Keep my '03 Z or move on to a BMW 135i?
06-23-2017, 03:28 AM
#22
New Member
Today on Jay's Garage, We'll discuss the BMW 135i vs. our beloved 350Z
The BMW looks like a tall Euro Economy Coupe, even when " Racered Out " compared to the Z...
After this commercial break, we'll discuss...
The BMW looks like a tall Euro Economy Coupe, even when " Racered Out " compared to the Z...
After this commercial break, we'll discuss...
06-23-2017, 11:11 AM
#23
I've owned both.
Ive extensively tracked both.
I chose the 350z as my race car build.
You can make the 135 and 335i handle excellent. But they require $. Their stock suspension is even worse than the 350z stock. Worse, their bushings are flimsy and completely ruin the response.
Also, cost of maintenance parts are 2-3 times as expensive as the Nissan parts.
The drive train is stellar though. Especially flashed and full bolt on mods + methanol injection. I had a N55 pushing 18-21psi boost and dynoed at 380whp/472ftlbs. It was dead reliable powertrain wise. But heat degrades things. I had changed valve cover, gasket, oil cooler gasket, water pump twice etc. (all cheap since I did them myself. But still not a cost that I ever saw on the 350z).
All depends what you want. If you want luxury , straight line speed and you dont mind the extra $ for upkeep. Go for the 135i as a street car.
Also, if your using this for track. A stock 135i will disappoint you unless its a straight line.
Ive extensively tracked both.
I chose the 350z as my race car build.
You can make the 135 and 335i handle excellent. But they require $. Their stock suspension is even worse than the 350z stock. Worse, their bushings are flimsy and completely ruin the response.
Also, cost of maintenance parts are 2-3 times as expensive as the Nissan parts.
The drive train is stellar though. Especially flashed and full bolt on mods + methanol injection. I had a N55 pushing 18-21psi boost and dynoed at 380whp/472ftlbs. It was dead reliable powertrain wise. But heat degrades things. I had changed valve cover, gasket, oil cooler gasket, water pump twice etc. (all cheap since I did them myself. But still not a cost that I ever saw on the 350z).
All depends what you want. If you want luxury , straight line speed and you dont mind the extra $ for upkeep. Go for the 135i as a street car.
Also, if your using this for track. A stock 135i will disappoint you unless its a straight line.
Last edited by canadarob; 06-23-2017 at 11:12 AM.
06-23-2017, 06:35 PM
#24
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I just bought a 335 sport with 175,000km. I bought it for 7500 cad. I welded the exhaust back on which the previous owner hacked off. I put the correct plugs in the car. Replaced the coilpacks and fixed a vacuum line so I now have two turbos working. The cars had the water pump changed at 140k and the valve cover gasket and oil filter assembly and gasket replaced at 165k. It is currently still trying to go into limp mode when driven hard. I think it because the wastegates bushings are worn out and the wastegate won't close all the way. If you want a car that u can count on and have stable costs. Stick with the z. If u plan on straight line and leave room for a 5k diy budget you can have a good time with a 335. It has a neat aftermarket following. I love my z and it has never let me down yet. I'm not sure if the 07 or grand touring was made with more love, but I have been lucky enough to have no window or csc problems(maybe cause low km 75,000km)It has injen, art pipes, exhaust and a tune. Love the z, will give the bmw a fair chance but I can see myself buying a g for my family car. Major downer, no lsd even on sport model bmw 
06-23-2017, 06:42 PM
#25
I just bought a 335 sport with 175,000km. I bought it for 7500 cad. I welded the exhaust back on which the previous owner hacked off. I put the correct plugs in the car. Replaced the coilpacks and fixed a vacuum line so I now have two turbos working. The cars had the water pump changed at 140k and the valve cover gasket and oil filter assembly and gasket replaced at 165k. It is currently still trying to go into limp mode when driven hard. I think it because the wastegates bushings are worn out and the wastegate won't close all the way. If you want a car that u can count on and have stable costs. Stick with the z. If u plan on straight line and leave room for a 5k diy budget you can have a good time with a 335. It has a neat aftermarket following. I love my z and it has never let me down yet. I'm not sure if the 07 or grand touring was made with more love, but I have been lucky enough to have no window or csc problems(maybe cause low km 75,000km)It has injen, art pipes, exhaust and a tune. Love the z, will give the bmw a fair chance but I can see myself buying a g for my family car. Major downer, no lsd even on sport model bmw
Are the turbo's rattling pretty bad?
06-24-2017, 06:34 PM
#26
Registered User
I'm gonna chime in and maybe this will help your decision more.
BMW - Breaks Monthly & Weekly
The Germans over engineer these cars, even more than Nissan. So keep that in mind. These cars in my experience are a pain in the *** to work on. I consider a BMW a car for a guy who doesn't want to ever work on his car or a guy who is loaded and will pay whatever to get whatever done. Nothing in between.
Kinda like when Infiniti upgraded the G in the 2005-2007 years. They made changes to everything but kept alot similar. Definitely go with a 2011 and up I series if you do get one. The improvements will make a 2009-2010 look meh.
