JamJay's BMW 135i (That no-one cares about because it's not VAG)

[JamJay]

Hi everyone, I'm back!

This time SEATless and now a member of the no indicator/no idea what speed limits are/no idea what a safe gap between traffic is club..yes, its a BMW .

So here's my new RR thread dedicated to my 135i Coupe & I absolutely love it. A totally different driving experience to the hot hatches I'm used to, RWD is fun but felt odd to begin with being pushed around a bend rather than pulled. The steering also feels a lot heavier as there is no power going to the front wheels and of course.

The car comes standard with 306bhp & 300lb's of torque, this is noticeable right from idle with torque made instantly available thanks to the twin turbo's (little & big). Boost is smooth and linear as you might expect, BMW have clearly mapped the car to mimic that of a high powered NA engine and they've done a good job...that said 1st & 2nd gear from launch are rather fierce. Grip is SO much better than FWD, launches are actually possible and once you learn to feed the power in, no wheel spin and a quick 0-60...5.1 or 5.3secs I think is the quoted BMW figure which is very good.

I've already started to learn about the car and what's possible to do with it. For example M3 suspension is a straight swap amongst other 'M' parts but I doubt I'll go that route, the car already is equipped with a well balanced chassis, 50/50 weight distribution and Bilstein made suspension. Eibach springs are well matched for the dampers & will lower the car by 20mm, this is what I plan to do. Also standard on this car are an oil cooler & FMIC.

My first mod was the 'Golf Tee Mod'. The 135i has an exhaust flap in the LH tail pipe, this is controlled by the ECU & a vacuum solenoid that opens it at 4000rpm+, however I have bypassed this. Basically, you pull off the vacuum hose, stick a bolt, golf tee or whatever in the end and tuck it away, this opens up both pipes right away and makes the throttle that little bit more responsive and exhaust louder.

Standard Spec:

- 3.0 Inline 6cyl Twin Turbo Engine
- BMW Performance 6 Pistons Front Brakes
- BMW Performance Twin Piston Rear Brakes
- M-Sport Styling Pack
- Metallic Black Paint
- Black Leather Seats & Trim
- Aluminium Trim
- Bluetooth w/Voice Control
- iDrive
- Voice Control for iDrive (most of the car's functions you can tell it to do by speaking to it)
- Telematics (Phone uses car aerial for better signal)
- Sat Nav
- Full iPod Control
- AUX MP3 Player Input
- DVD Drive
- CD Changer
- Upgraded Speakers & Amplifier
- Customisable Steering Wheel Controls
- Cruise Control
- Dual Xenon Headlamps
- Auto Lights
- Follow Me Home Lights
- Welcome Lights
- LED Outside Lights
- DRL's Front & Rear
- Auto Wipers
- Climate Control
- Comfort Package
- Windows Drop & Raise on Keyfob
- Various Convenient Cabin Items (Armrest, Cup Holders, Storage etc)
- Luggage Straps In Boot
- Extra Interior Lighting
- Parking Sensors
- Storage Pack
- Winter Warm Enabled (Kind of like Clifford Telestart)



Mods:

- COBB Stage 1 ECU tune (est. 380bhp but made 360bhp/410lb-ft on a hot-hot day
- COBB Review
- BMW Performance Matt Black Kidney Grilles
- BMW Performance Exhaust
- BMW Performance Exhaust Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcg30YItYE8&feature=youtu.be
- 1M Rear Lights

Immediate Plans:

- 10mm/12mm Wheel Spacers
- Decat Exhaust Mid-pipes


Further Plans:

Styling & Suspension:

- BMW Performance Carbon Fibre Rear Spoiler
- BMW Performance Rear Diffuser
- Carbon Fibre Front Lip
- BMW Performance Carbon Fibre Wing Mirror Caps
- Bilstein B12 Kit

Engine Stage 1+:

- Bigger FMIC

*Approx 400bhp

Engine Stage 2+:

- Dual Cone Intake or High Flow Panel Filter
- Down Pipes

*Approx 430bhp


Engine Stage 3:

- Meth
- Ethanol (E85) if Morrison's restock
- Race Fuel 104RON

*Approx 470bhp


Engine Stage 4:

- Hybrid Turbochargers

* Approx 550bhp


Realistically I doubt I'll go beyond Stage 2+, maybe Stage 3.

