BMW M135i

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Discussion

7heGeneral

Original Poster:

337 posts

137 months

Thursday 11th May 2017
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Hi guys,

I've been looking at upgrading my car for a little while. I was originally considering an E90 M3 (I prefer the looks of the saloon so the coupe was never an option) but after working out the difference in potential running costs I’ve decided against it.

Initially I wasn’t even considering the M135i as I wasn’t keen on the look etc, but after having a look(online) at a few of them and reading some reviews I’ve come around to the idea that one of these is perhaps the more sensible choice of vehicle for now.

I'd be happy to hear about your experiences with the M135i (reliability, costs etc) as I know a number of you have them / have had them. For reference I was VERY interested in this one (Although I don’t really want a black one but the spec was perfect!)

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/... but unfortunately it sold before I got to arrange a viewing etc.

In terms of what options I would like on my ideal M135i, they are as follows:
- Professional Nav
- Bluetooth – For music and phone
- Heated seats
- Parking sensors
- Auto
- Adaptable dampers – Are these a must have as some reviews suggest?
- Cruise control
- Preferably not black

Am I missing an essential extra that would be a “must have”?

I've got a budget of about £25k, but ideally I'd like to spend less then £20k So if anybody knows of any that may be coming up for sale in the future I'd appreciate a headsup too!

Thanks again


Edited by 7heGeneral on Thursday 11th May 15:34

rassi

2,447 posts

250 months

Thursday 11th May 2017
quotequote all
I was very close to getting one, and for me the essential options in addition to what you already listed would be:

- lumbar support
- front/rear pdc
- rearview camera

Good luck! The M140i is apparently a great deal faster, so I know that would have annoyed me if I had gotten an M135i

7heGeneral

Original Poster:

337 posts

137 months

Thursday 11th May 2017
quotequote all
rassi said:
I was very close to getting one, and for me the essential options in addition to what you already listed would be:

- lumbar support
- front/rear pdc
- rearview camera

Good luck! The M140i is apparently a great deal faster, so I know that would have annoyed me if I had gotten an M135i
Cheers Rassi!

I know the M140i is available know but with my budget I think I'd be looking at the most basic of specs and as I'm looking to keep it a couple of years I'd rather not skimp on spec for the sake of a couple of horses.

Out of curiosity what did you end up buying? It may be something I've not considered and would be open to alternative suggestions too.

CarlosFandango11

1,913 posts

185 months

Thursday 11th May 2017
quotequote all
7heGeneral said:
I've got a budget of about £25k, but ideally I'd like to spend less then £20k So if anybody knows of any that may be coming up for sale in the future I'd appreciate a headsup too!
You can get a brand new auto M140i via drivethedeal.com for £26.7k with no options. It's above your budget, but may be worth considering over a second hand one.

Crafty_

13,248 posts

199 months

Thursday 11th May 2017
quotequote all
Every car has bluetooth with music streaming from week 10 2014. Late 2014 cars get the better steering wheel, which looks a lot better.
LCI was released April 2015 and to my eyes its better looking than the original. LCI get extended storage option included (couple of extra storage bins, luggage net). They also have spotify integration (not 100% sure the older cars do) provided you have an iOS device.

Cruise and rear park sensors are in a pack called "Driver comfort". Front park sensors are a separate option on top of that.

I think your spec list sounds good. Adaptive dampers are preferable in my eyes, but if buying used you'll have to go with what you can find.

Reliability - overall very good. Autos can have a problem that causes whining, 4th gear, 2k RPM and reverse seem to show it up. Boxes have been changed, I've not actually heard of a failure yet, its just noisy.
Some 1 & 2 series have been recalled for getting water in the brake reservoir, I think its only very early cars - if you are interested you should be able to call BMW customer services and ask them what recalls the car should have had and if its been done I believe.

