Hi guys, I'm looking to sell my Audi in March and have been debating for some time what to get next. I've narrowed my choice down to either an Audi RS3 or a BMW M135i. The Audi would be on a 12 plate and the BMW on a 14.
I was wondering if any of you guys had ever owned a M135i and if so what were your honest opinions? I've never owned a BMW a but it looks a fantastic little hot hatch for the money it costs. Also what options would you recommend looking for when buying second hand?
I've watched reviews etc but would prefer some genuine consumer reviews. Thanks in advance.
Whilst I don't own one, I have done a good few thousand miles in one really will reverberate what reviews bang on about. It really is a sublime all rounder. Immensely capable in not only straight line speed but also will provide more than a few smiles when just going for a hoon.
I recently had the chance to drive a Golf R to compare with the 1 series and whilst it was great fun (certainly felt easier to go quicker point to point), when you aren't on a hoon the BMW felt just that much better with that lovely smooth 3ltr 6 pot. Actually it still astonishes me how even in 6th gear cruising at very low speed isn't an issue and you never feel like there is any turbo lag.
The short list of negatives for me would be that the interior doesn't feel like it belongs to a car that is worth over £30k. I still don't like the steering wheel, it's like holding one of the floaty things at the local swimming pool and probably not a negative and knit picking here, after driving the Golf R that felt pretty aggressive and just wanted to be nailed everywhere, even in attack mode on the M135i it lacks a bit of agression, maybe because the gears feel quite long? Again, the auto-box probably sorts this out nicely
Options wise, more experienced BMW owners will have to pitch in here as the one we have is the bog standard spec with a manual gearbox (you guessed it, lease deal!). If it was a purchase from new I'd love to have the 8 speed auto and pro nav.