F40 M135i

[bodhi]

As mentioned on another thread, we're looking to replace our old Civic with something a bit newer, and after a visit to the BMW stand at the golf at the weekend we are now very interested in an M135i. We were initially considering buying new but I'm not sure our budget will stretch to an F70, so we're looking at the previous model and we have a question or two.

First is around spec - Mrs Bodhi is requesting

5 Door
Automatic
Blue

Easy enough

I've been left in charge of the rest, and for me the key requirements are:

Android Auto
HK
HUD
Electric Seats
Possibly Parking Assist if it's any good.
Red (spot where the arguments are coming from )

As far as I can tell Android Auto was standard, but not sure about the rest. With the F40 moving to packages which ones would I need? Looks like Tech and Comfort at the minimum, and maybe the Pro Pack to get HK?

Will be trying to avoid anything from the COVID years that had stuff missing.

Also how are they to run on a day to day basis? Ok on fuel? Reliable?

We are probably going to go for an AUC model from Lookers as we have a contact there, but if there's anything in particular I need to check that would be appreciated.

For instance I've heard some concerns about the gearbox, on both reliability and driveability - worth worrying about?

[smashy]

Head over here buddy thriving community M135i/M140i/M235i/M240i | Baby BMW Forum https://www.babybmw.net/forums/m135i-m140i-m235i-m...

[balise]

They’re all extras. Electric seats and HUD is tricky to find together. but essential for me. Easiest way I found was to look at photos it’s easy to see the seats and HUD.

Not a fan of blue personally, red is quite rare. Grey and silver however….

[sortedcossie]

bodhi said:

I've been left in charge of the rest, and for me the key requirements are:

Android Auto
HK
HUD
Electric Seats
Possibly Parking Assist if it's any good.
Red (spot where the arguments are coming from )

As far as I can tell Android Auto was standard, but not sure about the rest. With the F40 moving to packages which ones would I need? Looks like Tech and Comfort at the minimum, and maybe the Pro Pack to get HK?

Will be trying to avoid anything from the COVID years that had stuff missing.

Also how are they to run on a day to day basis? Ok on fuel? Reliable?

We are probably going to go for an AUC model from Lookers as we have a contact there, but if there's anything in particular I need to check that would be appreciated.

For instance I've heard some concerns about the gearbox, on both reliability and driveability - worth worrying about?

There are a lot with zero options on, or with bits missing as you say.

In addition to standard M135i spec (like comfort pack 1 and M Sport Pro pack etc), from memory ours has:

tech pack 1:
BMW Icon Adaptive LED Headlights
Enhanced Bluetooth with wireless charging
Head-up Display
High-beam Assistant Park Assist
WiFi hotspot preparation

comfort pack2:
Automatic tailgate
Comfort Access
Seat adjustment – front, electric with driver memory
Steering wheel heating


M135i pro pack additions:
19" M V-spoke style 557 M wheels, Bicolour Cerium
Grey Matt
Loudspeaker system – harman/kardon


Other non pack options (some no charge):
BMW Individual Storm Bay metallic paint
Anthracite headlining
Through loading rear seats
Black Dakota with Grey highlight trim selected
Luggage compartment package

bodhi said:

Also how are they to run on a day to day basis? Ok on fuel? Reliable?

We are probably going to go for an AUC model from Lookers as we have a contact there, but if there's anything in particular I need to check that would be appreciated.

For instance I've heard some concerns about the gearbox, on both reliability and driveability - worth worrying about?

Ours was also an AUC car, due to the tech involved I avoided all unless at a main dealer. We've continued the insured warranty since. At the time it was the only one with the options we wanted, I would have liked the pan roof but ones with that didn't have other packs.

Only thing noted "issue" wise is that the lacquer on two of the wheels are starting to flake in small bits, sub 5mm square. It's like a top coat/film, as zero corrosion and not notable from 2ft away.

fuel wise, dash says much less than actual - we're getting around 290 to 310 miles on a tank (brim down to light on) so around 45 litres = 30mpg (dash says 25), and that is zero motorway use, just local commuting. It is worse in the winter, drops to about 270. We tend to use my 335d for anything more than 20 miles round journey.

