Autocar M135i road test

[anonymous-user]

That's a huge amount of performance for the cash - sounds like a great deal.

I've already spoken about the car to a contact who is very high up in the local BMW dealer network/franchise holder - he was intimating up to 10% would be possible. But as I said earlier, I just don't think I can get around the looks unfortunately, which is a huge shame as it is clearly a superb car.

I will be testing one shortly, let's see if the drive manages to overcome my worries...

[Amateurish]

nick30 said:

Amateurish said:

Great deal you got there, I agree that you don't need to tick many options on this car. Did you get the 4.9% finance as well?

Thanks and yep 4.9%

If you don't mind me asking, what was the deposit / monthly payment / term / GFV.

[4wdrift]

In Australia, it's going to be a case of waiting for a second hand buy to come up..

At AUD $79k (52k pounds) on the road for a manual with adaptive suspension as the only option ($68k + dealer delivery & govt charges - each charge ~$4k. Auto is $4k extra.

It's a little pricey compared to some of its competition such as the Megane 265 is $50k on-road, Golf R similar money. Focus ST is $43k on-road.

Big discrepancy in prices compared to the UK.

I guess because BMW Australia can I suppose..

[nick30]

Amateurish said:

If you don't mind me asking, what was the deposit / monthly payment / term / GFV.

5k / 350 / 36 months, think it was 14k GFV (not quite sure on the final value sorry)

[nick30]

more info in the BMW section of the forum..

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[s m]

nick30 said:

s m said:

Did you pick many options Nick?

I went pretty minimal, 5 doors manual free business speaker upgrade and heated seats! £28k. Comes with almost everything you need. I dont need sat nav and the suspension is perfect as standard. Only thing i regret not ticking is folding mirrors.

Not bad at all for a 5-door

It mentioned in the article that you can get the business speaker upgrade free at present

[Caulkhead]

Would be even quicker without all those extras!

All you need is a bog standard one plus the adaptive suspension - £28650 is the best price I've had so far.

[David1976]

Incredible performance, really incredible.

I would be interested to see how reliable it is. The BMW's I have owned in the last 6 years have had a whole load of problems, and every time I was picked up and taken to work (an excellent service granted) I was not alone...

[Basil Hume]

Wowza - that is quick.

This makes me even more sad to be going from my current S3 to a diesel company car (Volvo V60 D5, so it's not all bad). The M135i was right at the top of my list for a replacement before business miles and diminishing mileage rates became an issue!

[anonymous-user]

What's the 1M got over this, really, to warrant the extra outlay? Surely performance is as good?

[Seb d]

OpulentBob said:

What's the 1M got over this, really, to warrant the extra outlay? Surely performance is as good?

I've driven both extensively and prefer the M135i, so in my eyes, nothing.

[anonymous-user]

At that money, it's up with Imprezas and Evos in terms of bang for buck. I've never been a BMW fan particularly, but that is really impressive.

Front lights do make it look like a Japanese cartoon whale though.

[as7920]

Seb d said:

OpulentBob said:

What's the 1M got over this, really, to warrant the extra outlay? Surely performance is as good?

I've driven both extensively and prefer the M135i, so in my eyes, nothing.

Exclusivity?

The M135i seems so good that everyone is getting one! I'm looking forward to driving one to compare.

[s m]

OpulentBob said:

What's the 1M got over this, really, to warrant the extra outlay? Surely performance is as good?

Yes, straight line performance is equal. I guess you get the arches, bigger tyres and a LSD with the 1M plus hydraulic PAS and a very slightly better time at the Autocar handling courses

I hope there's a head to head soon. I must admit I prefer the 1M looks but if the forthcoming M235i is similar, it appears better value for money new. Certainly if you want the practicality of the hatchback it's a done deal

[g3org3y]

That is some proper performance! At least with the 'challenging' looks you know the trendy wannabes will go for an A3 instead. In the metal with the M body kit it looks a lot better than the photos would suggest.

Btw up against an e46 M3, would I be right in thinking this would give it a spanking?

[s m]

g3org3y said:

That is some proper performance! At least with the 'challenging' looks you know the trendy wannabes will go for an A3 instead. In the metal with the M body kit it looks a lot better than the photos would suggest.

Btw up against an e46 M3, would I be right in thinking this would give it a spanking?

Wouldn't be a lot in it for sure!

[Redbaron1973]

s m said:

g3org3y said:

That is some proper performance! At least with the 'challenging' looks you know the trendy wannabes will go for an A3 instead. In the metal with the M body kit it looks a lot better than the photos would suggest.

Btw up against an e46 M3, would I be right in thinking this would give it a spanking?

Wouldn't be a lot in it for sure!

and on a cross country run one would get alot further than the other without a fuel stop......

[g3org3y]

s m said:

g3org3y said:

That is some proper performance! At least with the 'challenging' looks you know the trendy wannabes will go for an A3 instead. In the metal with the M body kit it looks a lot better than the photos would suggest.

Btw up against an e46 M3, would I be right in thinking this would give it a spanking?

Wouldn't be a lot in it for sure!

Quite! With the turbo lump I'm sure the 135 would be more flexible and easier to drive quicker. When you look at it like that, it's a ruddy performance bargain.

[Mr Sparkle]

mnkiboy said:

1545Kg? I hope that's with 2 passengers and a full tank. Most cars of that size are around 1350Kg.

Cracking standing start performance figures though, and fuel economy pretty good too.

I think they do it with a 70kg driver and 90% fuel load.

[RenesisEvo]

nick30 said:

5k / 350 / 36 months, think it was 14k GFV (not quite sure on the final value sorry)

Curse you - I was thinking the M135i couldn't possibly be that good AND there be anyway I could afford one. Apparently not. If only it was available in Deep Sea Blue... Mineral grey with coral red leather it is, then, at least I won't care about the ugly front end if I'm sat in it. Really impressed with the touring mpg they recorded.