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      07-15-2016, 02:02 PM   #1
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M2 vs 135i coupe

I currently have a 2011 135i coupe (6MT), and am patiently waiting my turn on an M2 waiting list.

For those of you who have driven both, I'd love to hear your detailed and honest impressions about how they compare, in terms of the driving experience, on both street and track.

Thanks!
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      07-16-2016, 12:16 AM   #2
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Before the M2 i had a 2013 DCT 135i. Never had the 135i on the track but on the road i've noticed the M2 to be a lot more planted and solid feeling, the 1er felt a lot more skitzy over bumps, even with the run flats removed.
Speed wise i only had the BMW PPK tune on the 1 series so it didn't increase power a lot but although i'm still in the run in period the M2 appears quicker and a lot more responsive on the throttle. Looking forward the first service so i can really open her up.
Definitely a step up.
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      07-16-2016, 12:33 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Prodigy. View Post
Before the M2 i had a 2013 DCT 135i. Never had the 135i on the track but on the road i've noticed the M2 to be a lot more planted and solid feeling, the 1er felt a lot more skitzy over bumps, even with the run flats removed.
Speed wise i only had the BMW PPK tune on the 1 series so it didn't increase power a lot but although i'm still in the run in period the M2 appears quicker and a lot more responsive on the throttle. Looking forward the first service so i can really open her up.
Definitely a step up.
+1 on what he said

I also came from 2013 DCT 135i, definitely a step up in the M2. What surprised me the most was how much of a smoother ride the M2 is, 135i was a lot rougher ride and felt every bump. Another thing is the overall size of the M2 was weird at first for me. It's not that much bigger but you can tell going from 135i. Now when i see a 1 series on the road, crazy how small the car looks lol
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      07-16-2016, 01:03 PM   #4
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Thanks guys for the positive feedback on the M2. I actually still love my 135, and find it a blast to drive. I get that the M2 is faster, smoother and more capable overall, but would you say the M2 is more engaging/fun to drive?
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      07-16-2016, 08:15 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IS+1 View Post
Thanks guys for the positive feedback on the M2. I actually still love my 135, and find it a blast to drive. I get that the M2 is faster, smoother and more capable overall, but would you say the M2 is more engaging/fun to drive?

135i was fun to drive but M2 is on a whole other level of fun factor! Engaging... yes it's awesome and getting manual makes it even better
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      07-17-2016, 09:31 AM   #6
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I would say the e series 135 would be 2 steps below the M2... The 1M and the M135/235 are both a big step up from the 135 and the M2 is another step up.
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      07-17-2016, 07:26 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by den525 View Post
I would say the e series 135 would be 2 steps below the M2... The 1M and the M135/235 are both a big step up from the 135 and the M2 is another step up.
The M2 is not another step up from the 1M in terms of driving excitement or driving pleasure. The 1M is sharper in response and more direct. It feels more like a race car compared to the M2. Though at times an ill mannered one

M2 is a step up in terms of vehicle dynamics and outright performance. M2 allows you to make mistakes and gives you a gentle landing where as the 1M can spit you out like bad minced meat.
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      07-17-2016, 11:04 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Karmic Man
Quote:
Originally Posted by den525 View Post
I would say the e series 135 would be 2 steps below the M2... The 1M and the M135/235 are both a big step up from the 135 and the M2 is another step up.
The M2 is not another step up from the 1M in terms of driving excitement or driving pleasure. The 1M is sharper in response and more direct. It feels more like a race car compared to the M2. Though at times an ill mannered one

M2 is a step up in terms of vehicle dynamics and outright performance. M2 allows you to make mistakes and gives you a gentle landing where as the 1M can spit you out like bad minced meat.
Based on your description the M2 is a step up no? I think in every single way it's a slightly better car. It's a little faster, it handles a little better, technologically it's much better and performance overall is better.
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      07-18-2016, 03:07 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by den525 View Post
Based on your description the M2 is a step up no? I think in every single way it's a slightly better car. It's a little faster, it handles a little better, technologically it's much better and performance overall is better.
It is definitely not a step up in terms of the driving experience (which I think was what the OP was asking for) ...for me at least that 's why I stayed with the 1M. The better handling comes at the expense of a more diluted response is not a step up in my book. It is a trade off at best.
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      07-18-2016, 10:52 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IS+1 View Post
I currently have a 2011 135i coupe (6MT), and am patiently waiting my turn on an M2 waiting list.

