Bye Bye BMW. A Fond Farewell To My Long Term BMW 135i Coupe. And Should You Buy One?

Bye Bye BMW. A fond farewell to my long term BMW 135i Coupe. And should you buy one?
It's finally happened, I bought a replacement for my long term BMW 135i Coupe. It's taken a year but it's finally happened, although a little unexpectedly.
But, before I reveal the replacement, I wanted to say a fond farewell to the 135. I also wanted to answer the numerous times I've been asked, "should I buy one?"
I'm going to be incredibly sad to see it go but I'm looking forward to bringing you some fresh content on the new car. It's certainly proving interesting.
Let me know your thoughts on the 135i, if you have or have had one and ask any questions if you're thinking of buying one.
Please like, share, or comment and most importantly, subscribe. It really is appreciated.
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[@Atrazeal]

My 135i is a 2011. I have already installed a 3.46 LSD, front camber plates, diff brace, front and rear roll bars, oil cooler, diff bushings and a xhp stage 3 tune on the DCT. I plan on finishing it off with 1m widebody conversion, angle kit and a discreet hydro brake. It's the perfect daily that you can take to the track and drift or race. You can upgrade them to the moon as well if that's your goal. My other car is a 2013 nissan R35GTR so you know my point of reference isn't an subaru 2.4liter or a focus st or something. The 1 series is kind of the perfect all around coupe because it's fun, fast, reliable and cheap to fix if something goes wrong, stress free enjoyment. The only problem is they did not come from factory with a limited slip diff so I highly recommend one.

[@RemoveBeforeLaunch]

Sounds awesome and as you state, a great all rounder, particularly with the mods you added 👍

[@albertdunberg6130]

Awesome car, I agree on every point! I’ve had mine as my only car for 9 years, a 2010 n55. At the time it was well above the hot hatches. Now going on 160000+km and all pure enjoyment. I’ve driven it all year in Sweden, on long 4000km roadtrips, to the tip of Lofoten. I’ve moved 3 times using this car, driven it where performance cars don’t normally go, parked among the Subarus and SUVs in national parks. Running costs have been great, no issues, mpg is excellent for the performance you get which means you can really use it! It’s elegant but more ”eager looking” than most coupes, doesn’t turn heads but surprise most people the way it goes and the sound from the stock exhaust is just perfectly balanced. The rumble when I start it up in the garage and the burbles on downshifts make me smile every time. The low end grunt makes it feel like a mini-muscle car at low revs but it’s still exciting enough at 6000rpm to be rewarding. The one thing I’d want is shorter gearing to be able to rev it more in 3rd without reaching silly speeds and improve acceleration a little bit going from 2nd to 3rd. I now have a Tesla M3 as a daily driver but I may never be able to let the little 135 go…

[@RemoveBeforeLaunch]

How long you have owned and enjoyed your car says everything about how good the car is! Completely agree amount the little muscle car feel. I still miss mine!

[@albertdunberg6130]

Just like you I had been looking for a replacement but few cars ticked all the boxes and 6cyl in such a small and usable car is special. The M2 Comp offered enough but my need had changed and it was time to try an EV. The Tesla M3 is a fun car to drive, very fast, precise and effortless but sadly also quite disconnected. The 135 tickles all my senses and chassi and driveline speaks to me. To drive it everywhere has been a privilege. I hope EVs end up saving the enthusiast cars so we can enjoy them for many years to come.

[@RemoveBeforeLaunch]

@@albertdunberg6130 I’m yet to be convinced by EV’s. As you say, there is a disconnection which detracts from the driving experience. As a commuting tool, I can accept that. For the driving experience, I hope they manage to create more involving cars. For now, I’ll stick with at least one car having an engine for as long as possible.

[@DigitalDissident]

I own two E82s. A Sedona Red 120i as a daily go cart. & a Blue 2011 135i N55. Never take to dealership or do service interval nonsense. I do my own maintenance or local German shop. (I'm in Germany)

[@RemoveBeforeLaunch]

That's the best idea. I usually don't keep a warranty going or go to a main dealer on an older used car. I generally consider specialist garages to be better in costs and knowledge. This car came with a BMW warranty and I kept it going as I'd heard a few stories about the turbos being expensive if they do go. However, thinking about it, if I add up the cost of the warranty over the 5 years and the additional costs paid to go to a BMW main dealer, I'v come out of it slightly better off. If the turbos hadn't gone I would be out of pocket!

[@in54ne82]

Bought an 09 135i manual and somehow now I love it so much I can't get rid of it!

[@RemoveBeforeLaunch]

Yep, I know exactly how you feel. I kept mine several years longer than I intended.

[@sigtunaguy]

I have a 2008 and love it. What year is yours? To put it simply, I don't feel like I'm driving a high-performance machine (though I am). I feel like I'm driving a car that simply does exactly what a car is supposed to do at all times. Overtaking on a two-lane road is one of the things. It will go from 80 kph to (whatever) effortlessly, so I am soon safely back in my lane. Very reassuring.

[@RemoveBeforeLaunch]

Mine is a 2008 as well. Agreed, it does most things very well. And overtaking is definitely one of it's strong points!

[@nagyattila007]

Really good thinking, keep it this way!

[@RemoveBeforeLaunch]

Thanks, will do!

[@gabe2x955]

Great video you convinced me to buy this car in the spring ! By the way hows the reliability? Did you have any major issues with it? I’m debating between getting an n54 or n55.

