M135i and E92 M3 Review of Test Drives
Discussion
My local dealership invited me to an event and I chose two cars to test, for the allotted 30 minutes each. The route mixes out town A roads with motorway and b-roads.
A Black 62 plate M135i, 3 door, sports auto with the standard steering and suspension.
A White 62 plate E92 M3 with the dual clutch gearbox. Not sure if it had EDC.
M135i
In black, my favourite colour, I thought it was a nice looking hatch. But nothing special. It had a good driving position. The sport seats were supportive and the standard suspension (M sport, I'm told) I found very comfortable on all the roads. The sound of that straight six, though, was the highlight! It didn't sound artificial, from the cabin, as I think some had said. However, it was the only aspect which reminded me this is a car capable of exceptional performance. The steering, whilst intuitive, felt very light and I didn't get any sense of feel, or feedback through the wheels. Power delivery was very efficient, and I would say is has a great (sports) auto, but even though I surged forward it was just not that exciting. I was covering ground, but I wasn't having a real (and raw) driving experience. Overall, it was a very sporty hatchback; I don't doubt probably the fastest in class, and I enjoyed my drive, but when I got out, I wasn't buzzing. I chose it to test because I've had a 'weather eye' on the more attractive M235i for a while; but it's got to be different, and a lot better, to get a sniff of my money. The M135i is a very capable car, but somehow a little sterile. I was disappointed. I thought it would be more raw and exciting.
E92 M3
Much better looking, and having seen a neighbour's son's 335i just before, the M is just so much cooler; it looks not only sportier, but has a better stance and is more aggressive; it looks smaller, more compact too. The seats (a reddish brown leather) are the best sport seats I have ever sat in. They are a different league, more than just supportive: my whole body seemed to mould into them. The steering wheel is the perfect size, with great grip and feel to it. And It didn't feel light like the M135i. I felt involved. I'm not that technical, so I don't really understand the DCT, but in layman's terms it does not feel like a normal auto, even the sporty one I'd just driven. It feels like I have an "invisible racing driver" co-driving with me who does every gear change with perfect precision. I wish I had the ability to explain it better. I was seriously impressed. I think I could give up a manual gearbox for this. The V8 sounded so much better than the six of the M135i too. It sounded more real,more organic, so I'm wondering if I'd driven it first would I have been as impressed with the six in the M135i? This is key, for me, going fast, felt like I was going VERY fast. The M3 feels like a high performance car. I actually felt I was going faster than I was, but that I could go on even faster to the limit! I appreciate that the statistics might be similar between these two cars, but the M3 is the only one which feels like a proper high performance car. The poise at high speed is brilliant, and there is so much more assurance when taking tight corners; almost like M means magic and the roads just conform to what it wants. This car is exceptional. The M235i is going to have to be out of this world to get my money, come next May.
Can the M235i be that different (besides it's looks) to a M135i?
A Black 62 plate M135i, 3 door, sports auto with the standard steering and suspension.
A White 62 plate E92 M3 with the dual clutch gearbox. Not sure if it had EDC.
M135i
In black, my favourite colour, I thought it was a nice looking hatch. But nothing special. It had a good driving position. The sport seats were supportive and the standard suspension (M sport, I'm told) I found very comfortable on all the roads. The sound of that straight six, though, was the highlight! It didn't sound artificial, from the cabin, as I think some had said. However, it was the only aspect which reminded me this is a car capable of exceptional performance. The steering, whilst intuitive, felt very light and I didn't get any sense of feel, or feedback through the wheels. Power delivery was very efficient, and I would say is has a great (sports) auto, but even though I surged forward it was just not that exciting. I was covering ground, but I wasn't having a real (and raw) driving experience. Overall, it was a very sporty hatchback; I don't doubt probably the fastest in class, and I enjoyed my drive, but when I got out, I wasn't buzzing. I chose it to test because I've had a 'weather eye' on the more attractive M235i for a while; but it's got to be different, and a lot better, to get a sniff of my money. The M135i is a very capable car, but somehow a little sterile. I was disappointed. I thought it would be more raw and exciting.
