Car Shopping / Mini-review thread

[Senor_Taylor]

Have you thought about a Cayman S? They can be had for $30k, but they're a little underpowered for what you're looking for.

Definitely fits the "unique" bill.

While we're on that subject, you can definitely find a 996 911 for 30k...

[RawrImAMonster]

My main annoyance with the 135i is that it doesn't have a LSD from the factory

http://s.pikabu.ru/images/previews_comm/...51431.jpeg

No worries, it has a "e-diff" where it just applies the brakes to the wheel that's slipping. Just as good right? :roll:

What I'm finding is that parts, both aftermarket performance parts and OEM stuff that fails on the 135i isn't really any more expensive than the Evo. Kind of surprising, but I guess the evo does have a lot of fancy stuff that can break.

I definitely want to test drive one of these as soon as one pops up fairly close.

Have you thought about a Cayman S? They can be had for $30k, but they're a little underpowered for what you're looking for.

Definitely fits the "unique" bill.

While we're on that subject, you can definitely find a 996 911 for 30k...

Porsches, other than high end 911's, don't do it for me at all.

[Senor_Taylor]

Yeah, I figured. You're just buying for the "I drive a Porsche" factor unless you're driving a 911 or you buy a boxster. Either extreme.

I like Porsches, so I'd consider it

[.RJ]

While we're on that subject, you can definitely find a 996 911 for 30k...

You can find them for well under $20k, too. The problem is, unless its a Turbo/GT2/GT3 the motor will probably fail.

[Senor_Taylor]

Good ole 996s

Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk

[RawrImAMonster]

After doing a little more research, I think the 135i will fit me much better as a daily driver than the Evo X. More storage room thanks to fold down seats, no ridiculously short gears with interstate rpms being close to 4k, more comfortable, more torquey, quieter, slightly better gas mileage. AWD would be nice, but not having AWD isn't that big of a deal since it rarely snows here most winters.

The packages on 135i's are pretty confusing. I know I want the sport package for the seats, preferably the m-sport package for the wheels and headliner. I don't really care one way or the other about premium since it is mostly just real leather rather than leatherette and things like auto-adjusting seats and mirrors. Other than that I want the heated seats, whichever the top sound system is for the specific year, and the smart key stuff. All of those are separate packages from what I can gather.

The trans am's going to get a little bit of touch up work on the front bumper to fix some scrapes from the previous owner, then it's going up for sale hopefully next week. After that is gone, I'll be ready to buy something else :thumbup:

[SlimKlim]

The cars with premium sound and keyless are most likely going to have the full premium package. I don't think you could get the keyless as a standalone option, but maybe you could on the older ones. I believe you could get the HK stereo as a standalone as well. Heated seats are bundled into the whole cold weather pack but they were available standalone and lots of people ordered them.

You'll probably end up getting a sport+heated seats/non-premium, or a fully loaded sport or m-sport. I'm not sure if iDrive is bundled in with premium or if it was it's own option, it's in a "technology" package on the new cars.

[RawrImAMonster]

Here is what I've been able to find for 2010 at least.

The Premium package:

• auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors
  
• upgraded interior trim
  
• ambient light package
  
• BMW Assist
  
• Bluetooth
  
• leather upholstery
  
• power front seats with driver memory
  

The cold weather package:

• Rear seat center armrest with ski bag
  
• Heated Front Seats
  

Comfort Access Keyless Entry
Smart card / smart key automatic, includes central locking and includes ignition starter; Card key power locks

Premium Hi-Fi System
Twelve upgraded speaker(s); Includes two subwoofers

M-Sport Package

• 2MR 18" double spoke wheels #261M
  
• 337 M-sport pack, door strips in M, shifter & hand brake all M
  
• 481 Sport seats
  
• 710 M-sport steering wheel
  
• 760 Shadowline trim
  
• 775 Anthracite headliner (black)
  
• 840 Increased top speed limiter
  

Sport package is the same as m-sport minus a few things

• 481 Sport seats
  
• 710 M-sport steering wheel
  
• 760 Shadowline trim
  
• 840 Increased top speed limiter
  

[premiershine9]

subscribed into this now that a 135 is a possibility, I'd like to hear more too

insert popcorn eating smiley

[Jake]

Oh lawd, is the E82 going to become the new E36 in this club?

Bring it.

[RawrImAMonster]

Oh lawd, is the E82 going to become the new E36 in this club?

Bring it.

The club is making a small step up in class :lol:


Just some more random info I've came across during my research:

The 135i's also have a water pump that runs after the motor is shutdown to ensure that the turbos are cooled, thus eliminating the need for turbo timers or letting the car idle for a bit after driving it. While this isn't really a huge deal with modern motors and synthetic oil, it was still something I was careful about when I had the evo. Just another feature the 135i has over the evo to make it more liveable as a daily driver.

Edit: I would still let it idle for a bit if you're driving it really hard right before turning it off.

[Jake]

The 135i's also have a water pump that runs after the motor is shutdown to ensure that the turbos are cooled, thus eliminating the need for turbo timers or letting the car idle for a bit after driving it. While this isn't really a huge deal with modern motors and synthetic oil, it was still something I was careful about when I had the evo. Just another feature the 135i has over the evo to make it more liveable as a daily driver.

Edit: I would still let it idle for a bit if you're driving it really hard right before turning it off.

The 128 has an electric water pump, too. Pretty cool, but make sure you budget for a replacement as maintenance every 60-70k miles. They're about $450 for the part alone :vomit: and I'm at ~48k, so I should start saving my pennies now...

[Senor_Taylor]

Look at what you started, Jake...

[Maengelito]

The 128 has an electric water pump, too. Pretty cool, but make sure you budget for a replacement as maintenance every 60-70k miles.

*rolled past 63k on the way home from VIR* uh oh.

[ViPER1313]

<Drew Carey>Welcome to BMW - the car where internal engine parts, subframe reinforcements and entire cooling systems are considered routine maintenance and the breakdowns don't count!</Drew>

[Jake]

...that's about right!

Stephen, if you want to know options on a particular BMW, get me the last 7 digits of the VIN and I can run the report for you.

[RawrImAMonster]

...that's about right!

Stephen, if you want to know options on a particular BMW, get me the last 7 digits of the VIN and I can run the report for you.

Sounds good. Hopefully I can start car shopping soon. I'm expecting the Trans Am to sell pretty quickly since it is such a desirable combo between the color and options it has.

[RawrImAMonster]

There's one exactly like I want close by. At least based on the pictures, it seems like it is exactly what I was looking for. The only thing it doesn't have is heated seats, which I can live without.

Might have to see if they would give me a worthwhile trade in for either of my cars.


Edit: Looks like all those brackets in the link are screwing up the BB Code. Just copy paste if you want to see it.

[fiveoh2go]

<Drew Carey>Welcome to BMW - the car where internal engine parts, subframe reinforcements and entire cooling systems are considered routine maintenance and the breakdowns don't count!</Drew>

[D_Eclipse9916]

<Drew Carey>Welcome to BMW - the car where internal engine parts, subframe reinforcements and entire cooling systems are considered routine maintenance and the breakdowns don't count!</Drew>

To be fair, it is more reliable than a DSM from personal experience :lol: