I've yet to drive the sedan M3, but I've driven both the Cupe with DCT and the Vert with manual... In only one trip with the FR-S, I already prefer it over the vert M3... sure, the M3 has 414hp but the FR-S feels more planted, and a hell of a lot more comfortable... this is almost back to back comparison, as I had been using the M3 for the past month and put about 2K miles in it...

Hmmm, one thing I always wondered was why it isn't more popular for people to be leasing bimmers. The way they're designed, I wouldn't modify a thing. The engines are efficient and match the character of a luxury car, they look great, and the M cars sound great. I wouldn't buy one because the maintenance is rape, but I'd sure as hell consider leasing one for 3 years.

I test drove a 135i (manual) some years ago when my DD at that time was an e46 M3. My memory of the car was that it lacked the composure of the M3 but it certainly didn't lack anything in straight line acceleration....a very quick little car.

I can't remember being disappointed with the gear change and although my memory is a little vague, the steering feel was comparable with the M3 and therefore not as quick and direct as the 86, but not entirely lacking in "feel". Seating position was a little more elevated than the 86 and I think the ride and handling was probably more similar, than it was in comparison to the M3. You certainly do notice the lightness (lack of weight) of the 86 compared to the BMW's.

Interestingly I have more confidence in punting the 86 hard into and around corners than I remember having with the 135i :) the M3 was at another level again and matched this with much higher grip levels given the superior nature of the wheels/tyre combo.

OP, keep in mind, newer (2011+) 135i's and 335i's are equipped with the N55, a twin scroll single turbo motor that is a different feel than the N54, which was in the 135/335 from 2007-2010. The N54 is a true twin turbo and came with some forged internals and were even sleeved in iron. Very strong, very tunable, nearly zero turbo lag.

I miss my 135i. I've said this many times before, the 135i and FRS are very different. I loved my 135i for different reasons than I currently love my FRS. Do I miss having +400 whp? Sure. But there were cons too. Limited aftermarket, some maintenance quirks (I'm looking at you, HPFP) and so on. I love the driving feel of the FRS, and its 'quick', not fast. Sure I'll get beat at the light by a V6 Challenger, but I'd like him to follow me around the next turn.

Some part of me wishes I had kept the 135i, dumped some Vargas Stage 3 turbos in it and tune it to 720whp, and DD'd the FRS, but I just bought my wife her A4. Can't have three car payments, that'd be silly.


If I had to pick between your two options? I'd pick the 2013 FRS over the 2013 135i, for sure.

I JUUUSST traded my 08 135i (N54) in for my new BRZ. It's quite a shock coming from that to the BRZ.

My reasons were many. The 135 was out of warranty and modded, running over 400hp. While I only had minor issues under warranty, anything that might have happened would have been seriously expensive, and at 60,000 miles, I felt it was waiting to happen.

While I modded it for racing and AX (Ohlins suspension, Apex wheels and PSS tires, Procede chip, DCI, exhaust, and more) I found that the last year I wasn't utilizing any of that, just normal driving. The stiff suspension was wearing heavily on me and my back.
The extra camber also wore the tires out very quickly, and they needed immediate replacing if I kept the car.

Compared to my new BRZ, it was much more refined, nicer interior, quieter, MUCH faster. Huge torque made it very nice to drive.

With the wheels and tires, and no limited slip differential, the car handled great, but driving to the edge was unpredictable and dangerous and happened at very high speeds.

My new BRZ I also like a lot. Driver position in the car feels more centered, ride is softer but still feels stiff and sporty, handling is great. No clunks (My 135 had noisy camber plates). Seats feel as good or better than the 135 seats, radio reception is bad though in comparison.
Interior is OK, controls are similar.

I'm liking my BRZ, although just like my 135 I can't leave well enough alone. Coilovers will be in next week, and I'll be getting meaty wheels/tires (but with less camber) as well.
I'm missing the 135 power sooo much that I'm going with forced induction very soon (as soon as the engine is broken in). Researching now, it's hard to decide on which type and which kit to get, but I'll be shooting for around 300whp and daily drivable. I found a great local tuner which is great.

Knowing that I probably won't AX or track that much, I want to make my BRZ into a sweet looking street ride, that can hang in there for the occasional showing off/street race/AX/track day, acting also as my daily driver.

I just traded my in for a E90 M3

You don't pay any maintenance on a new BMW for 4 years. And the maintenance isn't that bad, I bought an M3 in 2008, and changed the oil myself because I put a supercharger on it. $100 a year for an oil change.

I definitely prefer my BRZ to the 135. I never owned a 135 but drove a bunch at work. 135 is pretty soft in my opinion. Powerful but soft.

There was a time I was thinking of trading my '04 M3 for a 135 but once I drove one I kept the M, still have it.

That seems to be the major difference between the M cars and non M cars. When I had my M3, my buddy let me drive his 335. It felt pretty fast (not as fast as the M3) but felt like a regular car other than that. Soft steering, soft throttle response, just too boring for me!