RE: BMW M135i (F20) | PH Used Buying Guide
Discussion
J4CKO said:
I spent ages faffing about looking at them, went to see a couple with better spec, what I learnt is the LCI cars are a bit nicer inside and most of the stuff I wasnt bothered about.
There are hundreds of them for sale and you end up in a loop where you find one but it 200 miles away, its the wrong colour but has the right options, oh but its got ditchfinders on and a sketchy advert. Or its a 5 door and you want a 3, or its four grand over budget.
I just went and got a one owner one with 9k from the BMW dealer 2 miles away having looked at some utter hounds, one in Valencia orange looked great, good price but had seen some action, three owners at 3 years old (last one in a very rough bit of Manchester) and had seen a lot of paint, still needed some more,needed four tyres, two Bridgestones on the wear bars and two newish ditchfinders on the back, great plan that on a car that is traction limited anyway...
Cheapest ones are now at 10k, but be careful.
I tried an M140i when I bought mine, it was four grand dearer, didnt seem worth the extra but the gap is lower now on 2016s, M135i seemed a smidge more raw if that makes sense, M140i was a bit more gutsy from low down but didnt seem outright massively faster, a £175 tuning box on an M135i gives you more power than a standard M140i, put one on an M140i and you see over 400 bhp but without further supporting mods its all a bit pointless anyway.
With these being relatively cheap even new, I imagine that there are some absolute dogs out there that have been abused. I was originally looking at AUc’s but ended up in that same loop of trying to find one with with must haves plus it was amazing the amount of dealers who listed the wrong spec et. There are hundreds of them for sale and you end up in a loop where you find one but it 200 miles away, its the wrong colour but has the right options, oh but its got ditchfinders on and a sketchy advert. Or its a 5 door and you want a 3, or its four grand over budget.
I just went and got a one owner one with 9k from the BMW dealer 2 miles away having looked at some utter hounds, one in Valencia orange looked great, good price but had seen some action, three owners at 3 years old (last one in a very rough bit of Manchester) and had seen a lot of paint, still needed some more,needed four tyres, two Bridgestones on the wear bars and two newish ditchfinders on the back, great plan that on a car that is traction limited anyway...
Cheapest ones are now at 10k, but be careful.
I tried an M140i when I bought mine, it was four grand dearer, didnt seem worth the extra but the gap is lower now on 2016s, M135i seemed a smidge more raw if that makes sense, M140i was a bit more gutsy from low down but didnt seem outright massively faster, a £175 tuning box on an M135i gives you more power than a standard M140i, put one on an M140i and you see over 400 bhp but without further supporting mods its all a bit pointless anyway.
Biggest interior updates for me was the nicer steering wheel in 2014 (the original one is rancid) and the LCI2 dials.
The M135i sounds nicer than the M140i, especially compared to the later cars like mine with a PPF. Performance wise there’s point something of a second in it and a few HP which once you hit 300 plus ends up pretty negligible in the real world.
nick30 said:
Ok not necessarily nonsense the whole points but possibly a bit long winded. No offence intended.
Yet the whole post is less words than the bloody "buyers guide" for which you obviously read!And bullet point delivery not sure how it can be long winded.
Such a boomer reaction.
Yep completely agree with you both J4CKO and Court_S. AUC weren't very helpful, gave a spec list of what I was after and had nothing through after 2 months despite chasing them twice.
Most of the used car dealers buy their stock direct from AUC auctions now. You'll notice on some adverts where they use the images direct from the BMW auction site as a few times I'd phoned up to book a viewing, only to be told they wouldn't have the car for another 1-2 weeks.
I definitely prefer the LCI model, steering wheel as said lifts the cabin design and you get LED lights which I find great.
Most of the used car dealers buy their stock direct from AUC auctions now. You'll notice on some adverts where they use the images direct from the BMW auction site as a few times I'd phoned up to book a viewing, only to be told they wouldn't have the car for another 1-2 weeks.