Some folk slate the gearbox, I don't mind it so I'd say do an extended test drive. My own daily is an F31 335d with the zf8, they do drive and "change" differently but I don't find it an issue. The throttle response on the 135 is much sharper, just due to the different donkey under the bonnet so if i've not driven it for a while I can send it off like a stabbed rat if not careful.

[sortedcossie]

This link has the Nov 2020 brochure:
https://images.autorama.co.uk/Uploads/Models/9328/...

It's helpful to figure what is standard and what's optional.

[bodhi]

sortedcossie said:

bodhi said:

I've been left in charge of the rest, and for me the key requirements are:

Android Auto
HK
HUD
Electric Seats
Possibly Parking Assist if it's any good.
Red (spot where the arguments are coming from )

As far as I can tell Android Auto was standard, but not sure about the rest. With the F40 moving to packages which ones would I need? Looks like Tech and Comfort at the minimum, and maybe the Pro Pack to get HK?

Will be trying to avoid anything from the COVID years that had stuff missing.

Also how are they to run on a day to day basis? Ok on fuel? Reliable?

We are probably going to go for an AUC model from Lookers as we have a contact there, but if there's anything in particular I need to check that would be appreciated.

For instance I've heard some concerns about the gearbox, on both reliability and driveability - worth worrying about?

There are a lot with zero options on, or with bits missing as you say.

In addition to standard M135i spec (like comfort pack 1 and M Sport Pro pack etc), from memory ours has:

tech pack 1:
BMW Icon Adaptive LED Headlights
Enhanced Bluetooth with wireless charging
Head-up Display
High-beam Assistant Park Assist
WiFi hotspot preparation

comfort pack2:
Automatic tailgate
Comfort Access
Seat adjustment front, electric with driver memory
Steering wheel heating


M135i pro pack additions:
19" M V-spoke style 557 M wheels, Bicolour Cerium
Grey Matt
Loudspeaker system harman/kardon


Other non pack options (some no charge):
BMW Individual Storm Bay metallic paint
Anthracite headlining
Through loading rear seats
Black Dakota with Grey highlight trim selected
Luggage compartment package

bodhi said:

Also how are they to run on a day to day basis? Ok on fuel? Reliable?

We are probably going to go for an AUC model from Lookers as we have a contact there, but if there's anything in particular I need to check that would be appreciated.

For instance I've heard some concerns about the gearbox, on both reliability and driveability - worth worrying about?

Ours was also an AUC car, due to the tech involved I avoided all unless at a main dealer. We've continued the insured warranty since. At the time it was the only one with the options we wanted, I would have liked the pan roof but ones with that didn't have other packs.

Only thing noted "issue" wise is that the lacquer on two of the wheels are starting to flake in small bits, sub 5mm square. It's like a top coat/film, as zero corrosion and not notable from 2ft away.

fuel wise, dash says much less than actual - we're getting around 290 to 310 miles on a tank (brim down to light on) so around 45 litres = 30mpg (dash says 25), and that is zero motorway use, just local commuting. It is worse in the winter, drops to about 270. We tend to use my 335d for anything more than 20 miles round journey.

Some folk slate the gearbox, I don't mind it so I'd say do an extended test drive. My own daily is an F31 335d with the zf8, they do drive and "change" differently but I don't find it an issue. The throttle response on the 135 is much sharper, just due to the different donkey under the bonnet so if i've not driven it for a while I can send it off like a stabbed rat if not careful.

That is brilliant info, thank you so much for that. I'm a bit swamped at work today so will try to digest later on, however I'd say that info was fairly comprehensive

I should have mentioned we're not in a huge hurry to buy (wife is talking about February, I'm seeing if we can move that forward with the right deal) so it does mean we can wait for the right spec - looks like we need all the packs and with us being fussy on colour there may be a wait, but sounds well worth it.

We've had a run of silver/grey cars, the wife hates white and I hate cleaning cars so black is probably out, so looks like we're limited to blue or red unless I can find one of the individual ones that came out post LCI.

Lots to think about, and shall pore through the brochure later on!

[sortedcossie]

No problem, ours is a long term keeper for sure.


This is worth a read too: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-buying-guides/...

Good luck with the search.