New Member

jdarwin · 05-07-2015, 01:55 PM

I've been lurking around for some time while trying to determine my next vehicle purchase. Having owned a 1976 2002 and 1989 E30, my choices came down to E46M3 or 135i. Chose the latter for various reasons - flying to pick it up Monday - 2012 Lemans Msport 6sp. Looking forward to "bonding" with the car on the 400 mile drive home. Thanks to everyone for their unsung influence and advice in this decision. Hope to be able to contribute one day.

jhd

bmw1racer · 05-07-2015, 01:57 PM

Good luck and congrats!

LYCANtreo · 05-07-2015, 02:18 PM

Congrats and welcome!!!!

Esteban · 05-07-2015, 02:21 PM

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your purchase. Pics ASAP!

Be careful getting to know your car on the way home.

Lemans Blue is the same color as mine and is an awesome color. Good choice.

mr.fabulous · 05-07-2015, 02:59 PM

I had the same experience buying my car long-distance (flew to get it, drove it home). Welcome to the party, and enjoy your new car!

Ultimateone · 05-07-2015, 03:10 PM

Welcome and Congrats!

mike@x-ph.com · 05-07-2015, 10:31 PM

Congrats!!

Gray_Panther · 05-08-2015, 06:42 AM

Congrats and welcome to the party. Post lots of pictures. We love showing off our lil pocket rockets

Solo_M_Tech · 05-08-2015, 07:14 AM

Welcome. Enjoy your stay.

jdarwin · 05-13-2015, 09:47 AM

Had a great drive back home after picking up the car Monday evening. 2012 CPO 135i 6sp - 10,810 miles. Car looks showroom new. Very pleased with every aspect of the car. Wasn't sure about the color but pictures really don't do LMB justice. One of the nice add-ons by PO was the clear bra across the front. Made cleaning the bugs and road grime a breeze and prevents minor rock rash. After the 400 mile drive, I feel I've learned much about the car. One of the surprises was the 30.7 avg mpg. Mostly interstate 70-80mph. Had a chance to push the car a bit thru the mountains of NW Arkansas as well. I came to understand why everyone here loves their cars. I look forward to learning more about it in the future.

dcaron9999 · 05-13-2015, 10:00 AM

Beautiful color. Welcome to this forum.

Many people went through the same decision struggle as you did for these two classics.

The E46/M3 is still a very potent machine if you intend to visit the track often. It likes to live in the 4000-8000 RPM range. Less modifications are required to make it track worthy.

The E82/135i has gobs of torque, out of the box, and comes alive from 2500 -5500 RPM, making it a very potent street machine. It offers a myriad of possibilities for you to build upon, including power gains that more affordable than on the E46/M3. You have a little more work to do to (suspension bits, front brake cooling, etc) to make a E82 chassis track worthy. You will find lots of good info and suggestions in the "Track / Autocross / Dragstrip / Performance Driving" sub-forum, if you care to go down that road.

No need to modify anything if you intend on seldomly visiting the track (lapping or autocross). "Upgrade the driver first" by joining Driver Education events.

1flaguy · 05-13-2015, 06:09 PM

Beautiful car I bought the same one in Atlanta 2 months ago and cpo'd. How much did you pay for it if I might ask? First mod I did was UUC short shifter and I love it.
Good luck

crvz · 05-18-2015, 04:09 PM

congrats, I've got a very similar car (2013, but same color with the 6MT). I'm sure you'll love driving it.

floppyedonkey · 05-18-2015, 04:59 PM

Welcome, although the DCT version would have given you a superior car, the 6mt is passable.

inFamousKicks · 05-18-2015, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floppyedonkey

Welcome, although the DCT version would have given you a superior car, the 6mt is passable.

mr.fabulous · 05-18-2015, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floppyedonkey

Welcome, although the DCT version would have given you a superior car, the 6mt is passable.

that's funny

floppyedonkey · 05-18-2015, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.fabulous

that's funny

Wanna know whats really funny? Every time a 6mt 135i wants to get it on I spank them. Can't help it, it happens every time. DCT FTW.

PURE135i · 05-18-2015, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floppyedonkey

Wanna know whats really funny? Every time a 6mt 135i wants to get it on I spank them. Can't help it, it happens every time. DCT FTW.

