BMW 130i Hatch vs 135i Coupe - N/A vs Turbo

A few weeks ago I had the idea to potentially update my 130i for a manual 135i. More power, better looks, more modification potential. It all seemed worth it, until I drove a manual 135i and was surprisingly disappointed. Today I deliver my thoughts and reasons why I'll be sticking with my beloved 130i!
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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:33 Exterior
0:52 Drivetrain
1:43 Interior
2:34 135i Driving Experience
4:50 130i Driving Experience
Thanks for Watching!

[@cozifpv2069]

Turbo cars are fun but their is something about n/a cars and I find myself going back to high revving Hondas

[@2zztercel558]

Intake sounds are where its at

[@danmurphy5889]

yep, miss my old corolla sportivo with the screaming 1.8 2zz, more character about high revving NA, you need to work those engines more, but more rewarding to drive

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@danmurphy5889 yeah man

[@skipintroux4444]

I drive a 135i now but I do miss the sound of my old E36 328i.

[@Realitywords89]

I used to have 335i n54 400hp I have now a 130i with lsd, m3 lower control arms and upper + kw coilovers.. it is slower, but it is just a much more balanced car and more fun

[@KiwiCarLife]

I would have to agree!

[@thatguyben3128]

_theres ALOT to be said for the “enjoyment/fun factor” of a car, it’s not always “high hp” or “looks/sound”.. IMO, it’s a combination of factors that bring a smile to your face… that’s what’s important_

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yep definitely man!

[@Vikturus22]

I recognised all of the roads you were on! Must have been fun going out the back of yaldhurst and rolly :)

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah it was good! Although not enough corners haha

[@The_Noticer.]

I agree on the Naturally aspirated part. My L15B7 makes about as much Horsepower now as the K24A3 in the car I replaced, and it has 80nm more torque. But that K24, despite being more whimsical at 2-3k's was a heck more enjoyable. I think I'm just going to look for a "fun" second car. With the FD2 being high on the list.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah man I’d have to agree. Modern turbo’s are “better” but less fun

[@mitchbuchannon6637]

I went from a 130i to a F12 640i, adore it

[@KiwiCarLife]

Oooh lovely N55

[@ashleys7416]

I have a couple n54 e87 cars and they are awesome get the extra doors and bigger boot space.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Ohh you’re the guy that’s built them in nz? Or overseas?

[@Tight--LiNeZ]

You can't even drive slightly spiritedly in Auckland any more, with how the traffic police are behaving. There is nowhere left that doesn't stink of bacon. Basically if you want o drive fast you have to become a cop. Then you're a law unto yourself. I'm not even sure why I own an M135i anymore. Bad fuel consumption and I can never even out my foot down. It's pointless. So maybe owning a slower N/A car is actually more fun, as you get to use all the revs and at least 2 gears. Cheers, keep up the good content bro.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah it’s annoying aye

[@Tight--LiNeZ]

@@KiwiCarLife It's beyond annoying mate. I don't do horrendous speeds. I just want to accelerate to my car's potential. Legally as long as you don't break traction, they have no right to pull you over. But they always do anyway. We have to follow the letter of the law, but they bend the rules all the time.

[@craigauty6756]

Would of been good to see the n54 at high boost

[@KiwiCarLife]

That would have been cool for sure

[@ashleys7416]

Yeah, what was low boost?

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@ashleys7416 17psi

[@ashleys7416]

@@KiwiCarLife what would you choose if you had n54 E87 😁

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@ashleys7416 still 130i, just prefer the engine for my driving style. I don’t really care that much about high horsepower, just enough but with predictable power delivery and instant response

[@17t135i]

135i was at 17-18psi for this vid, some vids of it on my channel running more. Insta name the same

[@KiwiCarLife]

It’s very quick for sure! Can only imagine what it must be like on the high boost haha

[@danmurphy5889]

Good comparison, but I'd stick with the n52, plenty of power in a small hatch, more reliable and you'll be able to keep your license for longer. better overall daily. The n54, big numbers and potential, maybe more suitable for European roads with no speed limits

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah the reliability for me is the big one. And predictable power delivery

[@Saida561]

The e82 has the looks of a classic pair that with the 130i engine it would be excellent. Not a fan of white interior as well.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah definitely a 130i coupe would be the dream

[@rowen898]

Theres a well known cheap mod that takes a 125i or 128i coupe to the unreleased 130i coupe. I have done this with my car and its glorious :). Makes it a very special rarity.

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@rowen898 intake manifold swap and tune eh?

[@rowen898]

@@KiwiCarLife yup

[@atomic5387]

I have a 125i e82 coupe n52b30 so same engine just different manifold. Selling it soon however as I have a 135i now.

[@spadgm]

Great comparo, I think your conclusion at the end of the vid makes a lot of sense mate, go for the turbo with the auto and the na with a manual. Anyhow they are two very cool cars imo!

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah that’s about the best way I could summarise it I think

[@markmcgrath9098]

Nice hot air intakes on the 135i.

[@KiwiCarLife]

Doesn’t matter coz it’s going through an intercooler anyway haha

[@17t135i]

​@KiwiCarLife yeah, 190mm thick intercooler at that

[@nvl2691]

Have you ever driven an E63 645Ci / 650i? I'd love to hear your thoughts on these.

[@KiwiCarLife]

I have not, but I do know the engines are not very reliable

[@nvl2691]

@@KiwiCarLife Common myth! N62s have the same issues that the N52 has, yet everyone boast's the N52's reliability and the N62's unreliability.

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@nvl2691 don’t hear of any N52’s having road bearing, timing chain guide, valve stem seal and vanos failure my friend.

