matt13b

Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on the soon to be out 370Z and the 135i? I am thinking of changing cars later in the year and have narrowed it down to a shortlist of these 2 at this stage. The main reasons are that they would both track well I think and also be quite comfortable to drive around during the week.
I haven't seen a 370Z in the flesh but they seem like a pretty good car both in the looks and pace department on paper.
The 135i seems to be a pretty fast car and quite a good handler but I don't really know if I like the way it looks. It is growing on me though. Has your 135i arrived Taka? How is it going?

Rotary Rasp

iTrader: (2)

I have a 335i and I think the 135i looks nasty.

However... given two cars mentioned...

The 135i will be faster.
The 370z will handle better.

135i = 4 seats
370z = 2 seats


For a few hundred bucks you can make the 135i hit mid 12's.

thisllub

The Nissan?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8Po7...eature=related

Docj78

+1 on ^^.

I too am considering trading my 05 shinka, only my choices are for a 2009 GT RX8, or a slightly used 135i.

For me, the 370z is a non-starter d/t the lack of rear seats--need to maintain SOME sense of "practicallity". I have grown spoiled with the "4" doors of the 8. If I go with the 09 GT RX8--it would soon be getting the Hymee or Pettit kit--which puts it at about the same out of pocket expense as the 135i---but i like the 8 style a bit more. Some have said, and I tend to agree that the 135i is a bit more "mature", if that matters to you.

b/t the Z and the 135i, the 135i hands down, for me...

matt13b

Which one do you think would post a better lap time(with Joe average driving)?

matt13b

I understand your need for rear seats but for me it is the opposite. Believe it or not, I have never in 3.5 years had anyone in my back seats in the RX8. So for me I always wished it was a 2 door.
I agree that if the RX8 had the power and a warranty to boot I would stick with it for sure. Sadly, Turbo kits are not usually covered with a warranty. I'd love a reliable kit for it if it was foolproof, reasonably priced and was covered with a guarantee. Sadly I am dreaming there..

matt13b

What would you do to the 135i to make it hit mid 12's? I know what you mean about the 335i looking better but do you think it would be better around a track? Also, I can't afford a 335i unfortunately so that decision has already been made up for me by my bank balance(or lack of it).

Rotary Rasp

iTrader: (2)

Well, all you need to get the 135i in to the mid 12's is this:

http://www.burgertuning.com/jb3pinout.html

All for under $400 bucks.


I have never driven the 370z, but I would that stock for stock it would beat a 135i around the track because of it's superior handling. Now, suppose you get the jb3, it would be game over for the Z.

My father owns G37 and I can comment on it's engine. The VQ37VHR motor is strong with a very American V8 feel. Lots of torque off the bat that slightly fads then returns hard around 3,000 - 5,000 rpm. The motor is sorta coarse.

The n54 motor is completely different. Just a little torque off the bat, but at around 2000 rpm it hits you strong and holds all the way to about 6000rpm. The motor is considerably more refined than the VQ37VHR and makes much more usable power even though the stock wheel horsepower between the two is the same (280-290). The power band of the n54 is extremely linear and partial throttle acceleration is intense.

Inline 6's are inheirently smoother than their V6 cousins. So smooth in fact that they often don't even need a balancing shaft. The n54 does not have one.


here is a dyno of a automatic 335i with exhaust, intake and the jb3....



yea, that's 380 whp

Rotary Rasp

iTrader: (2)

If I was not going to mod either car, I would get the 370Z.

If you're a enthusiast, the 135i has way more mod potential.

matt13b

Thanks for that, it's all very useful. I figured the turbo car would be both easier to mod and also to drive as the torque is available so low in the rev range. I didn't realise it would be that east though. I'd be happy with mid 12's!

MACCAA

Had a run around Winton in the wet [in the passenger seat] with a guy I was instructing in his 135i.Pretty impressive car[but it had a few mods]
I think it would have the edge around the track over a 370Z.
350Z does around 1.10.5 at Wakefield ,driven by Luffy.
Reckon he could get a stock BMW around a little quicker.
Mod-wise the BM wins hands down.
Resale would have to go the BM's way too.
Cheers
Len

matt13b

Thanks Len. Your opinion counts twice for me..(lot's of track experience behind that opinion)

takahashi

The downside of 135i is the brakes, which may crack the ceremic insert when you change it to aftermarket pads. Stock pads is fine as long as you don't go to 3rd lap when it fades.

