1 year in an M135i 3.0; Thoughts and Costs
Discussion
Hi all,
I've had my 5 door manual M135i for over a year now and done around 11,000 miles in it so I thought I'd share some of my thoughts and how much it's cost to run over this period.
Why I Bought It:
Ever since they came out in 2012 (I was 19), I really wanted one. A RWD hatchback with a 6cyl engine is a very rare thing and it was probably the last one to be made (M140i included). I tossed up between one of these and a V8 Audi S5. Both around the same power, both around the same size, but the BMW was considerably cheaper to run. 30mpg vs 20mpg and repair costs would be less too. So that was the deciding factor. I bought mine privately in North London from a guy who was clearly an enthusiast and a purest. He hadn't modified the car at all and had kept endless paperwork. The deal was done.
"Why manual?" I hear you ask, "The ZF8 is amazing". It is yeah, but having been a passenger in one, it just felt very clinical and boring. I really enjoy changing gear myself and I wouldn't be without that. I've always thought that the auto IS faster, but the manual FEELS faster.
Driving thoughts:
Handling wise, its pretty good. Its no 'drivers car' for sure, Its basically a 116d M-sport with 320hp and bigger brakes. But it gets down a road very well. Reviews said that it feels a bit wobbly and out of control the more you push, but I haven't found that too much. What I do find is its much better on a rough B - road than my old Fiesta ST. That was just too harsh and made a normal drive cross country very tiresome and uncomfortable.
Engine wise, that's the best bit! The N55 is silky smooth and torquey but holds the power well all the way to 7000. This was supposed to be the main downfall of the later B58. That's a torquier unit but doesn't rev out. The gearing is long, it'll just hit 70 in 2nd and over 100 in 3rd. I like this though, it feels like the tyres can cope with that longer gearing under hard acceleration, instead of constantly spinning up! The noise is excellent, but could be a touch louder if i'm honest. My friends older 130i makes a nicer/louder noise.
Reliability and running costs:
It's been pretty good. MPG has been 31.5mpg overall and it'll do up to 45mpg on a 65mph cruise. That's pretty amazing in my opinion.
Reliability has been good, although I've already replaced a few suspension components and I get the feeling i'll be doing that more soon. The battery performance dropped massively and it was struggling to do simple things, so that was replaced. But that's been it.
Costs so far are as follows:
MOT: £54
Front Suspension bushes: £345
Battery: £140
Rear PS4's: £244
4 Wheel alignment: £67
Full Service: £450
£1300 total
Anyway, overall I love it, so here's some pictures. Thanks for reading.
I've had my 5 door manual M135i for over a year now and done around 11,000 miles in it so I thought I'd share some of my thoughts and how much it's cost to run over this period.
Why I Bought It:
Ever since they came out in 2012 (I was 19), I really wanted one. A RWD hatchback with a 6cyl engine is a very rare thing and it was probably the last one to be made (M140i included). I tossed up between one of these and a V8 Audi S5. Both around the same power, both around the same size, but the BMW was considerably cheaper to run. 30mpg vs 20mpg and repair costs would be less too. So that was the deciding factor. I bought mine privately in North London from a guy who was clearly an enthusiast and a purest. He hadn't modified the car at all and had kept endless paperwork. The deal was done.
"Why manual?" I hear you ask, "The ZF8 is amazing". It is yeah, but having been a passenger in one, it just felt very clinical and boring. I really enjoy changing gear myself and I wouldn't be without that. I've always thought that the auto IS faster, but the manual FEELS faster.
Driving thoughts:
Handling wise, its pretty good. Its no 'drivers car' for sure, Its basically a 116d M-sport with 320hp and bigger brakes. But it gets down a road very well. Reviews said that it feels a bit wobbly and out of control the more you push, but I haven't found that too much. What I do find is its much better on a rough B - road than my old Fiesta ST. That was just too harsh and made a normal drive cross country very tiresome and uncomfortable.
