135i/M135i

[Palazzo 478]

Is anyone running an E82/F20 model of the above? If an E82, later model with the N55 and DCT.

Had one, running one now, thoughts/comments/good/ bad/ reliable/ not?

Cheers.

[Palazzo 478]

So nobody?

Back to trawling Google I guess.

[mmario 52]

The Kiwicarlife guy loves his M135

[charles28 138]

F20 M135i is better than the E82 135i, the ZF8 Gearbox is nicer than the DCT overall for daily use, the later version of the N55 has less issues too. (Aim for 2014 or newer with F20 M135i, EWG model).

I've driven both, I have an N54 135i as that is better than N55  well not better, just way faster for less money on mods.. sort of... it owes me stupid money now haha.

 

[Palazzo 478]

2 hours ago, charles28 said:

F20 M135i is better than the E82 135i, the ZF8 Gearbox is nicer than the DCT overall for daily use, the later version of the N55 has less issues too. (Aim for 2014 or newer with F20 M135i, EWG model).

I've driven both, I have an N54 135i as that is better than N55  well not better, just way faster for less money on mods.. sort of... it owes me stupid money now haha.

 

Doesn’t have to be faster, just reliable. I’ve heard enough stories plus increasing age makes me think n55 would be a better option. I think yours might be overkill for our use. I do like the zf8 too.

What’s ewg?

[Palazzo 478]

Never mind.

[mmario 52]

N55 is a much more reliable engine, the ZF8 is just a peach, have driven this combo a bunch.

Some horribly modded and abused 135i's out there just like 335i's urgh 😋 

M135 all day for me.

Edited October 15 by mmario

[e30ftw 410]

I had a 135i N55 DCT for about 5 years. Awesome car, pretty reliable. Bought it with 85,000kms and immediately I had the HPFP go out, one of the issues inherited from the N54 on the earlier models of the N55 (2010). Same with the electric Waterpump, but that was at 95,000kms so nothing out of the ordinary from a usual waterpump maintenance schedule.

DCT was great, never had issues. I used to push it pretty hard. I did the usual Stage 2 stuff quite early in ownership with the upgraded intercooler and charge pipes, catless downpipes, Stage 2 MHD tune and used it as my daily like that for 4 years without a single problem. The N55 is much more reliable than the N54. I sold it at about 125,000kms. 

[charles28 138]

On 10/15/2024 at 5:09 PM, Palazzo said:

Doesn’t have to be faster, just reliable. I’ve heard enough stories plus increasing age makes me think n55 would be a better option. I think yours might be overkill for our use. I do like the zf8 too.

What’s ewg?

EWG M135i model has a better electronic wastegate turbo and slightly bigger compressor wheel.

If Manufactured late 2013 + they are all this type.

The Rod bearings were also revised.

Go for an  F20 M135i or F22 M235i with the ZF8 as a good reliable option.  (All M235i are EWG)

Just make sure you upgrade the plastic charge pipe to a metal one, as they constantly break now days even on stock tunes. 

Edited October 16 by charles28

[charles28 138]

Also the whole N54 vs N55, thing, both have similar issues regarding valve cover, oil filter housing gasket leaks, sump gasket, etc. 

N55 has valvetronic issues that can cost big $ to fix, N54 has injector issues that cost big $ to fix.. Both are potential money pits, but getting a newer 2014+ N55 is still more sensible, N54 is getting on. 

Edited October 16 by charles28