Not Getting On With My M135i As Well As I Thought I would...
Discussion
Hi all, I've had my M135i for a few months now and thought I would reflect on what ownership has been like so far.
I traded in my 2011 Corsa VXR for the BMW and previously had a clio 197 which were similar kinds of cars. My only experience of rear wheel drive was my two years of running a Boxster which for me had the 'wow factor' but wasn't all that practical.
I found myself tiring of the vxr towards the end of my ownership as it wasn't all that practical for my needs (German Shepherd for one) and I found that it was increasingly attracting boy racers on the road!
Everything I have read or watched on-line about the M135i has been extremely complimentary and so I feel somewhat frustrated that I don't seem to appreciate the car as much as I feel that I should.
I opted for a 5 door auto in white with various options. At first, I didn't think it was exactly stunning but it was 'special' if you know what I mean, and the looks have grown on me. I'm slightly disappointed that 1 series models further down the line-up look so similar - to the point I sometimes mistake 116is for the M version. Whilst I'm not looking for the in your face looks of the vxr, I would like to see BMW make the M135i stand out from 'lesser' models in the future.
Practicality-wise, the 5 door is perfect and the quality is a big step up from the vxr whilst it seems similar to the Boxster. It's a much more sophisticated car which I feel portrays a better image than the boy racerish vxr. The sound from the engine (or speakers!) is fantastic and somewhat addictive.
Having always had manuals, I was really excited about having a manual gearbox on a much more powerful car but I can't say I've enjoyed driving the car as much as I thought I would. The car is very responsive in Sports mode but there is still that initial lag which has become slightly annoying. To remedy this however, using the paddles provides an instant response.
Handling-wise, it feels like a big car (as it would coming from a corsa) but for me, it just doesn't feel as fun. I can't throw it into the corners like I Used to with the vxr, I find the back-end twitchy and it just doesn't give me the confidence to push the car on the right road and in the right conditions.
Power-wise - the performance on offer is superb but I have begun to ask if it's just too fast? A short press on the gas and you can be doing silly speeds but it isn't necessarily fun or exciting getting there...no real drama...just a supremely quick car. As a result, I've been thinking that perhaps the forthcoming Civic Type R might offer more of the excitement I crave?
Reading the above, it sounds like I really don't like the car which actually isn't the case - it's supremely capable on dry and straight roads, the quality is excellent and as I said, it's 'special'...different! I also recognise that it's early days and I'm judging a new car during winter...I'm on a 4 year PCP and will keep it for at least 2 years but I'm keen to hear your thoughts on the above if you are currently running an M as I'm feeling a tad disillusioned right now!
I traded in my 2011 Corsa VXR for the BMW and previously had a clio 197 which were similar kinds of cars. My only experience of rear wheel drive was my two years of running a Boxster which for me had the 'wow factor' but wasn't all that practical.
I found myself tiring of the vxr towards the end of my ownership as it wasn't all that practical for my needs (German Shepherd for one) and I found that it was increasingly attracting boy racers on the road!
Everything I have read or watched on-line about the M135i has been extremely complimentary and so I feel somewhat frustrated that I don't seem to appreciate the car as much as I feel that I should.
I opted for a 5 door auto in white with various options. At first, I didn't think it was exactly stunning but it was 'special' if you know what I mean, and the looks have grown on me. I'm slightly disappointed that 1 series models further down the line-up look so similar - to the point I sometimes mistake 116is for the M version. Whilst I'm not looking for the in your face looks of the vxr, I would like to see BMW make the M135i stand out from 'lesser' models in the future.
Practicality-wise, the 5 door is perfect and the quality is a big step up from the vxr whilst it seems similar to the Boxster. It's a much more sophisticated car which I feel portrays a better image than the boy racerish vxr. The sound from the engine (or speakers!) is fantastic and somewhat addictive.
Having always had manuals, I was really excited about having a manual gearbox on a much more powerful car but I can't say I've enjoyed driving the car as much as I thought I would. The car is very responsive in Sports mode but there is still that initial lag which has become slightly annoying. To remedy this however, using the paddles provides an instant response.
Handling-wise, it feels like a big car (as it would coming from a corsa) but for me, it just doesn't feel as fun. I can't throw it into the corners like I Used to with the vxr, I find the back-end twitchy and it just doesn't give me the confidence to push the car on the right road and in the right conditions.
