkin about repairs? Are there issues with the 135? Please tell.
128i with MSport, lighting, brakes, 6 MT is sweet. Almost as much as 135i when optioned to march, but N52 is less maintenance.
Maintenance is basically keeping filters and all fluids fresh. and replacing water pump and thermostat, oil filter assembly gasket, cam cover gasket, before they fail.
@@maxnix346 thanks for the reply, is this the same engine that is in the z4m Coupe?
@@TheHomeExpert5 high pressure fuel pumps, turbos, some suspect crank bearings on the n55, oil filter housing gaskets seem worse on the n55/54 than the n52. The belt that comes off and gets sucked into the motor and destroys it. (technically the n52 suffers from this but it seems way less problematic. Don't neglect your ofhg and belt changes)
The 135i's are great for power. However, let me be the devil's advocate for a second. If you prefer an overall balanced driving experience, the 128i is the way to go. Yes it's more expensive to add power, but there is a reason other people say the 135i understeers. It's because you have more weight over the front end, which really hurts the driving experience. Then of course, the engine is way more reliable. So if you're on the Miata end of the spectrum when it comes to balance vs. power the 128i is much more fun at turn in and handling than the 135i. However if you want your tail to wag due to lots of power, the 135i is a great package. Oh, and the options are what decides what you have as far as the key needing to be inserted or not. It's called Comfort Access and it's an option. Another joy of owning a BMW . . .
Yes the 128i has 50/50 weight distribution. sport pack handles very well!
2008 135 60k miles and I love it
Ryan Shoffner 60k where’d you find that Gem ?!??
You can see zacks brain thinking I want one now damn it lol 😂
FYI for anyone looking to buy one my words of wisdom modding this car : 10mm spacers up front you can put the stock rear rims and tires on the front without rubbing at stock ride height as long as your shocks are working well. I run the m3 control arms, 335i dinan springs, and bmw performance shocks. This kept the ride height stock while increasing the spring rates and gave me a little bit more travel. It's pretty much ideal for the terrible roads I drive on while being a hell of a lot better than stock. Pads and fluids make a signifigant difference in the car since the rotors arnt that big, esp if you're tuned. If you're looking to stay under 450hp a 3.46 lsd livens the fuck out of this car. The handling is night and day different compared to getting into a stock 135i. You want an oil cooler if you track it in a hot climate.
Hey man thanks for this comment gave me a bit of a peice of mind I'm currently building a 2011 135i m sport package, turbosmart Bov,arm 7.5 intercooler,burger Motorsports intake,chargepipe ,upgrade hoses,new fuel pump,water pump,thermostat,oil filter housing gaskets ,all coolant hoses(alot of these weren't messed up I just end up replacing all of them just to avoid the nonsense of all the plastic I've seen from there review videos about these cars, also to add I added a snow performance stage 3 water methanol kit boost juice EBC drilled slotted rotors front and back along with EBC blue stuff brakes front and back as well Dinan boost controller ,CTS 3.5 high flow downpipe.,so any bit of information helps ,I've invested a bit so I'd like to do whatever it takes to keep this car up to par .
Zach, are you wearing a Weiss watch?
Gets my vote for the most awkward smoking tire review ever. Owner was pretty uncomfortable most of the time. Guessing Zach didn't get a second date...
He seemed fine to me.
Marines don’t get uncomfortable...
I didn't sense this either. I thought it was a good vid.
4:40 I’m like when is this guy gonna shift lol
He left his tow hook in!
So excited for your videos this summer!
Looking into a 2011 bmw 135i 70k miles for 16000 manual bone stock n really clean is this I good price ?
I personally love the looks. The profile and shape reminds me a lot of the 2 door Impreza.
Nah, I love the look too but I think it's more like what if we got an another 3 series after the e46 that wasn't the e90. I can't stand the grills on the e90. Everything about the newer 1-series is just timeless. E46 looks great 18 years later, these will too
Think of it as a taut E92 335i Coupé with no wasted bodywork.
You really have to squint for it to look like a two door impreza but i’m going to start pretending mine does
the reason the car can start without the key is because your car has the comfort access option. without it it would need the key inside the car. I know because my car is the same way. N55 135
for the same price I would get a classic 911, its a viceral no nonsense machine and it hits all the right senses
Semper Fi ! Did he call himself a boot POG ? Respect man - 0311
I’ve really really wanted one of these for years. Maintenance and parts have always worried me.
I know this is a while after but if you're still looking at the 135i but are worried about maintenance look into the 128i. Its the same car and engine without the twin turbos. For hard track use and reliability it's actually the preferred drivetrain. It's still not slow. Will pull a brz. And you can still swap over all of the 1m suspension and brakes.
@@kcspeed9980 I hear about that but Im about all about turbo for the most part with cars unless its a high power v8.
maintaining it isn’t shit if you do the work yourself. FCP euro has quite a bit of DIY videos for the N45/N55 and it’s actually not that tough
Im Noodals I don’t have it in me man. It’s not a lot of room in that engine bay and I’ve heard a lot of experiences with these cars. The maintenance is very pricey.
