Most reliable 135?

[herco]

Hey gents!

I am looking at potentially buying a 135, once I get over my coupe and 2 door issues.

I want to spend in the region of R200 - 250k.

What would be the best version to look out for? The N55/N54? Single or twin turbo?

I realise that a well looked after car is much more reliable that one which was not looked after regardless of what model it is.

But in a perfect world where all of us look after the things we own, which would be the more reliable 135i to look at?

The f20 135i's are out of my budget and I am not sure if I want to go E82..

Any advice, thoughts or suggestions are welcome.

 

[FerdiBotha]

If the F20 is out of your budget and you don’t quite like the E82, why would you worry about which motor 135i to buy? You simply won’t be able to buy a 135i then as they only came in those 2 shapes..

 

[individj]

N55...dont buy N54

 

[tman]

As Ferdi has said, if the F20 & E82 is out so that only leaves the vert (E88)?

From countless Youtube videos, and forum posts I would opt for a N55.

With that said, there are probably more important factors. Such as service history, list of preventative maintenance, how many owners the car has had etc etc.

This seems like an attractive option: https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=86800

 

[zakes27]

According to me knowledge the f series has the N55 motor, the N55 is more reliable than the N54, the N54 is more suited for modifications. if you want a reliable and fast BMW, f series x40i is the most reliable... abit pricey though lol

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gearbox in terms of reliability , manual and automatic both is good when motor is standard, DCT is not reliable and expensive to fix compared to manual and auto, only weak point in manual is the clutch if u going to push more than 500kw

 

[herco]

Thanks for the responses,

I should've clarified... I don't mind the coupes. It is the hatches that I am referring to.

I am not too keen on the E82 hatch, and the F20 hatch is out of my budget. :smilebounce:

 

[Preshen14]

There is no E82 hatch. The only hatch there is in the E series is a E81 (2-door) & E87 (4 door) which did not come in a 135i

 

[herco]

There is no E82 hatch. The only hatch there is in the E series is a E81 (2-door) & E87 (4 door) which did not come in a 135i

Ah that would make much more sense!

Thanks for the clarification on the numbers. So the only 135i hatch is the F20 one at the moment?

 

[FerdiBotha]

Thanks for the clarification on the numbers. So the only 135i hatch is the F20 one at the moment?

Yes indeed :thumbs:

 

[Sanvir]

Thanks for the responses,

I should've clarified... I don't mind the coupes. It is the hatches that I am referring to.

I am not too keen on the E82 hatch, and the F20 hatch is out of my budget. :smilebounce:

Not sure if you still interested but I know of a 125i F20 thats for sale. PM'd you with the deets.

 

[peanut125i]

I had a F20 125i that I replaced with a E82 135i. Best decision ever!

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[herco]

I had a F20 125i that I replaced with a E82 135i. Best decision ever!

Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk

Nooo! It is posts and comments like these that I see littered all over the 125i discussions and videos that caused me to make the initial post in the first place.

I still have some concerns... But I don't want to end up buying the 125i and sit here this time next year looking for a x35... :hammerhead:

 

[peanut125i]

I had a F20 125i that I replaced with a E82 135i. Best decision ever!

Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk

Nooo! It is posts and comments like these that I see littered all over the 125i discussions and videos that caused me to make the initial post in the first place.

I still have some concerns... But I don't want to end up buying the 125i and sit here this time next year looking for a x35... :hammerhead:

125i isn't a bad car, heaps better on fuel economy and insurance, obviously. E82 drives a lot better, not just the extra power, steering feel is miles better with it's hydraulic steering.

F20 125i correct head choice
E82 135i correct heart choice

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[Zach]

Bmw build fantastic reliable inline 6 motors, their 4 cylinder motors are rubbish in comparison and for that reason I will stay with the sweet sounding 6cylinder.

Considering it's a toy you are after you will be inclined to mod further down the road, the 125i doesn't have much headroom left in it for more power, the 135i however has lots of headroom for more power.

 

[e46monk3y]

As with any BMW preventative maintenance is a must.

N55 is the later engine (facelift), thus some issues of the N54 were ironed out with the N55.

Try get one with full service history and unmodded if possible.

I love my e82. Such an engaging fun drive. You will not be disapointed, trust me.

Be prepared to spend moneys on tyre's and petrol however

 

[bmw335ie90]

I would look at both the n54 and the n55.

Cons: with the n55 is its not as internaly strong as a n54
A n55 with fbo has no chance beating a fbo n54 at all.
(Tested) On more than 3 n55s f20 and e82 :cartel:

Pro's being: its slighty better on fuel consumption than a n54.
You should have less problems (although most of the n54 problems are due to neglected maintenance over time...(but in most cases not as its still much newer)
So a n55 can be just as unreliable with time and a idiot owner... I have seen hpfp,water pump and injector failures on n55....
N55 sounds better to some.

So you looking for a twin turbo l6 beast waiting to be unleashed?
Or a watered down version with one turbo that should be more practical/reliable.

Both cars will cost you allot of money in maintenance fuel ect.
But will make you :smilebounce::smilebounce:

 

[herco]

Thanks for all the input gents!

I have sadly decided against the x35i range. :'(

I just won't be able to comfortably afford the maintenance and if something were to go wrong. Maybe in the future I will buy one, but for now I need to keep the practical side in mind as well, as this will be my only car.

Thanks again to everyone, I learned a lot and 135i is on my wish list to stay.

 

[individj]

I would look at both the n54 and the n55.

Cons: with the n55 is its not as internaly strong as a n54
A n55 with fbo has no chance beating a fbo n54 at all.
(Tested) On more than 3 n55s f20 and e82 :cartel:

Pro's being: its slighty better on fuel consumption than a n54.
You should have less problems (although most of the n54 problems are due to neglected maintenance over time...(but in most cases not as its still much newer)
So a n55 can be just as unreliable with time and a idiot owner... I have seen hpfp,water pump and injector failures on n55....
N55 sounds better to some.

So you looking for a twin turbo l6 beast waiting to be unleashed?
Or a watered down version with one turbo that should be more practical/reliable.

Both cars will cost you allot of money in maintenance fuel ect.
But will make you :smilebounce::smilebounce:

hahahahha not biased at all

 

[Riyaadh_"m]

N54 more power, n55 less power but more reliable

 

[yush1]

Tough choice this. I'd go for the N55 with the DCT box. :smilebounce: