BMW 135i Coupe: You Know You Want To
A junior 1 M Coupe with some tasty extras for half the price? Tempting indeed, very tempting...
Lovely Alcantara-trimmed seats a pricey upgrade
Furthermore, this particular 135i has had those assets enhanced through some choice selections from the BMW Performance catalogue. OK, the looks might require something more fundamental than a carbon diffuser to make a discernible difference, but the thousands spent elsewhere should push this gawky little coupe nearer its Ultimate Driving Machine billing.
Under the bonnet, a BMW Performance engine tuning kit takes power to 326hp (up from 302) and torque rises to 332lb ft from the standard 135i's 295lb ft. A sports exhaust should also add a few more hp whilst introducing a more vocal soundtrack too.
A fast BMW with decent brakes? Hold the phone!
What appears here, then, is a sensibly-priced and sensibly-modified BMW coupe that's rather slipped under the radar. There must be a catch, right? Well yes, unfortunately, there is. This 135i is an automatic. Moreover, being a pre-facelift 1 Series, it's a conventional torque converter auto rather than the later dual-clutch transmission. It's far from a bad gearbox, but you would have to suspect a manual could allow those BMW Performance mods to be better exploited.
Of course, there are other 135i manuals available at a similar price but they lack the desirable (and rather costly) options. If two pedals isn't a drawback, this 135 could be a subtle and satisfying BMW.
BMW 135i Coupe
Price: £15,500
Why you should: It's a nicely tweaked version of a quirky BMW that someone else has paid for.
Why you shouldn't: It would be even nicer with a manual...
See the original advert here
65,000 miles is a good thing for as you put it a "old car" ,its is average to low mileage for a 2008 ,my 2007 A4 had done 137k and my friends 2008 A4 has done 126k
A friend of a friend just bought a M135I the list price was just £29,000, but they gave him 25% off and there was no need to add any extras as the standard one comes with everything you would find in your average 7-Series! He ended paying just under £22,000 for it which is pretty much the same as £15,500, especially when you factor in that the M135I comes with a newer BMW badge!!
That was the way its done?....no?
Indeed, if I was in the market for a new hot hatch I wouldn't consider the m135i because of the styling. Can't think of a single mainstream hatchback on the market that is less attractive but in saloon form it seems to work.
I do not understand the love for the 1 series coupe; apart from the aggressive pit bull like stance of the 1M, they are disproportionate, i.e. too short and too high.
cant understand that for years the non premium manufacturers were criticised for there bland designs
yet now the tide has turned, BMW get a way with a hatchback design that any asian company a few years ago, would have ben criticised for
admitabley they have a great drivetrain etc, but i imagine in a market where by cars are a disposable product. if bmw continues this trend i can only imagine sales will eventually be effected
Replaced the 130i with an S50 M-Coupe. Now that was something special
Stonking engine, over-servoed (but strong) brakes, handling reasonable, clutch not heavy IMHO. Best bit was simply taking other drivers by suprise with the straight line pace. I actually like the looks. Ownership-wise, I had a Boxster S both before and after which is a better car overall although probably a bit slower in a straight line.
Good car overall, but I agree that price-wise it may not make sense used versus other options. (I paid £29k v £35k list with options and got £23k PEX two years later so actually did pretty well as the first owner).
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