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I test drove a BMW 135

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Originally posted by: NutBucket
Originally posted by: ArizonaSteve
Not so sure about the Pontiac (it is GM after all).
The G8 is probably one of the best cars GM sells. Every "professional" reviewer loves it. And, if the Aussies built it, you can be sure its over-engineered. They're crazy down there for some reason but they LOVE their ridiculously fast, "domestic", RWD sedans (Ford Falcon, for example).

having driven the G8 and the G8 GT... the car is phenomenal. the amount of space inside is insane, it has steering feel, it has road presence, it has a hell of an interior... in fact it is a phenomenal car.
 
Originally posted by: Imported
Originally posted by: ayabe
Originally posted by: bananapeel42
If you're a speed freak that wants refinement I think the 135 is by far your best bet, you're going to get a great interior and a fast car. It is faster than the 370Z g37, etc. etc.

It's not faster than the 370z, they're pretty much neck and neck with the Z having a leg up big time in the handling department. Of course you can easily flash the 135 for a nice boost in power.

Aside from being slightly or majorly fug depending on who you ask, it's not easy to find a 135 with a manual and/or not a convertible. You'll probably have to order it, which means you're gonna get raped on the price.

Just something else to consider.

I looked at a 370Z over the weekend and the two they had were marked up 4.5k. Both were the touring model, no nav, and auto.

Yeah well they just came out.....sucker born every minute.


 
Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
Originally posted by: NutBucket
Originally posted by: ArizonaSteve
Not so sure about the Pontiac (it is GM after all).
The G8 is probably one of the best cars GM sells. Every "professional" reviewer loves it. And, if the Aussies built it, you can be sure its over-engineered. They're crazy down there for some reason but they LOVE their ridiculously fast, "domestic", RWD sedans (Ford Falcon, for example).

having driven the G8 and the G8 GT... the car is phenomenal. the amount of space inside is insane, it has steering feel, it has road presence, it has a hell of an interior... in fact it is a phenomenal car.

so..would you say the pontiac g8 is phenomenal?
 
Originally posted by: Chunkee
Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
Originally posted by: NutBucket
Originally posted by: ArizonaSteve
Not so sure about the Pontiac (it is GM after all).
The G8 is probably one of the best cars GM sells. Every "professional" reviewer loves it. And, if the Aussies built it, you can be sure its over-engineered. They're crazy down there for some reason but they LOVE their ridiculously fast, "domestic", RWD sedans (Ford Falcon, for example).

having driven the G8 and the G8 GT... the car is phenomenal. the amount of space inside is insane, it has steering feel, it has road presence, it has a hell of an interior... in fact it is a phenomenal car.

so..would you say the pontiac g8 is phenomenal?

i'm not sure it's as phenominal as the word phenominal implies. it's still phenominal though. and the department of redundancy department? PHENOMINAL 😀
 
How about you get unmarried and get whatever car you want? Cars will put out whenever you want and won't give you any lip.
 
135i is going to be faster than the 370Z, more torque, more horsepower, and the handling isn't going to be far from the 370Z. Just because it's rated at 300/300 doesn't mean the dyno graph looks worse than the 370Z's. It is a bottom 13 second car stock, the 370Z is a mid 13 second car.
 
Originally posted by: bananapeel42
135i is going to be faster than the 370Z, more torque, more horsepower, and the handling isn't going to be far from the 370Z. Just because it's rated at 300/300 doesn't mean the dyno graph looks worse than the 370Z's. It is a bottom 13 second car stock, the 370Z is a mid 13 second car.

Who said it had more power? Everybody knows the N54 is underrated, but the Z is still putting down more power as shown by its trap speed.

How about you pull numbers from the same source instead of cherry picking?

OP,

check out a used Cayman S or 911. If you want new, Corvette wouldn't be a bad option.
 
Originally posted by: bananapeel42
135i is going to be faster than the 370Z, more torque, more horsepower, and the handling isn't going to be far from the 370Z. Just because it's rated at 300/300 doesn't mean the dyno graph looks worse than the 370Z's. It is a bottom 13 second car stock, the 370Z is a mid 13 second car.

Edmunds ran 13.4 1/4's in both cars.

135i vs. 370z Comparo

Z is lighter, has more grip, rear LSD, etc.

