[sajakh]

I just got C&D Jan,08 issue and there is a preview article of the 135i where they actually test drive it. Most of the article is rehashed stuff but the last two paragraphs discuss its driving:

"On the street, the 135i handles sweetly, displayingexcellent body control and a stolidly neutral demeanor. However, BMW also allowed us to sample the 135i at a racetrack, which dampened our enthusiasm a bit. We're not proposing that every car should be a oversteering monster along the lines of Corvette Z06, but the 135's nose wants to run wide all the time, which is safe but frustrating. A 335i coupe is more entertaining."

Interesting. This is not the first time I have heard this comment too. Another foreign video review said the 135i "pushes" a lot. Maybe this was intentional on BMW's part to make the most neutral forgiving handler the 3 series.

[Year's_End]

Wouldn't be surprised if it was under-engineered. Sorta like the Cayman/911 situation. Kinda dissapointing if you ask me.

[Jaws]

I'm sure the understeer issue can be fixed by some suspension tuning. It might be as simple as a stiffer anti-roll bar.

[Year's_End]

True...true.

[just4kickz]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

Wouldn't be surprised if it was under-engineered. Sorta like the Cayman/911 situation. Kinda dissapointing if you ask me.

the cayman situation? as in they just made a car to fit inbetwen the price gaps of a 911 and a boxster?

you'd hope bmw would do everything to make a driver's car but obviously in this day and age not alot of people are looking for that... alot of people just look at pricing and brand. i recall seeing a bunch of posts on the 1series addict or w/e forum and alot of members were saying "oh now i'm gonna have to get a acura or some craps" because of the recently announced pricing of 128 and 135s.

[Year's_End]

Exactly. It's a shame. I'm sure it still has massive tuning potential though.

[spacedogg]

Yeah...c'mon it's RWD...a little suspension tweaking will cure any understeer.

Even the infamous Lotus Elise's is known to exhibit some mild understeer from the factory...just means the more serious drivers swap suspension/tire choices...

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by Jaws

I'm sure the understeer issue can be fixed by some suspension tuning. It might be as simple as a stiffer anti-roll bar.

I believe the 335 and 135i share same size rear tires, it's the fronts which cause much of the reported understeer. The width of thefront tyres on the 135 are 215mm whereas the 335i is 225mm.

[Bimmerista]

The back of the 335 are 255 as opposed to 245s for the 135 (from memory).

But the narrow size in front suprised me as well, that and lower tire inflation could account for it.

[Hydrazine]

If the understeer is easily correctable (and it should) this might actually make a nice track car. Makes me wonder what else can be done to it to make it a real track car.

I'll wait to hear a little more reviews on it, but its got me interested.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by Bimmerista

The back of the 335 are 255 as opposed to 245s for the 135 (from memory).

But the narrow size in front suprised me as well, that and lower tire inflation could account for it.

u might be right

[Excellence]

Originally Posted by spacedogg

Yeah...c'mon it's RWD...a little suspension tweaking will cure any understeer.

Even the infamous Lotus Elise's is known to exhibit some mild understeer from the factory...just means the more serious drivers swap suspension/tire choices...

Amen

[termigni]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

Wouldn't be surprised if it was under-engineered. Sorta like the Cayman/911 situation. Kinda dissapointing if you ask me.

last time i checked, Cayman is very reputable driver's car. porsche actually made Cayman so good that the 911 seems underengineered.

[Robert]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

Wouldn't be surprised if it was under-engineered. Sorta like the Cayman/911 situation. Kinda dissapointing if you ask me.

FAIL.