[@nvl2691]

​@@KiwiCarLife You're confusing N62 and N63! N63 being the hot-V turbocharged motors with every single issue imaginable. Hot garbage. The N62 is the naturally aspirated V8 equivalent of the N52, and they have the exact same issues (DISA actuators, VANOS solenoids, eccentric shaft sensors, every single gasket and seal etc.) minus the water pump (since it's mechanical on the N62). N52s also suffer from valve stem seal issues FYI, although much less widespread. Most if not all N52s consume oil and it's because of the stem seals. M62s are the motors that suffer from timing chain guides failing.

[@Unicornpirate]

@@nvl2691 The common problems with the N62 engine are: The Alternator oil seal The leaking Coolant reservoir The small coolant recovery hose on top of the rad The peep hole leak by the water pump on the engine block The diaphragms on the valve covers The valve stem seals The valvetronic motor malfunction the bad oil pump caused by bad LOF service As opposed to a N52 which only has the oil filter housing gasket, valve cover gasket, water pump, and spark plugs/injectors as its main maintenance items.

[@NZbmxer0]

what's the cost of servicing and repair on each of these?

[@KiwiCarLife]

No more than any other car really, if you get parts from the right places. That said the N54 is known to blow turbo wastegates at 100-200,000km so they can be problematic. The N52 is just known for valve cover oil leaks and water pump. Both of which are pretty inexpensive to sort out and then they’ll be good for another 10 years.

[@duffydon1741]

@@KiwiCarLife i have the 130i 6mt, i bought it brand spanking new in 2009, its now at 290 000kms and the only thing i have changed is the water pump, it runs on original everything and i am still shocked, the pump cost me $450

[@KiwiCarLife]

@@duffydon1741 yeah there you go! I keep telling people these things are really reliable

[@duffydon1741]

@@KiwiCarLife I’m keeping my 130i till my last breath, it does everything so well. i just got the G20 m340i and I’m even happier, at 23000km now..

[@manusnz]

What'd it cost the owner to get the 135i to where it was?

[@KiwiCarLife]

Oh gee I can only imagine, probably 20 grand

[@17t135i]

Cost way too much, $4k for wheels, $3k milltek exhaust. 18k for the car.. then the actual mods.. not adding it up haha

[@manusnz]

@@17t135iOne of those things eh? Mint car :)

[@17t135i]

@manusnz thanks, I have loads of fun roll racing etc, as it can do 100-200km faster than Cars that cost 100k plus, basically it's intention is to be a sleeper, although can any 3L inline 6 turbo in a small car be considered a sleeper? Probably not. Lol

[@Krezo200]

I had a 135i cabriolet with a manual and to be honest... it was a bit boring. Just as the e89 sdrive23i with the n52b25 Maybe its complaining on a high level but thats how i witnessed it

[@KiwiCarLife]

Yeah the cabrio would have ruined the 135i I reckon. More weight, less rigidity. And if the gear ratios were anything like the one I drove I could understand. It felt like it was for motorway cruising not back road barnstorming. I had an E89 and thought it was fun tho!

[@Krezo200]

@@KiwiCarLife the thing with the e89 for me is that it was too heavy for a high revving inline six and not the ride set up was too comfortable from factory It was a nice cruiser but not a sporty car, stick in between somehow But anyway i love it nonetheless, thats why i bought my sixth one

[@snggarageeng]

i think it is only one video on such topic

[@KiwiCarLife]

Surely not

[@Alkhoholic]

The n54s are notoriously unreliable. The fix would cost a fortune

[@KiwiCarLife]

Well, they’re a ticking time bomb. You could buy one and have it for years with no issues. But the water pump, or turbo failure could strike at any time. Hence their reputation

[@Alkhoholic]

@KiwiCarLife true which is a shame

[@17t135i]

​@Alkhoholic unfortunately upon release they had issues with the high pressure fuel pump, injectors, etc, I replaced everything with newer revision parts that were fixed, so my car is more reliable now at 15 years old than it was new

[@Alkhoholic]

@@17t135i i guess you have to if you want this car. I heard they are not cheap, how much did it cost you if you don't mind me asking?

[@17t135i]

​@Alkhoholic what In particular? Pretty much all the money had been spent upgrading it for performance, it's never actually broken down or had an issue despite making 600whp, most likely as I upgraded stuff before it had a chance to go wrong too. Ie replaced water pump and thermostat when I upgraded the turbos, as it's a much easier job to do at the same time. A more sensible option for most people would be an M235i with the N55 engine compared to an N54 135i, however if you just want pure speed it's a lot easier to go fast with the N54

[@saphirerose5031]

Turbo Mazda mpv

[@KiwiCarLife]

I’ve heard about them

[@BittaThisBittaThat]

Not even vs. close

[@KiwiCarLife]

I know but it’s still interesting to check out

[@macentire56]

"pick up one of these for 5k" 🥲

[@KiwiCarLife]

You can in NZ?

[@Lacbacpac]

7:53 7:53 ​​@@KiwiCarLife, oh I wish it was that cheap in Europe... Here, e87 / e81 130i's, or e82 125i (all with the n52, 125i is just detuned and can be coded to 130i levels), for a good, well kept car prices go from 12k - 20k+. Below 15k most of them have a thing or two wrong and need extra money to be invested. Also, for my example, if I were to buy from Germany and import, I would have to pay 2.5k more for taxes 😅... I've been looking for a well kept 125i for a normal price over a year now, no luck still. Maybe one day, until then I'll keep following your 130i videos, and I'll enjoy my 118d e87! Cheers!