FR-S vs BMW 135i

[Sport-Tech]

^Historical trend though has definitely been in the direction of increased car reliability over the past 25 years. Still one wonders what the impact of all the complex technology that's been added to most cars in the last few years is going to be on that trend. The luxo German brands are already showing the impact of including that tech on their reliability scores.

The new DI motors are also having reliability issues, primarily sludge buildup on the valves. The twins may be OK on that score with their hybrid injection system.

[fstlane]

Originally Posted by GotM

It was 3 AC system repairs in 3 years. 3 HPFPs in 3 years.

This was my exact experience and the reason I made the switch to the BRZ. The final straw was the power steering pulley hit the aluminum cross member under hard acceleration causing the belt to break. The belt wrapped behind the crank pulley pushing the seal and belt inside the timing chain cover. At a BMW dealership all of these repairs would easily amount to over $10k. My warranty expired and I was unwilling to risk the unknown repair costs and down time.

That said, I love everything about my BRZ but I REALLY miss the ridiculous amount of torque from my lightly modded 135i!

[TimAD]

I'm very surprised to see the size comparison between the two vehicles. The 135i is a rather small car, but makes the FR-S look tiny!

[xman11]

Originally Posted by Ammonia

All around, I feel good, especially after driving it. I do miss the power, I do miss being faster than 90% of the modded cars in my town, but after driving the car, I didn't really think so much about killing the next CTS-V I saw, or murdering that M3 from down the street, or shaming that supercharged 5.0 Mustang I've seen in town.

Here's a fun story of one car enthusiast's quest for power...
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrM9NFHhl0Q"]My 900+ HP Toyota Supra TURBO - YouTube[/ame]

Originally Posted by Ammonia

The drive in the FR-S is much more involved and rewarding, and it makes me smile while doing the most mundane drives. The BMW always egged me on to go to ever more ridiculous speeds, but the FR-S stays fun at street speeds, which is a refreshing change.

+1

[Brzetto]

Originally Posted by xman11

Here's a fun story of one car enthusiast's quest for power...

+1

I watched that video and that guy fucked up a perfectly good Supra. Even when it's stock it's pretty fast and if it could talk it would probably say it just wants to drive not be constantly modified and raced at some two-bit drag racing event that will mean absolutely nothing in the big picture of life.

[regal]

Originally Posted by xman11

Here's a fun story of one car enthusiast's quest for power...

+1

Great video, get the sense that guy has no idea how much risk is involved taking a 20 year old car 180+ mph. Not me. For my Scion Supra (how the local dealer service center has her logged in their database ) I just want +50 HP and no torque dip.

A 135i has a lot in common with an old Supra, both have a turbo I-6 with unlimited straight line potential.

The Twins are nothing like a 135i or Supra in a straight line and very difficult to squeeze out just a few extra ponies , but they handle better than either.

[Mikem53]

Originally Posted by GotM

The mpg is not why I got rid of the car. It was 3 AC system repairs in 3 years. 3 HPFPs in 3 years. And, main because BMW service and I had a disagreement over a flat tire on a loaner car. BMW will not repair RFT tires, they will want to bill you for a new tire on their loaner cars.

German cars... Fun to drive, not fun to own... I sold my M3 with 115K miles on the odo.. Tracked it and never babied it.. No major issues with it...
But was needing new steering rack, VANOS noises getting worse, AC compressor noises.. I didn't want the hassles of it all.. Sad to see it go.. Thought the FRS would be a care free replacement with warranty.. So far so good..
Missing some of the torque and the refined pull from the I6.. But the FRS is more fun at slower speeds.. Spending less also makes it more fun to beat on..
I really like the lightweight and skinny tires on the FRS.. While it might not be as good at the limits like the M3 was... It's better for everything to the limits..

[usdmnotjdm]

My BRZ's final salute to my old 135i - captured today. 2002 miles. For those that don't get the reference the 135i was supposedly inspired by the BMW 2002ti.

