RE: BMW M135i facelift: Driven
Discussion
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I thought it was just me that thought this. I totally agree... Its time to change mine, and I really dont want the new one! haha. Also, in response to the huge criticism aimed at the synthesised noise.... How is is OK to implement potentially power sapping baffling, valving, or superfluous diaphragms and channels, to achieve an amplified noise, but playing subtle noises through the entertainment system is a big no no..... Who makes these rules!?
Edited by sizequeen13 on Thursday 30th April 17:17
sizequeen13 said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I thought it was just me that thought this. I totally agree... Its time to change mine, and I really dont want the new one! haha. Also, in response to the huge criticism aimed at the synthesised noise.... How is is OK to implement potentially power sapping baffling, valving, or superfluous diaphragms and channels, to achieve an amplified noise, but playing subtle noises through the entertainment system is a big no no..... Who makes these rules!?
Edited by sizequeen13 on Thursday 30th April 17:17
R bertie said:
sizequeen13 said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I thought it was just me that thought this. I totally agree... Its time to change mine, and I really dont want the new one! haha. Also, in response to the huge criticism aimed at the synthesised noise.... How is is OK to implement potentially power sapping baffling, valving, or superfluous diaphragms and channels, to achieve an amplified noise, but playing subtle noises through the entertainment system is a big no no..... Who makes these rules!?
Edited by sizequeen13 on Thursday 30th April 17:17
I really like the shape of the pre-LCI 3 door. Obviously I'm biased but I must admit I think it is a very attractive shape from all angles. Clearly I am of the opposite view to the entire world. Saw a (an?) LCI F20 in pov-spec last week and really didn't like it.
I think this looks awful! Those rear lights look like they'e been pinched from an X5. In fact the whole car now looks like a high up SUV rather than a hot hatch. The pre-facelift looked more squat and low down as it should. It now just looks like an X1 IMO. I see no reason why you would get this over the outstanding model apart from if they're still offering cheap lease/PCP deals for them.
I don't think there's any new face-lift from a current car that i actually like. I think they get it right the first time in most cases but then insist on refreshing it with a new look for the sake of it and just ruin it. New Focus ST face-lift i think looks horrible. I know this is all subjective but it's a re-occurring theme as far as i see it and in my eyes no-one can seem to do it right.
I don't think there's any new face-lift from a current car that i actually like. I think they get it right the first time in most cases but then insist on refreshing it with a new look for the sake of it and just ruin it. New Focus ST face-lift i think looks horrible. I know this is all subjective but it's a re-occurring theme as far as i see it and in my eyes no-one can seem to do it right.
I think VW have been quite fortunate, there are lots of people in Golf Rs who wouldn't have considered one if it wasn't for the cheap leases. I've seen several remarks along the lines of "well it was cheap so..."
However, for purchases I don't see that the golf has stolen the M135's thunder really - the golf needs £2600 of options spent and its already more expensive than a 1 series if you know where to look.
The only advantage the golf has imho is 4wd, other than that I think the BMW has it licked - engine, gearbox, drive, steering (yes, really!), interior is better, reliability and I think its got more style than the golf which is very plain.
Far as the fake sounds go - not a fan full stop, but the BMW one is more realistic than the VW. Either way they can both be disabled/turned down etc relatively easily.
The LCI is an improvement all round and at least they actually put some effort in to it. Seems BMW also add minor improvements all the time anyway.
Its a shame they couldn't get the xdrive in the RHD cars, although opinion is very mixed on this with many preferring to stay with RWD.
However, for purchases I don't see that the golf has stolen the M135's thunder really - the golf needs £2600 of options spent and its already more expensive than a 1 series if you know where to look.
The only advantage the golf has imho is 4wd, other than that I think the BMW has it licked - engine, gearbox, drive, steering (yes, really!), interior is better, reliability and I think its got more style than the golf which is very plain.
Far as the fake sounds go - not a fan full stop, but the BMW one is more realistic than the VW. Either way they can both be disabled/turned down etc relatively easily.
The LCI is an improvement all round and at least they actually put some effort in to it. Seems BMW also add minor improvements all the time anyway.