E92 M3
Much better looking, and having seen a neighbour's son's 335i just before, the M is just so much cooler; it looks not only sportier, but has a better stance and is more aggressive; it looks smaller, more compact too. The seats (a reddish brown leather) are the best sport seats I have ever sat in. They are a different league, more than just supportive: my whole body seemed to mould into them. The steering wheel is the perfect size, with great grip and feel to it. And It didn't feel light like the M135i. I felt involved. I'm not that technical, so I don't really understand the DCT, but in layman's terms it does not feel like a normal auto, even the sporty one I'd just driven. It feels like I have an "invisible racing driver" co-driving with me who does every gear change with perfect precision. I wish I had the ability to explain it better. I was seriously impressed. I think I could give up a manual gearbox for this. The V8 sounded so much better than the six of the M135i too. It sounded more real,more organic, so I'm wondering if I'd driven it first would I have been as impressed with the six in the M135i? This is key, for me, going fast, felt like I was going VERY fast. The M3 feels like a high performance car. I actually felt I was going faster than I was, but that I could go on even faster to the limit! I appreciate that the statistics might be similar between these two cars, but the M3 is the only one which feels like a proper high performance car. The poise at high speed is brilliant, and there is so much more assurance when taking tight corners; almost like M means magic and the roads just conform to what it wants. This car is exceptional. The M235i is going to have to be out of this world to get my money, come next May.
Can the M235i be that different (besides it's looks) to a M135i?
Pretty much how i felt when i drove them both back to back.
I drove the manual M3.... not impressed with the manual gear boxes in BMW's to be honest. Vagueness, i suppose, hard to put my finger on what i dont like about it.
In the end, i didnt buy either. Not 25k better in my opinion than my current E46. But who knows, what the future holds!
I drove the manual M3.... not impressed with the manual gear boxes in BMW's to be honest. Vagueness, i suppose, hard to put my finger on what i dont like about it.
In the end, i didnt buy either. Not 25k better in my opinion than my current E46. But who knows, what the future holds!
I own a M135i and have test driven a couple of E9x M3s.
The M3 has that magical NA V8 that has a great soundtrack and one which enters the cabin and gives that soundtrack that just makes you want to thrash it at the upper rev range.
The M135i is really more a jack of all trades... more refined than a full M car but one which is very capable at the same time! It has excellent sound proofing which can be a revalation or a bug bear depending on your point of view but it still gives you enjoyment! It's possible to add BMW Performance exhaust which will give a little more noise but still don't think it can match that V8 soundtrack!
If we are talking about new prices then are they really competitors as one is more than 50% more expensive?
Running costs for both cars are also miles apart which again suggests not in the same league but as the M135i is so capable, it's a credit that the M135i is compared to much more expensive machinery!
I think the M3 is going to be the last of the NA V8's so now I guess is a great time to enjoy this type of engine for the last time, especially if costs are not an issue.
By the way the light steering is when it's in Eco/Comfort mode... Sport and Sport+ gives you weightier steering although steering feel is not a strong point but the quick 2.0 steering is great and can make other cars feel quite slow and unresponsive when turning in in comparison.
The M3 has that magical NA V8 that has a great soundtrack and one which enters the cabin and gives that soundtrack that just makes you want to thrash it at the upper rev range.
The M135i is really more a jack of all trades... more refined than a full M car but one which is very capable at the same time! It has excellent sound proofing which can be a revalation or a bug bear depending on your point of view but it still gives you enjoyment! It's possible to add BMW Performance exhaust which will give a little more noise but still don't think it can match that V8 soundtrack!
If we are talking about new prices then are they really competitors as one is more than 50% more expensive?
Running costs for both cars are also miles apart which again suggests not in the same league but as the M135i is so capable, it's a credit that the M135i is compared to much more expensive machinery!
I think the M3 is going to be the last of the NA V8's so now I guess is a great time to enjoy this type of engine for the last time, especially if costs are not an issue.
