Link broken Try this one... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huFtoPnDb9U part 1 of 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn72BfRMT8Mpart 2 of 2 Matt
I have been contemplating trading the 2005 MCS for a pre owned (2006-2007) M coupe, but for about the same money it looks like I could be in a new and fully loaded 135. I am guessing the ownership cost would be less on the 135. Anyone have any thoughts? PS. I love my Mini and enjoy driving it, but at the end of the day it's not rear drive car.
There's a lot to think about... the plus for the Mini is it's a less expensive car, and is much more practical. I took my 2002 to Home Depot and loaded up enough Pergo to do my kitchen, and the table saw as well! (Yes, I did get lots of looks after I put all that stuff in), but like you say it's not rear drive. I'd guess that the 135 would get worse gas mileage, cause the car needs a diet for sure (you'd be pushing almost 800 lbs more weight around). But you do get the power to play with, and the direct injection turbo option is as efficient as you can get to deliver those levels of power, vs the supercharger that we have, that while fun, just isn't that efficient a power producer. But what it really comes down to is driving pleasure (that is if you can deal with the practicality issues other ways). So I'd say just go test drive a 1 series, and see if it grabs you. While the Mini is front drive, I can tell you it sure surprises a lot of more powerful cars on the track. It's more capable than it's HP levels indicate. But this is more an emotional decision than a rational one, so follow your heart! Matt
For the 135 vs the used M I'd go with the 135. The reason being that the 335 is close to the performance envelope of the M you're thinking of... I can only imaging what will come out for the 135 to goose it up a bit. There's also the stealth aspect of no M badge.... Unless you have an 11-99 foundation licence plate frame! Matt
Thanks for the feedback. Next wee the 540 needs to go in due to a pixel's burning out on the dash cluster (hopefully BMW will comp this) and that will be the time to test drive the 135. Any other feedback is welcome.....
I can't add anything in regards to comparing the Mini to the 135 (not having a Mini) but I can tell you that the 135 is WAY more fun than should be legally allowed! You absolutely owe it to yourself to go drive it (try to find one with the sport package, the seats are amazing). Despite what you may have read or heard, the back seats are absolutely useable in the 135 (they are virtually the same size as the ones in my E36 coupe) plus the back seats fold down so the 135 can carry a LOT of stuff! Just another opinion (granted, a somewhat biased opinion... )
I've driven both but I went with the six-speed. The auto is outstanding though. The paddle shifters are a hoot and in terms of acceleration, you don't give up anything! The auto and six-speed are virtually identical in terms of acceleration.
As far as the trannys go... I was wonderfully surprised how nice the autos are with the paddle shifters. While the purist will still want to "row the gears" it's faster on the track (so it seems to me) to use the paddles, as you can keep both hands on the wheel at all times. I think we're at a point of inflection when almost all sports cars are going to start being faster with the "flappy paddles" as top gear calls them. I got a ride in the Maserati MC-12, and it's a manumatic..... No viscous coupling at all, just the computer working the dual clutch set up and no clutch pedal. Now everyone is happy with the power levels that computers have brought through digital engine managment, and so it will go with transmission operation as well. I honestly don't know what I'd get, as both are more than adaquate. Like Bimmerdan points out, both are fast. I think it will just boil down to price and preference. Matt
The manual involves you with the car, demands your attention, the auto, while excellent, responsive, reminds me of my Subaru beer-getter. All my BMW's have been hot-rods and get manuals, a manual is too much fun. Gotta' do it.
I have to bring the Mini in for service next week, I am going to request a 1 series for the loner and hopefully they have one in stick shift.
I hear you all about the "engament" of the manual... but at what point do you throw in the towel because the manumatics are going to out perform the manual. Those dual clutch set ups can keep power applied through gear shifts, and while there is engagment in rowing the gears, there's also performance to be had with both hands on the wheel once you get past only downshifting when you're going straight. (Basic performance driving is to do all braking and shifting while going straigt... But the real competitive drivers are mixing up steering, shifting and braking all together... Get a ride with a performance driver over the top of the corkscrew at Laguna for a perfect example of this.) The Manumatics just are starting to do it better. The performance advantage will just continue to grow. Matt
I After the ride I got in a 430 I cant argue the performance of the manualmatic. Theirs a fun factor in shifting manually and that maybe what some people are after, probably just a matter of preference unless you are racing at a completive level.
>>Doc O : come on now how much time are you on the track, vs. putz-ing around town? I mean, MAYBE the manumatic is vital if you're chronically late for work and a downsizing is pending...
Not saying that I need a stick to be faster on track. If anything the auto/padels may be faster on track for most people. My point was, it is all a mater of personal choice... PS. I wish that I were fast enoug on track that it made a diff.
