klorphil
Member
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2006
- Messages
- 63
- Location
- Qu?bec, Canada
- Car(s)
- '04 Chevrolet Optra5, '99 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS
2008 BMW 135i M Sport coupe
2008 BMW 135i M Sport coupe
Hi everybody!
Just thought that I would share with you some of the latest cars I drove.When I say drove I don't mean rode in it from one parking to another or rode shotgun in it.I mean really drove, like full of smoke and long black stripes on the asphalt.
I've been a mechanic for almost three years now so I had my lead foot in some really nice motors over time.I attended a few company demonstrations etc... so that's where I will start.
This summer I was fortunate enough to attend a BMW marketing department demonstration.It was at the beginning of june at the Mont-Tremblant circuit in Canada.( www.lecircuit.com for more information ) It was a dream week-end with the entire 2008 BMW range at our disposal and most of their competitors.Upwards of 70 different cars were available to test on the circuit and the adjoining public roads with a skilled BMW Driver Instructor beside me.
So this is my review of my drive there in the 2008 BMW 135i M Sport coupe.
I started my drive directly on the circuit with one lap to get used to the car and the track and two laps to really see what it could do.Then we were directed to a wet skidpad on one of the huge car parks at Mont-Tremblant to test the car in difficult conditions and also witness the different electronic safety features.Then it was out on the public roads for about 10 to 15 minutes.The Driving Instructor was there all the time ensuring nothing stupid happened but then again he was rather "forgiving" if you see what I mean.
So the 135i.Well it's got the same engine as the 335i but it's noticeably lighter and smaller.It's about 300BHp of turbocharged fun and in the 135i it really shows.This thing really pulls hard.0-60 is 5.3 seconds and it should do the 1/4 mile in 13.3 seconds which is not slow by any standards.
The grip is absolutely phenomenal.Either in the curves or in a straight line.Even with the ASC+T ( trac control ) turned off I couldn't spin the rear wheels on Mont-Tremblant's perfect tarmac.Only on the wet skidpad was the 135i convincingly drifting.When it did, it was easily catched thanks to its good throttle response and sane chassis.However, the ASC+T was of great help.See the 135i has not a very big wheelbase so when the tail gets loose you've got to be quick with the steering.
I did one lap with ASC+T on and one other with it off.The car had plenty of grip and it was very confidence inspiring.Curves were taken with real aplomb and it was a lot of fun.The balance between power and grip almost perfect.I felt that it could have got more power the chassis being up to the task but that's a role best left to the Z4 or the M3.
On a trailing throttle the car had no tendency to really oversteer.You could provoke it but the ASC+T quickly took matters in its own hands even when turned off.As for understeer, it was totally absent.Maybe I wasn't trying hard enough but the Driving Instructor said that it should behave like that.
The brakes were excellent.Some other BMWs were not as convincing but the 135i's were enduring and feelsome.The pedal was easy to modulate just on the verge of the ABS kicking in.As for the gearbox it really is a thing of beauty.Really slick action with a precise gate and very good gearing.
The steering feel was less commendable though.While it did provide good information about what was happening it was a little vague making the 135i difficult to place at the entrance of a turn.You had to lean on the grip that you knew was there but in my opinion that's not how it should be done.You felt what the car was doing more from the seat of your pants than from the helm.
If any that's the only one flaw I found of the 135i.That and it's poor ergonomics.I'm 6ft 3in so I was quite cramped in there and the 135i should be seen as purely a sports car.There's not much room in the back or the trunk.The fit and finish is BMW-like that is really really good albeit pretty conventional and very black.
In conclusion I think the 135i is really the poor man's M3.It's a slightly diluted experience.Less grunt, less speed etc... Don't get me wrong, thinking only of the 135i it's a great car it's just that BMW has much cooler toys available.I'll let you know what I thought of them in a bit.
I also tried the 128i, it's just more of the same but with less grunt.Same goes for both convertible there's no scuttle shake with the removal of the roof and both drive pretty much the same.
Pros: Good acceleration, sublime engine, heroic levels of grip, small size, class-leading trim and finish.
Cons: Quite firm suspension, engine reliability to prove, poor ergonomics and storage.
4 out of 5.
