BMW and M Power Owners

[Gaygle]

Do those quotes look reasonable?

Meh, not especially, depending on what they are going to do. Insp II service should include spark plugs, air filter, microfilter, oil + oil filter. It *should* also include a diagnostic read out of the fault memory which would be good for you, but I bet it won't.

BMW main dealers only charge £369 for an Insp II and that will include everything it's meant to, and be using Genuine BMW parts. And you'd be able to get that £369 down to around £300 if you took your own oil along which you can buy from ECP for around £45.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Finally, it is burning oil which is apparently CCV

It's burning oil because it's an M54. Mine always did - even after CCV replacement.

 

[Stephen B]

Last time I checked the difference between an M135i and an M4 wasn't just the LSD, gearbox and power.

last time I checked my M135i wasn't any slower in a straight line vs a current model M3

it cost me under £2k to achieve it, probably cost the same to make it a match in the handling stakes but doubtful as to whether I'd see the benefit on UK roads.

therefore I can fully appreciate his point. but yes I'd also love to own an M3

 

[Stephen B]

You can feel it with your hand by reaching into the rear wheel arch.

takes me back to my 1st cars, guaranteed to leave you with a badly slashed hand

 

[[TW]Fox]

last time I checked my M135i wasn't any slower in a straight line vs a current model M3

Neither is an Impreza STi with a remap but I'm sure you wouldn't want one of those instead - outright performance does not define a car, it is merely one ingredient.

 

[mrk]

But but... One is an M car, the other is a car with an M badge!

 

[Havana_UK]

The M135i is unquestionably a quick car, but straight line speed/acceleration is not what M cars are about. They're about handling, balance, track performance and in this area there is a yawning gap between the M135i and an M3/M4.

 

[Banny]

Don't slate me did he say a 20k gap between m135i and M car.
If so that amount of money would easily enable it to out handle the M car.
M suspension is good but far from the best and can easily be bettered.
£20k is a lot of money a lot of good parts can be bought for that.

 

[Gibbo]

Don't slate me did he say a 20k gap between m135i and M car.
If so that amount of money would easily enable it to out handle the M car.
M suspension is good but far from the best and can easily be bettered.
£20k is a lot of money a lot of good parts can be bought for that.

True but the M3/M4 driver still owns the true M car and the other a fast 1 series, I'd take the slower M car every time.

My mate has an M135i latest one with auto, every option even an LSD I think. I've driven it not a bad car and very quick off the line but I'd take my M3 every time as I find it a far better drive. The M135i just seemed dull in comparison, great but dull if that makes sense.

 

[Banny]

I agree gibbo, was just thinking 20k goes a long way in performance parts
However a comparison from you is pretty good having owned in my opinion the ultimate M3 the CSL

 

[Stephen B]

The M135i is unquestionably a quick car, but straight line speed/acceleration is not what M cars are about. They're about handling, balance, track performance and in this area there is a yawning gap between the M135i and an M3/M4.

you forgot badge snobbery and more expendable income than me

like I said would love one, but there is some satisfaction that I can reach the speeds and dynamics of one for a lot less

no need to roll out all the tired hyperbolae and "its not an M car" but I doubt many can resist

so I'll make some fresh popcorn for later

 

[Banny]

Not to mention the massive premium M spares command, just for the price of say a lower arm, three times the price of a normal arm.
So yeah you do have to have a pretty sizeable income to own and maintain a real M car.
Makes a M135i a pretty viable alternative. I see then going up the strip last weekend and they where more than holding their own against M3s.

 

[SDK^]

The problem with factory road cars with track spec parts like the M3 is that there is too much of a compromise for road and track use.
The majority of owners may never even take it to the track and even if they do it's probably only a handful of times. So you're paying a large premium to buy and maintain something which is setup for two types of use, neither of which it is optimised for.
I'd rather run two cars, one optimised for road use and the other for track use.

 

[Banny]

Good point SDK
An M car is more of a pose that a useable machine on britains roads, even a 135i is

 

[Blackhawk47]

Epic.

 

[Catanonia]

Ok I am in

BMW z4 sDrive 35i with full MotorSport options.

 

[[TW]Fox]

'Full MotorSport' options? What does that mean?

Looks very nice that, though.

 

[Catanonia]

'Full MotorSport' options? What does that mean?

Looks very nice that, though.

MSport extra's including MSport Adaptive Suspension and of course the badges, but not on the back

But not a M car

Going to JB4 it to 420 BHP if the chassis can take it.

 

[Robbo]

Someone has asked me for advice - I don't know much about the X cars, but what would people go for if they had to pick between a 2011 X5 (LCI) or a 2013 X3?

With roughly the same spec (X5 is better spec to start with anyway), the X5 comes in cheaper and seems/looks a better car, is it? Is the X3 just a poor X5?

 

[Havana_UK]

you forgot badge snobbery and more expendable income than me

like I said would love one, but there is some satisfaction that I can reach the speeds and dynamics of one for a lot less

no need to roll out all the tired hyperbolae and "its not an M car" but I doubt many can resist

so I'll make some fresh popcorn for later

Just FYI, I drive an M135i