What features to avoid on a 135i?

[CharsadehBEAST]

I'm in the hunt for a 2011-13 135i DCT, obviously M Sport package would be the most desirable but what options should I avoid other than assisted steering? How common is AS?

I just saw one pop up for sale locally (https://www.eastbaybmw.com/inventory...uc9c59dvm13562), ad says it has sport suspension but doesn't that require the M Sport package which this obviously does not have? It's listed as a 6speed manual but obviously DCT so can't rely too much on the info on the BMW dealer's site.

[Esteban]

All 135's in the US came factory equipped with S704 M Sport suspension.

Here's a VIN decoder, if you need one, to look up features/options on the car above.

https://www.mdecoder.com

[Gangplank]

Sport seats are a nice feature depending on your fit preference. Some people find them small and tight, others swear by them so you'll have to try them for yourself.

Leather seats are a must in my opinion.

The only other thing I can think of is the iDrive. Again some like/want it, some don't.

[dtla1]

That car also looks like it might have aftermarket suspension too? Unless someone actually installed the performance suspension. And the wheels/tires? Are those 128i? 17"? Something is odd.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by dtla1

That car also looks like it might have aftermarket suspension too? Unless someone actually installed the performance suspension. And the wheels/tires? Are those 128i? 17"? Something is odd.

I think I remember Blue135i saying his 135i came with 17 inch wheels. Maybe he'll see this and chime in and give some info about the wheels.

His is a vert so maybe it only applies to convertibles even though the car above is a coupe.

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by Esteban

I think I remember Blue135i saying his 135i came with 17 inch wheels. Maybe he'll see this and chime in and give some info about the wheels.

His is a vert so maybe it only applies to convertibles even though the car above is a coupe.

I guess it might've been possible, without M-sport. Weird to see this spec.

[fotontom]

I will vouch for the dealer. Bought two cars from them, an '02 Mini (one of the first) and an '06 M Roadster. They are one of the finest BMW dealerships.

[blue135]

Yes, my car came with "2CH Lt/aly Wheels Star Spoke 142 W Mix Tyres" -(from VIN decoder). I am not original owner, but car was ordered by dealer in Des Moines with only a few options, before it started a nomadic life, eventually acquiring Dinan S3 still on its 17" wheels until I found a set of 313s. As Esteban said, mine is an E88 135i.
When I joined forum in 2015, there was a widely held belief that all 135s came with 18" from get go, but my car suggests otherwise.
No sport seats, and other items in that package, but does have the M-Sport suspension like all 135i.

[CharsadehBEAST]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Sport seats are a nice feature depending on your fit preference. Some people find them small and tight, others swear by them so you'll have to try them for yourself.

Leather seats are a must in my opinion.

The only other thing I can think of is the iDrive. Again some like/want it, some don't.

Seating position is too high for my height, swapping out for aftermarket seats will be a must for me. Any reason for favoring leather over the leatherette?

I would prefer not to have iDrive but not a deal breaker. So other than active steering, nothing else seems to be a deal breaker, how common is AS on 135's?

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by CharsadehBEAST

Seating position is too high for my height, swapping out for aftermarket seats will be a must for me. Any reason for favoring leather over the leatherette?

I would prefer not to have iDrive but not a deal breaker. So other than active steering, nothing else seems to be a deal breaker, how common is AS on 135's?

I have leather in my 135i. My wife's car has the sensatec (aka leatherette). It's pretty similar but feels a bit more vinyl like. Hers does wear well and cleans up easy but it's not as supple as leather.

[BMWCCA1]

Originally Posted by CharsadehBEAST

I'm in the hunt for a 2011-13 135i DCT, obviously M Sport package would be the most desirable but what options should I avoid other than assisted steering? How common is AS?

I just saw one pop up for sale locally (https://www.eastbaybmw.com/inventory...uc9c59dvm13562), ad says it has sport suspension but doesn't that require the M Sport package which this obviously does not have? It's listed as a 6speed manual but obviously DCT so can't rely too much on the info on the BMW dealer's site.

Your link just went to East Bay's entire used inventory, of which only one is a 135i: A black sapphire convertible with Savanna beige leather. It has the standard Style 372 18-inch staggered wheels which came with performance tires. Obviously it's a 7-speed DCT, not a 6-sp manual. M-Sport suspension (option 704) was standard on all 135i coupes and convertibles.

Leather will last longer than SensaTech which will commonly crack within the first three years, but a 2013 will have "partial" leather so the sides of the seats where they are most prone to cracking will be synthetic "leather" even on a leather interior car. BMW won't tell you this but the change from "full" leather to "partial" occurred sometime after 2008 and prior to 2013. And, of course, leather is cooler in summer and warmer in winter compared to synthetic. Do you wear plastic shoes?

Personally I would not own a 1-series without sport seats. My wife is 5'-1" and I'm 6'-2". Both of our E82s have sport seats and sunroofs and I can even wear a helmet in mine without clearance problems. How tall are you?

[CharsadehBEAST]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Sport seats are a nice feature depending on your fit preference. Some people find them small and tight, others swear by them so you'll have to try them for yourself.

Leather seats are a must in my opinion.

The only other thing I can think of is the iDrive. Again some like/want it, some don't.

I finally got some seat time in a 135i a few days ago and really liked it. It had the sport seats, I'm on the heavier side but felt nice and snug. It did not have iDrive which I also prefer. I'm planning to have a PPI done this week and try to put a deal together if it checks out. I have not owned a vehicle with hydraulic steering in almost 20 years, it'll take some getting used to.

Originally Posted by BMWCCA1

Your link just went to East Bay's entire used inventory, of which only one is a 135i: A black sapphire convertible with Savanna beige leather. It has the standard Style 372 18-inch staggered wheels which came with performance tires. Obviously it's a 7-speed DCT, not a 6-sp manual. M-Sport suspension (option 704) was standard on all 135i coupes and convertibles.

It sold a day or two after I created this post and was taken down from the site.

[krhodes1]

The turbo...

-Running and ducking

I think it is more what features are really desirable - sport seats if you fit in them, for me the premium package because it is the only way to get lumbar support adjustment, and without that either version of the seat is an utter torture rack, as I found out when I bought my 128i. Thankfully, not hard to retrofit. There really aren't many options on these cars that are undesirable, though at this point I suppose iDrive/NAV is pretty archaic, and you might as well just use your phone.