Its a shame they couldn't get the xdrive in the RHD cars, although opinion is very mixed on this with many preferring to stay with RWD.
sizequeen13 said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I thought it was just me that thought this. I totally agree... Its time to change mine, and I really dont want the new one! haha. Also, in response to the huge criticism aimed at the synthesised noise.... How is is OK to implement potentially power sapping baffling, valving, or superfluous diaphragms and channels, to achieve an amplified noise, but playing subtle noises through the entertainment system is a big no no..... Who makes these rules!?
Edited by sizequeen13 on Thursday 30th April 17:17
If people like the sound coming of their speakers, then crack on. Just don't get upset if others find it cringeworthy. For me it conjures up the image of a kid in a Corsa piping a Grand Prix car soundtrack through the speakers via bluetooth. Hilarious.
Ghastly looking thing, however well it goes. I'd certainly rather be a few tenths slower than have to look at that every time I left my house. That's not a taste rule either. I'm sure some people find the car attractive. Good luck to them.
Edited by 9mm on Thursday 30th April 18:46
It's funny, this car brings out all the haters that will never buy one. The few owners posting here like the car including me. I didn't know the engine sound was synthesized, it's quieter when you open the window and you hear the turbo waste instead. Sounds fine to me and my other car is a V8 928 that obviously doesn't have any trickery.
If you want a RWD fast and small hatch there really isn't anything else out there.
If you want a RWD fast and small hatch there really isn't anything else out there.
P4GNO said:
It's funny, this car brings out all the haters that will never buy one. The few owners posting here like the car including me. I didn't know the engine sound was synthesized, it's quieter when you open the window and you hear the turbo waste instead. Sounds fine to me and my other car is a V8 928 that obviously doesn't have any trickery.
If you want a RWD fast and small hatch there really isn't anything else out there.
This...If you want a RWD fast and small hatch there really isn't anything else out there.
Maybe we're not gifted enough to detect the synthesized sound that's so obvious elsewhere..
and back on topic - new one possibly looks a bit nicer from the front, but I'm not convinced by the rear. I'm waiting for the warranty to finish on mine and will then look at options to sort the suspension to reduce tramping (not sure if adding an LSD too is necessary for this), and maybe some 19's to fill the arches a little more effectively.
Quickmoose said:
Nicer front end, stil a mess everywhere else.
"LCI"..
....I wonder what Ron will use when his road cars get their face lifts....as this appears right up his street..
To think someone or a whole department get paid good money to think that s
t up...
He just classes it as an whole new car."LCI"..
....I wonder what Ron will use when his road cars get their face lifts....as this appears right up his street..To think someone or a whole department get paid good money to think that s
t up...Call the pre-facelift what you want but mine turns a lot of heads.
The front is ok on the new one but the back has cancelled out any improvement on the front therefore there's no nett improvement in my eyes.
Regardless, I can't think of a single other car for the money I'd rather have.
The front is ok on the new one but the back has cancelled out any improvement on the front therefore there's no nett improvement in my eyes.
Regardless, I can't think of a single other car for the money I'd rather have.
I like the car, looks nicer but very much BMW of late... At least is not as bland as the Audis... I had the same engine on a different BMW and it's a cracking engine but not sure it is that treat for a short wheelbase hatch... Makes it twitchy at high speeds and it doesn't corner as good as a longer wheelbase 3 series. Also this synthesised fakery... Well each one to their own, I don't like it. I don't mind an exhaust valve to control noise at low speeds but more than that I think it is just not necessary and should be easier to disable the option (is it switchable?)
If I was on the market for a hot hatch well just there isn't any... Sure you have crazy powerful hatches like this one, A45 or focus RS but I would prefer my hot hatch to be more 205 GTI where you could enjoy the handling than this new hot hatches with massive tires and crazy grip that we will never explore on the road as it is just too dangerous... Yea I know... Old school.
But I think for a modern train it's probably excellent.
If I was on the market for a hot hatch well just there isn't any... Sure you have crazy powerful hatches like this one, A45 or focus RS but I would prefer my hot hatch to be more 205 GTI where you could enjoy the handling than this new hot hatches with massive tires and crazy grip that we will never explore on the road as it is just too dangerous... Yea I know... Old school.
But I think for a modern train it's probably excellent.
kambites said:
Such a shame they don't seem capable of sorting the chassis out. We all know BMW are capable of setting suspension up properly, why can't they manage it with this car? It could be a great car rather than merely a good one. 
