944 S2 vs M135i?

[Ex Skyline]

One of my customers had a M135i after owning two 944 Turbo's. He is now back with a 944 Turbo to stay coz' he reckons the Beemer doesn't even come close. And, that's after going through a M3 and, a Megane R26. Totally hooked on the 944 turbo. I guess the "sound track" is just down to what exhaust you are running [8|].

 

[Copperman05]

I guess it's not everyone's cup if tea, they are different cars altogether. Not sure I agree re sound track, the bmw pops and bangs on overrun and the exhaust parp on up change is very addictive. To my ears at least a four pot still sounds like a four pot whatever exhaust may be fitted...

 

[Ex Skyline]

And a beemer is still just a beemer.....?

 

[GlennS]

Having been driven in it and having followed it I can confidently say that Edd's M135i sounds very nice. [] Edd, I could make very much the same observations regarding the differences between my SLK 350 and my S2; I know where you're coming from and it's for that reason that the S2 is going to Snowdonia with me soon and not the SLK. Ultimate pace isn't really that important to me. The 944 is quick enough. Disappointingly I felt very much the same after throwing a 991 C2 S around Porsche's track at Silverstone. It was a supremely competent car but it lacked feel and when I got out I wasn't grinning. I'd been grinning all morning in the 944. As good as the 991 was, for £90k I'd want a grin.

 

[Copperman05]

Perhaps not a fair comparison but some of you may remember me doing the alpine assault in the 944 last year. Well this year I did it again in the M135i, so I thought you might like to hear a comparison.

As many of you know I have a lot of respect for the 944, its a great car. But what of the driving experience?

Well one thing the new car has which the 944 lacks is a great engine sound track, the straight 6 properly howls with the modified exhaust, great through the tunnels. It even got voted the best sounding car on tour, not bad considering the opposition ((C63, GT3, CSL, DB9, etc)

Another thing the 944 lacked (well at least the S2) is power, having the ability to overtake when a where you want, in a safe manner has its advantages. Don't get me wrong the S2 on song is no slouch, but its no turbo! Sorry Oli!

However the one thing the M135i has not got so much of, and what the 944 had in spades is feel, unfortunately it now appears that modern car manufactures are dialling out driver feedback in favour of efficiency. Perhaps nothing new to anyone but I had so much fun driving the S2 at any speed, slow or fast, the steering was so precise and tactile, always letting you know what the grip levels were. Its was as fun to drive the sweeping corners of the route Napoleon as it was thrashing it up the Col De L'iseran. The M135i by comparison needs to be thrashed everywhere to get the most out of it, never quite meeting the expectations left by the '44. Its a great car don't get me wrong, but its still more of a family hatchback with a silly sized engine than a true sportscar. I'm so glad I've done it in both cars, both having differing attributes the other lacks, one a true drivers car and the other a bit of a mental brut!

Great cars, great roads and great memories....


Two short videos from the M135i, shame I didn't have a go pro with the 944...

https://vimeo.com/100530684 (please ignore the annoying ticking interference)

https://vimeo.com/100530685

Perhaps the next trip will be in a GT3? Well, one can dream!


Edd

 

[Copperman05]

ORIGINAL: Ex Skyline And a beemer is still just a beemer.....?

Yes, and one that sounds better to my ears than a 944.

 

[Ex Skyline]

You should get your ears tested.

 

[edh]

Can't see how a dull 4-pot will ever sound better than a straight six... It's the one thing that lets a 944 down. OK maybe that mad 16V n/a racer in Thailand on ITB's - I'd settle for that...

 

[TTM]

Agree that a 4 cylinder does not have a very sexy sound note, especially with only 2 valves per cylinder, but depending on camshaft(s) and exhaust configuration it can get interesting. Honestly I quite like how mine sounds now, a bit agricultural like a TVR AJP8 but that's not without some kind of personality. Obviously still not a "noble" sound like a 6 or a 8 but exciting none the less.

 

[Copperman05]

Indeed, infact as far as 4 pots go the 944 sounds one of the best. ed, what mad racer is that? Link?

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Driving a car is a lot like making love to a beautiful woman...[8|] I'd put the feel, the feedback, the balance, pretty much everything over the tone of her voice. I'd also prefer her to go a bit less fast, sometimes. []

 

[Frenchy]

Good to hear from you Ed, hope you are well, you were mentioned more than once at LM Classic this year, hello to your dad ! get saving for a Turbo/S2 to complete the collection []

 

[Ex Skyline]

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty Driving a car is a lot like making love to a beautiful woman...[8|] I'd put the feel, the feedback, the balance, pretty much everything over the tone of her voice. I'd also prefer her to go a bit less fast, sometimes. []

How would you know Paul.....[].....[]!! You must of forgotten about the Gay van!!

 

[Ex Skyline]

I obviously haven't heard enough 944's go by then coz', I think my car sounds fantastic when I'm belting along with the window's open [8D]! Then again, as I said a couple of sentences ago to Edd, It may be down to what exhaust system one is running [8|]. Also, a couple of times other people have said to me "nice flames you're spitting out the back there" [8D]. Obviously, I can't see this so, I wouldn't know. Still love the way my car sounds though [8D] (and T3rra's) [8D]!!

 

[Neil Haughey]

You guys would love to drive a properly setup S2 race car then *, its all the qualities described turned up to 11 whereas in the road car you're down at about 6. I just couldn't live with a road spec 944/968 any more just too boring. * - Took me 4 years to get there unfortunately, anyone who tells you its easy to set these cars up is a liar, its an enormous amount of work followed by track testing and subtle tweeking.

 

[Diver944]

Thanks for coming back with the comparison Edd. I love the beefed up versions of the 1 series, they have the one thing lacking in my S2 - fullsize rear seats, but I prefer the practical hatch back shape as compared to the Coupe. A friend has a 130 hatch that has the Birds BMW suspension and LSD setup - now that is a blummin involving drive with plenty of feedback [8D] One thing to ask, so you still have the runflat tyres? I've heard its the first thing to ditch if you want a more informative ride

 

[Copperman05]

Pete, you don't have to agree with me. I'm sure your car sounds loverly....

 

[Copperman05]

ORIGINAL: Diver944 Thanks for coming back with the comparison Edd. I love the beefed up versions of the 1 series, they have the one thing lacking in my S2 - fullsize rear seats, but I prefer the practical hatch back shape as compared to the Coupe. A friend has a 130 hatch that has the Birds BMW suspension and LSD setup - now that is a blummin involving drive with plenty of feedback [8D] One thing to ask, so you still have the runflat tyres? I've heard its the first thing to ditch if you want a more informative ride

Yes the 130i has a good rep over on BMW forums. Great car by all accounts. No runflats, its running Michelin Super Sports from the factory which are the best tyre I have used since the AD08's on the S2. Def recommended in found in 944 sizes....

 

[Ex Skyline]

Agree with you about what Edd? My car sounds great to my ears, the same as you say that your car sounds great to yours. [8D]. Truth is I haven't actually taken much notice of how other 944's sound except for mine and T3rra's and, maybe a few other Turbo's and, they sound awesome [8D]!! If you like car soundtrack's, you should of heard my Skyline [8D]!! It sounded like "The End of the World"!!![8D][][]

 

[Copperman05]

Pete, my comment wasn't meant to be inflammatory. I posted about how well the 944 stacked up against a more modern car. Its a positive thing, enjoy your motor...