RE: BMW M135i xDrive confirmed with 306hp four-pot
Discussion
nickfrog said:
toon10 said:
Exactly this. I bought the M135i LCi 3 years ago and didn't even consider the Golf. I'm due to replace it next year and if I'm to settle on a non RWD 4 pot, them I'd buy the Golf.
Even if you prefer the BMW ?Ninja59 said:
bodhi said:
2 Series Coupe is staying RWD, based on a shrunken 3 Series Platform. The Gran Coupe will be FWD, but doubt the M Division will touch that one.
But the question is not really that is it?Because you mean the current 2 series coupe (F22/F23/F87) is RWD. Just like the "current" 1 series (F20/21).
The reality is that come (and if BMW decide to replace it) then the new 2 series coupe will likely move to the UKL platform which will complete exactly what BMW have been moving towards for years in efforts to reduce the number of platforms the cars are based on, and all those platforms will be modular.
Minis and BMW 1 series, X1, 2 series, X2 based on the UKL variants
BMW 3 series and X3 up to 7 and X7 cluster architecture (CLAR).
Rolls utilising the Architecture of Luxury platform (and won't be reusing any platform from the larger BMW's like the Dawn, Wraith, Ghost do/did)
Edited by Ninja59 on Wednesday 27th March 15:43
I'm a bit more upset about the 2 GC going FWD if I'm honest, as when it comes to replace my 1 Series Coupe it would be ideal. The 125i is a perfect size for us, but we will need 4 doors next time round for giving occasional lifts, and the boot in the 1 Series hatch is too small to fit golf clubs in properly without taking woods out.
Ahh the bingo card is full of the greatest buzz words from reading this thread.
I may be on my own here but I personally think a 400bhp 4wd proper M1/1M sounds amazing to me.
Going head to head with the new a45 AMG.
A proper hot hatch M car.
Even better it's hybrid and does 70mpg.
Might sound stupid, but is it crazier than a diesel Porsche SUV sounded 16 years so?
Yeah it's not a rwd, 6 cylinder, longitudinally mounted setup, but the times they are a changing and cars are getting faster!
I may be on my own here but I personally think a 400bhp 4wd proper M1/1M sounds amazing to me.
Going head to head with the new a45 AMG.
A proper hot hatch M car.
Even better it's hybrid and does 70mpg.
Might sound stupid, but is it crazier than a diesel Porsche SUV sounded 16 years so?
Yeah it's not a rwd, 6 cylinder, longitudinally mounted setup, but the times they are a changing and cars are getting faster!
aeropilot said:
ashleyman said:
Shame it's not an AWD 6 cylinder with the different drive modes like the M5.
That's because its a TRANSVERSE engine layout - you couldn't physically fit an inline six and the gearbox etc across the engine bay 
nickfrog said:
toon10 said:
Exactly this. I bought the M135i LCi 3 years ago and didn't even consider the Golf. I'm due to replace it next year and if I'm to settle on a non RWD 4 pot, them I'd buy the Golf.
Even if you prefer the BMW ?
toon10 said:
The Golf is nicer looking and roomier. I got the BMW as it had the RWD layout and 6 pot engine. The engine is the best thing about the car. So I dare say (without a test drive in both) I'd prefer the Golf over the new version BMW.
I thought that the Golf interior was better than that of the current 1 series (certainly in pictures it looks much nicer) but when I compared them both, back to back I thought that the M140 was a nicer (if more cramped) place to sit than the Golf. It felt much lower and just nicer, even though the Golf had the digital dash etc. My big issue with the R is that it's so damn plain, the GTI is a nicer looking car.The drivetrain was a big draw for me too, but that's gone on the next version. I'm really glad that I ordered one when I did. I'm fully aware that it's far from perfect, but I think I made the right choice.
I think I will stick with the B58 in the 140 ! Why would you actually buy the BMW now? The steering on recent BMWs isn't particularly good, they all look pretty generic now, in fact some even look outright ugly. With the new powertrain it's just gonna be like every other hot hatch, so other than good lease deals, why would you? The Megane is looking better and better every day.
aeropilot said:
Who writes this crap for PH now....?
It was talking about the AWD system, not the engine layout??OP said:
M division engineers certainly know how to extract excitement from an all-wheel drive system, although there’s no mention of a lairy, rear-drive mode which features on the M5 and next M3.