I think it falls in to the "press change their story" syndrome...Edited by kambites on Thursday 30th April 19:39
Pistonheads said:
Designed for Blighty
It's definitely a UK car, the M135i; the ride is firm, but control is good and it never feels as though the set-up is too much for the chassis. Though that's partly because there's plenty of grip from the specially developed 245-section Michelin rubber. Its grip and direct, accurate steering means it's easy to precisely place the car. You can drive it in this way - neat and tidy and fast - or you can drive it like a hooligan in a properly point-and-squirt style.
There's so much grip and balance from the chassis that you can almost infinitely alter your line through any bend. Minute movements of the throttle and steering adjust the weight distribution and you can feel the transfer of grip front to back. It's a great sensation that proves you can make a throttle-adjustable car without meaning it has to go sideways.
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/driven-b...It's definitely a UK car, the M135i; the ride is firm, but control is good and it never feels as though the set-up is too much for the chassis. Though that's partly because there's plenty of grip from the specially developed 245-section Michelin rubber. Its grip and direct, accurate steering means it's easy to precisely place the car. You can drive it in this way - neat and tidy and fast - or you can drive it like a hooligan in a properly point-and-squirt style.
There's so much grip and balance from the chassis that you can almost infinitely alter your line through any bend. Minute movements of the throttle and steering adjust the weight distribution and you can feel the transfer of grip front to back. It's a great sensation that proves you can make a throttle-adjustable car without meaning it has to go sideways.
So which is it PH ?
Monkey review vs old RS3 https://youtu.be/2xwecTp91-o
BMW added launch control in 2013/2014.. be interesting to see the head to head again.
I haven't seen lots of reviews for the new RS3, but I understand its much the same story ref understeer..
Re-review vs A45, still does okay here https://youtu.be/bOA5YN6ryz4
BMW isn't perfect, there are things I'd like to be different, but if the A45 is out of budget there isn't much other choice out there..
kambites said:
Such a shame they don't seem capable of sorting the chassis out. We all know BMW are capable of setting suspension up properly, why can't they manage it with this car? It could be a great car rather than merely a good one.
What's wrong with the suspension?Edited by kambites on Thursday 30th April 19:39
I think it's great, comfortable yet controlled.
Crafty_ said:
Pistonheads said:
Designed for Blighty
It's definitely a UK car, the M135i; the ride is firm, but control is good and it never feels as though the set-up is too much for the chassis. Though that's partly because there's plenty of grip from the specially developed 245-section Michelin rubber. Its grip and direct, accurate steering means it's easy to precisely place the car. You can drive it in this way - neat and tidy and fast - or you can drive it like a hooligan in a properly point-and-squirt style.
There's so much grip and balance from the chassis that you can almost infinitely alter your line through any bend. Minute movements of the throttle and steering adjust the weight distribution and you can feel the transfer of grip front to back. It's a great sensation that proves you can make a throttle-adjustable car without meaning it has to go sideways.
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/driven-b...It's definitely a UK car, the M135i; the ride is firm, but control is good and it never feels as though the set-up is too much for the chassis. Though that's partly because there's plenty of grip from the specially developed 245-section Michelin rubber. Its grip and direct, accurate steering means it's easy to precisely place the car. You can drive it in this way - neat and tidy and fast - or you can drive it like a hooligan in a properly point-and-squirt style.
There's so much grip and balance from the chassis that you can almost infinitely alter your line through any bend. Minute movements of the throttle and steering adjust the weight distribution and you can feel the transfer of grip front to back. It's a great sensation that proves you can make a throttle-adjustable car without meaning it has to go sideways.
So which is it PH ?
But still, for me its USP is that it's not 4wd.
As for looks, I am really surprised that most comments are about the (subjective) looks, but I guess if you haven't driven it... Is this really a driving enthusiast forum though ?
Can't wait to get mine early next month !!!
"BMW needs a far more considered approach with lower limits, at least on a greasy British road."
This is a slight concern. Far more considered doesn't inspire confidence. Realistically most people opt for a more all round vehicle. A friend of mine had a 335d as a courtesy car (going from an RS4) he said it was borderline dangerous due to its floaty suspension and power delivery.
This is a slight concern. Far more considered doesn't inspire confidence. Realistically most people opt for a more all round vehicle. A friend of mine had a 335d as a courtesy car (going from an RS4) he said it was borderline dangerous due to its floaty suspension and power delivery.
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