By the way the light steering is when it's in Eco/Comfort mode... Sport and Sport+ gives you weightier steering although steering feel is not a strong point but the quick 2.0 steering is great and can make other cars feel quite slow and unresponsive when turning in in comparison.
If we were looking at the lease amounts per month, and the PCP deals that were around recently, as im aware they were actually quite close in terms of monthly costs.
I suppose the question is more, new M135, or 2 year old M3?
M3 will defo cost a good chunk more in running costs!
servicing, road tax, fuel.
I suppose the question is more, new M135, or 2 year old M3?
M3 will defo cost a good chunk more in running costs!
servicing, road tax, fuel.I think the comparison you describe is exactly what its meant to be, and I expect the product managers at BMW would be happy to read what you put. They are different cars competing in different classes.
If you want all out performance and are willing to pay the price for that then the M3 is 100% the way to go. Its "proper" M, has a more exciting engine and is fab.
BUT - if you want performance, but dont need every last ounce then the M135i is a bloody hard contender. Performance wise it really isnt very far behind the M3 (and possibly in gear it could be quicker on the M'way etc). It really is a very good compromise between performance and comfort.
If you want all out performance and are willing to pay the price for that then the M3 is 100% the way to go. Its "proper" M, has a more exciting engine and is fab.
BUT - if you want performance, but dont need every last ounce then the M135i is a bloody hard contender. Performance wise it really isnt very far behind the M3 (and possibly in gear it could be quicker on the M'way etc). It really is a very good compromise between performance and comfort.
It always makes me laugh when people compare an E92 M3 with the M135i as if they are similar cars. The fact is they are very different. I don't even see them in the group.
The M135i is a very fast and enjoyable hot hatch. that's a bargain at a shade over £30k
The M3 is a proper M-car with years of evolution under its belt and a much more focused harder riding machine.It feels for involving because it's firm. More visceral, lower riding. It's pretty much a track car softened for the road.
Don't forget the M3 is around £54k before you start to add decent options and it will cost quite literally twice as much to run over the same mileage.
The M135i is a very fast and enjoyable hot hatch. that's a bargain at a shade over £30k
The M3 is a proper M-car with years of evolution under its belt and a much more focused harder riding machine.It feels for involving because it's firm. More visceral, lower riding. It's pretty much a track car softened for the road.
Don't forget the M3 is around £54k before you start to add decent options and it will cost quite literally twice as much to run over the same mileage.
Thats the point though, not long ago the PCP/lease deals were so good on the M3, that for not that much more you could have had an M3 instead...
I think around the same monthly payments as an A45 AMG.
So its totally comparable in my opinion.
At this age surely the only cost over 3 years will be servicing, (all repairs covered under warranty, and the E90 is generally quite reliable) Whats the cost on inspection services for them both?
I think around the same monthly payments as an A45 AMG.
So its totally comparable in my opinion.
At this age surely the only cost over 3 years will be servicing, (all repairs covered under warranty, and the E90 is generally quite reliable) Whats the cost on inspection services for them both?
creepy coupe said:
The M3 is a proper M-car with years of evolution under its belt and a much more focused harder riding machine.It feels for involving because it's firm. More visceral, lower riding. It's pretty much a track car softened for the road.
The M3 is a 3 series with a very good chassis... a track car it certainly isn't for me personally & the standard brake set up only just copes with hard road use & I would hate to imagine how poor they would perform on a track, the M3 at around 1650kgs doesn't make a great track car in my view.I do agree its not really a great comparision to compare it to a M135i & I also agree the M135i offers a hell of a lot for the money.
shibby! said:
Thats the point though, not long ago the PCP/lease deals were so good on the M3, that for not that much more you could have had an M3 instead...
I think around the same monthly payments as an A45 AMG.
So its totally comparable in my opinion.
At this age surely the only cost over 3 years will be servicing, (all repairs covered under warranty, and the E90 is generally quite reliable) Whats the cost on inspection services for them both?
Well if you're going to base it purely on cost per month. You could go a bit older and get an M5.I think around the same monthly payments as an A45 AMG.
