BMW M135I?

[Tallerton12]

I am debating whether to get an M135I.

I have a budget of around 12k and just wanted to know people opinions on them. I know i definitely want an auto, has anyone owned one and can let me know what the reliability is like.

I went to see one on Saturday that was nice, but not the best spec (no heated seats, Hk speakers etc) https://shorturl.at/8o5vb . It was in very nice condition but does seem expensive for the lack of spec.

Any advice welcome.

Thanks

[Monkeez]

IMO mate that looks incredibly bland.
The lack of spec both outside and in would do my head in.

[Tallerton12]

Monkeez said:

IMO mate that looks incredibly bland.
The lack of spec both outside and in would do my head in.

Yeah I agree about the interior, I would miss heated seats and the HK I think. However, I do like the outside, I prefer the "sleeper" look compared to all the body kit stuff. It is annoying, if it was slightly better spec'd inside I would have it

[venster70]

I think it's important to find one that has been well looked after, as with any car.
The mechanicals are pretty solid, they get slated for their ride and handling on the standard suspension.

[Xcore]

Budget afew quid for some birds upgrades and not much beats them bang for buck.

[rlg43p]

I'd increase the budget slightly and get a later model with the facelift - it looks so much better.

I've had 6x BMWs of various models over the last 16 years, mostly doing 20k miles per year. I've never had to pay for anything other than maintenance on any of them.

So I'd say go for it; and don't rule out buying privately to get better value.

[griffter]

I’ve just bought a 235i and love it. Mine’s low spec but the stereo’s good enough and the speakers can easily be upgraded; heated seats I can do without. I bought it because the colour, condition and few upgrades were right up my street.

That car you linked to has cruise control which seems a far rarer and (IMHO) more useful option.

[LeeM135i]

I had one for just over 5 years, bought it as a 1 year old car in 2015 and sold it in 2020.

Can honestly say I had no issues with it what so ever, it was serviced at the local BMW dealer, had its disks and pads (all round) changed once and all 4 tyres changed twice in the 50k miles I owned it (60k miles total).

Found it a lovely car to drive at upto 7/10ths it got very flustered and a bit uncomfortable when driving it really hard, think of it more a compact GT car and you will be in the right area.

Worth looking at the LSD and birds suspension packages if you want to drive it hard but I was pretty happy with it. Also worth looking into a baffled sump if you track it as they can have starvation issues under prolonged hard cornering.

Can be mapped to high 300bhp but honestly never felt the need.

Lots of no spec cars out there as BMW were offering some ridiculously cheap PCP deals. Mine was an ex demonstrator so luckily had every option except the sunroof and adjustable suspension. Would say the HK stereo was OK but nothing special, electric seats were nice as we both drove it, Auto gearbox was lovely and smooth (make sure its been serviced at 60-80k as BMW say sealed for life and they get more jerky over time) big nave screen was lovely but you can get a Car Play / Android Auto 3rd party one which makes more sense now.

Let me know if you have any specific questions.

[kiethton]

Have an LCI M135i, bought with 60k miles 6.5 years ago, now on 130k - only thing it's needed are: discs, pads, servicing, tyres every 25k miles, exhaust clip, rocker cover gasket and a single coolant hose (one which runs in the bonnet shut line - brittle plastic connector).

It's done everything we need it to; long way to Croatia and back in comfort and daily commute...only thing it couldn't do was grow to accommodate our daughter (or stop idiots grazing it parking)...so we got an X5. We kept the M135i as thought we'd use it more than we have, it did 750 miles last year... no idea if we'll keep it much longer tbh.

I do say spec is important - ours has heated seats, pro nav, cruise, reverse cam, HK stereo, adaptive lights, folding mirrors and a clip more but essential for me would be:

Pro Nav
Mirrors (London on-street parking)
HK sound (standard is awful)
Heated seats (winter)
Reverse cam (or at least sensors)
Cruise

Rest is nice to have. £12k is £££ for a pre-facelift, admit the miles are high but ours is £10k tops

Edited by kiethton on Wednesday 15th January 17:17

[swanny71]

Coming up to 6 years and 40k miles in mine (2014, 76k miles, manual) and still think it’s a brilliant, interesting and reliable daily driver.

Apart from servicing & consumables I’ve replaced the TPMS receiver, SOS system battery and a door lock actuator - all cheap and easy DIY.

A few ‘by choice’ upgrades, including shocks/springs, have improved the car further.

Thoroughly recommended.
(although I think the auto version lacks a little something).

[Jimjimhim]

The standard nav looks really crap so I would definitely want the pro nav

[ZX10R NIN]

Tallerton12 said:

Yeah I agree about the interior, I would miss heated seats and the HK I think. However, I do like the outside, I prefer the "sleeper" look compared to all the body kit stuff. It is annoying, if it was slightly better spec'd inside I would have it

The HK really isn't that (it's better than the standard setup which was poor in the first place) great I'd find a local specialist who's able to upgrade the standard setup, so don't make that a deal breaker.

[Jimjimhim]

ZX10R NIN said:

The HK really isn't that (it's better than the standard setup which was poor in the first place) great I'd find a local specialist who's able to upgrade the standard setup, so don't make that a deal breaker.

Some people don't want to modify a car.

[russy01]

I had one of these new back in 2012/13.

Great cars. HK stereo is much better than standard, it has some bottom end.

Pro nav makes huge difference to the interior as previously said.

[ZX10R NIN]

Jimjimhim said:

Some people don't want to modify a car.

I don't class changing speakers for better ones as modifying, would putting better tyres than OE on your car be classed as modifying?

[Jimjimhim]

ZX10R NIN said:

Jimjimhim said:

Some people don't want to modify a car.

I don't class changing speakers for better ones as modifying, would putting better tyres than OE on your car be classed as modifying?

You might not but insurance probably will.


Anyway I meant more the process than the legal side.

Edited by Jimjimhim on Monday 13th January 22:04

[pb8g09]

I’ve got an M235i and it’s a great car. A little bit wobbly at when pushing on but for a fast road car that’s practical and has a bit of personality (engine), I’m struggling to work out what to replace it with.

The one option I would absolutely line in the sand on is ProNav. I think it’s the biggest standout not having and on the owner’s groups it’s the fastest way to be declared ‘povo spec’. I’ve got cruise control too and I do use that a lot on the 50mph average speed roads. I don’t have heated seats but haven’t noticed that really- even now in the freezing temperatures. I would have liked HK- but I wanted a car with pro-nav and red leather and there wasn’t many around at the time I bought.

Try and avoid white- it gets absolutely filthy!

[rfn]

I had three M135is - two 5dr 2014 cars and a 3dr LCI. All had a great spec - Pro Nav, HK, Folding Mirrors but my final one was just "the car" - sunroof, 3dr, and I loved it. I had a great time with it. Can highly recommend them.

[hiccy18]

Bought an LCI new in 2016, still got it! Can't comment on autobox, I like changing gear. HK is ok, adaptive suspension cures a lot of ills, decent long distance cruising suits the GT feel. Heated seats and wheel are awesome. LCI had the bigger nav, not as big as pronav but bigger than "standard". 5dr debadged is stealthy performer.

We've been to eight different countries together but not sure we'll be going to any more, which is a shame, but it's feeling its age now.

[Jamescrs]

Pronav
Heated seats
HK audio

would all be must haves for me