Welcome! Sick car JB4 FF ISO and or COBB protune/ aftermarket CP/ hauling ass

E82MSport · 05-18-2015, 08:55 PM

This is not a car, it's a child that is loved and adored. It's what you will look back at when walking into the grocery store. It's the reason you open the garage door one more time before you go to bed.

It's the best BMW since the E30.

Solo_M_Tech · 05-19-2015, 02:17 AM

DCT trans take away an element of driver error. I prefer my 6MT, and I wouldn't have my car any other way!

Solo_M_Tech · 05-19-2015, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floppyedonkey

Welcome, although the DCT version would have given you a superior car, the 6mt is passable.

Faster 0-60, sure.
Superior, No. Both cars are amazing!

Esteban · 05-19-2015, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApexResistance

Faster 0-60, sure.
Superior, No. Both cars are amazing!

^THIS!^

05-07-2015, 01:55 PM	#1
jdarwin Lieutenant 602 Rep 424 Posts Drives: 2018 M4 Convertible BSM DCT Join Date: May 2015 Location: United States iTrader: (3)	New Member I've been lurking around for some time while trying to determine my next vehicle purchase. Having owned a 1976 2002 and 1989 E30, my choices came down to E46M3 or 135i. Chose the latter for various reasons - flying to pick it up Monday - 2012 Lemans Msport 6sp. Looking forward to "bonding" with the car on the 400 mile drive home. Thanks to everyone for their unsung influence and advice in this decision. Hope to be able to contribute one day. jhd
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05-07-2015, 01:57 PM	#2
bmw1racer bimmerphile, technogeek 998 Rep 3,784 Posts Drives: 2012 E82 6MT Sport Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 128i Coupe [0.00]	Good luck and congrats! __________________
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05-07-2015, 02:18 PM	#3
LYCANtreo Private First Class 25 Rep 305 Posts Drives: LYCAN 09 AW 135i M Sport Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: New York iTrader: (2)	Congrats and welcome!!!! __________________ AW '09 135i M package \| aFe Intake \| aFe Axle Back \| aFe Throttle Body Spacer \| Vishnu Procede 2.5 \| Alpina B3 Flash \| BMS Cowl Filters \| Matte Black Kidneys \| AA Charge Pipe \| Tial BOV\| VRSF DP's \|M3/1M Front Control Arm Upgrade Kit \|
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05-07-2015, 02:21 PM	#4
Esteban Major General 43736 Rep 7,224 Posts Drives: a slow car fast Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Welcome to the forum and congrats on your purchase. Pics ASAP! Be careful getting to know your car on the way home. Lemans Blue is the same color as mine and is an awesome color. Good choice. __________________
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05-07-2015, 02:59 PM	#5
mr.fabulous Captain 209 Rep 893 Posts Drives: Women Crazy Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Florida Gulf Coast iTrader: (0)	I had the same experience buying my car long-distance (flew to get it, drove it home). Welcome to the party, and enjoy your new car! __________________ 2011 135i MSport 6MT AW/black, 72Kmiles, bone stock, moneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoney I LOVE THIS CAR
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05-07-2015, 03:10 PM	#6
Ultimateone OG E46Fanatic 173 Rep 845 Posts Drives: 24 Champ White CTR Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (4)	Welcome and Congrats!
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05-07-2015, 10:31 PM	#7
mike@x-ph.com Joint Chiefs of Staff 24198 Rep 190,805 Posts Drives: 07-335/12-328/18-M4/21-M4CP Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (23)	Congrats!! __________________ Check out our current sale by clicking on this link! https://x-ph.com/sale/ Phone number 702-494-9435
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05-08-2015, 06:42 AM	#8
Gray_Panther Brigadier General 1555 Rep 3,234 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Upstate NY iTrader: (0)	Congrats and welcome to the party. Post lots of pictures. We love showing off our lil pocket rockets __________________ 2012 BMW 128i 6MT Deep Sea Blue Metallic
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05-08-2015, 07:14 AM	#9
Solo_M_Tech Brigadier General 1688 Rep 3,140 Posts Drives: 2014 M5 6MT Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (7) Garage List 2014 BMW M5 [0.00]	Welcome. Enjoy your stay. __________________ 2014 M5 6MT
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05-13-2015, 09:47 AM	#10