Engine wise, that's the best bit! The N55 is silky smooth and torquey but holds the power well all the way to 7000. This was supposed to be the main downfall of the later B58. That's a torquier unit but doesn't rev out. The gearing is long, it'll just hit 70 in 2nd and over 100 in 3rd. I like this though, it feels like the tyres can cope with that longer gearing under hard acceleration, instead of constantly spinning up! The noise is excellent, but could be a touch louder if i'm honest. My friends older 130i makes a nicer/louder noise.
Reliability and running costs:
It's been pretty good. MPG has been 31.5mpg overall and it'll do up to 45mpg on a 65mph cruise. That's pretty amazing in my opinion.
Reliability has been good, although I've already replaced a few suspension components and I get the feeling i'll be doing that more soon. The battery performance dropped massively and it was struggling to do simple things, so that was replaced. But that's been it.
Costs so far are as follows:
MOT: £54
Front Suspension bushes: £345
Battery: £140
Rear PS4's: £244
4 Wheel alignment: £67
Full Service: £450
£1300 total
Anyway, overall I love it, so here's some pictures. Thanks for reading.
mholt1995 said:
Wahey, well done for getting your own thread started!
Interested to see your bushes needed doing - what mileage was that at and how did you know?
Wonder if, along with brakes, that was another bill that would soon become apparent had I kept it and started piling the miles on
Haha thanks! I did one before but it was rubbish.Interested to see your bushes needed doing - what mileage was that at and how did you know?
Wonder if, along with brakes, that was another bill that would soon become apparent had I kept it and started piling the miles on
The 2 bushes were done at around 52k. 1 on each side that control braking forces I believe. My brakes also need doing but going to do it myself for around 300 I believe.
Good to see that you’re still enjoying it.
I wonder if I’d have been happier with a facelift M135i instead of my M140i; they make a nicer noise and the rear springs are softer so I think they suffer less of the rear end pogo.
Your average economy is good too; mine was 28.1mpg over 23k / two years.
I wonder if I’d have been happier with a facelift M135i instead of my M140i; they make a nicer noise and the rear springs are softer so I think they suffer less of the rear end pogo.
Your average economy is good too; mine was 28.1mpg over 23k / two years.
Lovely things aren't they?
As an owner of a B58 ZF8 2018 car, I often find myself thinking I've bought the wrong one. Totally echo your comments re: the earlier engine.
But as a car and a tool, it's fantastic. I've had E46 M3's, a 996 Turbo and other stuff. But as a do it all daily, these cars are incredible.
As an owner of a B58 ZF8 2018 car, I often find myself thinking I've bought the wrong one. Totally echo your comments re: the earlier engine.
But as a car and a tool, it's fantastic. I've had E46 M3's, a 996 Turbo and other stuff. But as a do it all daily, these cars are incredible.
I think I may have gelled better with mine if I had gone for the manual I was offered, grey 3 door with red leather vs the blue 5 door auto I did buy.
I would have persevered I think and sorted the suspension, then would just be the steering, but suspension, steering and will still have been auto was too much to be bothered. Its a good auto box, but dont need an auto for what I do.
They are good at what they do, just found it like you say, a bit clinical and boring, despite the rather lovely engine.
I would have persevered I think and sorted the suspension, then would just be the steering, but suspension, steering and will still have been auto was too much to be bothered. Its a good auto box, but dont need an auto for what I do.
They are good at what they do, just found it like you say, a bit clinical and boring, despite the rather lovely engine.
