Thoughts - F20 M135i Vs mk8 ST Fester??

[BobbyCorker]

Hi. New here. Was an active member a few years back though!

So. I'm currently car shopping.

After hundreds of hours of research, I'm tempted by 2 cars:
1) 2015 BMW M135I 3 door with 45,000 miles and manual.
2) 2019 Fiesta ST 3 door with 8000 miles and a year of manufacturer warranty left.

Both pretty much same price.

Here's where I'm confused....

Younger me would have jumped at the 135i for pure power numbers and a taste for rwd. But now I'm mid 30s I'm tempted by the ST for the JOY element and ability to spank it more often without ending up upside-down up a tree!

However my car history is more serious big-engined, mostly V8 rear drive stuff (and one quattro) so I'm worried if I go for the Fester with front-wheel drive and cheaper build quality I'll regret it - but is that where part of the JOY factor of the fun comes from? Is the 135i a bit..SERIOUS in comparison??

If the M135i had LSD as standard that might swing it, because I'm not a fan of strong motors to the rear wheels without LSD. Retrofitting LSD is another £2k and on and on.

The reviews of the Fiesta mk 8 ST are stellar, with even Chris Harris and Clarkson saying its the most fun at even three times the price range.

Any thoughts welcome and owners of both much appreciated to help me decide.

Cheers!

Edited by BobbyCorker on Saturday 24th April 20:15

Edited by BobbyCorker on Saturday 24th April 20:17

[liner33]

I used to have a mk8 ST and m235i , I sold the Fiesta

Yes they are fun when hooning but the ride is choppy and they are pretty average as a day to day car . Didn’t find the economy anything to write home about either

My suggestion would be to drive both and not just a 10 min drive either

[Scobblelotcher]

Chalk and cheese.

The M135i is best thought of as a mini GT car, stonking engine and wonderful auto box but not a car that’s easy to drive at 10/10ths as the chassis/suspension becomes compromised but there are many great things about it, the noise the engine makes is amazing and its obviously a lot faster than a Fiesta ST. The M135i is also great for cruising and being under the radar when you want it to be and can return decent fuel economy if driven gently. Ultimately though it’s failing stop it from being a true drivers car but I would encourage you to try one as this format won’t return (small car, large engine, rwd).

The Fiesta ST is an old school hot hatch but a very polished one. It wants to be driven hard and taken by the scruff of the neck, which makes for fun drives.

[ZX10R NIN]

Try to get a decent test drive in both as that'll tell which one to go for, there's a simple fix for the ride on the Fiesta is a set of springs which smooth out the ride but you might find it just fine.

If you want a drivers car then it's the Fiesta if you're more inclined to a mini GT then the M135i is the pick.

[BobbyCorker]

liner33 said:

I used to have a mk8 ST and m235i , I sold the Fiesta

Yes they are fun when hooning but the ride is choppy and they are pretty average as a day to day car . Didn’t find the economy anything to write home about either

My suggestion would be to drive both and not just a 10 min drive either

OK thanks. Yeah appreciate I need to drive both, but finding an M135 nearby to try is trickier.

How did you find pushing the M235i say to 7-10ths, was it twitchy without the LSD? When I say that I mean not the fun predictable twitchy but random unpredictable twitchy, like mid bend hitting a bump on rear wheel with power?

Which one of the two did you find most enjoyable for a moorland Sunday afternoon blast?

[BobbyCorker]

ZX10R NIN said:

Try to get a decent test drive in both as that'll tell which one to go for, there's a simple fix for the ride on the Fiesta is a set of springs which smooth out the ride but you might find it just fine.

If you want a drivers car then it's the Fiesta if you're more inclined to a mini GT then the M135i is the pick.

Thanks. Yeah in the past the mini gt would have been more me, but I think I really fancy that buzz of everything feeling just right even if not as fast in a straight line. I want the fun you might have with an old lotus elise almost, but more modern and equipped...

[liner33]

BobbyCorker said:

OK thanks. Yeah appreciate I need to drive both, but finding an M135 nearby to try is trickier.

How did you find pushing the M235i say to 7-10ths, was it twitchy without the LSD? When I say that I mean not the fun predictable twitchy but random unpredictable twitchy, like mid bend hitting a bump on rear wheel with power?

Which one of the two did you find most enjoyable for a moorland Sunday afternoon blast?

Mine is slightly modified so I’ve addressed most of the shortcomings , the car would benefit from a lsd but they aren’t essential but any means sure the car is lively but not alarming if you have driven rwd before in fact I found the fiesta less predictable since the lsd pulls it all over the place when driving hard.

Sunday blasts was the reason I kept the bmw and sold the Ford , when I wanted to drive for fun it was always the bmw

Oh and I’m off out tomorrow in it, just for giggles

[BobbyCorker]

Thanks for all the help.

One last question. Am I missing any cars to consider?

I want to get as close to the tight gearbox/handling of an Elise but usable daily in all weathers. Bearing in mind there's a scale where OK, the M240i is softer and heavier but the power makes you smile.

I don't need back seats or a big luggage compartment.

I just want something that makes me buzz like my old 4speed manual 66 Mustang did, but modern, and 35mpg avg.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the Astra VXR is somewhere between the two it has the good handling but also the power, now I'm not saying it's a Elise rival but what it is, is a fun hot hatch.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104091...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009224...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103260...

Or the 308 GTI 270

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102128...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103240...

[BobbyCorker]

Thanks, hadn't considered the vxr. Not ever really been a vauxhall man, but that is interesting with 276hp and 300ib ft...

[liner33]

What about the good old Golf GTI ?

[Spidersleg]

Pick something that can also be comfortable when needed. I find I get to have fun about 10% of my driving time, while the other 90% is stuck behind something, kid in the car, crap weather etc etc.
Drove the OH's mk7 fiesta st and it was great fun for the mile of clear road, that fun soon wore off stuck behind cars rattling my teeth over the bumps and pot holes.

[PTF]

Megane RS?

[ZX10R NIN]

BobbyCorker said:

Thanks, hadn't considered the vxr. Not ever really been a vauxhall man, but that is interesting with 276hp and 300ib ft...

It's not just the power they handle well with a similar setup to the Megane RS Cup Chassis cars, it's a smidge behind the RS but it's still a good steer & the LSD helps with the traction.

The interiors a nice place to be too with those Recaros.