@@BboyMobster Man you don't deserve a BMW if you don't like working on cars. Let alone any V8
pure turbo n54 owner here...love this car but idk if I'd buy again. You must have a good amount of cash on hand and know how to do your own labor for this car to be really reallly great
Justin Vassallo with all the money you have put into it. What can you buy for same money that provides a better experience?
@@PHFilms3 A corvette C6, or C5, LS engine, lightweight, coupe, timeless.
̈ ahh yes the cheap gm interior. I really like the C5s but man the build quality is trash. And working in the auto industry I would never buy a GM product lol
I had one with Quaife LSD etc and miss it. Would have it back over the M2 I have.
Mike Scott Why do you say that?
Joseph Andreuccetti hydraulic steering. Old school analog feel probably
What part did you like better? I’m thinking of trading my Cayman in a M2 or a 135i manual (09)
I feel the 135i is the proper reincarnation of the e21. I'm looking at chassis swapping my e21 with a 135IM
Pog life! just got out recently rahh
I still own this car and I still love it
I have a 2011 135i 6 speed. Bought it to replace my e46 m3. As a commuter and light weekend toy it's a riot. Especially with the Dinan Suspension and stage 2 tune. But when pushed really hard the lack of tire and LSD limits the car. These can be remedied to a point but imo I'd rather spend the money towards another M3
Syeclops Performance the e46 has subframe issues and the e92 is 10 grand more than your 135i and 25k to replace the motor. What M car are you buying?
@@PHFilms3 if I could help it I'd bite the bullet on another E46 M3. Mine was gone through with all major issues addressed. Sold it because I needed a solid daily driver when my truck blew up.
Syeclops Performance gotcha, I like the e46 m3s a lot of fun will the subframe needs to be fixed twice. Also turbos are so much more fun
Funny, I had a red 2010 135i exactly alike that I actually sold to a marine. Who later totaled it.
What brake pads upgrade should I use as a daily driver? Three digit everyday ..
I’d love to see a manual sport pack 128i review
it has the comfort access option. mine is a year newer and I have to install the key fob. i don't have comfort access. first bmw i haven't had it on. sucks without it lol however it when you do install it, it charges the key fob battery
Military man with good taste in cars. We thank you for your service and appreciate your choice of automobile!
Can't assume that the guy right next to you is paying attention to you. Maybe, get them to look at you then throw the hand at them. Or forget the handshake until the end of the vid. But, 135i is one of the best cars ever.
@@SamsGam3rtag Tuning has gotten so good on the much more reliable N55 motor that it's the right choice.
I had the 2011 n55 M package version of this car with the DCT, my only issues were the front end of the car (hated it) and you cant fit wide enough tires in the rear for high horsepower. I had 0 maintenance issues
yeah if serious about speed, and already willing to invest towards more power or differential swaps on 135i....than a widebody kit....seems quite necessary. Including chassis mounted sway bars etc....and so on. Most of the parts that came on the M package if not other performance options. Then again anyone making/attempting to make high power would be smart enough to complete that process with all proper/mecessary parts XD. Wed hate to see someone do something foolish now...what with all the information on the internet. Still though if not messing aroudn with anything past 300 like on an NA/128i....the platform is quite suited for that range of power/use. I just figure/hope anyone "smart" enough to source the parts/pipes/tune 450-500+WHP would invest in a kit or cut/mod a "proper" fender mod....if they are that INTENT on making that power usable/streetble...b4 typically giving up and moving on to another platform out of pure VALID/inherent need/desire.
I have the same air freshener in my f22 and it’s doesn’t even work lol. It smells great for the first day but damn it looks great
Shame the n54 is so expensive to maintain. If you buy second hand pray to God it has a tight service history or walk away
Better to review a detailed service history or walk. if service is good, get a qualified independent tech (bimrs.org) to perform a PPI.
It’s called comfort access that’s why you can fire it up with no key in the ignition.
I love the power and handling of these cars and the tunability is just great. But I find it puzzling as to why after so many people pour mods into these cars and update the brakes suspension etc that I have never seen anyone (or maybe I should say rarely) that puts an LSD into them. That to me has got to be one of the most important up grades you could do for these cars. You've got the power and the handling but an Limited Slip Diff is what you really need to make this car truly controllable to the maximum degree. I had a 2008 335i with a tune that was killer fast and I had the choice to either put on the mods for the suspension etc them put in an LSD but at that time the car was still worth a fair amount and I decided to just go for an E46 M3 which of course has it from factory. Strange though that you don't see more people putting them in now especially that you can get an LSD to go into them much cheaper than at first.
The LSD is a very popular mod on the 135i (MFactory or Wavetrac probably the most popular.) That being said, the car does at least have an e-diff via the brakes, like Porsches and McLarens.