[J-Rod]

Originally Posted by Ammonia

Wow turns out there are alot of people who made this switch lol. Glad to meet all of you.

Yea I never noticed how much wider the FR-S is than the 135i, kind of crazy.

Hey man! Don't know if you remember me from 1addicts I have a BSM/Coral and I drooled over your car forever Hehehe. Anyway, it surprised me a lot to see you here. I thought I was nuts considering this switch from the n54, but now I see in definitely not the only one!!!

My reason is that I'm most likely relocating to South Florida soon (from Puerto Rico) and wanted my DD to be a bit easier on the pocket (not that I've had any problems with my 135i). I'll be paying attention to your build and probably will bother you a bit for updates on the 1er vs Brz.
Also I've considered looking for a Brz already FI but don't know about losing warranty and reliability yet.
Regards Bro and congrats on the house and the new project!

[Ammonia]

Originally Posted by J-Rod

Hey man! Don't know if you remember me from 1addicts I have a BSM/Coral and I drooled over your car forever Hehehe. Anyway, it surprised me a lot to see you here. I thought I was nuts considering this switch from the n54, but now I see in definitely not the only one!!!

My reason is that I'm most likely relocating to South Florida soon (from Puerto Rico) and wanted my DD to be a bit easier on the pocket (not that I've had any problems with my 135i). I'll be paying attention to your build and probably will bother you a bit for updates on the 1er vs Brz.
Also I've considered looking for a Brz already FI but don't know about losing warranty and reliability yet.
Regards Bro and congrats on the house and the new project!

I remember you bro, welcome to the forums. Its like 1addicts here, helpful and snarky in equal amounts.

[chrisl]

Originally Posted by usdmnotjdm

My BRZ's final salute to my old 135i - captured today. 2002 miles. For those that don't get the reference the 135i was supposedly inspired by the BMW 2002ti.

That reminds me, I saw this on the way to work this morning. I was surprised how small they really are - I hadn't seen one in a while, and they really are tiny cars. I wish BMW still made truly small, lightweight RWD cars...

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5q02npo0w2...227_092317.jpg

[TexMex]

I came from a 135i as well and after blowing the water pump at 60k miles and being told that's to be expected I decided I couldn't afford maintaining that car when the pump and thermostat cost $600 and were very difficult to replace even with a lift. I do miss the torque peak at 1500rpm, I had just a tune and catless DPs and mids but that car was an absolute blast. With just those mods I was able to sit right next to a tuned 2013 5.0 that my buddy drove, definitely one of the more exciting cars for the money if you can find a nice one used.

[BRZZZZZZZZZZ]

I too switched from a 135i to a BRZ. Some of you may know me as the first and only person to put rally armor mudflaps on a 135i. My car had a set of VMR wheels 1" wider all around with 225/255 Direzzas, and a GIAC flash tune only, and was one of the fastest raw time cars at auto x events here. I miss the engine in my 135i, but other than that the BRZ is better in every way for me so far (except practicality). I found my car started nickel and diming me even with CPO warranty and only 70000km on it, and promptly sold it. The running costs of the BRZ are just so much lower, I spend on average 3 cents a km less in fuel alone, a set of tires is only 55% of the cost of a set for the BMW.

[Ammonia]

Originally Posted by BRZZZZZZZZZZ

I too switched from a 135i to a BRZ. Some of you may know me as the first and only person to put rally armor mudflaps on a 135i. My car had a set of VMR wheels 1" wider all around with 225/255 Direzzas, and a GIAC flash tune only, and was one of the fastest raw time cars at auto x events here. I miss the engine in my 135i, but other than that the BRZ is better in every way for me so far (except practicality). I found my car started nickel and diming me even with CPO warranty and only 70000km on it, and promptly sold it. The running costs of the BRZ are just so much lower, I spend on average 3 cents a km less in fuel alone, a set of tires is only 55% of the cost of a set for the BMW.

Nice I'm pretty stoked to see so many former 1addicts members over here haha

If this car had an N54 that would be pretty sick lol. Minus the issues with the HPFP and other stuff :p