FR-S vs BMW 135i

[BRZZZZZZZZZZ]

Originally Posted by Ammonia

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

Yep, luckily my dad still has a COBB tuned 135i as his winter car so I can probably borrow that here and there in the summer when he drives his other car.

[J-Rod]

Originally Posted by Ammonia

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

Cool. It may sound weird but I came from a Coyote5.0 Brembo to a 135i and I have to say now I'll consider forum support in my next purchase. If this id anything like 1Addicts Im one step closer to being fully sold on the BRZ! Mustang forums suck! At least that was my experience.

Oh almost forgot, how do you guys compare the driving feel? Is the difference in power so horrible as portrayed elsewhere? I havent dynoed but I have kittyless DPs, DCI, BmwPE, jb4 G5 (n54 of course!).

[Ganthrithor]

Originally Posted by J-Rod

Oh almost forgot, how do you guys compare the driving feel? Is the difference in power so horrible as portrayed elsewhere?

#notorque

My dad's got a ~380hp/420ft-lb 135i as his DD. The BRZ is just nothing at all like it in terms of power and power delivery. The N54 makes all its torque in the low and mid range, the BRZ has none down there (maybe a bit harsh, but it will certainly feel like none after a 135). The N54 tapers off as you really get up it where the BRZ finally gets its legs at about 5k (and you'll still be wondering where the torque is hiding, lol).

Luckily you have ~400+ fewer pounds to haul around and suspend through corners, so the BRZ still feels somewhat quick (or at least not slow?), and it feels a lot more agile than the 135. Also the steering feels better on my BRZ IMHO, which I didn't expect since the BRZ is electrically assisted and the 1-series' steering is hydraulically boosted. The BRZ has a quicker rack as well, which is also nice.

[shu5892001]

New M235I will be good

[ZDan]

Only if 3600 lb is considered "good"...

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by Ganthrithor

#notorque

My dad's got a ~380hp/420ft-lb 135i as his DD. The BRZ is just nothing at all like it in terms of power and power delivery. The N54 makes all its torque in the low and mid range, the BRZ has none down there (maybe a bit harsh, but it will certainly feel like none after a 135). The N54 tapers off as you really get up it where the BRZ finally gets its legs at about 5k (and you'll still be wondering where the torque is hiding, lol).

Luckily you have ~400+ fewer pounds to haul around and suspend through corners, so the BRZ still feels somewhat quick (or at least not slow?), and it feels a lot more agile than the 135. Also the steering feels better on my BRZ IMHO, which I didn't expect since the BRZ is electrically assisted and the 1-series' steering is hydraulically boosted. The BRZ has a quicker rack as well, which is also nice.

Unless your dad's done weight reduction on his 135i, your BRZ is more like 600 lbs lighter.

3373 lbs - 2762 lbs = 611 lbs.

The 135i is thick boned for its size.

[J-Rod]

Originally Posted by Ganthrithor

#notorque

My dad's got a ~380hp/420ft-lb 135i as his DD. The BRZ is just nothing at all like it in terms of power and power delivery. The N54 makes all its torque in the low and mid range, the BRZ has none down there (maybe a bit harsh, but it will certainly feel like none after a 135). The N54 tapers off as you really get up it where the BRZ finally gets its legs at about 5k (and you'll still be wondering where the torque is hiding, lol).

Luckily you have ~400+ fewer pounds to haul around and suspend through corners, so the BRZ still feels somewhat quick (or at least not slow?), and it feels a lot more agile than the 135. Also the steering feels better on my BRZ IMHO, which I didn't expect since the BRZ is electrically assisted and the 1-series' steering is hydraulically boosted. The BRZ has a quicker rack as well, which is also nice.

Thanks for the info! How about FI (specifically turbo?). I loved driving my gf's mini cooper S, even while having my 5.0. Very nimble and quick. Although torque delivery came very early there as in my 1er. I'll be heading to a dealer today to test drive a frs (we dont get the brz, too small a market for both cars).

Originally Posted by shu5892001

New M235I will be good

Hmm, still have my doubts about the 2 series. I believe itll be a bit bigger than the 1er. And the ASS...no thanks! (Auto start/stop), also the rear bumper, the hood cutoff just brfore the front bumper, etc overall design just doesnt appeal to me that much.

[Ammonia]

Originally Posted by J-Rod

Oh almost forgot, how do you guys compare the driving feel? Is the difference in power so horrible as portrayed elsewhere? I havent dynoed but I have kittyless DPs, DCI, BmwPE, jb4 G5 (n54 of course!).

It is noticable but not world-ending as portrayed. I still have a blast revving the engine out, plus I don't have to worry about hitting 120mph in 3rd gear lol

Just drive it for yourself for abit. My FRS outdoes the 135i in corners handily.

[Ganthrithor]

Originally Posted by J-Rod

Thanks for the info! How about FI (specifically turbo?). I loved driving my gf's mini cooper S, even while having my 5.0. Very nimble and quick. Although torque delivery came very early there as in my 1er. I'll be heading to a dealer today to test drive a frs (we dont get the brz, too small a market for both cars).

Can't comment on FI cars since I haven't driven one yet, but there are certainly people making a lot more power from these engines. Oh, and if you like the way the Cooper S drives you're going to go nuts over the 86-- it's got a similar light, flat-cornering, nimble feel to it, but the power comes out of the right end! I think you'll like it.

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

Unless your dad's done weight reduction on his 135i, your BRZ is more like 600 lbs lighter.

3373 lbs - 2762 lbs = 611 lbs.

The 135i is thick boned for its size.

Wow, I thought the 135 was more like 3,200 and was being kind to it by rounding our cars up to 2,800. 3,400lbs is pretty fat, no wonder it feels like such a handful when you're trying to slow it for corners.

[juliog]

Regarding the new new 2 series, it will be "good", but not great. The M235i USDM is ~3400 lbs, no LSD standard, and it's rather expensive ($43K). I'd rather buy a lightly used Cayman at that price point. The 228i on the other hand could be an interesting DD, base is $33K and it's "only" 3200 lbs.

[TRD_86]

Most of the called sport car out there is like north of ~3,250 lbs compare to the twin at 2,750 lbs. Just can't believe that is 500 lbs differences for real number. I would never carry 2 extra linebacker in my rear seat on the race track even if I'd added 450hp turbo.

[regal]

When you look at a 1 series you wonder how it can be so heavy or why its so heavy, but the cars were similar in a lot of ways to the last Supras, that's the Toyota they should be compared to not the '86.

[Turbowned]

Originally Posted by regal

When you look at a 1 series you wonder how it can be so heavy or why its so heavy, but the cars were similar in a lot of ways to the last Supras, that's the Toyota they should be compared to not the '86.

It's so funny how I still have a stigma that the Supra is a big fat porker of a car and yet it's considerably lighter than most modern sports cars and sedans. I mean hell, my Audi is 4,060lbs!

I think the M235i will be a nice car but it's not for me. I would much rather buy a couple-year-old 335i or a 2008-09 M3 for similar money

[Lord Peth]

This whole thread basically represents my feelings. I had a 128 I bought sight unseen from a guy in Florida(photos of course) because my pops has 135 which I loved driving, and the only practical difference is N54 vs N52. My wife and I dumped her POS ford she bought to save gas after her 10 MPG lifted wrangler wasn't practical, she took the 1 and i got a BRZ. I was underwhelmed looking at on paper numbers, but the pure driving enjoyment is staggering. I never thought I'd be so happy to be back in a non-Euro car