Anyone own/driven an M135i?

It's a great car and I prefer it to the 1M.

I never was a great fan of the 1 Series styling but the M135i is such a good package that it's hard to fault it just for that. I actually found it growing on me after a few days in it too :)

Vastly more engaging than a GTI. Far more relaxing as you've observed (and when driven so) than alternatives like the Focus ST as well.

Are you going for an automatic or a manual? BMW's manual boxes seem to be getting more imprecise (and require too much shift effort) as time goes on, not a great fan of the ones I've tried recently. Still perfectly serviceable, mind, but still - not what you'd expect. The auto versions are excellent and pair with the engine very well.
 
Id consider the 8 speed sport auto on one of these, I've been very impressed with it but I still think I'd prefer a manual.
 
I've been battling the idea of just ******* doing it getting one in April.

Its a bargain.

Sub 5s 0-60
RWD
3 Litres, Twin turbos, Better brakes than most M cars ever.
Better than a RS3 all for 3/4 of the cost.

Its a stealthy little thing really and costs only 3k more than less powerful fwd hot hatches which from less prestige brands and generally of less quality.
 
Eliot said:
I've been battling the idea of just ******* doing it getting one in April.

Its a bargain.

Sub 5s 0-60
RWD
3 Litres, Twin turbos, Better brakes than most M cars ever.
Better than a RS3 all for 3/4 of the cost.

Its a stealthy little thing really and costs only 3k more than less powerful fwd hot hatches which from less prestige brands and generally of less quality.
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If ordering new, just be careful on what you spec, does not come with what was std M Sport spec on last shape

basic spec looks great [Xenon, Leather, bluetooth], but a few glaring omissions for me, as a 1st time BMW owner I thought I'd sussed it all but still missed a few options I wish I had ticked.

1 - park sensors [option of rears only or front and rear]
2 - lumbar support
3 - cruise control
4 - dipping side mirror when reversing [unless you spec electric seats or folding mirrors]
5- enhanced storage [basic car has no tie down hooks in boot !

Dealer wasn't as helpful as I thought he could have been regarding above.


My spec is pretty minimal - 3dr manual EB/B, comfort pack, vis pack, black panel display, lumbar support and it came with a free buisness speaker upgrade, been hearing very poor reports on std audio.
 
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Stephen B said:
4 - dipping side mirror when reversing [unless you spec electric seats or folding mirrors]
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This is a common BMW theme which goes back years and years. I think it's something to do with the fact that the dipping system uses part of the seat memory system to remember where it should sit.

Which is ridiculous really as my 1994 Citroen Xantia dipped the mirror and that had no electric seats, so to not include it on 5 Series, 3 Series, etc etc unless you have electric memory seats is annoying - especially as almost nobody seems to realise this is the case.
 
I have one of these on order, expected delivery 1st march.

5dr Estoril blue
Sports auto
Pro nav
Sun protection pack
Driver comfort pack

I test drove the dealers demo in October and absolutely loved it. It seems like an excellent all rounder which won't break the bank (hopefully!)

Just sold my e90 330i this afternoon which I was very sad to see go, having no car for a month should make me more appreciative for the new one!
 
I have contacted my local BMW Dealership to enquire about a test drive.

The reviews I've read and videos watched have rocketed my excitement for this car. It's a performance bargain, which I sincerely hate to use that phrase, but it simply fits here.
 
Good choice OP. I want an M135i, really want, but I'm about £15k short. Perhaps in a year or so. I refuse to finance or lease so I'll just have to save.
 
I'm really liking how many people I see buying these cars from new. Would be interesting to see their sales figures.

Now just fast forward 3-5 years and I shall have one too :D
 
Test drove this little peach of a motor this morning at Rybrook in Worcester.

Initial impressions are very, very good. I had a chance to play around with the different settings, e.g. Sport and Eco Pro. Prior to this test drive I had perhaps thought these would be a gimmicky addition, but the different settings have worlds of difference over each other.

If there was any turbo lag I certainly didn't feel it on the ten mile test drive. Acceleration felt even over the rev range and the brakes are exceptionally strong! The gear changes are short and snappy (wanted to test drive the Auto but only had a manual tester).

The ride was very comfortable and the seating/steering position is near perfect.

This particular model didn't have the adaptive chassis control.

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[TW]Fox;23662872 said:
The M135i is an outstandingly good package. The 'BMW M performance' branding is cynical at best but the car itself is brilliant and the engine is fantastic. Enjoy, becuase it'll be brilliant.

The most amazing thing about it is quite how expensive it isn't. £30k for a 1 Series doesnt sound cheap, and I guess it's not, but spec up an Astra VXR and its barely any cheaper.
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Was in vauxhall with a mate the other day and seen a red vxr sitting, thought "thats nice", had a rummage, making my way around the car and got to the we brochure podium..... near fell over
£28,000, :eek:

for a vxr :o
 
The price of the M135i does seem to almost instantly make some of the other hot hatchbacks available completely redundant!

If you are spending 28k on a VXR then you would be mad not to find that little bit extra to get the M135i.
 
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Jono8 said:
The price of the M135i does seem to almost instantly make some of the other hot hatchbacks available completely redundant!

If you are spending 28k on a VXR then you would be mad not to find that little bit extra to get the M135i.
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you would get a base spec M135i for less with a bit of haggling IMO, 10% seems to be the target or was when I was buying.
 
Did anyone see VW released the Golf R Cab at £37k.

You can only laugh. Anyone who buys that and can't afford to sit and throw fifty pound notes in a fire needs their head examining.
 
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