Very Close to Pulling Trigger - Need Input from Current Owners

[3002 tii]

Hello 1-owners,

I am very close to pulling a trigger on a brand new 135i/is. The car will be my daily driver with limited track use. I will keep my Z4 as my main track car but if I never need to drive 5+ hours I may consider this car. With that said, I'm considering both a 135i and 135is.

I like the 135is for its uniqueness and the BMW Performance accessories that come with the car. But truth is I only really care for the exhaust and ppk v2. The style 313's are nice but I'm perfectly content with the normal 135i rims and the other add-ons are not a big deal for me.

I'm also a less is more type of guy, and find that especially true in my search for a 135i. I want to focus on the driving experience and prefer a simple layout (no tech/navi) with barebone options to keep weight down. My perfect car would have DCT, M-sport and heated front seats, nothing else. I find that navi's are nice for the initial years but inevitably the system gets archaic and then you're stuck with outdated technology. However given it is my daily, I can see how the navi may not be so bad after all.

So with that said, I have 2 options both at really good prices. 135i packaged the way I want - has DCT, M-sport, heated front seats. Then I have a fully loaded 135is with DCT, Prem, Tech, M-sport, heated front seats and HK. The price differential after negotiations and incentives is $6485.

Go for the 135i packaged the way I want, or go for the IS which is the car I want but includes options I don't need. Thoughts?

[Fifty3bags]

If I were you, I would get the 135i and add an aftermarket 'street' exhaust and JB4 for track tuneability, saves you money and you still get the car you want with the good sound and performance. Also, if you get blutooth installed, then you can use your phone for navigation if needed. I have an iPhone and google maps plays through the car speakers via blutooth (my car doesnt have navigation). I don't know the cost of adding blutooth though, never priced out a new 135, got mine used.

[Billup]

Could always get a 135i, get a good phone vent mount (I use my phones Navi like this and works wonders, maps constantly updating on its own compared to an integrated system). Then just buy PPK & BMW PE at a later time if those are the only things that really interest you. I would imagine it would be cheaper to do it this way, and still get all the fun of the 135.

But at the same point in time, if money isn't a huge issue, it may be more beneficial for you to bite the bullet and get a 135is and enjoy all the extra little amenities it comes with.

Guess it depends on how tight you want to hold on to dollars, but since you said you are a simple is more, a 135i seems like it would be more than substantial.

[Mark16q]

When I was shopping for my 135i, I too wanted just the basics and a 6mt. But as I came to find, not such an easy task so had to "settle" for whatever car had the 6mt and the m sport, etc. The one I found had the premium package, nav, HK system etc and I've come to love all of it. I've always had very basic cars (see my sig) so this was new to me, but as the car is my daily driver, can't imagine not having this stuff.

As you have a track car, if money isn't an issue, treat yourself. The 135is is a beautiful car and ready to go. You won't regret getting the extras.

Mark

[3002 tii]

I'd like to know from current N55/DCT owners, how reliable has your car been thus far?

[BatteryPowered]

I really don't see the point of paying extra $6K for features you don't need, especially since you can bring 135i to "is" level if you really wanted to (it's just a few bolt ons and rims).

I have barebones 135i with msport and DCT, Bluetooth is standard on 135i, so is the lumbar support.

[IEDEI]

I'm also a less is more type of guy, and find that especially true in my search for a 135i. I want to focus on the driving experience and prefer a simple layout (no tech/navi) with barebone options to keep weight down.

then WHY are you getting a DCT!? should be manual.

also why are you loading the 'is" up with stuff you don't need? like the premium package, etc.....makes no sense.

just get an 'is' with minimal options....i'm sure you can find one...or order one.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by BatteryPowered

I really don't see the point of paying extra $6K for features you don't need, especially since you can bring 135i to "is" level if you really wanted to (it's just a few bolt ons and rims).

I have barebones 135i with msport and DCT, Bluetooth is standard on 135i, so is the lumbar support.

I guess it's the equivalent of those who paid up for Laguna Seca with Competition package over a normal E46 M3, or a ZHP over a regular E46 330? But I get what you're saying, which is why I'm posing the question. I guess the flip side is then if you're not going to get the "is", why even bother getting a new 135i to begin with? Why not just get a 2011 CPO and save another 5-7k?

[golf_234]

GO WITH A MANUAL! By FAR my biggest regret. You will never, never, regret a manual.

[golf_234]

In your case with the luxury of options as new, I would go:

135i
Alpine White
M Sport
Cold Weather
Premium
HK
6MT

Perfect car. n55 is a fantastic motor and you could easily get 150k mi out of it or more with little headache I would say. I would definitely not order DCT or Auto when manual was available. So much more fun to have that classic feel and involvement. Night and day. Even if a DCT can out perform; marginal and about 30000x less fun.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by golf_234

GO WITH A MANUAL! By FAR my biggest regret. You will never, never, regret a manual.

Already have a manual, this is my daily. Unfortunately DCT is a must for tri-state area traffic.

[golf_234]

Ah, I see. Since it is going to lose so much value anyway I would prob go with the 135i and lower cost. M Sport and heated seats are really the key options there, and the 135 comes stocked fairly lavishly stock anyway (brembos, moonroof, etc). I would say the two things I enjoy most about my car would probably be the sport package and things that come with it, and the heated seats. I don't have HK, and the sound has never seemed lacking to me. But mine is an 08 so that may have changed. If wheels are a concern you can get a nice set of CSL reps for like $800, so that is always an option too. Comfort access is also nice. do they both have it, even then, I could deal with not having it if I saved seven grand.