Anyway, here are some pictures as she stands today which will all change in the next couple of weeks no doubt. Let the mods begin !

 

[ReDBull]

Nice looking car. Looking forward to see it progress.

 

[JayCee]

Good looking car and plenty of plans! I did look at a 1 series about five years ago (before the really good models came out ), but I found them too small in the pedal box and a bit claustrophobic for me which is a shame as they are spot on motors.

 

[traumapat]

Coming on here with your fancy pancy voice controlled dvd drive and your winter warmer pack... do you get a free pack or werthers originals too?

Nice looking beasty Jay, even without indicators!
Good to hear your still around

 

[Deleted member 35176]

That is one awesome motor, what made you choose that over the 123d? or the 1M??

 

[JamJay]

Thanks for the comments chaps

Looks wise it's taken a while to grow on me, I owned a 335i before this which was definitely prettier, just a little soft and heavy for my tastes. I'd have another one but only when I am certain I won't modify it. The 135i is just fun out of the box, only let down by run-cr@p tyres.

This & the 1M are the only 1-series that interested me, whenever I see a 120d/320d I do kind of look down on them, being all show and no go essentially and for people mostly wanting the badge without associated running costs of a bigger one...not what I believe BMW was first about but then again I guess the economy is different now. What I want from a mean looking BMW is to put my foot down and for it to go extremely well, I know I'd just never be happy with a remapped 200bhp 120/320d, I've gone too far beyond that now.

123d was out because it's diesel & 1M was out because they're still hanging around £35k which honestly I don't want to pay. It's kind of a compromise I guess, I'd love a 1M or even an M3 but at the same time I have my own place, a bunch of other nice belongings and a social life etc so this is balance for me. A fairly priveledged one to some but I am grateful for it and I stand by what I said before I started buying these cars, if other things take priority then the car is the first to go...that'll be a sad day but I'm enjoying it while it lasts.

The Werther's were a BMW optional extra I'm afraid with suitable BMW tax applied, costing around £10 for a pack

I'll get to work on the suspension and exhaust in the next couple of weeks, I'm looking forward to a better stance and sound.

 

[TJenkos]

Looks awesome, hope you're booked in for the security ECU update. Too many being stolen at the moment for me to own one!

 

[JamJay]

Looks awesome, hope you're booked in for the security ECU update. Too many being stolen at the moment for me to own one!

It's in for the update which seems more than likely an ECU reflash, this should deactivate the OBD port when the key is removed from the ignition or at least when the doors are locked. If you believe forums then the thieves are now apparently jamming remote locking signals for BMW, Audi, Merc and any other car they fancy so it will still pay for anyone to check that the car is locked before walking away.

Second to that I've relocated my OBD port anyhow .

 

[Deleted member 35176]

Fair enough mate, I cant fault your logic!

My cupra went for that very same reason.

Hope you enjoy it

 

[dannychapman10]

Jay,

Hope you're across on babybmw.net I'm sure I've seen your car on there mate.
Is yours already having the update for the security issue? I didn't think the 1er was due for another 8 weeks or so? Mine's in the garage at the moment so may double check with them.

Oh, and I'm jealous of your 135

 

[JamJay]

Jay,

Hope you're across on babybmw.net I'm sure I've seen your car on there mate.
Is yours already having the update for the security issue? I didn't think the 1er was due for another 8 weeks or so? Mine's in the garage at the moment so may double check with them.

Oh, and I'm jealous of your 135

Hi Danny,

Yep I'm over on there but spend most time on 1addicts as 135i tuning is rife in the USA. I've not mentioned my upcoming mods on BabyBMW but I'll start a build up soon, let's just say I've spent a lot lately .