Make sure the car has been serviced properly according to schedule - 2 years / 18k miles max, the car will advise if it wants a service years. services are minor (oil / filter change) and then major (plugs, oil, filters etc) finding a car with a 5 year service pack would be a bonus. There is also a brake fluid change/inspection at 3 years. I think a dealer small service is ~£200 or so, big service double that.

Michelin Pilot Super Sports are standard fit, but run flats were an option. Run flats have a bad rep for being too stiff and screwing up the ride.

After 3 years all the connected services stuff will need to be paid for - you just log on to the website and buy the bits you want - so if you want nav updates but not real time traffic updates you can do so.

A new M140 is attractive but the 26k price is for a manual car with no spec, the sort of thing you are looking at will be ~£30k and £37-38k list. I think you should be able to get yourself in to a nice LCI though.

Have you been over to babybmw.net ? Lots more info on all of this on there.

va1o

16,029 posts

206 months

Thursday 11th May 2017
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I absolutely love mine, best car I've ever had. For me it's the perfect combination of performance, comfort and affordable running costs.

I spent 3-months searching for one in the right spec as BMW weren't overly generous with the standard equipment and you get a lot of base spec ex-lease cars for sale. Mine has the following:

- Auto 'box, personal preference I guess but for me was essential the only I wouldn't even consider going without
- Pro Nav, essential I think as it's very sought after and makes the interior look much smarter
- Harman Kardon Audio, very nice to have and also sought after
- Adaptive Dampers, probably not essential but a great addition
- Heated seats, essential
- Rear PDC, essential
- Folding mirrors, nice to have
- Sun protection glass, makes it look quite a bit smarter
- Service inclusive, nice to have as it can save you quite a bit of money!
- M Performance grilles, works very well with certain colours
- M Performance Exhaust, wasn't sure at first but as soon as I heard it had no regrets!

Oddly even though that would've cost £38k new it has no cruise control! I haven't really missed it though and it can be retro-fitted relatively easily.

Stupeo

1,343 posts

192 months

Thursday 11th May 2017
quotequote all
Mine is a an LCI and has just turned 1 year old. The best car I've ever owned.

It's a fairly low spec, but then all I wanna do is drive it hard with the windows down. Economy is shocking - 23.7mpg over 10500 miles, but it's worth every penny.

The only extra I wish I'd got (mine is a fairy low spec car) is the MPE. They sound a lot better than the standard. But that's still decent!

With 4 kids, I could do with a bigger car, but I love it that much I just get the missus to follow with the kids in hers when we go out together smile

Crafty_

13,248 posts

199 months

Thursday 11th May 2017
quotequote all
MPE is dealer fit anyway, so you can get one any time you like, about £600-700.

AOK

2,297 posts

165 months

Thursday 11th May 2017
quotequote all
Crafty_ said:
Make sure the car has been serviced properly according to schedule - 2 years / 18k miles max
Some good points, but I'm not sure you are correct on this in particular. 'CBS' means it all depends on how the car is driven, rather than what mileage or age have been reached.

We had one from new which we were whacking about 2,500 miles on (mostly up and down the motorway) and it didn't ask for its first service until circa 26,000 miles! Was concerned at about 20k that it was still saying there's 6k to go, but spoke with BMW and they said its completely normal for a high miler.

F355GTS

3,721 posts

254 months

Friday 12th May 2017
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One of the best cars I've ever owned, mine is also an LCI just a Year old. I'd definitely go for the adaptive suspension if you can, pro nav is excellent and HK sound is nice.

I'm trying to think of negatives but struggling, perhaps a bit petty but I've comfort access and the rear doors are not fitted with sensors, I miss the foot swipe tailgate opening that my 5 series had.......... that's about it!

eztiger328

198 posts

109 months

Friday 12th May 2017
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Check out Dick Lovett they are a dealership with branches along the M4 (Bristol, Swindon, Hungerford) and have a decent website that shows all their stock.

