135i advice needed

[Jonny]

Howsit guys, recently joined the forum and need some of your expert advice. I currently own a 2006 325i PDC front/rear, satnav and a few other extras, motorplan extended to the end of this year.

Anyway I will need to change cars soon and I love the 135i coupe!
Should i buy one now or wait for the new shape or 2 series or whatever it will be called? Any idea when it will be launched?

Not a big fan of the looks of the M135i or any of the 1 series hatchbacks to be honest.

At the moment I'm thinking either 135i or Golf 6/7 GTi :fencelook:

What would YOU do?

 

[Josh-ZN]

are you looking to buy new or used?

---

might be a while before the 2 series is out. bmw have just released a 135is.

see http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=31578

you might want to look at that. from my point of view, if you buy a gti you will always wish you had bought the 135i (been there done that). if you buy the 135i you will never regret it. good luck with your decision.

 

[Dmonic1]

The 4 will prob only be here in 2014...U can pic up very nice 135i's with dct at decent prices..... My advise... Go for it!!! Once u sit in it and press that pedal... Everything else just disappears....:rollsmile:

Gti's are great cars.... But like Josh said... U would wish u had taken the 135...

 

[Jonny]

I'm looking at a used (under 30 000km) 135i or brand new GTi.

I love the 135 but I'm worried about the value dropping significantly more than that of a GTi. I plan on keeping whatever car I buy for 4/5 years.

It looks like the new GTi will be out early next year so I really cant decide:bangdesk::bangdesk:

 

[HardM3]

Go 135i....Its my third one to date and in my honest opinion, there isnt a better car to own nowadays unless you looking for economy/comfort features. I had to 'unfortunately' say no to a V8 ///M just so that I could continue driving a 'present time cult car' in my opinion....well at least I hope someday, it gets there :inlove:

 

[Twinz]

Agree with HardM3. :thumbs:

 

[bybyM3]

Of u worried about value dropping than u on the wrong forum, as BMW's resale or rather trade price is bad.

Further more asking a fanatic to choose between a golf and BMW, wow that's like running into a bus.

In my opinion stuck with the 135i, u will never go wrong. Don't worry about depreciation it's the drive that counts plus rear wheel over front wheel anytime

 

[mojoe-zn]

135i ftw, it is an all rounder car. Best car I have owned, replacing it is going to be my worst nightmare.

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

The 4 will prob only be here in 2014...U can pic up very nice 135i's with dct at decent prices..... My advise... Go for it!!! Once u sit in it and press that pedal... Everything else just disappears....:rollsmile:

Gti's are great cars.... But like Josh said... U would wish u had taken the 135...

What he said:thumbs:

 

[fusion01]

I'm looking at a used (under 30 000km) 135i or brand new GTi.

I love the 135 but I'm worried about the value dropping significantly more than that of a GTi. I plan on keeping whatever car I buy for 4/5 years.

It looks like the new GTi will be out early next year so I really cant decide:bangdesk::bangdesk:

I've owned both and can comment. I sold my GTI a year ago for R170k. A whole year later they're still selling for R170k (with twice the mileage to mine). Oh and mine literally flew out the door. Phone was off the hook. I'm now selling my 135i and will have lost R45k in a year. That's quite a knock. Actually an additional R30k after travel, transportation, detailing, tyres, new trim etc. Note you don't need to travel up-country to buy a new car. Nor do you need to pay for a week's worth of detailing and slight paint-touchups, nor new tyres - that's all included in the price of a new vehicle!

The 135i is a better car but not by much. I was expecting leagues apart. Nope. It has certainly more power but not huge amounts. It chows fuel like a MOFO. I've taken both on the track and the 135i has grip that a FWD car can only dream of (other than the new ST and VXR's, Golf MK7 with torque vectoring and / or mechanical LSD's) - point is FWD cars are getting BETTER too. But my MK5 GTI had a hard time holding the line whereas the 135i is on rails (stock). Although not quite fair as now I run Conti's SportContact 3's which piss on previous Hankooks or Kumhos I had on the Golf (you pay for the priviledge though). But what I DO remember fondly about the Golf was that it felt more nimble. 200kg's of weight reduction does make a difference. The 135i - maybe it's the steering or the fact it's a bit porky at ~1,550kg's - just feels a little more wallowy. 'Active steering' (additional option) might be the remedy. I really don't know but if it's the weight then nought can truly be done.

A 135i is still a beautiful car from the exterior. You can't say the same for the GTI (and it's awfully common). If you're considering a new car why not wait for the ST or VXR and take it from there? The RenaultSport Megane is also class but dealer support here is crap so I'd avoid. BMW gives top notch aftersales service under MP, never had an issue no matter how small my request.

Drive a 135i and others and make a fair comparison. Hope all this helps.

 

[UpNcOmiNg!]

You selling your 135i?
Can you PM me details please chap.

Thanks

 

[fusion01]

You selling your 135i?
Can you PM me details please chap.

Thanks

I'm afraid sold

 

[Josh-ZN]

I'm looking at a used (under 30 000km) 135i or brand new GTi.

I love the 135 but I'm worried about the value dropping significantly more than that of a GTi. I plan on keeping whatever car I buy for 4/5 years.

