BMW M135i Info needed

[carpov]

Hi All,

just dropping in to enjoy you arguing about what should and shouldn't be allowed in this forum.

Just wondering what alternatives to the M135i would be. Looking for a second car that is fun to drive, but suitable when visiting customers. Needs to have 4 seats and preferably 4/5 doors. Golf GTI? The M135i seems good value, but the looks certainly are questionable. Am I missing anything else?

Thanks!

[AOK]

carpov said:

Hi All,

just dropping in to enjoy you arguing about what should and shouldn't be allowed in this forum.

Just wondering what alternatives to the M135i would be. Looking for a second car that is fun to drive, but suitable when visiting customers. Needs to have 4 seats and preferably 4/5 doors. Golf GTI? The M135i seems good value, but the looks certainly are questionable. Am I missing anything else?

Thanks!

The Metro article today summarised it nicely for me.. something about 'ultimately this is not an M car, but it sure does try and can wear the badge with pride' ... in as many words.

The other thing they spoke of was competition.. saying its in its own class compared with the GTI, VXR and Renault.. so the only 'near' competitor would be an RS3... a whole £10,000 more expensive.

[neil-c]

carpov said:

Hi All,

just dropping in to enjoy you arguing about what should and shouldn't be allowed in this forum.

Just wondering what alternatives to the M135i would be. Looking for a second car that is fun to drive, but suitable when visiting customers. Needs to have 4 seats and preferably 4/5 doors. Golf GTI? The M135i seems good value, but the looks certainly are questionable. Am I missing anything else?

Thanks!

I'm in the same scenario. My preference is German so I looked at Golf gti and ed35. The Golf R is also worth a look probably as is Audi S3 sportback but all these models will be replaced soon. The only other competitors I could come up with were f30 328 nearly new or new focus st but still think the M135i has the best of all worlds to be honest. Just a case of deciding on options.

[Wolands Advocate]

carpov said:

Hi All,

just dropping in to enjoy you arguing about what should and shouldn't be allowed in this forum.

Just wondering what alternatives to the M135i would be. Looking for a second car that is fun to drive, but suitable when visiting customers. Needs to have 4 seats and preferably 4/5 doors. Golf GTI? The M135i seems good value, but the looks certainly are questionable. Am I missing anything else?

Thanks!

Depends on your criteria. If you are cool with a 4 cylinder engine then there's plenty of choice. Realistic rivals are Golf R, Audi S3/RS3, Mercedes A45 AMG. Turning the wick down a notch, then it's the GTIs/STs/Giuliettas of this world, which the 125i MSport is aimed at, price and performance-wise.

What for me sets the M135i is that it's the only 5dr hatch you can get with a decent 6-cylinder engine AND a manual gearbox. Oh and it's certainly the only RWD one.

[cheddar]

Wolands Advocate said:

Depends on your criteria. If you are cool with a 4 cylinder engine then there's plenty of choice. Realistic rivals are Golf R, Audi S3/RS3, Mercedes A45 AMG. Turning the wick down a notch, then it's the GTIs/STs/Giuliettas of this world, which the 125i MSport is aimed at, price and performance-wise.

What for me sets the M135i is that it's the only 5dr hatch you can get with a decent 6-cylinder engine AND a manual gearbox. Oh and it's certainly the only RWD one.

And:

The Golf R is more money, so is the S3 Audi and they both use an old engine (from the Mk5 ED30/old S3).

The BMW mullers the opposition in every area, it's cheaper too.

For £29,995 you get that well oiled BMW quality, a great cabin and most importantly the brilliant 6 cylinder engine with 316bhp and 332lbft torque.

Compelling stuff.

As long as you squint.......

[carpov]

Four useful responses - thanks, much appreciated.
Test driving the golf tonight, so we'll see. I'm really looking for character rather than performance. I paid quite a lot of money to "drop down" from a 997 turbo to a California, and you know what - it's the best money I ever spent.
When I tested the M135i, yes the power is there, but it just felt "functional", if you know what I mean. Like driving a fast van. Not that the golf is going to be like a Ferrari of course!