I definitely prefer the LCI model, steering wheel as said lifts the cabin design and you get LED lights which I find great.
cerb4.5lee said:
I think I might have it somewhere because at that time I used to buy almost every Autocar BMW full road test. Agree that the M135i is quick for sure(the M235i will be too in the right conditions I'd hope).
If I remember correctly I've seen that the M135i auto has a pretty much identical 0 to 100 time to a E92 M3 manual. Impressive I reckon.
Yes, it’s pretty much what you’d expect Lee when it’s not traction-limited by the weather If I remember correctly I've seen that the M135i auto has a pretty much identical 0 to 100 time to a E92 M3 manual. Impressive I reckon.
The C32 AMG is roughly the same stats too
s m said:
cerb4.5lee said:
I think I might have it somewhere because at that time I used to buy almost every Autocar BMW full road test. Agree that the M135i is quick for sure(the M235i will be too in the right conditions I'd hope).
If I remember correctly I've seen that the M135i auto has a pretty much identical 0 to 100 time to a E92 M3 manual. Impressive I reckon.
Yes, it’s pretty much what you’d expect Lee when it’s not traction-limited by the weather If I remember correctly I've seen that the M135i auto has a pretty much identical 0 to 100 time to a E92 M3 manual. Impressive I reckon.
The C32 AMG is roughly the same stats too
4.6 seconds is quicker to 60 than a manual E92 M3 then. It isn't quite as quick to 100 though as I originally thought.
It does show the difference that the conditions make for sure when you compare the M235i figures to the M135i.
Wonder how much difference a remap/tuning box makes, mine feels like it could be sub 10 to 100 now, need to give it a try, saw that a standard M140i posted a 9.9 so sounds possible.
I know there is a lot faster out there but not sure I want anything massively quicker for the road, am looking at trading it in for a Mustang GT later in the year, suspect the Mustang wont be as quick, or certainly wont feel it.
I know there is a lot faster out there but not sure I want anything massively quicker for the road, am looking at trading it in for a Mustang GT later in the year, suspect the Mustang wont be as quick, or certainly wont feel it.
J4CKO said:
Wonder how much difference a remap/tuning box makes, mine feels like it could be sub 10 to 100 now, need to give it a try, saw that a standard M140i posted a 9.9 so sounds possible.
I know there is a lot faster out there but not sure I want anything massively quicker for the road, am looking at trading it in for a Mustang GT later in the year, suspect the Mustang wont be as quick, or certainly wont feel it.
Yes and that is the great thing about turbos and how easy you can make them faster. I know there is a lot faster out there but not sure I want anything massively quicker for the road, am looking at trading it in for a Mustang GT later in the year, suspect the Mustang wont be as quick, or certainly wont feel it.
I hear what you are saying regards the Mustang and a NA engine delivers the performance so differently. My NA 370Z only really starts to feel quick if you are at 5000rpm and you plant the throttle. A turbo engine will be well up and at it before then for sure.
I know that I should prefer a NA engine with me being a bit of a dinosaur...but a turbo(or two) engine certainly seems to get my juices flowing that little bit more I reckon.
J4CKO said:
Wonder how much difference a remap/tuning box makes, mine feels like it could be sub 10 to 100 now, need to give it a try, saw that a standard M140i posted a 9.9 so sounds possible.
I know there is a lot faster out there but not sure I want anything massively quicker for the road, am looking at trading it in for a Mustang GT later in the year, suspect the Mustang wont be as quick, or certainly wont feel it.
A JB+ (£150) took from a standard 321hp to 355hp .I know there is a lot faster out there but not sure I want anything massively quicker for the road, am looking at trading it in for a Mustang GT later in the year, suspect the Mustang wont be as quick, or certainly wont feel it.
cerb4.5lee said:
Yes and that is the great thing about turbos and how easy you can make them faster.
I hear what you are saying regards the Mustang and a NA engine delivers the performance so differently. My NA 370Z only really starts to feel quick if you are at 5000rpm and you plant the throttle. A turbo engine will be well up and at it before then for sure.