So its totally comparable in my opinion.
At this age surely the only cost over 3 years will be servicing, (all repairs covered under warranty, and the E90 is generally quite reliable) Whats the cost on inspection services for them both?
cerb4.5lee said:
The M3 is a 3 series with a very good chassis... a track car it certainly isn't for me personally & the standard brake set up only just copes with hard road use & I would hate to imagine how poor they would perform on a track, the M3 at around 1650kgs doesn't make a great track car in my view.
I do agree its not really a great comparision to compare it to a M135i & I also agree the M135i offers a hell of a lot for the money.
I agree re the brakes. But a decent set of pads will sort them out. It no bad on the track an hides its weight pretty well. The Palmer sport manages with them ok.I do agree its not really a great comparision to compare it to a M135i & I also agree the M135i offers a hell of a lot for the money.
creepy coupe said:
cerb4.5lee said:
The M3 is a 3 series with a very good chassis... a track car it certainly isn't for me personally & the standard brake set up only just copes with hard road use & I would hate to imagine how poor they would perform on a track, the M3 at around 1650kgs doesn't make a great track car in my view.
I do agree its not really a great comparision to compare it to a M135i & I also agree the M135i offers a hell of a lot for the money.
I agree re the brakes. But a decent set of pads will sort them out. It no bad on the track an hides its weight pretty well. The Palmer sport manages with them ok.I do agree its not really a great comparision to compare it to a M135i & I also agree the M135i offers a hell of a lot for the money.
I would prefer something lighter to use on a track.
cerb4.5lee said:
I know what you mean & you always see them testing at the nurburgring & as you say many tracks seem to have them to use with instructors but now I own one I can't say I really understand why but in fairness I am not a driving god but I do know that weight ruins a driving experience in virtually everyway.
I would prefer something lighter to use on a track.
Fair enough. We all have our own priorities.I would prefer something lighter to use on a track.
creepy coupe said:
cerb4.5lee said:
I know what you mean & you always see them testing at the nurburgring & as you say many tracks seem to have them to use with instructors but now I own one I can't say I really understand why but in fairness I am not a driving god but I do know that weight ruins a driving experience in virtually everyway.
I would prefer something lighter to use on a track.
Fair enough. We all have our own priorities.I would prefer something lighter to use on a track.
Smuler said:
E92 M3
Much better looking, and having seen a neighbour's son's 335i just before, the M is just so much cooler; it looks not only sportier, but has a better stance and is more aggressive; it looks smaller, more compact too. The seats (a reddish brown leather) are the best sport seats I have ever sat in. They are a different league, more than just supportive: my whole body seemed to mould into them. The steering wheel is the perfect size, with great grip and feel to it. And It didn't feel light like the M135i. I felt involved. I'm not that technical, so I don't really understand the DCT, but in layman's terms it does not feel like a normal auto, even the sporty one I'd just driven. It feels like I have an "invisible racing driver" co-driving with me who does every gear change with perfect precision. I wish I had the ability to explain it better. I was seriously impressed. I think I could give up a manual gearbox for this. The V8 sounded so much better than the six of the M135i too. It sounded more real,more organic, so I'm wondering if I'd driven it first would I have been as impressed with the six in the M135i? This is key, for me, going fast, felt like I was going VERY fast. The M3 feels like a high performance car. I actually felt I was going faster than I was, but that I could go on even faster to the limit! I appreciate that the statistics might be similar between these two cars, but the M3 is the only one which feels like a proper high performance car. The poise at high speed is brilliant, and there is so much more assurance when taking tight corners; almost like M means magic and the roads just conform to what it wants. This car is exceptional. The M235i is going to have to be out of this world to get my money, come next May.