[dontdobends]

carpov said:

Four useful responses - thanks, much appreciated.
Test driving the golf tonight, so we'll see. I'm really looking for character rather than performance. I paid quite a lot of money to "drop down" from a 997 turbo to a California, and you know what - it's the best money I ever spent.
When I tested the M135i, yes the power is there, but it just felt "functional", if you know what I mean. Like driving a fast van. Not that the golf is going to be like a Ferrari of course!

Sounds like you have made up your mind already

[carpov]

Not necessarily. Price will be a factor. It's not worth 20k for me to switch from my 120d to the M135i, but if I can play hardball enough with the dealer and get that right down, it's still a definite possibility.

[PauloV12V]

Happy to point you in the direction of the dealer I purchased from, if you need a price.

e mail me for details
Regs

[chilled]

Chris Harris has an M135i to review tomorrow. Hopefully the review will be up soon enough.

[cheddar]

carpov said:

Four useful responses - thanks, much appreciated.
Test driving the golf tonight, so we'll see. I'm really looking for character rather than performance. I paid quite a lot of money to "drop down" from a 997 turbo to a California, and you know what - it's the best money I ever spent.
When I tested the M135i, yes the power is there, but it just felt "functional", if you know what I mean. Like driving a fast van. Not that the golf is going to be like a Ferrari of course!

I owned the previous model Edition30 GTI, it was all the car anyone would need, quick (they really put out around 250bhp) smart, comfy, well equipped etc but it left me cold.
It was clinical and lacked character. And character's what you're after.

All of the four-pot hatches would, ultimately, be similar, any differences are by degrees.

Going from one 1 series to another 1 isn't going to appeal as much as a complete brand switch but if you're looking at a quick enjoyable hatch you're left with a host of very similar cars.

The M135i stands alone. I hear that the interior is a huge step forward from the previous model and despite the smothering effect of turbocharging the engine sounds fantastic.

The only other car I can think of that might suit is a Mini JCW hatch, mad little things.

[King Eric]

Chris Harris just tweeted a picture of one and said 'This is a most interesting machine' which bodes well for it considering he's owned an M3 himself. I'm sure the video he does will be worth waiting for....

[carpov]

Feedback taken in. Advice listened to. M135i purchased.
Thanks everyone.

[tyrrell]

Good man you know it makes sense

[PauloV12V]

Well done Carpov!
How many of us waiting for new cars then? Must be half dozen people on here?

[nick30]

Mine should be here in a week or so. Theres quite a few taken the plunge on the baby bmw website, the first deliveries have started arriving.

[Johnny Drama]

PauloV12V said:

How many of us waiting for new cars then? Must be half dozen people on here?

Our 5 door should be here second week November. It's replacing SWMBO's E92 335i and I can't wait
Epic VFM for a car that ticks all our boxes (except maybe for the front end styling )

[Digger]

Any one found a 5 door auto to testdrive in centralish london?

[Pig Skill]

Johnny Drama said:

PauloV12V said:

How many of us waiting for new cars then? Must be half dozen people on here?

Our 5 door should be here second week November. It's replacing SWMBO's E92 335i and I can't wait
Epic VFM for a car that ticks all our boxes (except maybe for the front end styling )

Worry not. Word of the street is that BMW are supplying a pair of these behind each sun visor.

Upon exiting from the car, the idea is to slip these on until you are out of eyeshot. This apparently avoids that sinking feeling as one turns around for that quick last glance when walking away,

[as7920]

Estoril blue one of these parked behind me at Goodwood this morning. Very nice colour and goes some way to hide the front lights.

Did think it looked a bit underwheeled with the 18s though.

Looking forward to driving the local dealer demo to compare against my 1M, shame they won't get it until December.