M135i - Auto or Manual ???
Discussion
Drove an auto on Friday Scott Hall BMW Southampton demo fantastic box lightening gear changes up through the box lovely auto throttle blips on the way back down, only had it in sport auto did not have time to use paddles, but the best bit is that turbo charged straight six engine fantastic as it heads off towards the red line can't wait for mine to turn up.
i have driven both. Both are great, wouldn't complain with either.
I did slightly preferred the auto, despite my usual preference towards Manuals. The manual box, despite being married to a sporty engine, just doesn't feel very sporty. Reasonably long-throws and slightly juddery between 1st and 2nd (basically like any other BMW manual tranny post-DMF).
Harris's point about the ZF box almost feeling like a dsg is very valid. it goes up surprisingly fast and on downshifts makes some nice pops out of the exhaust if you get it right.
Also worth noting, it is cheaper than the £1600 it costs in the pricelist. The manual attracts a first year rate of £460 whereas the auto only £275. As such, the auto car is only £1,415 more expensive. Small point. But worth mentioning.
I did slightly preferred the auto, despite my usual preference towards Manuals. The manual box, despite being married to a sporty engine, just doesn't feel very sporty. Reasonably long-throws and slightly juddery between 1st and 2nd (basically like any other BMW manual tranny post-DMF).
Harris's point about the ZF box almost feeling like a dsg is very valid. it goes up surprisingly fast and on downshifts makes some nice pops out of the exhaust if you get it right.
Also worth noting, it is cheaper than the £1600 it costs in the pricelist. The manual attracts a first year rate of £460 whereas the auto only £275. As such, the auto car is only £1,415 more expensive. Small point. But worth mentioning.
Rsx Boy said:
Cheers Nick. Did you spec the adj suspension ?
No I didnt and Im more than happy with the feel. Having come from a cupped RS200 its like a limousine for comfort but also handles beautifully. The demo car had the trick dampers and pretty much every option ticked but i went minimal with options. Out of the box its a truly great car, no need to go mad with options in my opinion. I have the auto. Didn't go for manual for a couple of reasons. I spend the majority of my time in town or own the motorway, and I was looking for a mini GT car rather than a hot hatch.
The autobox is brilliant. Lovely and smooth in auto, and as others have said, when you use the paddles it responds and changes very quickly. I guess my only complaint is braking from speed and changing down for a corner - with the 8 speed box I find myself having to shift down 3-4 gears.
The car is phenomenal - you'd love it whichever you choose.
The autobox is brilliant. Lovely and smooth in auto, and as others have said, when you use the paddles it responds and changes very quickly. I guess my only complaint is braking from speed and changing down for a corner - with the 8 speed box I find myself having to shift down 3-4 gears.
The car is phenomenal - you'd love it whichever you choose.
AOK said:
Also worth noting, it is cheaper than the £1600 it costs in the pricelist. The manual attracts a first year rate of £460 whereas the auto only £275. As such, the auto car is only £1,415 more expensive. Small point. But worth mentioning.
This would go on for year on year, so over 5 years the cost would only be £600 quid. Assuming the tax rates stay the same. Accoring to the blurb it's also more economical, so it way also be free.Sorry I've not driven one. Yet
Nigel H said:
This would go on for year on year, so over 5 years the cost would only be £600 quid. Assuming the tax rates stay the same. Accoring to the blurb it's also more economical, so it way also be free.
Sorry I've not driven one. Yet
I think also that the vehicle may be worth another £500 at the end of 3 yrs acording to the data from fleet management so almost cost neutral. Sorry I've not driven one. Yet
Nigel H said:
AOK said:
Also worth noting, it is cheaper than the £1600 it costs in the pricelist. The manual attracts a first year rate of £460 whereas the auto only £275. As such, the auto car is only £1,415 more expensive. Small point. But worth mentioning.
This would go on for year on year, so over 5 years the cost would only be £600 quid. Assuming the tax rates stay the same. Accoring to the blurb it's also more economical, so it way also be free.
