This is one of the article's I seriously looked at before I bought my JCW deciding between a 135i and 335i. Granted it got second, but only because this test seems to be more geared for a track day setup.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBc1y...eature=related

 

There are many interesting comments on this post. As an owner of a 135i, I do not see where the concept of turbo lag comes from? I mean the car is giving peak torque at 1400rpm; there is almost no space for lag since the inline 6 pulls strong at the lower RPM's.

I am looking to do the opposite....trade in the 135i for a 2011 JCW, but I have yet to drive one (currently no stock until January at the local dealer). I am not a newbie to either BMW's or Mini as I have owned 4 BMW's and have recently sold an R56 Cooper S (approx 6 months ago).

I am just trying to work out financing and the 'perfect' option grouping for a new JCW. Where I am getting stuck is: aero-kit or Nav? Any advice is welcomed.

 

Baffles me too.....they have like no lag at all!

 

"faster" ? Faster straight maybe but It is taller and it's center of gravity, including your body, are higher. That plus the considerably higher weight, do not make for an inherently "faster" car in the corners. Less corners, oem - oem comparison, no mods except tires, I'd put my money on the JCW.

It obviously depends on the track too. Anyone here familiar with VIR? The only layout I see the 135 making up on the JCW is "full" because you'd additionally get the long straight after the oak tree. Otherwise, all the changes would benefit the lighter weight Mini, which should be able to brake later and and whip through the esses and quick turns better.

Sitting so high in the 135 feels weird to me.

However, there is no comparison whatsoever which car is going to be more comfortable to drive, the bmw sports seats and general ergonomics inside are far superior.

I'd compare, how much time will be spent in the car for which purpose? A DD that go to the track even several times per year, is probably still more enjoyable if you also love it the rest of the time where "touring" is about as fun as it gets. In that case, almost any bmw wins, or even some Audi's, like mine

A good car to toss in to this comparison might be the last M coupe but it has less space than the really old original Mini.

Price wise though, nice M Coupes are about $30k +/-

 

I am not sure how you can get "stuck" in that decision, "both" is the obvious answer if you like/want both. Right? However, if you ultimately "want" both but can only afford/justify either one, then get the one that really needs to be factory optioned. You can always ad the aero kit any time later on.

I drove the 135 several times and to me, I "noticed" the turbo, and I did not like the feeling, lag, delay, surge, non-linear, I don't know? I do know it is not the awesome linear feel of naturally aspirated with lots of torque. An example? Audi RS4. My S4 with about 40/40 more hp/tq over stock.

Or the feel of the bmw N54 inline 6, so sweet and ready to go.

Now, the 135 did not feel so bad like a wrx sti turbo, or the like, but I did feel it change and thought it was unpleasant.

Otherwise, I really enjoyed the rest of the driving experience and overall sensations. Maybe a little too much body roll but that's due to the factory suspension set-up I assume.

I have read on other forums from people who tracked their new 335 and 135 that they had lots of brake fade. I wonder if it was their driving like a street car and not a race car though. My S4 never faded but I drove it like I rode the Ducati on the same track, simply stood on the brakes at the very last possible moment and just swung it in back on the throttle. However, the rear bias center diff and quattro set up on mine makes turn in and exit much better than stock.

 

My advice here is going to be purely pragmatic. If you have decided that you want both, but finances dictate that you must make a choice between them at the time you order the vehicle, thus deferring the other option to a later date when it can be afforded, the choice is simple: order the factory navigation system with the vehicle and get the aero kit installed later. The rationale for that is retrofitting the navigation system is far more difficult (and costly) than retrofitting the aero kit...

 

^didn't someone just say that exactly?

 

Well, apparently, great minds think alike...

(Guess we were typing posts at the same time)

 

^ yeah, yours was only 90 minutes later

Along similar lines of this thread, how did you decide on your jcw clubman? - assuming there was any debate going on with you between it and a coupe or other makes? I like the function of the clubman but that's about it. I have not liked the C pillar looks. The only clubman I like is a black one so the pillar blends in - and black isn't my 1st, 2nd, or 3rd choice on the Mini line.

 

While we're nitpicking, the inline 3.2 litre six used in the E46 M3 and last two generation MCoupes is the S54, not N54. I had a 2003 M3 with it and currently have a 2007 MCoupe. Screaming naturally aspirated six at 8K rpms does sound like God's own chorus.

 

Well, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it...!

I truly didn't read your post before offering mine. I tend to get started on a response, edit, re-edit, get distracted with something there at home, take a phone call, get a drink of water, purge some of the water I drank a few hours back, re-re-edit my response, check the election returns, rinse, then repeat -- eh, well, you get the idea...