Good insight - we've had our M135i (2015 LCI) for nearly 5 years now and it sits just over 120k miles, used for daily driving but also a fair amount of hooning. In the 60k we've done in it we've had:
9 new tyres, all either supersports/PS4's - a set generally lasts 25-30k and tend to go together (full tread rears, inside edges front)
One track rod end
Replacement radiator pipe (the small one that runs just inside the bonnet opening)
1 set of disc's and pads (DS2500's)
1 battery at ~110k miles
General servicing when required
Does have a few issues which are common:
Exhaust valve is rattling, I've got a new pin which will be fitted next week (£15)
New front pads (£45 from ECP - pagid's this time)
Weeping oil gasket which causes a drop of oil onto the manifold and a lot of smoke occasionally
Bent/cracked alloys - bloody potholes.... - will get these swapped when absolutely necessary as it'll only happen again
6 different stone chips of various sizes in the windscreen - again, can't be bothered to fix this currently
Generally been a great car and far more reliable than all but an old 1.25 fiesta. Echo the economy points, although due to my wife's urban commute ours is currently doing <180 miles a tank!!! - mileage accretion will start to drop soon though as we've got an X5 on the way which will take the daily driving load, leaving the M135i as our back-up car.
9 new tyres, all either supersports/PS4's - a set generally lasts 25-30k and tend to go together (full tread rears, inside edges front)
One track rod end
Replacement radiator pipe (the small one that runs just inside the bonnet opening)
1 set of disc's and pads (DS2500's)
1 battery at ~110k miles
General servicing when required
Does have a few issues which are common:
Exhaust valve is rattling, I've got a new pin which will be fitted next week (£15)
New front pads (£45 from ECP - pagid's this time)
Weeping oil gasket which causes a drop of oil onto the manifold and a lot of smoke occasionally
Bent/cracked alloys - bloody potholes.... - will get these swapped when absolutely necessary as it'll only happen again
6 different stone chips of various sizes in the windscreen - again, can't be bothered to fix this currently
Generally been a great car and far more reliable than all but an old 1.25 fiesta. Echo the economy points, although due to my wife's urban commute ours is currently doing <180 miles a tank!!! - mileage accretion will start to drop soon though as we've got an X5 on the way which will take the daily driving load, leaving the M135i as our back-up car.
I've had my M135i for just over a year and a half and it's been absolutely perfect, however I fear I may have a bill on the horizon as it's in for MOT at the start of the month and I think a droplink may be worn or a strut top mount needs replacing as I get a knock from the front right around left hand bends if the road surface is rough.
In the time I've had the car though, I think it's awesome. It's a comfy motorway cruiser yet it has no issues getting a shift on down a twisty road if provoked. Most journeys (other than the absolute shortest) I get an average of 30+ mpg, which for a 320hp car is well in the realms of a good return!
Here's hoping the price of SUL starts to drop though, as the only gripe I have about the car is that the fuel tank is tiny - even averaging 30mpg across a full tank only gives a max range of 342mi, so even though the economy is good for the engine output, it still makes you feel like you're topping up Oliver Reed every couple of weeks or so!
In the time I've had the car though, I think it's awesome. It's a comfy motorway cruiser yet it has no issues getting a shift on down a twisty road if provoked. Most journeys (other than the absolute shortest) I get an average of 30+ mpg, which for a 320hp car is well in the realms of a good return!
Here's hoping the price of SUL starts to drop though, as the only gripe I have about the car is that the fuel tank is tiny - even averaging 30mpg across a full tank only gives a max range of 342mi, so even though the economy is good for the engine output, it still makes you feel like you're topping up Oliver Reed every couple of weeks or so!
Iv had my m140 just over a year and love it tbh. Perfect size for me, Iv gone down the Bilstein route with couple other suspension bits and it handles night and day better than stock. Next month il add LSD and go ‘stage 2+’ maybe add a new hybrid turbo and then that’s it done. Don’t know what else I’d replace it with without going double or triple the cost, handles daily work no problem and decent on track too.
I've had my 2019 M140i for only a week, replacing an Abarth 595. I keep thinking up reasons why I need to go somewhere.
Really impressed with the performance, totally effortless. According to the trip computer, I've averaged nearly 41mpg, which is just crazy. I'll check the accuracy when I fill up though.
In comparison, the Abarth was averaging just over 44mpg, and the previous Picanto 1 litre turbo 52mpg, both checked brim to brim.
