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      07-09-2016, 02:39 AM   #1
mdt
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Anyone going from a M135i to M2?

I've got a DCT M135i and am in the queue for a manual M2. Anyone had experience going from one to the other? Part of me wonders whether it will be much different (gearbox and a bit more power aside).

Thanks in advance.
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      07-09-2016, 03:08 AM   #2
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I had an auto M135 when they first came out for about 3 months and wasn't that impressed to be honest.The gearbox is a ZF btw and is a completely different aninal to the DCT in the M2.
I'm going into the DCT so I'm not sure if I'm too much help but in general the M2 is better all round especially the handling which is more taught,stable and better planted and doesn't wallow mid corner.
The M135 is a great all round car but imo but gets ragged when pushing it.The M2 addresses these problems and is a more satisfying ride.
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      07-09-2016, 03:50 AM   #3
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I didn't realise the gearbox was different, but it makes sense given that the M135i is an 8 speed and the M2 is a 7 speed? The gearbox is actually the most impressive feature of the M135i, I would say. Never ceases to amaze me, but that said still a bit anodyne compared to a good manual.

Ah yes, wallowing mid-corner. It does that. Thanks for reminding me.
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      07-09-2016, 05:18 AM   #4
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I'll be going from an auto M135i to an M DCT M2 in about 6 weeks.
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      07-09-2016, 06:37 AM   #5
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Joe Achillies has done a (very long 45 mins repetitive) YouTube comparison. It's good to see, but very obvious stuff really. M2 better at 9/10ths and above, M135i better at lower scale to live with and costs less.

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      07-09-2016, 06:58 AM   #6
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Considering the M135i isn't an M car and the M2 is, I can't imagine the difference isn't significant. The M235i is very different, in my experience, compared to the M2. Any non M car I have ever driven has been notably different than the corresponding M car. I suppose puttering around town and the difference wouldn't be large but in any other driving scenario...
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      07-09-2016, 07:10 AM   #7
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Thanks Gents. I got about 20' into that clip and I might watch the remainder later on. Spot on, thank you very much JustChris.
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      07-09-2016, 08:49 AM   #8
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I went from a DCT 135 to a DCT M2
Much the same - dogleg reverse is nice.
Prefer the knob in the 135 and it is situated slighly more rearwards in the M2
Gearchanges are more savage in sport+ mode than any setting in the 135
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      07-09-2016, 10:00 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by koastal
I went from a DCT 135 to a DCT M2
Much the same - dogleg reverse is nice.
Prefer the knob in the 135 and it is situated slighly more rearwards in the M2
Gearchanges are more savage in sport+ mode than any setting in the 135
DCT 135..?
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      07-09-2016, 11:10 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by koastal
I went from a DCT 135 to a DCT M2
Much the same - dogleg reverse is nice.
Prefer the knob in the 135 and it is situated slighly more rearwards in the M2
Gearchanges are more savage in sport+ mode than any setting in the 135
The 135 has a ZF 8 speed Auto - it is not a DCT.
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      07-09-2016, 11:38 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gmzanatta View Post
The 135 has a ZF 8 speed Auto - it is not a DCT.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JustChris View Post
DCT 135..?
Sorry to burst your bubble but there was a DCT option starting 2011 for the 135i.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=525827

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=28_0000

http://www.automobilemag.com/news/2011-bmw-135i-dct/

ZF8 did not show up until the F series, which would have been the M135i.

Last edited by five3three; 07-09-2016 at 11:48 AM..
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      07-09-2016, 12:18 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by five3three View Post
Sorry to burst your bubble but there was a DCT option starting 2011 for the 135i.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=525827

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=28_0000

http://www.automobilemag.com/news/2011-bmw-135i-dct/

ZF8 did not show up until the F series, which would have been the M135i.
You're right, but as this thread is talking about the M135i, which is specific to the Fxx series, then koastal is not answering the question, albeit whilst trying to be helpful.
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      07-09-2016, 12:34 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by five3three
Quote:
Originally Posted by gmzanatta View Post
The 135 has a ZF 8 speed Auto - it is not a DCT.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JustChris View Post
DCT 135..?
Sorry to burst your bubble but there was a DCT option starting 2011 for the 135i.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=525827

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=28_0000

http://www.automobilemag.com/news/2011-bmw-135i-dct/

ZF8 did not show up until the F series, which would have been the M135i.
No bubbles here, but thanks for assuming I'm on a high horse or something, was stating a fact, an M135i has never had DCT.

Happy to be proven wrong, I don't claim to know everything about BMWs but I'm very certain the F chassis M135i has only ever has ZF auto or 6MT. I just couldn't be arsed putting the M in front, thread is about the M135i.

No doubt the earlier 135i might have then
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      07-09-2016, 12:34 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by five3three
Quote:
Originally Posted by gmzanatta View Post
The 135 has a ZF 8 speed Auto - it is not a DCT.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JustChris View Post
DCT 135..?
Sorry to burst your bubble but there was a DCT option starting 2011 for the 135i.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=525827

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=28_0000

http://www.automobilemag.com/news/2011-bmw-135i-dct/

ZF8 did not show up until the F series, which would have been the M135i.
Yes, but OP is asking about M135i which has the ZF, so my point stands.
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      07-09-2016, 03:20 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gmzanatta View Post
Yes, but OP is asking about M135i which has the ZF, so my point stands.