Well, they don't really, as M-Division have not produced or worked on a transverse engine, fwd layout platform before......and this new 1-Series is based on the UKL2 platform, the same as the 'big' Mini's, the X1's and 2 Series active tourer stuff, and bears zero relationship to any awd M5 or XM series.NicoG said:
apm142001 said:
And....the reason for choosing the 1 series over the others is gone.
Hot hatches are so lacking in individuality now you may as well just choose the one with the best finance deal and be done with it.
I always liked that BMW bucked that trend, sad to see them give in.
This. Amen.Hot hatches are so lacking in individuality now you may as well just choose the one with the best finance deal and be done with it.
I always liked that BMW bucked that trend, sad to see them give in.
chriscoates said:
Looks like I'll be sticking with my 130i for the forseeable then.
At least if the 2 series keeps RWD that would be an option, but you'd still have to put with the four-pot turbo engine
Power delivery wise I actually prefer the 4 cyl 2 litre Turbo engine in my Mini when I compare it to the 3 litre N/A N52 engine in my old 330i. It isn't as smooth or as revvy granted...but it does pick up a fair bit better lower down. It is also nowhere near as thirsty(yet it offers very similar performance).At least if the 2 series keeps RWD that would be an option, but you'd still have to put with the four-pot turbo engine
I'd much prefer the 6 cyl turbo to the 4 cyl turbo though, but I don't miss the old 3 litre N/A engines now.
cerb4.5lee said:
chriscoates said:
Looks like I'll be sticking with my 130i for the forseeable then.
At least if the 2 series keeps RWD that would be an option, but you'd still have to put with the four-pot turbo engine
Power delivery wise I actually prefer the 4 cyl 2 litre Turbo engine in my Mini when I compare it to the 3 litre N/A N52 engine in my old 330i. It isn't as smooth or as revvy granted...but it does pick up a fair bit better lower down. It is also nowhere near as thirsty(yet it offers very similar performance).At least if the 2 series keeps RWD that would be an option, but you'd still have to put with the four-pot turbo engine
I'd much prefer the 6 cyl turbo to the 4 cyl turbo though, but I don't miss the old 3 litre N/A engines now.
The economics of using the MINI platform make sense in terms of the bog-standard 1 series models, and fwd will free up interior space. But the M140i is made by its engine, and its RWD handling. I know the suspension isn't great, but 340PS through the rear wheels, and the creamy six cylinder engine are what make it special. It is far from perfect, but the shortcomings are easily sorted with aftermarket mods if you feel the need, and the basic ingredients the car possesses are brilliant, and currently unique in the market.
This is simple economics at work. Buyers of small diesel hatchbacks don't know or care which wheels are driven, but buyers of hot hatches generally do. This is a backwards step for them, but given the M140i only probably accounts for a tiny percentage of sales, the impact on sales will barely register. I completely understand why this decision was taken, but it doesn't change the fact that the hot hatch market is about to become less diverse, and the choice reduced as a result.
If there is a positive, it's that I really don't see myself making the financial commitment and chopping mine in any time soon in the way I would have been eager to if the replacement had retained the big six / RWD recipe that made me fall in love with the cast in the first place. It saves me a few quid.
Disappointing, but entirely logical and understandable.
This is simple economics at work. Buyers of small diesel hatchbacks don't know or care which wheels are driven, but buyers of hot hatches generally do. This is a backwards step for them, but given the M140i only probably accounts for a tiny percentage of sales, the impact on sales will barely register. I completely understand why this decision was taken, but it doesn't change the fact that the hot hatch market is about to become less diverse, and the choice reduced as a result.
If there is a positive, it's that I really don't see myself making the financial commitment and chopping mine in any time soon in the way I would have been eager to if the replacement had retained the big six / RWD recipe that made me fall in love with the cast in the first place. It saves me a few quid.
Disappointing, but entirely logical and understandable.
aeropilot said:
ashleyman said:
Shame it's not an AWD 6 cylinder with the different drive modes like the M5.
That's because its a TRANSVERSE engine layout - you couldn't physically fit an inline six and the gearbox etc across the engine bay They already make the M140i with xDrive AND it's got 6 cylinders. We just don't get it in the UK.
If they already make the car I'm describing, how can you say it won't fit? They just need to work from that chassis, and then start selling that version in the UK but with the M xDrive system that lets you select what wheels get power. That would probably make it the most capable and best selling hot hatch around - best of both worlds.
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