This happens in Best Motoring when it understeer like **** under braking and get only around 1.08 at Tsukuba. Colder months it did went under 1.07. Some modded one with good tyres go to 1.06

Stock 370Z hits 1.06 regularly in a good racer.

I think 370Z cannot mod as easily as the BMW, but you have to say modding a Jap car is much cheaper than modding a BMW.

Just my 0.02$.

I ordered a 135i and I think it is a bloody good car, it will be my daily driver.

I was also be invited yesterday to drive on Dutton rally this year in my friend's 135i

takahashi

Matt try to download the best motoring this month to see downfall of 135i's handling compare with other cars.

MACCAA

Taka and Way driving the same car.......be afraid,be very afraid.....

Just joking.Should be a lot of fun.This is the car from Winton.
Watch out Taka...Phillip Island beckons....
Cheers
Len

timbo

Len -- you should be their team manager...there's something about MACCAA's Taka Way team for the Duttons that has a certain ring to it

takahashi

I think there is still an evil PI smile on me at this stage.... although I have been there done that ... money off my back so to speak. Wayne has not experienced the same... yet. PI is only one of the items that weekend. We should get through that safely.

Have not decided what to do with the car at the moment. My car is coming in April, although automatic, I can get the feel of the car just around 2 weeks (the weight and chassis). But will drive Wayne's car somehow to get some feel of the turn in. I have driven it once early on before the mod. The only thing we agreed on is the race number (35) we asked for and and have some Yum Cha club (our club) logo on it.

It will drive very differently from RX-8. I just have to adjust to it... any advice?

MACCAA

Jeez Taka I'm still getting over the bit where you said your new 135i is AUTOMATIC!Is nothing sacred?
You have to be 70+ or disabled to drive an Auto....
I think you'll find Way's car pretty easy to drive.
It didn't appear to have any vices in the wet at Winton,and anything that's good in the wet is usually pretty well set up.
Apart from the weight I wouldn't expect it to handle much differently to your car.
Good luck with it.
Cheers
Len

takahashi

I tell you the reason behind AUTOMATIC... Mrs Taka

Yeah Wayne's car looks pretty good on the wet track. I should be confident with that.

matt13b

Taka, why do you have to wait so long for your car? Are they hard to get? I heard there were only 200 sent to Oz last year. Is there a waiting list for them? I see around 3 a day just driving around and assumed that they would be relatively easy to come by now.
What mods has your friend done to his 135?

takahashi

They are all made to order, and there is a 3 month wait at least. I order end of last year, and missed the Jan production. So it is Feb production and deliver in April. I have heard people in WA get to wait for up to 6 months, because people like us in the east just get into the production first. But I also heard someone gone into production straight away, but I dunno if because some one withdrawn their 135 order for something else in BMW - as that will not affect your deposit paid you know.

You can get the one in stock because someone withdrawn their order. Do not expect a lot of discount unless you know someone in the management to give you some rebate. Check if you work for a company that allows you to have cooperate discount. Shop around. Be firm on the price you think the 135 deserves and strict to the accessories that you need. I have auto, sunroof (Way said he will not able to sell his quick because there is no sunroof), adaptive headlight and comfort (keyless) entry.

Way's car has lots of mods and cost a fortune to do them. From wheels to AP racing caliper to suspension and power mods that works. Oh and custom mechanical LSD too. I think the money he spends you can have a nicely tuned tubro and similar set up in the RX-8 with similar power ... well may be a touch less power .

Matt - did you see a lot of 125i and 125i convertible and 120i convertible? I don't see 135 per se a lot. I see more RX-8s then 135s in eastern suburbs of Melbourne

matt13b

They are definitely 135's I am seeing. I crane my neck around every time to check the badge. I see a lot of 125's and all the other 1 series variants too. There are also heaps of RX8's around here too. 3 or 4 on the street within a block from me. This is in the Nth Sydney area..
So a minimum 3 month wait. It could be worse I suppose. Maybe I will go there sooner rather than later to see how I can secure one.

thisllub

You should also ask them why they are $7000 (at $.70 exchange) more than an RX8 in the US and they are $20000 more here.

takahashi

They are 29610 pounds in England. That is 65,943.22 AUD$.

I think I get more discount on my 135 than my RX-8.

thisllub

The UK rrp price on an RX8 is $56165 AUD

At $66000 the BMW is a no brainer but I thought they were $10k more than that.
If they were $7000 more ($9000 inc luxury tax) i.e. ~ $63k then RX8s would be hard to sell and standard TTs would never move.

Either way the BMW is a nice car and you will enjoy it.