I got my 66 plate from them a couple of weeks ago and they had quite a few 14/15/16 plate M135i's close to your budget.

Crafty_

13,248 posts

199 months

Friday 12th May 2017
quotequote all
AOK said:
Some good points, but I'm not sure you are correct on this in particular. 'CBS' means it all depends on how the car is driven, rather than what mileage or age have been reached.

We had one from new which we were whacking about 2,500 miles on (mostly up and down the motorway) and it didn't ask for its first service until circa 26,000 miles! Was concerned at about 20k that it was still saying there's 6k to go, but spoke with BMW and they said its completely normal for a high miler.
hmm, interesting, I was of the understanding that it wouldn't go past 18k / 2 years before demanding a service.
I knew it was variable (hence the "max"), but thought it'd only go down, not up too..

AOK

2,297 posts

165 months

Friday 12th May 2017
quotequote all
Crafty_ said:
hmm, interesting, I was of the understanding that it wouldn't go past 18k / 2 years before demanding a service.
I knew it was variable (hence the "max"), but thought it'd only go down, not up too..
Found a pic. It was 24k not 26k:


Nevertheless the green 'OK' would be Orange or Red if it hadn't been done on time.

Apologies in advance if the pic is upside down... I'm a lefty iPhone user!

jan8p

1,722 posts

227 months

Saturday 13th May 2017
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Quick question for those in the know, I'm also potentially looking to pick up an LCI 135i at some point.

What's an easy way to tell the difference between BMW Pro nav vs business? Probably a stupid question, but a BMW newbie here.

SteBrown91

2,358 posts

128 months

Saturday 13th May 2017
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Pro nav is widescreen, business nav is a square screen with a shiny black surround, no nav is square screen with Matt surround

jan8p

1,722 posts

227 months

Saturday 13th May 2017
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Thanks!

Mike335i

4,985 posts

101 months

Saturday 13th May 2017
quotequote all
jan8p said:
Quick question for those in the know, I'm also potentially looking to pick up an LCI 135i at some point.

What's an easy way to tell the difference between BMW Pro nav vs business? Probably a stupid question, but a BMW newbie here.
Screen size, the business nav has a smaller screen. The pro nav has a wide screen unit.

Crafty_

13,248 posts

199 months

Saturday 13th May 2017
quotequote all
jan8p said:
Quick question for those in the know, I'm also potentially looking to pick up an LCI 135i at some point.

What's an easy way to tell the difference between BMW Pro nav vs business? Probably a stupid question, but a BMW newbie here.
Size of the display. Be aware that March - September LCI had no nav at all as standard, if one of these cars has pro nav option it looks exactly the same, but business nav in these cars is quite different. When they added business nav as standard (Sept 2015 on) they changed the screen.

Ignore whats on the screens, this is just for display size.

Pro Nav:


Business Nav post Sept 2015:

Difficult to see in this picture, but that nav has a single piece of glass over the front, just like pro nav, unlike the below...

Business Nav pre Sept 2015. A car with no nav at all will look the same.


Clear ? right, now I can confuse you smile Its possible to install the bigger pro nav screen on a business nav car, you just change the screen (£300-400 i believe) and a bit of coding. So don't just go by screen size.

Your best bet is to use this VIN decoder, last 7 digits of the VIN in to a decoder. You'r looking for code S609 (sometimes shown as just 609) which signifies the car has pro nav. http://bimmer.work is as good as any.

Edit: Found a post Sept 2015 business nav picture glass front. Much better than the earlier business nav


Edited by Crafty_ on Saturday 13th May 10:21

jan8p

1,722 posts

227 months

Saturday 13th May 2017
quotequote all
So this one is defo Pro then? smile 2016 car.


Crafty_

13,248 posts

199 months

Saturday 13th May 2017
quotequote all
yeah thats a pro nav screen, check the VIN as per above just to make sure it hasn't had a screen swap (unlikely but possible).