[nonsns3]

This is like comparing the 335 and 535. Same engine, over 10K difference. Logic7 standard on the 3, option on the 5. CA $500 on the 3, $1000 on the 5. etc. Doesn't make the 3 a better car than a 5, else no one would be buying the 5. Different car, different audience.

[bronco]

Originally Posted by amberzombie

er... the 1-series was not designed to be a supercar... so it was not designed to be for your consideration if what you want is a sub 3 sec car. the price justifies my claim.

and since when did looks have anything to do with 0-62?

Since you clearly missunderstood my post, let me clarify it for you:

I am aware that the 1 series was not designed to be a super car...What I wanted to imply is how ugly the car is, and even that it cost less than the 3er, i would not buy it. I was trying to make a point here, when I said that it has to be a sub 3 sec. car to even consider it...I dont think you want to spend 40K and drive an ugly car, right???

Oh, and yes the looks dont have anythig to do with acceleration time, BUT if one car is that ugly, and it costs that much, AT LEASt it better be fast...

PM me if you still dont understand what I want to say here.

[thekurgan]

No, the 135i brakes are not better than the 335i, they are just different.

[FirstClass]

Originally Posted by Driv3r

the back seat apparently is almost non-existing, but at least its something...

The back seat in our cars is almost non-existent, must be a children/supermodel only back seat in the 1.

[danimal]

At 172 inches long and 69 inches wide, the 1-series is 8.9 inches shorter and 1.4 inches narrower than the 3-series coupe. This smaller size doesn't manifest itself in a huge weight loss, though - surprisingly, the 135i checks in at a claimed 3440 pounds, or a mere 130 pounds lighter than the 335i coupe...

Chassis balance is one of our few complaints, as the 135i is plagued by tire-howling understeer-more so than with the 335i - a situation that's not helped by an open rear differential, a minuscule rear antiroll bar, and front tires that are narrower than those used on the rear.

- http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews...5i/index1.html

-Dan

[Pretender]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

No, the 135i brakes are not better than the 335i, they are just different.

They are not better, only look better. However, the car itself looks way uglier than 335. 135's is probably for driving spirit at lower price, I mean in stock configuration. Options put in will defeat the purpose "cheap and fast" car cuz with options, the 1er ain't cheap.

[Garrett]

Originally Posted by CSL

Since the 335i is supposed to be up on the 135i why are the 1 series brakes better and supposedly faster for a lower price?

Thats a public misnomer. The 135 is a performance orientated BMW, the 3 series is luxury orientated.

Just because the 335 cost $6k more, please don't assume it's better! If you don't need a logic7 stereo, automated seatbelt, longer wheelbase(better ride), more space, etc... and would forgo such luxuries for a more "in-tune" ride, then the 1 series might be more to your likening.

At least thats how I see it.

[BMWDAD]

Originally Posted by Garrett

Thats a public misnomer. The 135 is a performance orientated BMW, the 3 series is luxury orientated.

Just because the 335 cost $6k more, please don't assume it's better! If you don't need a logic7 stereo, automated seatbelt, longer wheelbase(better ride), more space, etc... and would forgo such luxuries for a more "in-tune" ride, then the 1 series might be more to your likening.

At least thats how I see it.

You have not read the euro reviews if you believe your statement.

[Driver72]

1 series brakes may have 6 pistons, but they are smaller in diameter too.
You pay for size and perceived image in a car.
335i is smaller than the 535i and will whip the 535i in any performance contest, but yet it's cheaper because it's smaller and perceived as the "lesser" car due to it's smaller numbers on the trunk lid.

335i Coupe is the best looking car in BMW's line up, the 135i is near the bottom.

[Yeahas]

It's cheaper since it's UGLY. I dun care about the performance. I just want a car that looks good from outside and sits comfortable when I am in

[ukthunderace]

[QUOTE=Garrett;2004981]Thats a public misnomer. The 135 is a performance orientated BMW, the 3 series is luxury orientated.
QUOTE]

First, the word is ORIENTED!

Second, the 135 is performance on the cheap. The 1 series is meant to be affordable. The 135 brings the high-performance engine to the cheaper series car. It is certainly not hung with performance parts that are better than its larger bretheren.

[KanosWRX]

Which car has bigger brake rotors? Thats the one I would want, pistons are nice, but bigger rotors are what help you stop better.

In the end I think the 335i is still the better value, its only a few thousand more and you get a better interior, more space in the back and most of all a good looking car.

[thekurgan]

If the lower price helps BMW put more of the N54 engines on the road, it may be a great way to further refine the engine and resolve some of it's problems.

We'll have to look out for 135 fuel pump failures

[Nikolas]

Originally Posted by KanosWRX

Which car has bigger brake rotors? Thats the one I would want, pistons are nice, but bigger rotors are what help you stop better.

In the end I think the 335i is still the better value, its only a few thousand more and you get a better interior, more space in the back and most of all a good looking car.

Actually no. What makes you stop better are better tires. Tires are the key to better braking as braking has to do with traction. If your tires cannot handle the brake load, it doesn't matter what pads, how many pistons or what size diameter rotor you have.

