2012 135i w/M sports package vs 135Is??

[N55darksoul]

I am a bit confused ...primarily regarding the differences in performance features of the 135Is versus the 2012 135i with M sports package and M sports suspension.

I own a 2012 with M Sports package + M sport suspension
So it includes:
M steering wheel
M Sports leather steering wheel with paddle shifters $100
Increased top speed limiter
Aerodynamic kit
Shadowline exterior trim
Anthracite headliner
18" Light alloy Star-spoke wheels style
Sport seats
My car also has the M sports suspension

In realizing that the 135Is came out in 2013 I looked over its features and it appears to be the same thing as my 2012 I described above ...but tuned with 20 Hp more.

Does anyone know what other performance features the 135Is has over my car ...I have to be missing something? ...

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by N55darksoul

I am a bit confused ...primarily regarding the differences in performance features of the 135Is versus the 2012 135i with M sports package and M sports suspension.

I own a 2012 with M Sports package + M sport suspension
So it includes:
M steering wheel
M Sports leather steering wheel with paddle shifters $100
Increased top speed limiter
Aerodynamic kit
Shadowline exterior trim
Anthracite headliner
18" Light alloy Star-spoke wheels style
Sport seats
My car also has the M sports suspension

In realizing that the 135Is came out in 2013 I looked over its features and it appears to be the same thing as my 2012 I described above ...but tuned with 20 Hp more.

Does anyone know what other performance features the 135Is has over my car ...I have to be missing something? ...

PPK2 (20hp plus extra cooling hardware)
BMW Performance Exhaust
313 wheels (yours are probably 261 style wheels)
Blue stitching (on some of them)
Black mirror caps (on some of them?)
Black and chrome kidney grilles
135is badges
Plus it's a limited edition

Think that's it

[swunder]

My is has doesn't have the chrome around the grills -- has everything else though. No idea if the original owner painted them, or if its an option to not get it in the first place.

[c1pher]

I had the dealer replace my grille with black ones (I kept the originals) as part of the purchase since it doesn't really match the shadowline trim. Esteban's post is correct though. There isn't a huge difference between the two. Think of it as a trim package.

As noted in other threads, all of the parts in the "is" can be obtained and fitted to the car.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by swunder

My is has doesn't have the chrome around the grills -- has everything else though. No idea if the original owner painted them, or if its an option to not get it in the first place.

Pretty sure all the 135is cars came with the black and chrome grilles. Your car's PO probably changed them like MGM135is did. I like them so I put them on my car. 128i and the 1M have them as well.

[N55darksoul]

From a performance stand point I thought there would be some aerodynamic, weight, or some kind of handling upgrades ...but just sounds like 20 hp more...interesting.

[10"]

Originally Posted by N55darksoul

From a performance stand point I thought there would be some aerodynamic, weight, or some kind of handling upgrades ...but just sounds like 20 hp more...interesting.

Nope. Just a really nice package of goodies on the 135is. the 1M had the things you're looking for...

[OkieSnuffBox]

It's not worth the premium some are asking for it. At least to me.

I'm sure I'll be bombarded by bros who think it is.

[N55darksoul]

Originally Posted by OkieSnuffBox

It's not worth the premium some are asking for it. At least to me.

I'm sure I'll be bombarded by bros who think it is.

Everyone defends their decision...right or wrong.

[asiflicious]

I'd say it was worth the premium when new, definitely not so on the used market

[Esteban]

Buying and installing the BMW Performance parts, including the wheels, on a standard 135i would've cost more, so I agree that buying a new 2013 135is was a deal at the time.

[N55darksoul]

Originally Posted by asiflicious

I'd say it was worth the premium when new, definitely not so on the used market

Agreed, not for 20hp more when you can find a 2012 like I did for $18900 with all the same OEM - M stuff and suspension, wheels etc. except the 20Hp....

[10"]

Originally Posted by N55darksoul

Agreed, not for 20hp more when you can find a 2012 like I did for $18900 with all the same OEM - M stuff and suspension, wheels etc. except the 20Hp....

A standard M sport 135i is a nice car...but the combination of things on the 135is are nicer for people who don't want to modify. The combination of PPk2 with PE make it really sing...

Also the added little touches of contrast stitched seats, 313 wheels (not easy to find), contrast mirrors, etc...

[N55darksoul]

Originally Posted by 10"

A standard M sport 135i is a nice car...but the combination of things on the 135is are nicer for people who don't want to modify. The combination of PPk2 with PE make it really sing...

Also the added little touches of contrast stitched seats, 313 wheels (not easy to find), contrast mirrors, etc...

Most is cosmetic and 20hp is pretty minimal....I can see the 135is over a base 135i but the extra cost over the 2012 M sport package with M suspension kinda doesn't make sense...IMOP

[Esteban]

PPK1 and PPK2 for the N55 have the same HP/torque increases and exactly the same exhaust burbling effects. The only difference is the extra cooling hardware that comes with PPK2 (pics below of PPK2 are courtesy of zx10guy).