The only other relatively large petrol turbo that I've owned, a Superb 280, struggled to better 38mpg on a run, and averaged around 34mpg before it went bang. The Skoda was a fair bit bigger, but not much heavier, being based on the M140i's direct competitor - the Golf R. It was a pretty quick car on paper, but needed a lot of revs to really get going. The M140i is perfectly happy to pootle along in top gear at 50mph, then take off like a scalded cat with a prod of the pedal when an overtaking opportunity arises.
I might have to consider a spring/damper upgrade though, as it's a bit bouncy at lower speeds. Bilstein B12s?
Really impressed with the performance, totally effortless. According to the trip computer, I've averaged nearly 41mpg, which is just crazy. I'll check the accuracy when I fill up though.
In comparison, the Abarth was averaging just over 44mpg, and the previous Picanto 1 litre turbo 52mpg, both checked brim to brim.
The only other relatively large petrol turbo that I've owned, a Superb 280, struggled to better 38mpg on a run, and averaged around 34mpg before it went bang. The Skoda was a fair bit bigger, but not much heavier, being based on the M140i's direct competitor - the Golf R. It was a pretty quick car on paper, but needed a lot of revs to really get going. The M140i is perfectly happy to pootle along in top gear at 50mph, then take off like a scalded cat with a prod of the pedal when an overtaking opportunity arises.
I might have to consider a spring/damper upgrade though, as it's a bit bouncy at lower speeds. Bilstein B12s?
Glad to hear you’re getting on well with the car OP.
I’ve had my M140i for coming up to a year now and every time the itch comes to swap it out, I drive loads of other cars and come back to mine realising how great it is.
I had the M Performance LSD and exhaust fitted to mine by BMW too.
It might sound like internet hyperbole, but the LSD totally transforms the car. It won’t stop the bouncing but the level of grip (and thus confidence) it provides, as well as composure under braking is incredible!
No more squeaky bum moments on WOT wondering what the back end will do!
I’ve had my M140i for coming up to a year now and every time the itch comes to swap it out, I drive loads of other cars and come back to mine realising how great it is.
I had the M Performance LSD and exhaust fitted to mine by BMW too.
It might sound like internet hyperbole, but the LSD totally transforms the car. It won’t stop the bouncing but the level of grip (and thus confidence) it provides, as well as composure under braking is incredible!
No more squeaky bum moments on WOT wondering what the back end will do!
kiethton said:
Good insight - we've had our M135i (2015 LCI) for nearly 5 years now and it sits just over 120k miles, used for daily driving but also a fair amount of hooning. In the 60k we've done in it we've had:
9 new tyres, all either supersports/PS4's - a set generally lasts 25-30k and tend to go together (full tread rears, inside edges front)
One track rod end
Replacement radiator pipe (the small one that runs just inside the bonnet opening)
1 set of disc's and pads (DS2500's)
1 battery at ~110k miles
General servicing when required
Does have a few issues which are common:
Exhaust valve is rattling, I've got a new pin which will be fitted next week (£15)
New front pads (£45 from ECP - pagid's this time)
Weeping oil gasket which causes a drop of oil onto the manifold and a lot of smoke occasionally
Bent/cracked alloys - bloody potholes.... - will get these swapped when absolutely necessary as it'll only happen again
6 different stone chips of various sizes in the windscreen - again, can't be bothered to fix this currently
Generally been a great car and far more reliable than all but an old 1.25 fiesta. Echo the economy points, although due to my wife's urban commute ours is currently doing <180 miles a tank!!! - mileage accretion will start to drop soon though as we've got an X5 on the way which will take the daily driving load, leaving the M135i as our back-up car.