Depends on what you really want. I know the Z doesn't appeal to everyone, I prefer it's looks to the 135i, but I did see one the other day in that awful light blue color and had to turn away for fear of changing my opinion on the car.

It looks nothing like the website color, it's hideous in the morning light.



 
Fair enough, they're pretty even in speed. The interior is where the BMW would shine, I just love them for some reason. Just for reference, I own a 2003 Cobra, so maybe my desire for interior quality is where that comes from.

Speed is great, but if your shit ends up all plasticky and rattling over bumps it does get old after a while.


I do agree the LSD is the biggest advantage for sure, however that Edmunds trap is offaly low for that car.
 
And in a 135i, you're a thousand dollars from 400 hp, Z would need at least 4k in parts to get there.

My dad has a 135i and it's pretty nice but I think I'd take the Z over it, mainly for style reasons. I'd take a 335i coupe over both of em.
 
Originally posted by: SSSnail
Can you, uh, show me how to get 400BHP out of a 135i for a thousand bucks? Pretty please?

Retune (piggyback) & exhaust. It's actually surprisingly easy on the 135/335i.

This being said, it's easier to get 400hp out of the G8 GXP. All you need is an old sock to plug up the intake to drop 15hp, and you're there.
 
Originally posted by: Apex
Originally posted by: SSSnail
Can you, uh, show me how to get 400BHP out of a 135i for a thousand bucks? Pretty please?

Retune (piggyback) & exhaust. It's actually surprisingly easy on the 135/335i.

This being said, it's easier to get 400hp out of the G8 GXP. All you need is an old sock to plug up the intake to drop 15hp, and you're there.

No, seriously. I'd like to see how you can gain 100BHP for a thousand bucks out of an 135i.
 
Originally posted by: SSSnail
Originally posted by: Apex
Originally posted by: SSSnail
Can you, uh, show me how to get 400BHP out of a 135i for a thousand bucks? Pretty please?

Retune (piggyback) & exhaust. It's actually surprisingly easy on the 135/335i.

This being said, it's easier to get 400hp out of the G8 GXP. All you need is an old sock to plug up the intake to drop 15hp, and you're there.

No, seriously. I'd like to see how you can gain 100BHP for a thousand bucks out of an 135i.

I think Juicebox is under $1k. There is some other tunes out there but I don't know if they are that cheap, surely under $2k though.
 
Originally posted by: Apex
Originally posted by: SSSnail
Can you, uh, show me how to get 400BHP out of a 135i for a thousand bucks? Pretty please?

Retune (piggyback) & exhaust. It's actually surprisingly easy on the 135/335i.

This being said, it's easier to get 400hp out of the G8 GXP. All you need is an old sock to plug up the intake to drop 15hp, and you're there.

it's quite easy - you just buy the car 😛 414hp from the stock LS3 (slight detune from the vette). the LS3 is supposed to be able to hit 500hp easily with only light modding.
 
Originally posted by: mariok2006
Originally posted by: SSSnail
Originally posted by: Apex
Originally posted by: SSSnail
Can you, uh, show me how to get 400BHP out of a 135i for a thousand bucks? Pretty please?

Retune (piggyback) & exhaust. It's actually surprisingly easy on the 135/335i.

This being said, it's easier to get 400hp out of the G8 GXP. All you need is an old sock to plug up the intake to drop 15hp, and you're there.

No, seriously. I'd like to see how you can gain 100BHP for a thousand bucks out of an 135i.

I think Juicebox is under $1k. There is some other tunes out there but I don't know if they are that cheap, surely under $2k though.

Yeah, that one is about $400. So is the Split Second Turbo Tuner.

$400-500 Split Second Turbo Tuner

My preference is for the SS, since it's a bit more conservative. You can still get about 50-60hp to the wheels with it.

The 135i/335i will tend to pull timing with the JB3, from what I've seen. When the car dials back timing, you lose more power than you gain.

The other $500-600 spend on a custom exhaust, or if you have a little more cash, a better intercooler.

Easy.
 
Originally posted by: SSSnail
Originally posted by: Apex
Originally posted by: SSSnail
Can you, uh, show me how to get 400BHP out of a 135i for a thousand bucks? Pretty please?

Retune (piggyback) & exhaust. It's actually surprisingly easy on the 135/335i.