But your response was to somebody who said they went from a 135 DCT to an M2, pretty much telling them that they didn't have a DCT. So, if your response to him was still discussing the original M135i, then sure.
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      07-09-2016, 03:22 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mofomat View Post
You're right, but as this thread is talking about the M135i, which is specific to the Fxx series, then koastal is not answering the question, albeit whilst trying to be helpful.
Agree there... thread was about M135i but got sidetracked to the 135i DCT.
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      07-09-2016, 04:51 PM   #17
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I might have created the confusion here by referring to my car as a DCT M135i. But I thought the ZF 8 speed did have a two clutches. In fact, this vid suggests it had three:
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      07-09-2016, 05:00 PM   #18
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I had a ZF M135i for 18-months, a ZF M235i for 24-months, now a DCT M2 for the last two months.

The M135i is a great car, but definitely gets out of it's depth beyond 85% as others have pointed out. The M235i handling is slightly better than the pre-LCI M135i (don't know if the LCI M135i suspension matches the M235i), but still get's flustered beyond 90%.

I'm surprised that the ZF box is viewed negatively as it's a damn good box. I don't find the DCT much better, but perhaps I'd notice it more if I went back to a ZF from a DCT. The one thing I hate about the DCT box in the M2 is how long it takes to go from reverse to first, it's a real pain in the ass if you've got to do a quick 3-point turn.

You won't regret an M2 as it's so much better handling and sound than the Mx35i. The M2 doesn't feel that much quicker though.
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      07-09-2016, 08:16 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Arcanum-UK View Post
I had a ZF M135i for 18-months, a ZF M235i for 24-months, now a DCT M2 for the last two months.

The M135i is a great car, but definitely gets out of it's depth beyond 85% as others have pointed out. The M235i handling is slightly better than the pre-LCI M135i (don't know if the LCI M135i suspension matches the M235i), but still get's flustered beyond 90%.

I'm surprised that the ZF box is viewed negatively as it's a damn good box. I don't find the DCT much better, but perhaps I'd notice it more if I went back to a ZF from a DCT. The one thing I hate about the DCT box in the M2 is how long it takes to go from reverse to first, it's a real pain in the ass if you've got to do a quick 3-point turn.

You won't regret an M2 as it's so much better handling and sound than the Mx35i. The M2 doesn't feel that much quicker though.
That sounds good. I must the say the M135i has been fast enough in all situations with a couple of minor exceptions. And I'm not expecting the M2 to be any faster given that I'm going from the ZF to the manual. But I'm more interested in the integrity of the handling and I've always found the M135i soft at the limit, and as far as I know, it's not a problem that can be readily fixed.

And I too, and impressed with the ZF gearbox. Three years on and it still continues to impress and every now and then surprise me in a positive way.
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      07-10-2016, 02:24 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Arcanum-UK
I had a ZF M135i for 18-months, a ZF M235i for 24-months, now a DCT M2 for the last two months.

The M135i is a great car, but definitely gets out of it's depth beyond 85% as others have pointed out. The M235i handling is slightly better than the pre-LCI M135i (don't know if the LCI M135i suspension matches the M235i), but still get's flustered beyond 90%.

I'm surprised that the ZF box is viewed negatively as it's a damn good box. I don't find the DCT much better, but perhaps I'd notice it more if I went back to a ZF from a DCT. The one thing I hate about the DCT box in the M2 is how long it takes to go from reverse to first, it's a real pain in the ass if you've got to do a quick 3-point turn.

You won't regret an M2 as it's so much better handling and sound than the Mx35i. The M2 doesn't feel that much quicker though.
Same, the delay engaging reverse was a pain in my old M4, I also found DCT hard to park close end on, the lack of creep and mega power led to some very tentative accelerator pedal jabs! I'm hoping a gentle lift if the clutch will allow more low speed control.
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      07-10-2016, 02:33 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JustChris View Post
Same, the delay engaging reverse was a pain in my old M4, I also found DCT hard to park close end on, the lack of creep and mega power led to some very tentative accelerator pedal jabs! I'm hoping a gentle lift if the clutch will allow more low speed control.
This. Parking the loaner M4 in my garage when wet outside I once almost hit the rear wall. Power or nothing, wheelspin, bam. BRAKE.Pfff...Close call.

My M2 has that sometimes as well. That's a minus for the DCT, for the rest, loving it.

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      07-10-2016, 03:16 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Robin_NL View Post
This. Parking the loaner M4 in my garage when wet outside I once almost hit the rear wall. Power or nothing, wheelspin, bam. BRAKE.Pfff...Close call.

My M2 has that sometimes as well. That's a minus for the DCT, for the rest, loving it.

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Do you not use two feet to modulate when in reverse ?
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