Also below is a video of the cool sounds the 135is exhaust makes. You can get these same exhaust sound effects by adding PPK1 (Performance Power Kit Version 1) and the PE (Performance Exhaust) to your 2012 135i M Sport. I added PPK1 and the PE to my car and it sounds just like the car in the video (video is courtesy of 3002 tii).

You'll get these same sounds with just PPK1 but they won't be as pronounced. Besides, the PE is such a great sounding exhaust with a really nice (deep and throaty) tone that you'll want to get both. I did and have no regrets.

There are other aftermarket exhausts for the 135i that are less expensive and have their own special sound. You could also do the golf tee mod, which costs nothing. Do a search for more info (also on the BMW Performance parts above) if you're interested. Google works better than the search engine here.

PS - all 135i's (including the 135is) came standard with the M Sport suspension. Also, all the 135is cars came with everything in the M Sport package, except instead of the 261 style wheels, the 135is came with the 313 style wheels. Hope this helps clear things up, OP.

[N55darksoul]

Originally Posted by Esteban

PPK1 and PPK2 for the N55 have the same HP/torque increases and exactly the same exhaust burbling effects. The only difference is the extra cooling hardware that comes with PPK2 (pics below of PPK2 are courtesy of zx10guy).

Also below is a video of the cool sounds the 135is exhaust makes. You can get these same exhaust sound effects by adding PPK1 (Performance Power Kit Version 1) and the PE (Performance Exhaust) to your 2012 135i M Sport. I added PPK1 and the PE to my car and it sounds just like the car in the video (video is courtesy of 3002 tii).

You'll get these same sounds with just PPK1 but they won't be as pronounced. Besides, the PE is such a great sounding exhaust with a really nice (deep and throaty) tone that you'll want to get both. I did and have no regrets.

There are other aftermarket exhausts for the 135i that are less expensive and have their own special sound. You could also do the golf tee mod, which costs nothing. Do a search for more info (also on the BMW Performance parts above) if you're interested. Google works better than the search engine here.

PS - all 135i's (including the 135is) came standard with the M Sport suspension. Also, all the 135is cars came with everything in the M Sport package, except instead of the 261 style wheels, the 135is came with the 313 style wheels. Hope this helps clear things up, OP.

Hey! Thanks for the information!

Couple a questions on the PE:

Is it that loud in the cabin? That can get old on long drives and especially on the freeway due to drone etc...
......it sounds like my SRT4 that I used to have and that can get annoying over time...just sayin..

Will the performance exhaust rob me of my black tails...because I gotta have those...I know silly right? but I always wanted black tails and I aint givin them up.

[10"]

Originally Posted by N55darksoul

Hey! Thanks for the information!

Couple a questions on the PE:

Is it that loud in the cabin? That can get old on long drives and especially on the freeway due to drone etc...
......it sounds like my SRT4 that I used to have and that can get annoying over time...just sayin..

Will the performance exhaust rob me of my black tails...because I gotta have those...I know silly right? but I always wanted black tails and I aint givin them up.

i had a 135is before my 1M. the PE doesn't have much drone, if any.....and it has nothing to do with your taillights so you can keep whatever you want.

my 1M has way more drone than the 135is ever did....but i don't mind it at all.

[swunder]

Haven't noticed any drone in my IS either. Sound isn't very loud at all in the cabin on the highway. From a cold start in the morning it certainly sounds mean, but basically normal while cruising.

And I am also confused about your tail light concern... what does the exhaust have to do with tail lights?

[N55darksoul]

Originally Posted by swunder

Haven't noticed any drone in my IS either. Sound isn't very loud at all in the cabin on the highway. From a cold start in the morning it certainly sounds mean, but basically normal while cruising.

And I am also confused about your tail light concern... what does the exhaust have to do with tail lights?

Originally Posted by 10"

i had a 135is before my 1M. the PE doesn't have much drone, if any.....and it has nothing to do with your taillights so you can keep whatever you want.

my 1M has way more drone than the 135is ever did....but i don't mind it at all.

Not taillights OEM tailpipes exhaust tips....

Maybe the video above is not a good representation on how loud it is? Cause it sounded kinda like my old SRT4 or my corvette ..lol

[Esteban]

The video above has an external mic, so no, it doesn't sound that loud in the cabin.

Drone can be nullified if you don't let the RPMs dip too low when cruising by downshifting. I get no drone to speak of by doing this.

The PE comes with chrome exhaust tips, which I like better than the OE black tips, but I've heard of people putting their black tips over the PE's chrome tips. Do a search for more info on this.

[N55darksoul]

Originally Posted by Esteban

The video above has an external mic, so no, it doesn't sound that loud in the cabin.

Drone can be nullified if you don't let the RPMs dip too low when cruising by downshifting. I get no drone to speak of by doing this.

The PE comes with chrome exhaust tips, which I like better than the OE black tips, but I've heard of people putting their black tips over the PE's chrome tips. Do a search for more info on this.

Ok cool...thanks!

[Esteban]

The external mic in the above video lets you hear what the PE and PPK sound like outside of the cabin, and I think they sound awesome, but even I think that would be a little loud if that's how it sounded inside the cabin. lol