Power-wise - the performance on offer is superb but I have begun to ask if it's just too fast? A short press on the gas and you can be doing silly speeds but it isn't necessarily fun or exciting getting there...no real drama...just a supremely quick car. As a result, I've been thinking that perhaps the forthcoming Civic Type R might offer more of the excitement I crave?
Reading the above, it sounds like I really don't like the car which actually isn't the case - it's supremely capable on dry and straight roads, the quality is excellent and as I said, it's 'special'...different! I also recognise that it's early days and I'm judging a new car during winter...I'm on a 4 year PCP and will keep it for at least 2 years but I'm keen to hear your thoughts on the above if you are currently running an M as I'm feeling a tad disillusioned right now!
Quite common in the initial switch from fwd to rwd. I expect it is a bit of a confidence thing.
Why don't you get some tuition on track? Find someone you click with and do 5 hrs with them at a couple of different venues, plus some time on the road. It's what I did years ago. I am lucky to have a good friend that is an ARDS instructor though.
I'm still pants though!
Why don't you get some tuition on track? Find someone you click with and do 5 hrs with them at a couple of different venues, plus some time on the road. It's what I did years ago. I am lucky to have a good friend that is an ARDS instructor though.
I'm still pants though!
The m135i has been criticised as being a little 'playstation' in its feel, especially the auto. I'm confused wether you have the auto or manual as you seem to mention both. Personally I have found a couple of carefully considered mods really help in taking the soft edge off the m135i. A decent performance exhaust and perhaps something like the JB4 can add a little more drama to the drive. Other things to consider could be lowering springs to bring down the M135i's slightly high stance and some tuition on track to get a feel for the cars balance and behaviour on the limit.
jontysafe said:
Quite common in the initial switch from fwd to rwd. I expect it is a bit of a confidence thing.
Why don't you get some tuition on track? Find someone you click with and do 5 hrs with them at a couple of different venues, plus some time on the road. It's what I did years ago. I am lucky to have a good friend that is an ARDS instructor though.
I'm still pants though!
Pretty much this and I reckon the auto box is one of the reasons... Far easy to have fun with a manual box Why don't you get some tuition on track? Find someone you click with and do 5 hrs with them at a couple of different venues, plus some time on the road. It's what I did years ago. I am lucky to have a good friend that is an ARDS instructor though.
I'm still pants though!
It's an auto car with paddles or you can use the tiptronic stick to change. I think the auto has played a part in me not enjoying the car as much but I do like the fact that it's so smooth and effortless when I feel like totally relaxing behind the wheel.
As for buying an M car, I remember the days when a new M3 was iro £39k and a nearly new one £32-35. As someone who likes to buy new, an M3 at £50k+ is not an option and I think that's a huge selling point for the M135i...plenty of bang for your buck.
I mentioned earlier the forthcoming civic Type R but I'll also be interested to see if Mitsubishi and Subaru bring their rally cars back to the UK as they have hinted they might do.
As for buying an M car, I remember the days when a new M3 was iro £39k and a nearly new one £32-35. As someone who likes to buy new, an M3 at £50k+ is not an option and I think that's a huge selling point for the M135i...plenty of bang for your buck.
I mentioned earlier the forthcoming civic Type R but I'll also be interested to see if Mitsubishi and Subaru bring their rally cars back to the UK as they have hinted they might do.
Martin_M said:
Handling-wise, it feels like a big car (as it would coming from a corsa) but for me, it just doesn't feel as fun. I can't throw it into the corners like I Used to with the vxr, I find the back-end twitchy and it just doesn't give me the confidence to push the car on the right road and in the right conditions.
This is most pertinent I think. Some good tuition (carlimits, driverdp or similar) will give you a much better feel for what is going on, and give you that confidence. Lots of the experience built with quick FWD cars is not really transferrable - the way they communicate what is going on and behave at the limit is different. Harris, Meaden, Sutcliffe, etc who are driving quickly in cars like this (and having a great time in internet videos) have thousands of hours of doing it under their belts.Given you're keeping it for a while longer at least, it's worth spending some money (but we're talking less than the price of a pair of tyres) on getting yourself up to scratch. If you really do decide it's not for you, not much lost. If you actually gel with the car and want to keep it for the full 4 years, then you've saved yourself a fortune.