For those of you who have driven both, I'd love to hear your detailed and honest impressions about how they compare, in terms of the driving experience, on both street and track.

Thanks!
Do you have the N54 or N55 135?

I had both, and thought the overall character of the car really changed from N54 --> N55.
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      07-18-2016, 11:22 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Karmic Man
Quote:
Originally Posted by den525 View Post
Based on your description the M2 is a step up no? I think in every single way it's a slightly better car. It's a little faster, it handles a little better, technologically it's much better and performance overall is better.
It is definitely not a step up in terms of the driving experience (which I think was what the OP was asking for) ...for me at least that 's why I stayed with the 1M. The better handling comes at the expense of a more diluted response is not a step up in my book. It is a trade off at best.
I guess everyone's wants and needs are slightly different. Don't get me wrong 1M is unique and is a great car.

For me the 1M is raw, you definitely need to be a good driver to get the most out of it, while the M2 have all the modern technology (mechanically), it's more refined and overall easier car to drive fast in.

I think it's definitely a step up, it's similar to e92 m3 vs f80 m3... Some will always feel the more "analog" the better, I think it's similar for the 1M vs M2... It really depends which side you're on
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      07-18-2016, 02:04 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmboone25 View Post
Do you have the N54 or N55 135?

I had both, and thought the overall character of the car really changed from N54 --> N55.
I have the N55
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      07-18-2016, 02:18 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by den525 View Post
Some will always feel the more "analog" the better, I think it's similar for the 1M vs M2... It really depends which side you're on
Fortunately for me, I will likely never get a chance to drive the 1M, so I will never know what I am missing. The degree of "analogness" (sorry for making up words) is all relative. All I am hoping for is that coming from a 135i, the M2 will not let me down in this regard. Many reviews have stated that the M2 is very engaging, fun to drive and perhaps the most "analog" BMW currently available. But will it exceed the 135i (not the 1M) in these respects? Fingers crossed that it will.

Thanks everyone for your input thus far.
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      07-18-2016, 08:06 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IS+1 View Post
Fortunately for me, I will likely never get a chance to drive the 1M, so I will never know what I am missing. The degree of "analogness" (sorry for making up words) is all relative. All I am hoping for is that coming from a 135i, the M2 will not let me down in this regard. Many reviews have stated that the M2 is very engaging, fun to drive and perhaps the most "analog" BMW currently available. But will it exceed the 135i (not the 1M) in these respects? Fingers crossed that it will.

Thanks everyone for your input thus far.
The 1M is just a 135i with a little more horsepower.... jk 1M patrol, please put down the mouse and step away from the keyboard until you have cooled off! It's called a joke!

To get back on topic... I have an e series 135i with the N54 so am looking forward to my upgrade too. Haven't driven (or even seen IRL) an M2. But I am absolutely confident it will be a huge upgrade and have no concerns on that front. Going for a M235i would have been a decent upgrade, but not enough for me to justify the price hit. M2 has enough going for it to make it worth going back to car payments.

Now if only October would come! Or BMW would bump my production week up!!
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      07-18-2016, 08:11 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IS+1 View Post
Fortunately for me, I will likely never get a chance to drive the 1M, so I will never know what I am missing. The degree of "analogness" (sorry for making up words) is all relative. All I am hoping for is that coming from a 135i, the M2 will not let me down in this regard. Many reviews have stated that the M2 is very engaging, fun to drive and perhaps the most "analog" BMW currently available. But will it exceed the 135i (not the 1M) in these respects? Fingers crossed that it will.

Thanks everyone for your input thus far.
You'll have no regretts going from a 135i to M2, it's better in every way.

I actually didn't think the 135i was all that great a car, ditto m235i. They're not as engaging to drive nor fun as say a 1M or M2. Sure you can spend a lot of time and money to tune them to be quicker etc, but as an overall package the M cars are just better.
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      07-18-2016, 11:37 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Smiley1175
Quote:
Originally Posted by IS+1 View Post
Fortunately for me, I will likely never get a chance to drive the 1M, so I will never know what I am missing. The degree of "analogness" (sorry for making up words) is all relative. All I am hoping for is that coming from a 135i, the M2 will not let me down in this regard. Many reviews have stated that the M2 is very engaging, fun to drive and perhaps the most "analog" BMW currently available. But will it exceed the 135i (not the 1M) in these respects? Fingers crossed that it will.