This being said, it's easier to get 400hp out of the G8 GXP. All you need is an old sock to plug up the intake to drop 15hp, and you're there.

No, seriously. I'd like to see how you can gain 100BHP for a thousand bucks out of an 135i.

Dyno Results - one of the latest JB3 1.22 dyno results. JB3 is about $350 for pin-out version, $600 or so for the PNP version.
 
Originally posted by: Mutilator
Originally posted by: SSSnail
Originally posted by: Apex
Originally posted by: SSSnail
Can you, uh, show me how to get 400BHP out of a 135i for a thousand bucks? Pretty please?

Retune (piggyback) & exhaust. It's actually surprisingly easy on the 135/335i.

This being said, it's easier to get 400hp out of the G8 GXP. All you need is an old sock to plug up the intake to drop 15hp, and you're there.

No, seriously. I'd like to see how you can gain 100BHP for a thousand bucks out of an 135i.

Dyno Results - one of the latest JB3 1.22 dyno results. JB3 is about $350 for pin-out version, $600 or so for the PNP version.

Yikes a quick look at that board confirms that BMW's aren't immune from rice.

External BOV on a BMW? If that guy pulled up next to me, I think I would be forced to mock him loudly, openly, and without remorse.
 
Originally posted by: ArizonaSteve
Good suggestions there, but the SO has vetoed the Corvette (too much of a "mid life crisis" car, apparently) and the Evolution MR ('cause it's a Mitsubishi Lancer). And I'm not allowed to buy a four-door either.

I like the 370Z. Not so sure about the Pontiac (it is GM after all).

Keep 'em coming!!

How does the Porsche Boxter stack up?

Who's buying and driving this car? 😕 I'd consider a nice used E39 M5 and having $10k left over for maintenance and mods.
 
Originally posted by: RayH
Originally posted by: ArizonaSteve
Good suggestions there, but the SO has vetoed the Corvette (too much of a "mid life crisis" car, apparently) and the Evolution MR ('cause it's a Mitsubishi Lancer). And I'm not allowed to buy a four-door either.

I like the 370Z. Not so sure about the Pontiac (it is GM after all).

Keep 'em coming!!

How does the Porsche Boxter stack up?

Who's buying and driving this car? 😕 I'd consider a nice used E39 M5 and having $10k left over for maintenance and mods.

A lot of that was tongue in cheek. I am looking through everyone's suggestions here, and deciding what else I need to test drive. I have to confess that I am drawn more to the BMW thus far, but I'm not going to let that cloud my judgement!

Thanks to everyone who's contributed so far!
 
I spent most of this afternoon looking around a few dealerships, educating myself, getting brochures and taking a couple of test drives.

I test drove a Mercedes SLK 350 - and to be honest, I was pretty lukewarm about the whole experience. It seemed somewhat sluggish and heavy to handle - nothing like the BMW 135 which was fast and responsive.

Talking to sales representatives at both the BMW and Porsche dealerships nearby, I found out that there are new versiions of the Z4 and the Cayman coming out in the March/April timeframe, both of which are getting engine upgrades. Since I really want to check both of these (the talk with the Porsche guy was both interesting and educational), I'm going to defer any buying decision to the April timeframe.

I then went to the Nissan dealership. Oh. My. God. The Mercedes, BMW and Porsche dealerships all had an atmosphere of quiet refinement, with knowledgable sales staff who made an effort to inform, and most importantly did not extert any pressure whatsoever. The Nissan dealership, in contrast, was a zoo. Upon getting out of the car, I instantly attracted salesmen in much the same way as shit attracts flies. The building was full of families with screaming kids running around the place, and most disconcerting of all, there was obvious pressure to get me in a car THAT MINUTE. I test drove a 370Z, but decided that I really didn't want to deal with the sales people, and my opinion of the car itself was somewhat soured by the experience. I sent the salesman inside to get his business card, and beat a hasty retreat.

So it's still the BMW 135 at the moment, but the Z4 and the Porsche Caymen are top of my list for a test drive when the updated models come out in a few months.
 
^^ did you ever try the G8 GXP? you might be surprised by it!

pontiac solstice GXP/ saturn sky redline? i know they won't be nearly as nice as the 135/Z4/Cayman though.

just throwing out more suggestions 🙂 Good luck in the hunt! :thumbsup:
 
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