[@RemoveBeforeLaunch]

Awesome. You'll love it. Okay, so the couple of things I've experienced/am aware of. Fuel pump is an issue. Mine was replaced when I first got it. Car had approximately 55k on the clock. Water pump was also replaced at the same time. Turbos. Mine have just been replaced at just under 90k. I've heard of turbos going at 60k and others going into the 100k+ mark. Replacement costs on the N54 are higher, two turbos, more complicated job. N55's single turbo is a cheaper fix. Not much difference in performance, N54's initial pull feels a little more eager due to the twin turbo configuration but it really is negligible. N55 is a little more efficient. If you're looking to tune it then there are arguments for and against each car. If anybody else sees your question, hopefully they can give you some more feedback if they've got their own experiences.

[@gabe2x955]

@@RemoveBeforeLaunch oh okay, that doesn’t sound too bad. I guess I’ll just try to find a low mileage n55 and do daily maintenance too it! Thanks again! 🙏🏽

[@RemoveBeforeLaunch]

@@gabe2x955 you’re welcome. Be choosy, go for one that’s been looked after, lower mileage or one that’s had the turbo/s replaced already. If you’re handy around a car then you’ll save yourself a hefty amount in maintenance. Good luck. Let me know what you get and what you think of it👍

[@gabe2x955]

@@RemoveBeforeLaunch okay will do!

[@J4Z666]

@@RemoveBeforeLaunch Oh wow I thought this was the big reveal lol - I think it will be the M2 Comp :) I had the same thoughts buying ny new motor, we're in the midst of an apocalypse and gas guzzlers are about to become extinct - Really what is there to lose? Done with sensible cars and fuel economy. I think your new car will appreciate in value and I think mine will too. Who wants to drive a scalexctric car?

[@nickcoughlin5605]

Got a lemans blue 123d coupe! Great Cars! Don’t sell it! Only seen 1 like yours, you just don’t see them around in that colour..

[@RemoveBeforeLaunch]

Nice, had a blast against a 123d. Annoyingly quick😉 I would love to but she’s got to go, I need the space and the cash! Somehow I’ve ended up with too many cars. That wasn’t the plan🤔

[@RemoveBeforeLaunch]

It's been a whole 5 years with my BMW 135i Coupe. I've owned this longer than any other car, which says it all really. I'm going to be sad to se it go. Let me know your thoughts and experiences if you've owned one yourself or ask any questions if you're thinking to buy one. I have to apologise for the quality on this film. Some new camera equipment is inbound.

[@langamaphumulo5009]

I have owned mine since 2016,i am doing all sorts of unthinkable mods! Just had the quad exhaust system installed,i am going to upgrade from 18inch wheels to 19inches,i have a retrofit cluster from ID4motion that's waiting to be installed,i have a retrofit infotainment system that's waiting for installation as well,i just covered my interior door trim with carbon fibre,i mean the list of stuff that needs doing too is long.I love that car! I have never thought i could love a non living thing so much! Needless to say,it's not going any place,'til death do us apart!

[@RemoveBeforeLaunch]

@@langamaphumulo5009 Hahaha, sounds like you enjoy it! That does sound pretty incredible. I was very close to making mine a project car. Such a good base car to start with and so much potential.

[@langamaphumulo5009]

@@RemoveBeforeLaunch I hope you are able to sleep at night when yours is gone!😀

[@RemoveBeforeLaunch]

@@langamaphumulo5009 🤣🤣 I’ve already had sleepless nights!

[@langamaphumulo5009]

@@RemoveBeforeLaunch I sympathize with you bro.Hope you will be alright 😀

[@osanshouo1684]

That is one sketchy road! How is the new ride doing?

[@RemoveBeforeLaunch]

The road in the thumbnail is in Wales, there are some great driving roads there. New ride is proving interesting thanks, really starting to enjoy it. New film should be up very soon🤞👍

[@brianearl5517]

i have recently bought a bmw 135 m sport coupe its just totaly amazing performance , 5 .1 0 to 60 0 to 100 11.3 this car will go up in value big time , i cant fault it great looks , if you want one i suggest u buy one very soon , easily as fast as a porsche cayman , just buy one u defo wont regret it i rest my case

[@RemoveBeforeLaunch]

I couldn’t agree more 👍

[@georgejillard]

Did you sell it in the end?

[@RemoveBeforeLaunch]

Just in the process. Held off for a bit, waiting for lockdown to come to an end!

[@georgejillard]

@@RemoveBeforeLaunch have you got a buyer?

[@georgejillard]

I could be tempted if not

[@RemoveBeforeLaunch]

@@georgejillard Not yet. More than happy to discuss.

[@georgejillard]

@@RemoveBeforeLaunch I’ve dropped you a message on Instagram

[@darrenwarrick8865]

Bet you get a Jcw...... 😁

[@RemoveBeforeLaunch]

I cannot divulge, but it was on the list!

[@135i.]

日本ではあまり売れなかったので乗ってる人が少ないです…

[@RemoveBeforeLaunch]

それは素晴らしいことです。 こんなに珍しい車があるのはいいですね。 私の貧しい日本語でごめんなさい

[@nitro-bakudan5996]

Wow! You speak Japanese? Btw, I just purchased a bmw 135i and love it!! Used to own an e46 m3 and for some reasons I think this 135 has e46 m3 vibe when sit behind a wheel. (Yes even this car equipped with turbo) DCT is awesome compare to the smg as well!!

[@RemoveBeforeLaunch]

@@nitro-bakudan5996 I would like to say yes, but that would be a lie, my language skills are not great but I would love to be able to speak Japanese. I use Google translate, I think if somebody is kind enough to comment on my channel then I should at least try my best to reply to them in their language. Great to hear you're enjoying the 135i. You're right, I've driven a couple of E46 M3's and there is definite comparisons. I can only assume the same developers were involved. Interesting to hear your view on the DCT compared to the SMG, I've only driven manuals in both.