Thanks everyone for your input thus far.
You'll have no regretts going from a 135i to M2, it's better in every way.

I actually didn't think the 135i was all that great a car, ditto m235i. They're not as engaging to drive nor fun as say a 1M or M2. Sure you can spend a lot of time and money to tune them to be quicker etc, but as an overall package the M cars are just better.
M car's major difference is hard driving. It's light and day on the twisties on a Sunday drive and on the track.

But day to day driving? Not so much.
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      08-02-2016, 04:00 PM   #17
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The 135 coupe is fantastic value for money, particularly in n55 / dct form.

I still have have the 135 which has 190 kms on it.

The m2 was .. .05 sec quicker than the 135 on its first track day. Granted the 135 had a jb4 / cat less dp / remote canister coil overs / Endless ME20 pads.
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      08-04-2016, 01:00 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by koastal View Post
The 135 coupe is fantastic value for money, particularly in n55 / dct form.

I still have have the 135 which has 190 kms on it.

The m2 was .. .05 sec quicker than the 135 on its first track day. Granted the 135 had a jb4 / cat less dp / remote canister coil overs / Endless ME20 pads.
Can you compare the driving experience between the two? Which would you rather have, the M2 or your modded 135i?

Btw, my 135i (N55 6MT) also has 190,000 km
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      08-04-2016, 02:27 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IS+1 View Post
Can you compare the driving experience between the two? Which would you rather have, the M2 or your modded 135i?

Btw, my 135i (N55 6MT) also has 190,000 km
The M2 of course- mainly because they look so good.

Dynamically, they both feel terrific.

I cross shopped the 1M with the 135, but chose the 135. The combination of proper brakes / twin scroll turbo / Dual clutch made sense to me.

Well done on the 190k ( they are a good DD )
Many maintenance issues - clutches etc ?
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      08-04-2016, 02:54 PM   #20
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What's the market value on the 135 these days? If something costs 4x, but is only slightly better it's hard to justify.
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      08-04-2016, 03:42 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by koastal View Post
The M2 of course- mainly because they look so good.

Dynamically, they both feel terrific.

I cross shopped the 1M with the 135, but chose the 135. The combination of proper brakes / twin scroll turbo / Dual clutch made sense to me.

Well done on the 190k ( they are a good DD )
Many maintenance issues - clutches etc ?
Good to know

I actually have about 192,000 km, and have driven it year-round since April 2010 (one of the very first N55 135i's). The only major maintenance issue was the VANOS bolt issue, which was covered under recall. Otherwise rock solid... still original clutch! The only other things I had to replace were multiple tires and brakes because I track the car. Most reliable car I have ever owned... I hope the M2 proves to be equally reliable! Honestly if the M2 did not exist, I would happily drive this car for another 100,000 km
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      08-10-2016, 09:53 AM   #22
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This is how I see the advantages of the (now) M140i

- more colors to choose from
- more pratical has a hatchback
- more pratical since it can have rear doors
- more confortable and possible to specify adjustable/active dampers
- ZF8 gear box is more friendly than M2 double clutch on a daily basis being almost as fast
- possible to have alcantara M interior (which personally I loke more than leather)
- new engine torque is higher than M2
- possible to specify 4 wheel drive
- [for a M240i all this is true and you can have ir convertible]
- considering discount policies you can get one here for less 11,000 euros than a M2
- consumption figures are better than a M2
- feels almost as powerful as a M2
- it is more discrete (for some could be disadvantage)

Disadvantages of the M140i vis-à-vis M2

- does not have LSD
- sounds much worse than a M2
- will depreciate (my opinion) much faster than a M2
- driving dynamics are more engaging in the M2 if you drive in the limits; M2 much better track day car
- from pure performance perspective the M2 DCT is faster/better than zf8
- it is not as nice as the M2, although beauty is subjective
- LBB is not available (although I personally prefer the estoril blue)
- Hell... It does not have the elan of an M car.

I had so many doubts upon keeping my M2 order whem BMW updated the M135i with the M140i... For now I'm sticking with the M2 but if the delivery date goes beyond April 2017 I think I will give up and consider other things, including the M140i which I test drove and also loved it.

What would you buy if where you live the M2 was like 12 thousand $US more expensive than a M140i. Would you still opt for the M2?

Last edited by Lp01; 08-11-2016 at 04:45 PM..
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