[KanosWRX]

Originally Posted by Nikolas

Actually no. What makes you stop better are better tires. Tires are the key to better braking as braking has to do with traction. If your tires cannot handle the brake load, it doesn't matter what pads, how many pistons or what size diameter rotor you have.

So true, I was just thinking both cars would come with the same tires so that wouldn't be an issue Next after tires though is Rotors. Then Pads, then Pistons.

[jonmacs22]

135i front rotors = 13.3inches which is tops across the board for 3 series.

As for some of the comments above, brake pads are the crucial element to stopping distance, holding tires (both compound and size) constant. Rotor size and caliper design (far more than just # of pistons) are material when you are discussing repetition of stops. I would not be surprised if a large number of E9x people attempt to swap their set-up for the 135i set-up, it would be a solid choice if done, however likely not to be most cost effective when compared to the aftermarket offerings.

[McLuVan]

i dont think so...
it may seem like it when driving because of the smaller body
but i dont see why bmw would put higher end products into lower end cars
unless the rest of the car...sucks? and they tried to make up for it with better brakes?
or maybe because its not that safe due to its size and so bmw put better brakes to make it safer?

[Driver72]

Originally Posted by jonmacs22

135i front rotors = 13.3inches which is tops across the board for 3 series.

OK, the above comment is just not correct.

As I stated above, the 135i has smaller diameter rotors than the 335i.
It also has skinnier tires.

Here's the details between 135i Coupe and 335i Coupe:

Brake rotor size:
135i (front/rear) 13.3" / 12.8"
335i (front/rear) 13.7" / 13.2"
** As you can see the 335i has brakes that are .4 inches larger in front and back.**

Tire Size:
135i 215/40/18 front & 245/35/18 rear
335i 225/40/18 front & 255/35/18 rear (with sports pack.)
** As you can see the 335i has wider tires stock for better grip/handling/braking.**

Weight distribution:
135i 52.3% front / 47.7% rear (it's misprinted backwards on website)
335i 51.2% front / 48.8% rear
** As you can see, the 335i Coupe has better weight distribution too, which helps in better handling and even braking**

Wheelbase:
135i is 104.7 inches
335i is 108.7 inches
**The longer wheelbase is what helps give the better weight distribution and also improves the ride as shorter wheelbase cars are often more choppy rides.**

Track:
135i is 58.0 inches
335i is 59.1 inches
** Wider track for better handling and planted car.**

Height:
135i is 56.0 inches tall
335i is 53.9 inches tall
** 335i is lower to the ground and therefore has lower center of gravity. Taller cars will not only have more body roll, but more pitch in braking due to more weight higher up.**

Overall weight:
Though BMW lists it's unladen weight of the 135i about 200 lbs lighter than the 335i Coupe, BMW's 2nd in command told me at the NA debut of the 135i it's really, "a little over 100 lbs lighter". And at least one auto magazine has weighed the two cars already and has shown the 135i to be 130 lbs lighter.


What does this all add up too?

In my view, the 335i Coupe clearly has the better dimensions, specs, and so forth for handling and braking.
But that's probably mostly offset by the fact it weighs ~130 lbs more than the 135i.
Therefore, I'd say the 135i and 335i would be a toss up in the handling and braking department.
On a track the 135i might be a touch quicker due to lighter weight IF it has slightly stiffer suspension than the 335i Coupe's sport package (which it might), but I'd bet it takes more effort to drive the 135i fast, as the 335i Coupes better dimensions, specs, tires, etc will make it a more planted, less physics fighting car.
If the 135i's suspension is set up exactly the same as the 335i Coupe's sport package, it would be a driver's race around a track with the two cars, but again the 135i driver would have to work harder dealing with a less planted car.


The 135i is simply a less expensive alternative to the 335i Coupe for those who want a smaller car than the 335i Coupe.
But you pay in the way of driving a car that's much uglier, and it's the new "entry level" base BMW model.

[lux.sh]

i would get the 1 series and upgrade suspension/wheels/tires.
3 series is kinda heavy.....

[Dragonman4]

Originally Posted by status38

I might have waited for 135i if it wasn't so ugly!

agreed. Just saw a picture of the 135 convertible. The rear lights look like a retarded version of the Z4 taillights.

[judec]

Originally Posted by lux.sh

i would get the 1 series and upgrade suspension/wheels/tires.
3 series is kinda heavy.....

kinda heavy - like that 130lbs make a big difference, especially with better wheelbase, weight distribution, wider tires, bigger rotors, lower hight etc of the 335i + the missing stuff stripped off in the 135 compared to 335... U must be crazy, sorry.

Also if I see the weight distribution and know the front weights (almost) the same like the 335i (same internals), that weight is spared on the back and inside, what is not the best thing from handling's point of view.

I heard from a friend associated with BMW that they have a really low margin on 1er so they are trying to go cheap anywhere its possible. So if U want some options, U'll pay and get really near the 3er in price. Also if U wanna compensate for stripped stuff with aftermarket, U won't go cheaper like in 3er. So I juct see no point of getting a 135i (not to mention it's fugly)

[Silver_z33]

The stock brakes on the 135i are 6 piston calipers? Are those stock or the ones you get if you pick up that performance brake option.