Nooo, my car is on the list to be recalled by the dealer, I'm just waiting to be phoned regarding an appointment when the update is ready...whenever that is.

 

[James23Parkin]

Nice to see another RR thread from you Jason

The car looks very nice but asthetically it will look lovely with a slight lowering and wheel spacers; those wheels will fill the arches much better. Are they 18 inch?

I look forward to the updates. One of the lads at work has one of these in white, and the exhaust as standard has a nice note to it. Lots of power and spec for a smallish platform. fun times

 

[JordanMk3]

Love the 1 coupes.. Really underestimated in most platforms.. Especially the 135i!
I am sure you will upset quite a few 'boys' in their brand new Audi's, and especially the S3.. They dont like to be beaten...

 

[dav]

Love the 135i, test drove one 3 weeks ago and it's definitely on the short list!

Great car, power is fantastic too...

Look forward to the updates

 

[rf860]

Have you tinted your rear lights? I've got the same ones on my coupe.

 

[Redemption]

Looks great! Really like 135i coupes and it's also on my list of next cars (although I'd be after one with DCT). Looking forward to the modifications.

 

[JamJay]

Nice to see another RR thread from you Jason

The car looks very nice but asthetically it will look lovely with a slight lowering and wheel spacers; those wheels will fill the arches much better. Are they 18 inch?

I look forward to the updates. One of the lads at work has one of these in white, and the exhaust as standard has a nice note to it. Lots of power and spec for a smallish platform. fun times

Thanks James, good to be back, I enjoy this forum

The wheels are 18", they look big sometimes, small other times so I agree with you that lowering and spacers should sort that out. If I remember that's exactly how I felt about the LCR, lowered it and it became perfect. Size wise it's a little smaller than an E46 but not too much, short wheelbase RWD is fun though but you need to respect it or it'll go badly.

Love the 1 coupes.. Really underestimated in most platforms.. Especially the 135i!
I am sure you will upset quite a few 'boys' in their brand new Audi's, and especially the S3.. They dont like to be beaten...

She's upset a few already but honestly I find no one knows what a 135i is or tries it on that much. Most people seem to think it's on par with a 350z and comment "3.5L isn't it?!", then wonder why it went so well. It's a bit of an unknown machine and I like that, the dark wheels and black grilles give it a bit of a 'WTF is in that' look. Soon it'll sound the part too, then time to ditch the tyres for some wider ones.

Love the 135i, test drove one 3 weeks ago and it's definitely on the short list!

Great car, power is fantastic too...

Look forward to the updates

Great car and you won't be disappointed, lots of torque and well balanced. The twin turbo engine us by far the most tuneable but the twin scroll engine is no slouch either.

Have you tinted your rear lights? I've got the same ones on my coupe.

I haven't matey, it's just the pics. In real life they look too red, I'm ordering some BMW dark lines for it soon. Do you have a 135i also?

Looks great! Really like 135i coupes and it's also on my list of next cars (although I'd be after one with DCT). Looking forward to the modifications.

Thanks . DCT is on the newer twin scroll turbo engine only but I hear it's great, especially with a tune .

 

[fuzzy232]

300 bhp ???!! bloody hell thats hellish for a stock motor. never knew them 135's where so powerfull. so jealous

 

[JamJay]

300 bhp ???!! bloody hell thats hellish for a stock motor. never knew them 135's where so powerfull. so jealous

Yeah, it's a fair amount standard and a true 300bhp...not like the Focus RS . Mind you, I remember 3-4yrs ago when everyone was aiming for 'club 300', now that's standard power for a lot of factory cars.

My exhaust just arrived, it's taken a little while to get here from overseas than I thought but it looks lovely.

It's a genuine BMW Performance Exhaust, made by BMW. It comes with it's own warranty, doesn't invalidate the warranty of the car and is as good as any other aftermarket one out there. Twin 80mm polished tips. The drawback is the price

 

[Mark300zx]

Hi JJ,

Glad to see you are still modding , how do you find this compared to the 335 convertible?