The good news is, hey, at least we agree on something, right...? If you want credit for the idea, I'm happy to go on record as agreeing...!

Well, I actually like the Clubman styling myself, but I know what you're saying: it would be nice if MINI offered folks the option to get body-colored C-pillars with all color choices, not just the colors that match by happenstance (black, as you already noted; and silver).

The rationale behind my choice was relatively basic and straight-forward. I was initially looking to replace a mid-sized SUV back around 2007-2008, when gasoline prices were way up there. My criteria was to find something that got good gas mileage (or at least better gas mileage than the typical 17-18 mpg I was getting), was more fun-to-drive, handled snow well, and could occasionally haul some light cargo.

I considered vehicles ranging from the Honda Civic Si and VW GTi coupes; to a diesel Jetta; and of course, the MINI (both Hardtop and Clubman). The Clubman just met all of my criteria the best... I had initially been concentrating on the Clubman S, but got lucky and stumbled on a gently-used JCW Clubman with a Clubman S price tag on it at (of all places) a local Dodge dealer.

 

Biggest + for the 135 is RWD. I love the Mini but going to FWD really sucks.

 

Reading some of these reviews is hilarious! Turbo lag, are you serious? the N54 engine pretty much has zero lag, have you seen a torque curve of the N54?

Now I don't have JCW, but I have owned a 335i, and my closet friend has a 135i that I have had plenty of seat time in. IMHO there is no comparison to fit and finish, and performance, I would take a 135/335 over any MCS/JCW, but that's my opinion. Let's not forget what forum we are on either, this is something you need to figure out what is best for you. I will say though, for $60/month more, you should get the 335i, the performance difference between the 2 is negligible.

I do like to drive the MCS though, but if I had both in the garage, the MCS/JCW would be the bastard child... sorry.

lol turbo lag I'd like to take the people who think the N54 has lag in a turbo e21, and some of my buddies Porsche's, show you what the term "lag like a switch" feels like!

 

+1 that's what I miss.

 

I finally got to drive a 135i at riverside bmw and it was great. Now I'm waiting for pricing on the M135 which looks to be coming out soon. I'm also thinking about the F150 raptor. Seems to be an exciting time for cars.

 

M135 does not make sense in BMWs labeling scheme.

maybe a M1.

 

Is that the 135i with the M sport package, or are you referring to the 1M? I've heard it's supposed to be right around 50K.

 

I don't know much about the 135 but the Raptor is a very capable truck especially with the 6.2. The 5.4 is ok for daily stuff and with a tune it is even better, but the 6.3 starting out with more torque and the truck having lower gears and 35s...good combo I think.

BTW, these are totally different vehicles, what do you want more sporty fun town driving, or blasting over dunes and constantly hitting the road reflectors because the truck is so wide (7-8" wider than a stock F-150).

 

The M1 was the mid-engined car from the '80's that started the whole M division at BMW. They have already said they will not bestow that moniker on a lowly 1 series.

 

Sounds like they retired the number ala football jerseys.

 

I had a 335i rental for about 6-7 weeks and I did not feel any turbo lag albeit I ALWAYS set the transmission on auto sport and traction partially off. I even had the chance to take it to Laguna Seca and it was faster than the GP. I did have to brake earlier and accelerate later, more body roll. I just kept thinking the lighter 135i would be perfect. I plan on a 135i not replace GP but to accompany the GP.

 

I just bought an 09 135 conv with sport package etc. with 8000 miles on it from the dealership. Thanks for the help.

 

Congrats! Let us know your driving impressions after you get some time behind the wheel!

 

First impression is it's a great car. I love my JCW convertible but this new 135i car is larger and feels large and heavy. Unfortunately I ended up with an automatic so I can't do an exact comparison. I might stress that it doesn't have the point and shoot quality of the jcw. In the jcw I literally feel like I can do anything. the car just handles so well in and around traffic that I have no second thoughts about merging or passing or just stepping on the gas. Not the same feeling with the 135. The 135 car feels big ( I know it's not big) and heavy and feels fast/strong it also feels very solid and well made, but it doesn't give me that I can do anything feeling. Anyway I love both my cars and feel very lucky. I never thought I would be a bmw owner but my mini Jcw lead me down this path and I'm so happy.

 

People with (modded) jcw's doing faster than 4.5 seconds? Link please?

Oh - i'm not calling you out, i'm just in love with minis and their potential and want to read more about this - LOL.

Yes - I know this is an old post