It is a tough call. You could definitely do a lot of other things with that price difference; would not call that marginal. The nav and technology package IMO is null; everyone has an iPhone or droid at this point and I actually prefer all of that on one device, so I don't really think of nav as an advantaged option. And let's be honest the car manufacturer navs are meh. The real point for me would be are the premium package, exhaust, HK, worth it to you. Does anybody have a breakdown of premium again? Trying to remember what it has. even though i have it lol.

Edit:
Premium:
•Ambiance lighting - Let's be honest they all have this anyway.
•Auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors - Definitely like this, but not $7,000 like.
•Universal garage-door opener - Who cares.
•Interior mirror with compass - Cool but who cares, think I have looked at that display about 3 times since I have owned the car.
•Leather interior - Not a huge deal, all of the interiors are pretty nice, even leatherette.
•HK - Definitely would be cool but for $7,000 not really.


In your case the more I look into it, the more I would prefer saving the 7k. Think you would feel better about the whole thing at the end of the day with the extra cash and basically the same car. More than anything, Would prob drive both of them around a bit and make sure it is fitting you the way you like. What color are they?

[lastMleft]

You said it already you want something simple, so get the 135i, later if you wish add some mods for less than the cost of the (IS) package

[3002 tii]

Ok here's the deal on the 6k difference, didn't mention at first b/c I didn't think it mattered but it does slightly.

The 135is is Le Mans on Black with stitching. The barebone 135i is Carbon Black (which I do like) but on black leather. I'm not a fan of black on black, would've preferred Black on Coral Red.

There is also one other option, an AW on CR 135i, comes with Prem but No Tech, and that represents a 5k savings over the 135is. I prefer AW on CR over Black on Black but figured for 5k more, the PPK v2, PE and other tidbits make it close enough.

[golf_234]

Ahh AW on CR would be pure perfection. So the white one is

2013 135i
AW
CR
DCT
Premium
M Sport
Heated

Correct?

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by golf_234

Ahh AW on CR would be pure perfection. So the white one is

2013 135i
AW
CR
DCT
Premium
M Sport
Heated

Correct?

Correct...

Option 1: 135i, Carbon Black on Black, DCT, M-sport, Heated = $6500 cheaper than Option 3 (14.5% below MSRP)
Option 2: 135i, AW on CR, Prem, DCT, M-sport, Heated = $5000 cheaper than Option 3 (13.3% below MSRP)
Option 3: 135is, LMB on Black, Prem, Tech, DCT, M-sport, Heated, HK (13.3% below MSRP)

I'm able to negotiate the LEAST on Option 2, 1 has the best discount.

[golf_234]

Nooo question my vote is 2. God that car sounds like a masterpiece. Jealous of your situation haha! The colors alone. And it like balances the options and cost difference perfectly IMO. AW is key !

[Marc08EX]

If you're already considering a 135i instead of the "is" then I would go with a used one like you were asking in your other thread.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by golf_234

Nooo question my vote is 2. God that car sounds like a masterpiece. Jealous of your situation haha! The colors alone. And it like balances the options and cost difference perfectly IMO. AW is key !

That's how I felt when I first saw this model, but I was just going back and forth about the notion for 5k more, I get all the BMW Perf stuff + the 'is' moniker.

I guess what it really comes down to is how decent the Navi is and would I get a lot of use out of it for a daily. Does anyone know if the real time traffic updates are subscription based or free for the life of the car?

[golf_234]

Originally Posted by DSC_OFF

That's how I felt when I first saw this model, but I was just going back and forth about the notion for 5k more, I get all the BMW Perf stuff + the 'is' moniker.

I guess what it really comes down to is how decent the Navi is and would I get a lot of use out of it for a daily. Does anyone know if the real time traffic updates are subscription based or free for the life of the car?

Hmm. I see what you are saying.

I just could not say no to that color scheme. Aw on Red would just be on another level. Everybody I run into compliments on the white and black wheels. It just has that contrasty look that is timeless and always looks so sharp. I think the car would have far more wow factor and resale just due to the color, than the is features would bring. With the 5k maybe take your gf to vegas in it? or invest

[BatteryPowered]

Now the color comes into play. I was afraid of that. Since the original post did not mention colors, I figured OP did not really care that much.

Of course you should go for the color that you like the most, for a lot of people it's an important part of ownership. My E90 was AW with red interior (custom order ED), my wife picked the combo, at the time I did not realize it was the "hottest" combination. I liked the combo, but unfortunately where I live there are at least 2 white BMWs parked on each block.

For current car I spent 8 weeks waiting for it to get exact combo I wanted, including color.

[Mark16q]

I believe the real time traffic is lifetime. You can't add the nav or the HK stereo once you've purchased. Yes, you can get cheaper nav's that work well, and you can upgrade the stereo, but out here in socal we get tickets if we touch any handheld device, so the built-in nav is great. And for me at least, it works well. The stereo is the bigger surprise to me, but I love having the better sound. The stock is o.k. but the HK sounds excellent, and when sitting or traffic or cruising along, the nice tunes are a welcome addition.

Sounds like a CPO with the goodies might not be a bad way to go. But I saw a new 135is and something about the pre-built ready to go newness was very appealing. I wanted one and it's really no different than what I've made mine.