jdarwin Lieutenant 602 Rep 424 Posts Drives: 2018 M4 Convertible BSM DCT Join Date: May 2015 Location: United States iTrader: (3)	New member Had a great drive back home after picking up the car Monday evening. 2012 CPO 135i 6sp - 10,810 miles. Car looks showroom new. Very pleased with every aspect of the car. Wasn't sure about the color but pictures really don't do LMB justice. One of the nice add-ons by PO was the clear bra across the front. Made cleaning the bugs and road grime a breeze and prevents minor rock rash. After the 400 mile drive, I feel I've learned much about the car. One of the surprises was the 30.7 avg mpg. Mostly interstate 70-80mph. Had a chance to push the car a bit thru the mountains of NW Arkansas as well. I came to understand why everyone here loves their cars. I look forward to learning more about it in the future. Attached Images __________________ 2018 M4 convertible SBM 1990 E30 Convertible 2003 E39
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05-13-2015, 10:00 AM	#11
dcaron9999 Major 157 Rep 1,409 Posts Drives: 2011 135i M package Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Mirabel, Quebec iTrader: (0)	Beautiful color. Welcome to this forum. Many people went through the same decision struggle as you did for these two classics. The E46/M3 is still a very potent machine if you intend to visit the track often. It likes to live in the 4000-8000 RPM range. Less modifications are required to make it track worthy. The E82/135i has gobs of torque, out of the box, and comes alive from 2500 -5500 RPM, making it a very potent street machine. It offers a myriad of possibilities for you to build upon, including power gains that more affordable than on the E46/M3. You have a little more work to do to (suspension bits, front brake cooling, etc) to make a E82 chassis track worthy. You will find lots of good info and suggestions in the "Track / Autocross / Dragstrip / Performance Driving" sub-forum, if you care to go down that road. No need to modify anything if you intend on seldomly visiting the track (lapping or autocross). "Upgrade the driver first" by joining Driver Education events. __________________ 2011 X3 35i with M pack + 2011 135i w/6SPMT \| 255 square tire setup \| Quaife 3.46 LSD \| Diff lock down bracket \| Bilstein B8+Swift SpecR springs+H&R FSB \| CDV delete \| BMS Oil Tstat bypass \| ER FMIC & CP \| N54Tuning DP \| GC Street Camber Plates \| M3 FCA +guide rods+RSFB's+Tranny mounts \| Manzo toe arms \| Cobb Stg2 agressive tune \| Hawk DTC70 brake pads \| RB SS brake pistons \| Goodridge SS brake lines \| Custom brake cooling ducts Last edited by dcaron9999; 05-13-2015 at 10:09 AM..
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05-13-2015, 06:09 PM	#12
1flaguy New Member 6 Rep 28 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 135i Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Nice Beautiful car I bought the same one in Atlanta 2 months ago and cpo'd. How much did you pay for it if I might ask? First mod I did was UUC short shifter and I love it. Good luck
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05-18-2015, 04:09 PM	#13
crvz Second Lieutenant 83 Rep 216 Posts Drives: '19 M2C, '21 F150 Tremor Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: texas iTrader: (0)	congrats, I've got a very similar car (2013, but same color with the 6MT). I'm sure you'll love driving it.
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05-18-2015, 04:59 PM	#14
floppyedonkey Private 21 Rep 86 Posts Drives: 2020 M340xi Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: United States iTrader: (1)	Welcome, although the DCT version would have given you a superior car, the 6mt is passable.
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05-18-2015, 08:55 PM	#19
E82MSport First Lieutenant 130 Rep 351 Posts Drives: 08' Crimson 135i Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Rochester Hills - MI iTrader: (0)	This is not a car, it's a child that is loved and adored. It's what you will look back at when walking into the grocery store. It's the reason you open the garage door one more time before you go to bed. It's the best BMW since the E30. __________________ Ohlins Road & Track Coilovers / Apex ARC 8's 245/255-35 MPSS / Wagner Downpipes / Wagner EVOII Intercooler / ER Charge Pipe / Forge DV / PowerFlex RSFB / PowerFlex Differential Bushings / MFactory 3.46 Torsion LSD / MHD Flasher
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05-19-2015, 02:17 AM	#20
Solo_M_Tech Brigadier General 1688 Rep 3,140 Posts Drives: 2014 M5 6MT Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (7) Garage List 2014 BMW M5 [0.00]	DCT trans take away an element of driver error. I prefer my 6MT, and I wouldn't have my car any other way! __________________ 2014 M5 6MT
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