It looks like the new GTi will be out early next year so I really cant decide:bangdesk::bangdesk:

I've owned both and can comment. I sold my GTI a year ago for R170k. A whole year later they're still selling for R170k (with twice the mileage to mine). Oh and mine literally flew out the door. Phone was off the hook. I'm now selling my 135i and will have lost R45k in a year. That's quite a knock. Actually an additional R30k after travel, transportation, detailing, tyres, new trim etc. Note you don't need to travel up-country to buy a new car. Nor do you need to pay for a week's worth of detailing and slight paint-touchups, nor new tyres - that's all included in the price of a new vehicle!

The 135i is a better car but not by much. I was expecting leagues apart. Nope. It has certainly more power but not huge amounts. It chows fuel like a MOFO. I've taken both on the track and the 135i has grip that a FWD car can only dream of (other than the new ST and VXR's, Golf MK7 with torque vectoring and / or mechanical LSD's) - point is FWD cars are getting BETTER too. But my MK5 GTI had a hard time holding the line whereas the 135i is on rails (stock). Although not quite fair as now I run Conti's SportContact 3's which piss on previous Hankooks or Kumhos I had on the Golf (you pay for the priviledge though). But what I DO remember fondly about the Golf was that it felt more nimble. 200kg's of weight reduction does make a difference. The 135i - maybe it's the steering or the fact it's a bit porky at ~1,550kg's - just feels a little more wallowy. 'Active steering' (additional option) might be the remedy. I really don't know but if it's the weight then nought can truly be done.

A 135i is still a beautiful car from the exterior. You can't say the same for the GTI (and it's awfully common). If you're considering a new car why not wait for the ST or VXR and take it from there? The RenaultSport Megane is also class but dealer support here is crap so I'd avoid. BMW gives top notch aftersales service under MP, never had an issue no matter how small my request.

Drive a 135i and others and make a fair comparison. Hope all this helps.

i too have owned both g5 gti s3 8p 135i. in my opinion the 135i is 100000000000000000000 times better (sorry for under-exaggeration) than the s3 let alone the gti (performance, build quality, looks, driving dynamics, finish). agree with fusion that it is a gas guzzler but you dont buy a 135i for fuel economy. not so sure about the g5 holding value better than the 135i but not doubting your experience. its not always the case. its all a matter of opinion and as fusion rightfully says, drive them and you will know right away. i did.

 

[fusion01]

I'm looking at a used (under 30 000km) 135i or brand new GTi.

I love the 135 but I'm worried about the value dropping significantly more than that of a GTi. I plan on keeping whatever car I buy for 4/5 years.

It looks like the new GTi will be out early next year so I really cant decide:bangdesk::bangdesk:

I've owned both and can comment. I sold my GTI a year ago for R170k. A whole year later they're still selling for R170k (with twice the mileage to mine). Oh and mine literally flew out the door. Phone was off the hook. I'm now selling my 135i and will have lost R45k in a year. That's quite a knock. Actually an additional R30k after travel, transportation, detailing, tyres, new trim etc. Note you don't need to travel up-country to buy a new car. Nor do you need to pay for a week's worth of detailing and slight paint-touchups, nor new tyres - that's all included in the price of a new vehicle!

The 135i is a better car but not by much. I was expecting leagues apart. Nope. It has certainly more power but not huge amounts. It chows fuel like a MOFO. I've taken both on the track and the 135i has grip that a FWD car can only dream of (other than the new ST and VXR's, Golf MK7 with torque vectoring and / or mechanical LSD's) - point is FWD cars are getting BETTER too. But my MK5 GTI had a hard time holding the line whereas the 135i is on rails (stock). Although not quite fair as now I run Conti's SportContact 3's which piss on previous Hankooks or Kumhos I had on the Golf (you pay for the priviledge though). But what I DO remember fondly about the Golf was that it felt more nimble. 200kg's of weight reduction does make a difference. The 135i - maybe it's the steering or the fact it's a bit porky at ~1,550kg's - just feels a little more wallowy. 'Active steering' (additional option) might be the remedy. I really don't know but if it's the weight then nought can truly be done.

A 135i is still a beautiful car from the exterior. You can't say the same for the GTI (and it's awfully common). If you're considering a new car why not wait for the ST or VXR and take it from there? The RenaultSport Megane is also class but dealer support here is crap so I'd avoid. BMW gives top notch aftersales service under MP, never had an issue no matter how small my request.

Drive a 135i and others and make a fair comparison. Hope all this helps.

i too have owned both g5 gti s3 8p 135i. in my opinion the 135i is 100000000000000000000 times better (sorry for under-exaggeration) than the s3 let alone the gti (performance, build quality, looks, driving dynamics, finish). agree with fusion that it is a gas guzzler but you dont buy a 135i for fuel economy. not so sure about the g5 holding value better than the 135i but not doubting your experience. its not always the case. its all a matter of opinion and as fusion rightfully says, drive them and you will know right away. i did.

Sweet bro, I'll also agree with you on build quality. BMW shines over VW. Reason the 135i weighs over 1.5 tons is that it seems to be built like a tank. Try flexing body panels: some thick steel for sure!