1 year in an M135i 3.0; Thoughts and Costs
Discussion
Echo the thoughts of others having had my M135i auto for just over a year now. Coming from a 130i previously, it lacks the purity you get from a naturally aspirated engine with a manual box, but as a do-everything car I think these are hard to beat for the money.
I'm on 47k and in the past year my only maintenance costs have been servicing, front brake pads and tyres - my local independent gave it a clean bill of health last time it was in. Whether you get the M135i with the N55 or the B58 in the M140i, reliability-wise not a great deal goes wrong with them.
I have done a few subtle mods to mine - I added the underbody brace you get in the 3-door cars and swapped out the springs and shocks for the B12 kit, which is as good as the forums say. Just settles the ride down and makes the car less bouncy and wallowy when driving spiritedly. I've also had the OEM backbox mod done to release a bit more noise as these engines are a bit muted by the turbo compared to the old NA units.
Looking forward to a trip to the South of France in August with mine
I'm on 47k and in the past year my only maintenance costs have been servicing, front brake pads and tyres - my local independent gave it a clean bill of health last time it was in. Whether you get the M135i with the N55 or the B58 in the M140i, reliability-wise not a great deal goes wrong with them.
I have done a few subtle mods to mine - I added the underbody brace you get in the 3-door cars and swapped out the springs and shocks for the B12 kit, which is as good as the forums say. Just settles the ride down and makes the car less bouncy and wallowy when driving spiritedly. I've also had the OEM backbox mod done to release a bit more noise as these engines are a bit muted by the turbo compared to the old NA units.
Looking forward to a trip to the South of France in August with mine
Just to join in with the praise of these - I have an M140i and as others have said, they are a very hard to beat all rounder. As standard the suspension is somewhat lacking in ride quality but a set of B12's apparently sort that out.
Best I have seen is 45mpg on a run with a 500 mile range, combined with the £155 RFL and 335bhp, BMW have done a remarkable job!
Best I have seen is 45mpg on a run with a 500 mile range, combined with the £155 RFL and 335bhp, BMW have done a remarkable job!
Strongly considering one of these as they seem to tick every box as a performance daily. If budget allowed I’d go for the B58 M140i so I can add the mppsk at a later date (i’ve read that combo sounds great), but glad the N55 has some advantages of its own - they’re more in my price band!
How is the manual gearbox, say compared to your old Fiesta ST? I’ve read varied reviews which is making me lean towards the ZF8 but that’s maybe because the latter is very good in its own right?
How is the manual gearbox, say compared to your old Fiesta ST? I’ve read varied reviews which is making me lean towards the ZF8 but that’s maybe because the latter is very good in its own right?
Agree with the previous posts, these are great cars. I’ve had my m140i for about a year and a half now. Flirted with selling it, then I drive it again. Can’t get much more bang for your buck than these. Agree on the handling comments, the ride is quite bouncy especially when pressing on, the previously mentioned dampers and springs are supposed to sort that out but mine is still standard. Oh and they really need an LSD.
jam_up said:
Strongly considering one of these as they seem to tick every box as a performance daily. If budget allowed I’d go for the B58 M140i so I can add the mppsk at a later date (i’ve read that combo sounds great), but glad the N55 has some advantages of its own - they’re more in my price band!
How is the manual gearbox, say compared to your old Fiesta ST? I’ve read varied reviews which is making me lean towards the ZF8 but that’s maybe because the latter is very good in its own right?
Yeah I was in the same boat. M140i was just a bit too much. And there's really not much between them.How is the manual gearbox, say compared to your old Fiesta ST? I’ve read varied reviews which is making me lean towards the ZF8 but that’s maybe because the latter is very good in its own right?
The gearbox is definitely not as nice as the Fiestas, especially not until warmed up. But I've heard adding a short shifter makes a big difference!
mooseracer said:
I've got a 140, son-in-law a 135 - his sounds better.
I find the gearbox just fine once it has warmed up a bit. Not like an s2000's but by no means as bad as the internet will have you believe. You can also do a CDV delete on them which improves things apparently.
I find the gearbox just fine once it has warmed up a bit. Not like an s2000's but by no means as bad as the internet will have you believe. You can also do a CDV delete on them which improves things apparently.
willmagrath said:
Yeah I was in the same boat. M140i was just a bit too much. And there's really not much between them.
The gearbox is definitely not as nice as the Fiestas, especially not until warmed up. But I've heard adding a short shifter makes a big difference!
That sounds promising then, thanks. The gearbox is definitely not as nice as the Fiestas, especially not until warmed up. But I've heard adding a short shifter makes a big difference!
A bit annoying that pre-2017 cars are seemingly £100 more expensive to road tax, but i guess that’s kinda insignificant when considering the cost of the car.
Edited by jam_up on Sunday 26th June 20:23
Had my 2017 M140i 3 years now, and I honestly doubt I will get rid of it ever.
If it gets too many miles on it, I'll probably buy a banger for work and keep the M140i as a weekend toy.
They are flawed in some ways, especially compared to the sharpness of a Civic R or the sure footedness of an AWD RS3/A45, but I think that kinda adds to their charm.
If it gets too many miles on it, I'll probably buy a banger for work and keep the M140i as a weekend toy.
They are flawed in some ways, especially compared to the sharpness of a Civic R or the sure footedness of an AWD RS3/A45, but I think that kinda adds to their charm.
jam_up said:
A bit annoying that pre-2017 cars are seemingly £100 more expensive to road tax, but i guess that’s kinda insignificant when considering the cost of the car.
At the time, I remember it was cheaper to get the order in before April 2017 to avoid the tax change and “luxury” tax if RRP went over 40k and the 5 years of additional tax. As a second hand buy, tax of 160 odd quid seems a bit of a bargain! 
Chris
Afromonk said:
Wish they made these in a tiny estate :’(
To be fair the 1 Series is more of a small estate than a hatch with the rear screen at that almost upright angle. BMW manual gearboxes are a bit "hit or miss" (I'm on numbers 7 and 8 now) but a CDV delete, fresh fluid and a weightier gear-knob all help.
jam_up said:
That sounds promising then, thanks.
A bit annoying that pre-2017 cars are seemingly £100 more expensive to road tax, but i guess that’s kinda insignificant when considering the cost of the car.
Yeah they are more to tax but I found that an M135i was significantly less to insure. More than outweighing the tax difference.A bit annoying that pre-2017 cars are seemingly £100 more expensive to road tax, but i guess that’s kinda insignificant when considering the cost of the car.
Edited by jam_up on Sunday 26th June 20:23
It's actually less to insure than my Fiesta ST!
I previously had an M235i and I think being an auto is why I didn't quite gel with it. That and the fact I always wanted the M2.
However, I found this interesting. Predictably the auto is marginally quicker to 60mph, but the 0-100mph times are identical.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1GYuZKaIxc
However, I found this interesting. Predictably the auto is marginally quicker to 60mph, but the 0-100mph times are identical.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1GYuZKaIxc
M.F.D said:
I previously had an M235i and I think being an auto is why I didn't quite gel with it. That and the fact I always wanted the M2.
However, I found this interesting. Predictably the auto is marginally quicker to 60mph, but the 0-100mph times are identical.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1GYuZKaIxc
Interesting! I did my first launch in mine the other day. Was very impressed how it dug in and just went.However, I found this interesting. Predictably the auto is marginally quicker to 60mph, but the 0-100mph times are identical.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1GYuZKaIxc
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