New 135i - First BMW

[Hokie135Hi]

Hello all. Before I show pics of the car, I'd like to thank this forum for making this decision that much easier for me to make. The information is honest, precise and reminds me of my old forum RX8club.com

To say I love this car is an understatement, and being this is my FIRST BMW, I didn't know if I was just not used to the BMW feel. Seeing other users on this forum come from 3 and 5 series, it was good to see I'm not completely crazy.

I live in Blacksburg, VA (hence the name), and searched for months and finally found a lease turn-in at FLOW BMW in Winston-Salem, NC. They are great people and I had an awesome experience.

Had to trade in my previous first child, my 05 Mazda RX-8, but the seperation anxiety went away on the drive back in my new Space Grey 09' 135i! Coral Red Interior, completely loaded, 19k miles.

In memory: (Wish I could bolt my WORK Emotions up...)





Now on to the newness:









I'll post the full set in the Photos section a little later.

Looking at doing some cosmetic changes at first lip, CF Lip, upgraded angel eyes, a drop, wheels etc. Already got tint after these pics! I know that comment is coming!

Future mods I hope to get are JB4 or Cobb AP, exhaust, intake and other fun things. This is an expensive habit, but I f-cking need it.

[HotSauce]

Welcome. Gorgeous car! Also very glad to find another VT Alumni on here. Can't wait to see more pics of your car. What year did you graduate?

GO HOKIES!!!

[doublevanosrc]

My friend you have great taste in Automobiles and some pretty good photo skills. Enjoy!!!

[bogart]

Good choice of color!

Welcome to our world!

[Boxtyp3]

Congrats! Welcome aboard!

[Focusedintntions]

Very nice congrats! Keep an eye for my AW white one when I go to visit my sister. She's a junior at VT

[Hokie135Hi]

Originally Posted by HotSauce

Welcome. Gorgeous car! Also very glad to find another VT Alumni on here. Can't wait to see more pics of your car. What year did you graduate?

GO HOKIES!!!

Graduated in 08' and finishing my Masters now. Ended up buying a house and working here. Wouldn't have said that when I came to VT, but summers here are def. awesome. Where in Virginia are you from?

[Hokie135Hi]

Originally Posted by doublevanosrc

My friend you have great taste in Automobiles and some pretty good photo skills. Enjoy!!!

I will post the higher def. album in the photos section soon. It's not bad, but I've got a while to go on some things.

Originally Posted by Focusedintntions

Very nice congrats! Keep an eye for my AW white one when I go to visit my sister. She's a junior at VT

Surely man. If you come out here on a weekday, I run a comedy club at Awful Arthur's on Wednesdays. You guys should come out!

[Focusedintntions]

good to know! Been to AA's there a bunch of times haha...the way i typed that makes it sound like i have a problem! If you're energetic enough to make the drive get your lil BMW out on the track this month @ Summit point with us.

[HotSauce]

Originally Posted by Hokie135Hi

Graduated in 08' and finishing my Masters now. Ended up buying a house and working here. Wouldn't have said that when I came to VT, but summers here are def. awesome. Where in Virginia are you from?

Awesome, I graduated in 08' as well. Definitely agree with you on summers in BBurg, they can get quite crazy . I'm living in Richmond working my life away. Sadly have not been back to Tech since graduating. Hopefully this fall I can make it back for a few football games.

[GO135i007]

Welcome, that would be my second choice for a color combination. Nice looking car.

[KingOfJericho]

Looks exactly like my car! Great choice!

[KinoBoom]

Congrats, very nice car. I got mine a few days ago and it is my first BMW since 1997... enough said... I am still getting used to it. It has a lot to offer and it is a great car. Enjoy it.

[veejayy]

Beautiful cars!

I have RX-8 R3. I know the Bimmer kills it in terms power but can u compare the handling and steering feel between the two?


Thx

[TMR013]

Congrats and welcome!

[Hokie135Hi]

Originally Posted by veejayy

Beautiful cars!

I have RX-8 R3. I know the Bimmer kills it in terms power but can u compare the handling and steering feel between the two?


Thx

The RX-8's main attraction is it's handling. The R3 I'm sure is even better in this aspect. I could take that thing around a corner at ridiculous speeds, and was able for the most part to keep the RPM's above 7000 for most of it. ( I miss the shift buzz at 9k rpms by the way.)

The 135i surprised me a ton with it's handling, and I am not let down one bit. It will get interesting when I am not running the run-flats, and I suspect that the suspension will the first of my upgrades because of the ride difference with better tires. Steering is good with the 135, but it sometimes seems TOO easy, like the power steering is too much sometimes. I had a better feel for the RX-8, and it certainly doesn't help too much in terms of steering, but the response is excellent. I would say it is most likely due to the fact I drove it for 4 years, and I was used to it. I'm getting better in the 135, but it will take a couple of mountain runs to figure it out.

[abehwang]

Congrats!
I just graduated this spring 2011
but I'm still looking for a job AND the perfect 135i for me

[veejayy]

Originally Posted by Hokie135Hi

The RX-8's main attraction is it's handling. The R3 I'm sure is even better in this aspect. I could take that thing around a corner at ridiculous speeds, and was able for the most part to keep the RPM's above 7000 for most of it. ( I miss the shift buzz at 9k rpms by the way.)

The 135i surprised me a ton with it's handling, and I am not let down one bit. It will get interesting when I am not running the run-flats, and I suspect that the suspension will the first of my upgrades because of the ride difference with better tires. Steering is good with the 135, but it sometimes seems TOO easy, like the power steering is too much sometimes. I had a better feel for the RX-8, and it certainly doesn't help too much in terms of steering, but the response is excellent. I would say it is most likely due to the fact I drove it for 4 years, and I was used to it. I'm getting better in the 135, but it will take a couple of mountain runs to figure it out.

Thanks for your feedback! Good luck with the car!

[burger16b]

welcome and congrats. I know how you feel this is my first BMW too

[Turbolader]

Welcome, and nice car. I love SGM.

I have a love for the wankel as well. I've never had one, but would love to get an FD RX7. Latest rumors I have heard the wankel's existence is in question...I really hope not, it's just too cool to let die.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Focusedintntions

good to know! Been to AA's there a bunch of times haha...the way i typed that makes it sound like i have a problem! If you're energetic enough to make the drive get your lil BMW out on the track this month @ Summit point with us.

Welcome!

Great color combo if I say so myself with my own space gray with coral.

I'll be interested to hear how the 1 handles the track in comparison to your previous RX8. I test that car a few times, and even though it lacks low end grunt the chassis and handling on that car was excellent. It felt light, direct, and took turns nice and flat. I actually love the high rpm zing of that rotary. Getting the revs up feels very easy and natural for that engine, but there's really no comparison in RPM between a rotary and piston.
Our 135i's have the muscle all over the RX8, but our handling isn't quite there stock.

Are you going stock RFT's or are you getting something non RFT for daily and track, or something special for track only?

[Mcdougal]

Beautiful car. The exact color combo I want! Congrats!