Some great things about the car. The differential is a double helical ball bearing setup. Sounds awesome probably really over engineered but I bet it's effective and smooth and dependable. Supposedly it's quiet and stays alot cooler than other diffs. You can have a 135is that has a M suspension under it.
IMO BMWs are what they are. If you like to tinker alot I wouldn't get it. As far as looks I've always like Mercedes more looking at the 1 series which will be a little heavier than your Z kinda looks outdated for the year. I know BMW stays with there scheme but the interior to me isn't all that great looking either.
I say look into a used Infiniti Q50 or Q60 or whenever the G changed to Q in that same year range.
BMW - Breaks Monthly & Weekly
The Germans over engineer these cars, even more than Nissan. So keep that in mind. These cars in my experience are a pain in the *** to work on. I consider a BMW a car for a guy who doesn't want to ever work on his car or a guy who is loaded and will pay whatever to get whatever done. Nothing in between.
Kinda like when Infiniti upgraded the G in the 2005-2007 years. They made changes to everything but kept alot similar. Definitely go with a 2011 and up I series if you do get one. The improvements will make a 2009-2010 look meh.
Some great things about the car. The differential is a double helical ball bearing setup. Sounds awesome probably really over engineered but I bet it's effective and smooth and dependable. Supposedly it's quiet and stays alot cooler than other diffs. You can have a 135is that has a M suspension under it.
IMO BMWs are what they are. If you like to tinker alot I wouldn't get it. As far as looks I've always like Mercedes more looking at the 1 series which will be a little heavier than your Z kinda looks outdated for the year. I know BMW stays with there scheme but the interior to me isn't all that great looking either.
I say look into a used Infiniti Q50 or Q60 or whenever the G changed to Q in that same year range.
06-24-2017, 08:16 PM
#27
I'm gonna chime in and maybe this will help your decision more.
BMW - Breaks Monthly & Weekly
The Germans over engineer these cars, even more than Nissan. So keep that in mind. These cars in my experience are a pain in the *** to work on. I consider a BMW a car for a guy who doesn't want to ever work on his car or a guy who is loaded and will pay whatever to get whatever done. Nothing in between.
Kinda like when Infiniti upgraded the G in the 2005-2007 years. They made changes to everything but kept alot similar. Definitely go with a 2011 and up I series if you do get one. The improvements will make a 2009-2010 look meh.
Some great things about the car. The differential is a double helical ball bearing setup. Sounds awesome probably really over engineered but I bet it's effective and smooth and dependable. Supposedly it's quiet and stays alot cooler than other diffs. You can have a 135is that has a M suspension under it.
IMO BMWs are what they are. If you like to tinker alot I wouldn't get it. As far as looks I've always like Mercedes more looking at the 1 series which will be a little heavier than your Z kinda looks outdated for the year. I know BMW stays with there scheme but the interior to me isn't all that great looking either.
I say look into a used Infiniti Q50 or Q60 or whenever the G changed to Q in that same year range.
BMW - Breaks Monthly & Weekly
The Germans over engineer these cars, even more than Nissan. So keep that in mind. These cars in my experience are a pain in the *** to work on. I consider a BMW a car for a guy who doesn't want to ever work on his car or a guy who is loaded and will pay whatever to get whatever done. Nothing in between.
Kinda like when Infiniti upgraded the G in the 2005-2007 years. They made changes to everything but kept alot similar. Definitely go with a 2011 and up I series if you do get one. The improvements will make a 2009-2010 look meh.
Some great things about the car. The differential is a double helical ball bearing setup. Sounds awesome probably really over engineered but I bet it's effective and smooth and dependable. Supposedly it's quiet and stays alot cooler than other diffs. You can have a 135is that has a M suspension under it.
IMO BMWs are what they are. If you like to tinker alot I wouldn't get it. As far as looks I've always like Mercedes more looking at the 1 series which will be a little heavier than your Z kinda looks outdated for the year. I know BMW stays with there scheme but the interior to me isn't all that great looking either.
I say look into a used Infiniti Q50 or Q60 or whenever the G changed to Q in that same year range.
I got 200k on this X5. Only got rid of it because we fell in love with the E70
06-26-2017, 09:22 AM
#28
Registered User
How is it difficult to understand? Buying a vehicle can be a large purchase for an individual and I think it's a relatively simple thing to comprehend that someone may want to gather as many logical perspectives on their decision prior to pulling the trigger. Not sure how that's confusing at all.
06-26-2017, 10:18 AM
#30
Registered User
Correct, and neither can you. Everyone does some sort of research whether it be test driving a vehicle, asking others of previous experiences, or both (and potentially more). I'm glad you're just now coming to this realization lol.
06-26-2017, 10:25 AM
#32
Registered User
lol oh yeah? So his form of research is inferior to yours prior to making his informed decision?.... because you didn't start a thread? Well then, you've got life figured out bud.
06-26-2017, 01:48 PM
#34
Registered User
The way OP delivered the request so directly "Convince me..." I could argue is a little off-putting, but is fair game nonetheless. Posts that request opinions and encourage warm discussion I think is a good thing for this community. We all have the option not to reply.