BMW M135

[Jeremy]

I have a 130i and it has never ever done 38mpg.

I've got a Cooper S and it's never done 38mpg either.

That's also got zero relevance to the economy of an M135i.

Amen brother

Looks are obviously a subjective thing but in my eyes it's fresh, stylish and distinctive. A zillion times more attractive than the old 1 series, especially the booted variant. The interior is also a lovely place to be.

I like the fact it has no silly styling bolt ons such as wings and spoilers so debadged it would make a devastating Q car, attracting no unwanted attention. I even read on pistonheads of one owner who de badged it then rebadged it as a 116d. I like that

Regards,

Jeremy

[Chucks]

1M was part of the BMW Motorsport GmbH division which is a bit watered down in recent years from the previous core values, hand built, hard core original remit of the division building race cars to also build road cars like the 1st M3 but the true M models are still designed and built under M GmbH division,

Not quite, the original M cars were indeed handbuilt at Garching. Since '95 they've rolled off the regular production lines. End pedant mode.

[GregR]

E28 M5 was the last one so made I believe.

Again, no relevance to the M135 discussion. I know nothing about them whatsoever, I didn't/don't find them interesting in any way at all.

[BiggestNizzy]

I have a 130i and it has never ever done 38mpg.

I've got a Cooper S and it's never done 38mpg either.

That's also got zero relevance to the economy of an M135i.

Apologies if strapping on a couple of turbos and increasing the capacity improves its fuel economy.

[Mike Scib]

Auto or manual, that is the question.

[Jeremy]

Auto or manual, that is the question.

Auto for me I think Mike, if it's as good as they say it is. Makes the car faster, more economical, and makes it a more complete all rounder I think as it then becomes an effortless town commuter into the bargain. And the perfectly executed bullet fast throttle blipped downchanges sound fab I'm booked in to test drive both so will see how it goes.

One issue with the M135i though, is how did they manage to make it look so bad ?
It is mentioned in all the reviews how bad it looks

That

So proclaimeth the gentleman with the Vauxhall Mokka SE ?

Which just goes to prove my point that looks are a totally subjective thing.

Regards,

Jeremy

[IanD]

I'm booked in to test drive both so will see how it goes.

Post up your thoughts after the test drive of them as I'm interested in your view of manual vs auto and the car in general.
On the looks side, for me it is those really big headlights I don't like especially compared to the style on the previous model but it wouldn't stop me buying one if the car felt right.
Also interested in what other cars you are considering compared to the M135i

[j2 lot]

Auto or manual, that is the question.

Auto for me I think Mike, if it's as good as they say it is. Makes the car faster, more economical, and makes it a more complete all rounder I think as it then becomes an effortless town commuter into the bargain. And the perfectly executed bullet fast throttle blipped downchanges sound fab I'm booked in to test drive both so will see how it goes.

One issue with the M135i though, is how did they manage to make it look so bad ?
It is mentioned in all the reviews how bad it looks

That

So proclaimeth the gentleman with the Vauxhall Mokka SE ?

Which just goes to prove my point that looks are a totally subjective thing.

Regards,

Jeremy

Never said I have good taste. But I'm not alone in thinking the 1 series is a munter Albeit an allegedly very capable munter

[Stevoraith]

I have a 130i and it has never ever done 38mpg.

I've got a Cooper S and it's never done 38mpg either.

That's also got zero relevance to the economy of an M135i.

Apologies if strapping on a couple of turbos and increasing the capacity improves its fuel economy.

I was being a bit facetious nizzy, sorry.

It is a completely different engine than yours though, two generations apart I think so very little links the two engines, not even the block as they are different capacities.

It's also just a single turbo but it's twin scroll hence why BMW still call it 'twin power'.

By all accounts it really can return economy figures in the mid-thirties to the gallon!

[Doc883]

Get yourself over to Pistonheads as they have done the M135i to death including putting it up against an array of performance cars. Always gets cracking reviews but dull as dishwater to look at.

[Claws]

Unless you put a BTCC dress on it

[rossybee]

Unless you put a BTCC dress on it

...then you just look like a dick

[Claws]

Would still look a damn sight better

[Jeremy]

Get yourself over to Pistonheads as they have done the M135i to death including putting it up against an array of performance cars. Always gets cracking reviews but dull as dishwater to look at.

Any duller looking than say, an Audi A3/4 or a Ford S Max ?

Sorry I'm being facetious now too. It's endemic in this thread

It's understated nature is a big part of the appeal for me to be honest. I'm in my 50's, I don't want to be driving around in a bespoilered lime green Focus RS getting pulled by plod and having every chavved up boy racer car trying to entice me into a race. Car people will know what it is, to everyone else it's just a wee BMW. I like that kind of inverted "willy waving".

And as the old saying goes, you don't have to look at it when you're driving it. I have a test drive booked at Cooper on Wednesday so will see how it goes.

Regards,

Jeremy

[Dominic]

Personally, I thought the first one series had challenging looks (esp the standard coupes). The new one looks better, and with a tweak to the headlights could be a half decent looking car.. IMHO.

The reviewers seem to rate the M135i, and it does appear to be competitively priced. I was giving one some thought... until other things came along (like a wedding), and another fun wee hot hatch that caught my eye