View Single Post
Old 02-27-2012, 12:01 PM   #35 (permalink)
ZPirate
Track Member
 
ZPirate's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Greenville, NC
Posts: 792
Drives: 09' 370Z & 03' 350Z
Rep Power: 17
ZPirate will become famous soon enough
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370 View Post
So which do you prefer in the handling dept.? The Z or 135i
Stock versus stock the Z wins hands down in the handling department, especially if the Z has the sport package. The 135i is more of a grand tourer than a true sports car. However, with the right suspension mods the 135i can be transformed into a pretty good handling car.

The first thing I did to my 135i was ditch the stock wheels and runflats in favor of larger wheels and non runflat perfomance tires. That helps a bunch. Then I added an M3 28mm front sway bar (from the M3 convertible), M3 control arms and M3 tension rods. Those M3 parts are direct bolt ons to the 1. Next I added M sport springs from a 2011 135i and Koni Sport adjustable dampers. For the 2011 model year BMW switched from progressive to stiffer linear springs on the M sport equipped cars. The car now handles like I thought it should have stock without much compromise in the ride quality. Currently I think my 135i handles as good as a stock sport package 370Z, if not slightly better.

The biggest difference between the Z and the 135i is the motor. The 135i has so much torque, especially when tuned.
__________________
2003 Daytona Blue 350Z Touring/Nismo
2009 Platinum Graphite 370Z Touring/Sport (Sold)
2009 BMW 135i/Dinan Stage 2 software upgrade/M3 suspension piecies/Koni Sports/ETS FMIC/Alufelgen SF-71 wheels
ZPirate is offline   Reply With Quote