I do agree with what others have said regards the swap from FWD to RWD I love RWD but a friend of mine has always loved FWD & now he owns a RWD & he just cant get on with it.
I echo your feelings with not loving a car & I can relate to it with my old E92 M3 everybody & their brother gave it a pretty good review & the videos are very positive but it left me feeling cold after a few months so I had to take a financial hit on it & I just couldn't understand what all the fuss was about.
I must admit I wouldn't mind a drive of a M135i as they do seem to offer lots of bang for your buck...on paper at least anyway.
I echo your feelings with not loving a car & I can relate to it with my old E92 M3 everybody & their brother gave it a pretty good review & the videos are very positive but it left me feeling cold after a few months so I had to take a financial hit on it & I just couldn't understand what all the fuss was about.
I must admit I wouldn't mind a drive of a M135i as they do seem to offer lots of bang for your buck...on paper at least anyway.
I'm running a 5 door auto like you, I chose it because it is relatively practical, a bit of a Q car and has a superb powertrain.
But like pretty much every other brand new car out there it lacks feel and feedback.
The limits of grip and composure are very high especially on supersports, I had a journey home from work last night in pouring rain, 30 miles round the m25, followed by a B road blast for the last 8 miles. At no point did I get anywhere near the limits of the car and I was driving as quickly as the conditions would allow. In the dry I run out of talent and bottle waaaay before the chassis does.
It is not engaging like a full blown M Division car, but it is easier to live with most of the time. If it had a bit more front camber and an LSD then it would be even more fun, both solved relatively easily with some £££.
So for pure thrills think Lotus/Caterham/Radical. For easy day-to-day performance an M135i does it pretty well at half the cost of a new M3/4.
But like pretty much every other brand new car out there it lacks feel and feedback.
The limits of grip and composure are very high especially on supersports, I had a journey home from work last night in pouring rain, 30 miles round the m25, followed by a B road blast for the last 8 miles. At no point did I get anywhere near the limits of the car and I was driving as quickly as the conditions would allow. In the dry I run out of talent and bottle waaaay before the chassis does.
It is not engaging like a full blown M Division car, but it is easier to live with most of the time. If it had a bit more front camber and an LSD then it would be even more fun, both solved relatively easily with some £££.
So for pure thrills think Lotus/Caterham/Radical. For easy day-to-day performance an M135i does it pretty well at half the cost of a new M3/4.
Several things have to align to get the thrills (as with any car)- engine warm, light traffic, good road, no passengers. Then you have to consciously press the buttons etc so you are Sport+ and manual. Without all these things, the M135i like any car is limited by extraneous variables. With them it is great fun.
0836whimper said:
Sounds like you need to swap it for an M car
This is the answer for excitement ^^^^. I've just traded in my Z4MR because it was just a bit silly for my commute. Ok, it had really, terribly shoddy tyres on it, but it had the kind of character that would have you chasing the redline on every journey, with a quarter turn of opposite lock...at least. 
I've only driven an M135i once and I think it sits exactly where it's supposed to in the range, somewhere between an M-Sport and a full fat M-car. I didn't find it thrilling, but it is a hell of a lot of fun. The only thing that bugged me was that when I braked hard for a corner, the hazard warning lights would come on and stay on.
A new M3 for me was never a consideration what with the rrp north of £50k. A two year old example could have been had but I prefer to buy new for various reasons. I would be very interested to see just what the extra ££££ buy you in terms of additional performance in the real world. Not really keen on the look of the new M235i so unless BMW call me in a couple of years with some sort of amazing deal that takes my fancy, I'll probably have a look at what other manufacturers are offering at that point.
In my original post, I also never mentioned the ECO PRO mode which for me, doesn't give me any meaningful gain in terms of mpg compared to the comfort mode. I also wish that you could have the heavier steering in comfort mode but it's easy to pick faults I guess.
Anybody else get other BMW drivers tailgating? I've had a couple of 3 and 5 series drivers fly up behind me but with the weather the way it is, I have yet to take the bait!
In my original post, I also never mentioned the ECO PRO mode which for me, doesn't give me any meaningful gain in terms of mpg compared to the comfort mode. I also wish that you could have the heavier steering in comfort mode but it's easy to pick faults I guess.
Anybody else get other BMW drivers tailgating? I've had a couple of 3 and 5 series drivers fly up behind me but with the weather the way it is, I have yet to take the bait!
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