I know that I should prefer a NA engine with me being a bit of a dinosaur...but a turbo(or two) engine certainly seems to get my juices flowing that little bit more I reckon.
I’ve got to admit that I quite enjoy the feeling of the torque that a turbo gives you as well. I hear what you are saying regards the Mustang and a NA engine delivers the performance so differently. My NA 370Z only really starts to feel quick if you are at 5000rpm and you plant the throttle. A turbo engine will be well up and at it before then for sure.
I know that I should prefer a NA engine with me being a bit of a dinosaur...but a turbo(or two) engine certainly seems to get my juices flowing that little bit more I reckon.
xjay1337 said:
nick30 said:
Ok not necessarily nonsense the whole points but possibly a bit long winded. No offence intended.
Yet the whole post is less words than the bloody "buyers guide" for which you obviously read!And bullet point delivery not sure how it can be long winded.
Such a boomer reaction.
k is a 'boomer reaction'?xjay1337 said:
J4CKO said:
Wonder how much difference a remap/tuning box makes, mine feels like it could be sub 10 to 100 now, need to give it a try, saw that a standard M140i posted a 9.9 so sounds possible.
I know there is a lot faster out there but not sure I want anything massively quicker for the road, am looking at trading it in for a Mustang GT later in the year, suspect the Mustang wont be as quick, or certainly wont feel it.
A JB+ (£150) took from a standard 321hp to 355hp .I know there is a lot faster out there but not sure I want anything massively quicker for the road, am looking at trading it in for a Mustang GT later in the year, suspect the Mustang wont be as quick, or certainly wont feel it.
JD said:
I find the 140i a constant frustration in this weather.
I am hoping that a change from SuperSports to PS4 will be the answer but don’t want to shell out before they are used up in case it makes no difference!
Has anyone made that change? Did it improve the car?
Agreed, so easy to get that little yellow light flashing when its cold and wet, always feels on the verge of breaking traction even when at speed, and being an auto you lose a degree of control over things.I am hoping that a change from SuperSports to PS4 will be the answer but don’t want to shell out before they are used up in case it makes no difference!
Has anyone made that change? Did it improve the car?
I think, regardless of tyre, 2wd, 320 plus lb ft, plus an open diff is always going to be challenging when grip is limited.
Just dont try and follow and Golf R's until its dry and warm.
This article not about my car, an old 2008 E88 convertible 135i M Sport so the N54 twin turbo. Only running a stage 1 map otherwise standard. This thing flies, notables in my past are an EVO 6, C55, XFR, this is stop gap as I save up. I can not believe the performance. I think without an LSD any more power gains would be spun away but bang per buck I just had mention the little beemer. As to it's poor reliablity, touch wood, one coil pack in a year on 70k driven, well I get 15mpg, I can't help myself. Like to see a buyers guide if one does not exist. Oh it's a slush box as well, torque suits the 6 six auto so well. Perfect for my needs, my attainable dream car coming later this year, really has a lot to live up to.
J4CKO said:
Wonder how much difference a remap/tuning box makes, mine feels like it could be sub 10 to 100 now, need to give it a try, saw that a standard M140i posted a 9.9 so sounds possible.
I know there is a lot faster out there but not sure I want anything massively quicker for the road, am looking at trading it in for a Mustang GT later in the year, suspect the Mustang wont be as quick, or certainly wont feel it.
I rented a 460 bhp Mustang in the states, within 3 months of selling my M135i LCI, and I absolutely loved it. The way it delivered the power, the induction and exhaust noise were so intoxicating, and it felt properly quick. I think you will love a Mustang.I know there is a lot faster out there but not sure I want anything massively quicker for the road, am looking at trading it in for a Mustang GT later in the year, suspect the Mustang wont be as quick, or certainly wont feel it.
J4CKO said:
Agreed, so easy to get that little yellow light flashing when its cold and wet, always feels on the verge of breaking traction even when at speed, and being an auto you lose a degree of control over things.