That post has restored my faith in PH, the amount of posts you get these days extolling the virtues of torquetastic autos in performance cars, it's nice to read a review my someone who understands what makes an M car different. Much better looking, and having seen a neighbour's son's 335i just before, the M is just so much cooler; it looks not only sportier, but has a better stance and is more aggressive; it looks smaller, more compact too. The seats (a reddish brown leather) are the best sport seats I have ever sat in. They are a different league, more than just supportive: my whole body seemed to mould into them. The steering wheel is the perfect size, with great grip and feel to it. And It didn't feel light like the M135i. I felt involved. I'm not that technical, so I don't really understand the DCT, but in layman's terms it does not feel like a normal auto, even the sporty one I'd just driven. It feels like I have an "invisible racing driver" co-driving with me who does every gear change with perfect precision. I wish I had the ability to explain it better. I was seriously impressed. I think I could give up a manual gearbox for this. The V8 sounded so much better than the six of the M135i too. It sounded more real,more organic, so I'm wondering if I'd driven it first would I have been as impressed with the six in the M135i? This is key, for me, going fast, felt like I was going VERY fast. The M3 feels like a high performance car. I actually felt I was going faster than I was, but that I could go on even faster to the limit! I appreciate that the statistics might be similar between these two cars, but the M3 is the only one which feels like a proper high performance car. The poise at high speed is brilliant, and there is so much more assurance when taking tight corners; almost like M means magic and the roads just conform to what it wants. This car is exceptional. The M235i is going to have to be out of this world to get my money, come next May.
Interesting review. I currently have a manual M135i and I wouldn't have taken an automatic one, precisely because I think the M135i needs the manual 'box to stop it feeling too capable and insufficiently involving. It's a compromise of course, being something between an MSport and a real M. But it's a brilliant one. Feels alive without being tiresome and is a delight to either drive hard or mooch in.
I've also driven the E92 M3 with a manual 'box and owned a E60 M5 (SMG of course).
I found the E92 M3 didn't make sense to me as a city-dweller. Of course, on the right non-urban road in attack mode, it's brilliant. The engine comes on song and everything gels and all is hunkydory in the world. It's also a lovely-looking thing. But, in everyday driving around town, I found it felt heavier, grumblier and less usable than a 335i whilst costing an awful lot more to fuel, insure and maintain. And from inside, you could be in any old MSport E92 3-series to be perfectly honest. And which point I struggled with justifying the price-tag and running costs over a 335i. And the M135i was much more fun than a 335i and could be had with a practical 5dr bodyshell.
To he who suggested going older and getting the M5 - beware that the E60 M5 has running costs to make the M3 look parsimonious! That said, I bought one because I found it to be a car that felt special whilst pottering in town in a way that the M3 didn't. Firstly, it felt much more special inside with every conceivable surface trimmed in top quality cow or alcantara and niceties such as a standard head-up display, and secondly you never escape from the sense of intent or soundtrack of that epic V10 - it makes an event out of popping down to the supermarket. It's a bona fide monster and all the more appealing for having a sedate 4-door bodyshell.
I've also driven the E92 M3 with a manual 'box and owned a E60 M5 (SMG of course).
I found the E92 M3 didn't make sense to me as a city-dweller. Of course, on the right non-urban road in attack mode, it's brilliant. The engine comes on song and everything gels and all is hunkydory in the world. It's also a lovely-looking thing. But, in everyday driving around town, I found it felt heavier, grumblier and less usable than a 335i whilst costing an awful lot more to fuel, insure and maintain. And from inside, you could be in any old MSport E92 3-series to be perfectly honest. And which point I struggled with justifying the price-tag and running costs over a 335i. And the M135i was much more fun than a 335i and could be had with a practical 5dr bodyshell.
To he who suggested going older and getting the M5 - beware that the E60 M5 has running costs to make the M3 look parsimonious! That said, I bought one because I found it to be a car that felt special whilst pottering in town in a way that the M3 didn't. Firstly, it felt much more special inside with every conceivable surface trimmed in top quality cow or alcantara and niceties such as a standard head-up display, and secondly you never escape from the sense of intent or soundtrack of that epic V10 - it makes an event out of popping down to the supermarket. It's a bona fide monster and all the more appealing for having a sedate 4-door bodyshell.
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