New to the Forum, Owners opinion on M135i?

[bensb93]

Hi All,

New to the forum, so go easy on me ...I am currently looking for a new car to replace my fun but backbreaking 500 Abarth, something with more power, a bit more refined and more compliant suspension for longer journeys and B roads. I test drove the 220i and felt it was too "revvy" and the engine lacked smoothness, but the M135i was a complete animal, but the two cars are not really comparable. I just simply loved the comfort along with the ridiculous power on tap and the fantastic ZF gearbox.
I went home from the test drive like a grinning Cheshire cat and the thought of it being a potential replacement excited me. I still have booked a test drive with a A250, S3 sportback and a Golf GTI. I really cannot see them coming close to giving me that excitement and buzz like the M135i gave, and it seems like a bit of a bargain.

So any M135i owners, could you please give me an opinion on what its like to live with as a daily driver;
I was quoted it would achieve over 35mpg on a frugal run, is this realistic?
Any known issues with the car?
General maintenance costs, i.e. Servicing, tyres, brakes?
Does the excitement wear off quickly?
What optional extra's should I include/leave?

Thanks,

Ben

[bensb93]

Stan 24v said:

Hi Ben

Nice choice

Are you buying new or used?

The car itself is superb! I love mine and have done nearly 17k miles in roughly 18 months. I have used it a lot on motorway runs and regularly get 37-39 MPG sat with the cruise on at 75 MPH. Around town late 20's to early 30's. Obviously when you're having some 'fun' (and you WILL!!! lol) then figures drop.

I have had 2 litres of oil, a new rear wiper blade and just changed the front tyres, the rears have a bit more life yet - weird I know!!

With regards to everyday use, its the most docile of cars just potting around, but press the accelerator in Comfort and it overtakes at a breeze; stick it in Sport and not much this side of a 911 will keep up with it! It can be Jekyll and Hyde, which is great!!

Options wise, its all down to taste. Will Nav add the same value when sold? I doubt it. Adaptive is superb, and for £500, for me, is a no brainer. Mine is a manual, and haven't driven an auto so cant comment.

Size wise, the boot isn't massive, but I find the rear seats fine for two average male adults, probably better in the 5 door (mines a 3 door).

If you get one, you wont regret it!

Stan

Thanks Stan for your opinions,

I am probably going to go for a very low mileage one with the 8 speed box which drove seamlessly. I am pretty much on a tight budget of around £28k and I am not too fussed with every extra under the sun. Adaptive suspension was definitely the one I was considering, and adds more comfort when needed, its gonna be a no brainer for £500. Jekyll and Hyde was the exact phrase I said to the dealer. Something to replicate the Abarth when flooring it and something nice and comfortable when cruising, which the car certainly did during the test drive. I have no kids or anything so practicality doesn't come into play!

Have you gone with run flats or the normal spec tyres? How much we talking per corner? I will definitely go with the normal ones.
Have you had a service yet? I am under the impression you can get a service plan, which may work out cheaper.

Thanks

Ben

[bensb93]

Stan 24v said:

3 or 5 door? I'm selling mine lol

Stay away from runflats mate, they're too harsh. My fronts just cost £300 fitted, for the pair.

I have the service plan as it was £300 when I bought it, but I still have 8000 miles til the first service; its condition based and I've done motorway miles mainly. I've had 2 litres of oil, free at BMW (well included in my pack), that's it.

Going for a 5 door, not a fan on the 3 door shape
Yeah the runflats do sound pretty naff, any reason for selling? My car is just too unbearable for long journeys as the ride is far far too firm and £300?! That was what I was paying for the 17's on the Abarth, blimey that sounds very reasonable. Seems pretty sensible to run, even with that straight six

[bensb93]

Some very positive points made here. Would love the M235i, but it's quite a bit over the budget. Any things to watch out for? Any major hidden costs or information I need to be made aware of? I think I've made my mind up on the car, just got to wait for around January time to trade my car in. And I know you love your cars!! But what negatives are there?

Ben

[bensb93]

Hi Guys,

I had to go for an A5 sportback in the end. Reasons being I now need the extra economy for long commutes to work, which is more mileage than what i initially planned, so I went for the 2.0 diesel. I am hoping I get in one of these in the not too distant future as it was the best out of the lot i test drove by far and the auto box was superb, i actually preferred it to the dual clutch DSG's I drove. If blooming long commutes and fuel economy weren't in the frame, I would have got in one of these quicker than you can imagine!

Ben