I think, regardless of tyre, 2wd, 320 plus lb ft, plus an open diff is always going to be challenging when grip is limited.
Just dont try and follow and Golf R's until its dry and warm.
Oh I thought that light was always meant to be on? I think, regardless of tyre, 2wd, 320 plus lb ft, plus an open diff is always going to be challenging when grip is limited.
Just dont try and follow and Golf R's until its dry and warm.
Maybe I am hopeful the tyres will be the magic bullet, but I don’t remember my 335i ever having this much difficulty going in a straight line!
fioravanti said:
J4CKO said:
Wonder how much difference a remap/tuning box makes, mine feels like it could be sub 10 to 100 now, need to give it a try, saw that a standard M140i posted a 9.9 so sounds possible.
I know there is a lot faster out there but not sure I want anything massively quicker for the road, am looking at trading it in for a Mustang GT later in the year, suspect the Mustang wont be as quick, or certainly wont feel it.
I rented a 460 bhp Mustang in the states, within 3 months of selling my M135i LCI, and I absolutely loved it. The way it delivered the power, the induction and exhaust noise were so intoxicating, and it felt properly quick. I think you will love a Mustang.I know there is a lot faster out there but not sure I want anything massively quicker for the road, am looking at trading it in for a Mustang GT later in the year, suspect the Mustang wont be as quick, or certainly wont feel it.
I've got the B58 in my 440i coupe, and I tend to think it suits the bigger car a little better. It is definitely a GT engine, I run it on the NC500 with my pal's Mustang and whilst the GT has more drama for sure, I think the Beemer is a more rounded package. Speed wise I would put them bang level as the numbers reflect.
The engine and the ZF8 are a bit of a masterpiece for me. As a daily commute car it does all things but stick it in sport+ with some good tarmac and it is exceptionally fast. Not the last word in handling close to the limit, but for belting along windy pieces of open road it's a pretty unbeatable combo.
For all the advances made, the new 2.0 M135i is not engaging me at all. I admire the tech but not the end result.
The engine and the ZF8 are a bit of a masterpiece for me. As a daily commute car it does all things but stick it in sport+ with some good tarmac and it is exceptionally fast. Not the last word in handling close to the limit, but for belting along windy pieces of open road it's a pretty unbeatable combo.
For all the advances made, the new 2.0 M135i is not engaging me at all. I admire the tech but not the end result.
I ran an M135i for a couple of years when the cheap lease deals were on (in contract hire white obviously)
Prior to that I had an E87 130i
I'm now in an E82 135i coupe.
The M135i is a really good car, so much more comfortable than the E series cars and the autobox is really smooth. If it wasn't for the small tank you could make good progress in comfort.
As others mentioned it feels more like a mini GT than a hot hatch.
The ride is way better on the adaptive suspension although I always left it in comfort as I preferred a bit of body movement.
Overall though despite being a bit of a BMW fanboy I don't really miss it, it was really fast but just not that much fun.
I did have one 'Clarkson' moment in mine when I hit some standing water on an A road, speared across a traffic island and over a 6 inch kerb wrecking the wheels on one side and a shock absorber. Not the cars fault of course but it's my enduring memory of that car.
Prior to that I had an E87 130i
I'm now in an E82 135i coupe.
The M135i is a really good car, so much more comfortable than the E series cars and the autobox is really smooth. If it wasn't for the small tank you could make good progress in comfort.
As others mentioned it feels more like a mini GT than a hot hatch.
The ride is way better on the adaptive suspension although I always left it in comfort as I preferred a bit of body movement.
Overall though despite being a bit of a BMW fanboy I don't really miss it, it was really fast but just not that much fun.
I did have one 'Clarkson' moment in mine when I hit some standing water on an A road, speared across a traffic island and over a 6 inch kerb wrecking the wheels on one side and a shock absorber. Not the cars fault of course but it's my enduring memory of that car.
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