P.S: Sorry if it's not a 2009 model I don't work at BMW anymore so I can't say if there's anything changed or not.In fact I don't work anymore hence why I have time to share those drives with you.Blame or praise the economic downturn.
2008 BMW 135i M Sport coupe
Hi everybody!
Just thought that I would share with you some of the latest cars I drove.When I say drove I don't mean rode in it from one parking to another or rode shotgun in it.I mean really drove, like full of smoke and long black stripes on the asphalt.
I've been a mechanic for almost three years now so I had my lead foot in some really nice motors over time.I attended a few company demonstrations etc... so that's where I will start.
This summer I was fortunate enough to attend a BMW marketing department demonstration.It was at the beginning of june at the Mont-Tremblant circuit in Canada.( www.lecircuit.com for more information ) It was a dream week-end with the entire 2008 BMW range at our disposal and most of their competitors.Upwards of 70 different cars were available to test on the circuit and the adjoining public roads with a skilled BMW Driver Instructor beside me.
So this is my review of my drive there in the 2008 BMW 135i M Sport coupe.
I started my drive directly on the circuit with one lap to get used to the car and the track and two laps to really see what it could do.Then we were directed to a wet skidpad on one of the huge car parks at Mont-Tremblant to test the car in difficult conditions and also witness the different electronic safety features.Then it was out on the public roads for about 10 to 15 minutes.The Driving Instructor was there all the time ensuring nothing stupid happened but then again he was rather "forgiving" if you see what I mean.
So the 135i.Well it's got the same engine as the 335i but it's noticeably lighter and smaller.It's about 300BHp of turbocharged fun and in the 135i it really shows.This thing really pulls hard.0-60 is 5.3 seconds and it should do the 1/4 mile in 13.3 seconds which is not slow by any standards.
The grip is absolutely phenomenal.Either in the curves or in a straight line.Even with the ASC+T ( trac control ) turned off I couldn't spin the rear wheels on Mont-Tremblant's perfect tarmac.Only on the wet skidpad was the 135i convincingly drifting.When it did, it was easily catched thanks to its good throttle response and sane chassis.However, the ASC+T was of great help.See the 135i has not a very big wheelbase so when the tail gets loose you've got to be quick with the steering.
I did one lap with ASC+T on and one other with it off.The car had plenty of grip and it was very confidence inspiring.Curves were taken with real aplomb and it was a lot of fun.The balance between power and grip almost perfect.I felt that it could have got more power the chassis being up to the task but that's a role best left to the Z4 or the M3.
On a trailing throttle the car had no tendency to really oversteer.You could provoke it but the ASC+T quickly took matters in its own hands even when turned off.As for understeer, it was totally absent.Maybe I wasn't trying hard enough but the Driving Instructor said that it should behave like that.
The brakes were excellent.Some other BMWs were not as convincing but the 135i's were enduring and feelsome.The pedal was easy to modulate just on the verge of the ABS kicking in.As for the gearbox it really is a thing of beauty.Really slick action with a precise gate and very good gearing.
The steering feel was less commendable though.While it did provide good information about what was happening it was a little vague making the 135i difficult to place at the entrance of a turn.You had to lean on the grip that you knew was there but in my opinion that's not how it should be done.You felt what the car was doing more from the seat of your pants than from the helm.
If any that's the only one flaw I found of the 135i.That and it's poor ergonomics.I'm 6ft 3in so I was quite cramped in there and the 135i should be seen as purely a sports car.There's not much room in the back or the trunk.The fit and finish is BMW-like that is really really good albeit pretty conventional and very black.
In conclusion I think the 135i is really the poor man's M3.It's a slightly diluted experience.Less grunt, less speed etc... Don't get me wrong, thinking only of the 135i it's a great car it's just that BMW has much cooler toys available.I'll let you know what I thought of them in a bit.
I also tried the 128i, it's just more of the same but with less grunt.Same goes for both convertible there's no scuttle shake with the removal of the roof and both drive pretty much the same.
Pros: Good acceleration, sublime engine, heroic levels of grip, small size, class-leading trim and finish.
Cons: Quite firm suspension, engine reliability to prove, poor ergonomics and storage.
4 out of 5.
P.S: Sorry if it's not a 2009 model I don't work at BMW anymore so I can't say if there's anything changed or not.In fact I don't work anymore hence why I have time to share those drives with you.Blame or praise the economic downturn.
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