I have the manual and am enjoying it - it's a pretty slick change and will no doubt get better with some miles under it. I'm sure the automatic is also very well suited to the engine but I just prefer a manual and actually my choice of the M135i was mainly dictated by the fact it was pretty much the only smallish yet practical car I could get with a decent engine (ie more than 4 cylinders) AND a manual gearbox. My last daily driver had a flappy paddle gearbox whereas my w/end toy has a manual box and every time I got back into the manual, I just enjoyed driving it so much more, even around town. I just feel more connected to the car and more involved in the process of driving. But each to their own. I think BMW should be applauded for at least continuing to offer the choice.
Wolands Advocate said:
I have the manual and am enjoying it - it's a pretty slick change and will no doubt get better with some miles under it. I'm sure the automatic is also very well suited to the engine but I just prefer a manual and actually my choice of the M135i was mainly dictated by the fact it was pretty much the only smallish yet practical car I could get with a decent engine (ie more than 4 cylinders) AND a manual gearbox. My last daily driver had a flappy paddle gearbox whereas my w/end toy has a manual box and every time I got back into the manual, I just enjoyed driving it so much more, even around town. I just feel more connected to the car and more involved in the process of driving. But each to their own. I think BMW should be applauded for at least continuing to offer the choice.
How does the manual compare to the 1M, knowing you have driven both (some time ago now though, how time flies by)In all honesty, I can't remember enough about the change in the 1M as it was two years ago. But the M135i does, from what I remember of the 1M, feel like the more grown-up and civilised machine as you'd expect. There's (intentionally) not much subtlety to the performance in a 1M and it's a much more uncompromising driving tool. The joy of the M135i is that you don't have to be "on it" all the time. I went for the adaptive suspension option and think it was a wise decision. Comfort is ideal for mooching around town where a softer ride and lazier throttle response become plus points. Sport sharpens everything up from the chassis to the throttle response. Intriguingly, if you shift from Comfort to Sport on a constant throttle, you can actually feel the car pick up in a way reminiscent of my old M5 when you press the MPower button. If I recall correctly the M button in the 1M also sharpens up the throttle response, but I think it's more noticeable in the M135i where it goes from lazy to really surprisingly excellent for a turbocharged engine.
The M135i is a very chuckable car - it grips for dear life and has commendably sharp turn-in. And the gearbox is a satisfying snicky affair, although you do have to be a little deliberate with it - just once or twice I've changed from 1st to 4th due to the springing being more than I'm used to in the Z1.
The M135i is a very chuckable car - it grips for dear life and has commendably sharp turn-in. And the gearbox is a satisfying snicky affair, although you do have to be a little deliberate with it - just once or twice I've changed from 1st to 4th due to the springing being more than I'm used to in the Z1.
Edited by Wolands Advocate on Friday 16th November 15:50
Thanks Wolands. I am yet to get a test drive in the M135i but have now driven a couple of F20's, one Urban and one Sport (not M Sport).
I did like the ability to adjust the suspension settings (I think the Sport had the optional Adaptive M Suspension) and wish they had implemented EDC on the 1M, though I found Sport and even Sport+, comfortable in comparison to the 1M.
What I really didn't like about the F20, even in all modes was the steering. It weighted up nicely in Sport/Sport+ but still nowhere near enough for my liking, I much prefer the 1M in that respect though that can feel too heavy.
Finally, as manual gearboxes go, I really like the 1M one. Had there have been a DCT option I would have gone for that, considering I do 15k+ miles p.a. I was impressed by the M3 MDCT and am liking the reviews of the M135i auto. Though I know where you stand on that!
I did like the ability to adjust the suspension settings (I think the Sport had the optional Adaptive M Suspension) and wish they had implemented EDC on the 1M, though I found Sport and even Sport+, comfortable in comparison to the 1M.
What I really didn't like about the F20, even in all modes was the steering. It weighted up nicely in Sport/Sport+ but still nowhere near enough for my liking, I much prefer the 1M in that respect though that can feel too heavy.
Finally, as manual gearboxes go, I really like the 1M one. Had there have been a DCT option I would have gone for that, considering I do 15k+ miles p.a. I was impressed by the M3 MDCT and am liking the reviews of the M135i auto. Though I know where you stand on that!
Look, it's horses for courses. Setting aside personal dogma on the issue of what gearboxes are suitable for what cars, I don't commute by car and it's not a company car, so the main benefits of having an automatic are lost on me and therefore, for me, there's no reason not to go for the option that I find most enjoyable and involving to drive. But I do get why others might prefer the automatic.
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