Amazing to hear about your higher mileage one doing so well. Proves that good servicing works9 new tyres, all either supersports/PS4's - a set generally lasts 25-30k and tend to go together (full tread rears, inside edges front)
One track rod end
Replacement radiator pipe (the small one that runs just inside the bonnet opening)
1 set of disc's and pads (DS2500's)
1 battery at ~110k miles
General servicing when required
Does have a few issues which are common:
Exhaust valve is rattling, I've got a new pin which will be fitted next week (£15)
New front pads (£45 from ECP - pagid's this time)
Weeping oil gasket which causes a drop of oil onto the manifold and a lot of smoke occasionally
Bent/cracked alloys - bloody potholes.... - will get these swapped when absolutely necessary as it'll only happen again
6 different stone chips of various sizes in the windscreen - again, can't be bothered to fix this currently
Generally been a great car and far more reliable than all but an old 1.25 fiesta. Echo the economy points, although due to my wife's urban commute ours is currently doing <180 miles a tank!!! - mileage accretion will start to drop soon though as we've got an X5 on the way which will take the daily driving load, leaving the M135i as our back-up car.
Mild-Peril said:
Glad to hear you’re getting on well with the car OP.
I’ve had my M140i for coming up to a year now and every time the itch comes to swap it out, I drive loads of other cars and come back to mine realising how great it is.
I had the M Performance LSD and exhaust fitted to mine by BMW too.
It might sound like internet hyperbole, but the LSD totally transforms the car. It won’t stop the bouncing but the level of grip (and thus confidence) it provides, as well as composure under braking is incredible!
No more squeaky bum moments on WOT wondering what the back end will do!
I have been tempted by this as it is a fan of one tyre fire in the wet!!I’ve had my M140i for coming up to a year now and every time the itch comes to swap it out, I drive loads of other cars and come back to mine realising how great it is.
I had the M Performance LSD and exhaust fitted to mine by BMW too.
It might sound like internet hyperbole, but the LSD totally transforms the car. It won’t stop the bouncing but the level of grip (and thus confidence) it provides, as well as composure under braking is incredible!
No more squeaky bum moments on WOT wondering what the back end will do!
kiethton said:
Good insight - we've had our M135i (2015 LCI) for nearly 5 years now and it sits just over 120k miles, used for daily driving but also a fair amount of hooning. In the 60k we've done in it we've had:
9 new tyres, all either supersports/PS4's - a set generally lasts 25-30k and tend to go together (full tread rears, inside edges front)
One track rod end
Replacement radiator pipe (the small one that runs just inside the bonnet opening)
1 set of disc's and pads (DS2500's)
1 battery at ~110k miles
General servicing when required
Does have a few issues which are common:
Exhaust valve is rattling, I've got a new pin which will be fitted next week (£15)
New front pads (£45 from ECP - pagid's this time)
Weeping oil gasket which causes a drop of oil onto the manifold and a lot of smoke occasionally
Bent/cracked alloys - bloody potholes.... - will get these swapped when absolutely necessary as it'll only happen again
6 different stone chips of various sizes in the windscreen - again, can't be bothered to fix this currently
Generally been a great car and far more reliable than all but an old 1.25 fiesta. Echo the economy points, although due to my wife's urban commute ours is currently doing <180 miles a tank!!! - mileage accretion will start to drop soon though as we've got an X5 on the way which will take the daily driving load, leaving the M135i as our back-up car.
Is yours manual or auto?9 new tyres, all either supersports/PS4's - a set generally lasts 25-30k and tend to go together (full tread rears, inside edges front)
One track rod end
Replacement radiator pipe (the small one that runs just inside the bonnet opening)
1 set of disc's and pads (DS2500's)
1 battery at ~110k miles
General servicing when required
Does have a few issues which are common:
Exhaust valve is rattling, I've got a new pin which will be fitted next week (£15)
New front pads (£45 from ECP - pagid's this time)
Weeping oil gasket which causes a drop of oil onto the manifold and a lot of smoke occasionally
Bent/cracked alloys - bloody potholes.... - will get these swapped when absolutely necessary as it'll only happen again
6 different stone chips of various sizes in the windscreen - again, can't be bothered to fix this currently
Generally been a great car and far more reliable than all but an old 1.25 fiesta. Echo the economy points, although due to my wife's urban commute ours is currently doing <180 miles a tank!!! - mileage accretion will start to drop soon though as we've got an X5 on the way which will take the daily driving load, leaving the M135i as our back-up car.
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