[jtsherri]

Originally Posted by DuckStu

If you're bored,...swing by my work. I've got 2 weeks of back work to do. Book-keeping,..money counting, bank deposits, etc.

See what you get for owning your own business and then taking a vaca, money bags!?

[boondocksaint]

Originally Posted by DuckStu

If you're bored,...swing by my work. I've got 2 weeks of back work to do. Book-keeping,..money counting, bank deposits, etc.

I'll count the money, but I have a quirk. I can't do it while other people or cameras are watching. I have accounting anxiety. So, just leave me in a quiet, well-lit, private room with an exit (in case of fire or something) and let me work overnight. I promise that, by morning, I'll know exactly how much money you had me count.

[jtsherri]

Originally Posted by boondocksaint

I'll count the money, but I have a quirk. I can't do it while other people or cameras are watching. I have accounting anxiety. So, just leave me in a quiet, well-lit, private room with an exit (in case of fire or something) and let me work overnight. I promise that, by morning, I'll know exactly how much money you had me count.

I already tried that one, Boon. Stu has a sentry gun setup in the room that will mow you down if the amount of $$ inserted in to the bill acceptor isn't within a certain tolerance of the funds taken over the past week... Makes for a ****ty "get-away!"

[jtsherri]

I didn't realize this until I looked at the OP to change the date for the next gathering, but since the start of this thread, tonight's meet marked the the 1 year anniversary of ESSO. Obviously not to the day and there were meets prior to this thread, but it was still a somewhat "monumental" event.

It's been real guys. Even though I'm no longer a Subie owner it's still a lot of fun hanging out, BSing in this thread and most of all MODDING! Whether sun, rain or snow it seems we've had a fairly decent turnout. Unfortunately I'll be missing a bunch of meets come September (due to school again), but will continue to make as many as I can.

Here's lookin' to another fun year!

[mEnTaL]

Thanks for the chance to drive your 135i last night Jason. I'll do a bit of an informal review.

135i Likes: awesome seats, nice ergonomics, instant torque, well damped suspension that didn't didn't feel harsh yet was stiff, brakes that could stop a mining truck, whole car felt awesome, accidental burnouts

dislikes: as strange as this might sound for a BMW, the car lacked driver feedback. The STI will tell me what it is doing, the BWM hints at it but ultimately is hiding whats going on. Brakes were a bit grabby and lacked modulation, but maybe thats just me used to the STI's brakes which lack that awesome initial bite and require more pedal travel/effort. The automatic transmission by any means certainly wasn't terrible, but a manual provides a connection between the driver and the engine like no flappy paddle transmission can and if I were to get a performance car like the 135i, it would have to be the manual.

iDrive certainly isn't the pain the magazines make it out to be. Maybe the other systems by Audi and M-B are easier to use and thats why it gets the gruff it gets.

I really like the car overall, and would easily consider one, if I were interested in a new car. Maybe a 335xi instead. AWD FTW!!!

[jtsherri]

Originally Posted by mEnTaL

Thanks for the chance to drive your 135i last night Jason. I'll do a bit of an informal review.

135i Likes: awesome seats, nice ergonomics, instant torque, well damped suspension that didn't didn't feel harsh yet was stiff, brakes that could stop a mining truck, whole car felt awesome, accidental burnouts

dislikes: as strange as this might sound for a BMW, the car lacked driver feedback. The STI will tell me what it is doing, the BWM hints at it but ultimately is hiding whats going on. Brakes were a bit grabby and lacked modulation, but maybe thats just me used to the STI's brakes which lack that awesome initial bite and require more pedal travel/effort. The automatic transmission by any means certainly wasn't terrible, but a manual provides a connection between the driver and the engine like no flappy paddle transmission can and if I were to get a performance car like the 135i, it would have to be the manual.

iDrive certainly isn't the pain the magazines make it out to be. Maybe the other systems by Audi and M-B are easier to use and thats why it gets the gruff it gets.

I really like the car overall, and would easily consider one, if I were interested in a new car. Maybe a 335xi instead. AWD FTW!!!

No problem, man. Seems like you enjoyed it and definitely drove it as I would.

I think that's a pretty good review. And I don't disagree with dislikes.

There's definitely a difference between driving the STi and the 135i. As far as feedback is concerned the STi is much more raw. I personally feel that's part of the reason why there's a more "disconnected" feeling in this car. My STi drove like a bag of assholes, but it was definitely planted to the road. I feel this car is capable of much of the same that the STi was; however, there is a lot of adjusting necessary to learn the way this car drives and let's me know what it's doing (in-comparison).

In regards to the tranny, it's definitely a love/hate thing. I personally feel it was the right decision for me. There is still much criticism towards those that went with the "STEP," but there is no doubt that this is the car putting down the faster times (of those posted thus far). While I do miss having a clutch, I DO like keeping both of my hands on the wheel ALL the time. There were many a time that I'd be out goofing around in the STi and while I could keep both hands on the wheel for the majority of a corner I'd often have to take the right one off so that I was ready to shift when powering out... With this, I have much more confidence in really hammering on the car. But again, this is just my feeling on it.

And you're absolutely right on iDrive. People are dummies!

As I've told a few people: If I could have kept my STi and thrown a built block in it & eventually a larger turbo AND purchased the 135i that would have been ideal. Unfortunately that wasn't the situation. However, I did state that if I could have my STi back + $15k cash vs. this car paid for and it was the ONLY car I could have, I'd still take this one... I really do love this car, but will own another Subie (eventually).

[boondocksaint]

Originally Posted by jtsherri

I really do love this car, but will own another Subie (eventually).

That's why we let you hang around.

[jtsherri]

Originally Posted by boondocksaint

That's why we let you hang around.

I'm just waiting for one of you guys that are sinking big $$ in to your cars to get bored with them... I don't generally buy modified vehicles, but in this case I can oversee what's happening. Why do you think I generally have a willingness to offer up my garage for install days???

[boondocksaint]

Originally Posted by jtsherri

I'm just waiting for one of you guys that are sinking big $$ in to your cars to get bored with them... I don't generally buy modified vehicles, but in this case I can oversee what's happening. Why do you think I generally have a willingness to offer up my garage for install days???

Gonna try and snipe a subie, huh? Ryan's selling his.

[jtsherri]

Originally Posted by boondocksaint

Gonna try and snipe a subie, huh? Ryan's selling his.

Yeah, not just yet... Although, I wouldn't feel bad low-balling that ****er and stealing myself an '05. Mr. "I'm 21 and so balla that I can buy a 135i." Remind me to slap that kid the next time I see him...

[mEnTaL]

The STi is certainly more of a race car than the 135i is, hence most people saying the two cannot be compared. I would compare the STi to a Viper as a 135i to a 911 Turbo. The Viper is just a raw beast roadworthy racecar, while the 911 turbo is fast with a touch class and sophistication.

oh crap, I just compared my car to a Dodge. Subarus are better than any Chrysler product.

[boondocksaint]

And you know what I think of Vipers.

[jtsherri]

Ugh, Chrysler.

But yeah, two different cars that are both very good at similar things and great in their own respect.

[boondocksaint]

I see an invisible lurker.

[jtsherri]

Originally Posted by boondocksaint

I see an invisible lurker.

Damn lurkers. Give me my broom!