This got my attention I think I will now look into getting a lsd for my car
The maintenance prevents it from being a bargain. Sure you can get a nice one for $20k but if you add bolt ons and a tune you will be more around $10k plus another couple grand per year in maintenance/repairs
Bullshit, unless you buy a shitbox that's never been maintained well and trashed every day when oil not up to temp etc.. bolt-ons cost less than $1500 lmao. get your numbers right
Oh shit, I better go out to my 2011 128i and see if it starts without the key in the slot. Pretty sure I tried when I bought it...
if it has comfort access it does. You can also unlock/open the door just by touching the handle. (the fob sends a signal anytime you're near the car, saves you button presses).
Not a super rare option, but an option none the less.
The 135i is amazing. Way better than the 335i that everyone always seems to want
Looks fugly tho
@@Arman-nl6mg That's interesting. Not being a BMW guy, I think it's one of the cooler looking BMWs of the last few decades.
Plug, coil pack issue after tube. Need step down cooler plugs?
Had one and loved it when it ran right. Maintenance sucks royal balls though. Parts are not cheap compared to Corvettes. Yes, I'm in a Corvette now.
I regret not boosting a c6 instead. I could have paid for a few of them by now
Yes, and it will wear out way sooner.
@@maxnix346 - I assume you're talking about the beemer
I went from Porsche to the 135i, so parts seem downright cheap to me know. lol
Dammit Zack! Shhh!! I want to buy this car. Still need another bit of time to save.
I know what you mean. Shhhhh.
BMW's spec DOT 4 fluid, so as long as it hasn't been 17 years since the last bleed the fluid isn't gonna make much of a difference on the street
Every two years it must be replaced in any car.
This was the slowest n54 or 1 series for that matter that you will ever drive zach
Hoorah boot! Nice whip!
Long Island represents! My man George serving his country n on the smoking tire! I know my 435i made you get this 135i George haha still can’t believe you on here
I’m looking at a 2010 with the m sport package and a manual with red interior but it’s hot 90k miles the cars completely stock nothing ever done and maintained really well is it worth13k
Budget an extra 3-5k for maintenance and send it!
This car almost bankrupted me! 5k in less than 2 months trying to fix “limp mode” 🤦♂️
Listen to the owner. Don’t buy unless you’re maintaining it yourself.
I haven't had luck with used German cars in general, domestic seems to be more reliable. However, my 135 puts a stupid grin on my face every time and is more surprising to drive (than my vette), so ill gladly deal with all the (mostly) small issues and quirks.
One of the easiest cars to maintain yourself, many videos out there on how to do every possible thing that might break
@@DolphinDivingChamp VERY true!
@@Spirited_Driver My tuned 135i with DCT embarrassed many a fellow geezer in a 'Vette.
@@maxnix346 I'm sure it has, it's unexpectedly quick, and has 100% of is torque available all the time right away.
NA Corvettes on the other hand need to be Turing 4000 rpm at the minimum in order to start making good power for racing.
idk where this guys looking for the 1 series at but i seen them go fro 6000 from a dealer ship stick shift lol
The NA 128 is pretty excellent as well and probably cheaper
not really worth it when the 135i is a few grand more at most.
Good luck finding a clean one for a “few” grand more
The 135i is a good bargain because the drivetrain is essentially no different from every other car BMW throws the N54/N55/B58 into (M2, M3, M235I, 335i, etc...). In fact, the 135i even came with a DCT which you can't even get in the M235I.
The older ones (pre 2013) had ZF trans, and when you shift it manually it felt as quick as a DCT except with noticeably more 'kick'. The nice thing about the ZF is you could pre-load the stall and build boost and launch harder in second gear. Sounds odd but consistently faster when i took it to the track..
Spirited Driver The 135i had a DCT from 2011 in US and 2010 in Europe. Same like the Z4s and the e92 335i at that time. Same transmissions like in the M3 at that time (and even the 458 italia had that German getrag transmission at that time), one reason for me to get a Z4..
@@LiveLifeLasting 135i drives so much better than Z4 it is embarrassing.
@@Spirited_Driver People understandably salivate over the 6MT, but the ZF6A in these cars is excellent, and has the benefit of better gear ratios for the turbo engine (IMHO anyway). Though 1st in it is so low that it's basically useless if you're running mods...
If you can't get a 6MT for family or other reasons, the 6A and DSG are certainly not "Penalty boxes."
@@BWM135 agreed 1st gear is way too short. The car will accelerate faster starting in 2nd gear literally I've tried it on the track.. first gear is way too short to build enough boost and then the transition into second gear all makes starting in first gear slower then second gear which is confusing to people that have never tried it but it's true! My car is basically full bolt on so that might make a difference too LOL
"And a lotta maintenence because it's a BMW". He means a lotta REPAIRS because it's a BMW, I like how German car fans conflate scheduled maintenance and unscheduled repairs.. Still, I'm sure it's a great car, well worth the repair costs for him.
Thought about a 135i but just went with an M2
George was funny, good guy there.
cool video
ikr the prices have dropped alot, there is one for $9k 70k miles