M135i Question
Discussion
I'm looking to buy 2013 M135i, watched all videos and road tests on you tube, scrolled back through this section for the answer to my questions;
is the auto gearbox really that good? because I'm pretty sure I want one.
Are there any options in a second timer which are must haves, and those that are not worth chasing.
I read the odd glimmer of doubt as to the robust nature of the engine, but its a BMW this can't be a possibility?
Thanks in advance
is the auto gearbox really that good? because I'm pretty sure I want one.
Are there any options in a second timer which are must haves, and those that are not worth chasing.
I read the odd glimmer of doubt as to the robust nature of the engine, but its a BMW this can't be a possibility?
Thanks in advance
I've got an M135i Auto and I don't think i'll own another manual again.
I'd only ever had manuals and thought I might regret getting the auto.
This couldn't be further from the truth though, it's absolutely brilliant.
The changes are so smooth and it never misses a beat.
If you ever feel like you need a bit more involvement you could always use the paddles too
I'd only ever had manuals and thought I might regret getting the auto.
This couldn't be further from the truth though, it's absolutely brilliant.
The changes are so smooth and it never misses a beat.
If you ever feel like you need a bit more involvement you could always use the paddles too
The auto really is very good and flappy mode actually lets you have a play without interfering.
They come fairly well specced but you might want to upgrade the stereo (I find Advanced to be fine - preferred it to HK), the base nav works well, the comfort pack adds cruise and rear sensors so fairly essential and if you don't have Pro media (IMO hideously overpriced) then you want full Black Panel display. I added heated seats too. I didn't like Adaptive suspension but many swear by it.
They come fairly well specced but you might want to upgrade the stereo (I find Advanced to be fine - preferred it to HK), the base nav works well, the comfort pack adds cruise and rear sensors so fairly essential and if you don't have Pro media (IMO hideously overpriced) then you want full Black Panel display. I added heated seats too. I didn't like Adaptive suspension but many swear by it.
bennyboysvuk said:
I test drove the auto and went with a manual. If you prefer a manual and have had other manual cars, then you'll want a manual. If you definitely won't miss having a clutch, heel-and-toe and the extra control that comes from having a clutch, then the auto is very good as autos go.
Same. The auto was very good as autos go, but manual is my preference.Please bear in mind that the M135i is simply a 1 series with a big engine though, dont expect dynamic awesomeness unless you spend some money on the chassis. Equipment wise, i stayed fairly standard (leased), so simply added heated seats/comfort pack/additional storage - the nav etc would have been nice, but i find Waze to be better anyway.
I was fortunate to find my M135i back in Feb with a great spec and a great price.
I have an auto 5 door, as others have said it really does make the car, so smooth in comfort and very quick in sport.
Options I have which I love and would have again = Pro Nav, heated electric seats, comfort access, adaptive suspension and HK audio.
Options I'm not fussed with - Internet, auto high beam and parking camera.
I'm sure you have watched the "Monkey" Harris video of him giving the M135i a go against the old RS3; he does make a very good point that you buy the car for the speed and the engine / transmission so the options are not massively important, but if like me you are in it every day and like your tech, then wait for the right one to show and get as much as you can.
I have an auto 5 door, as others have said it really does make the car, so smooth in comfort and very quick in sport.
Options I have which I love and would have again = Pro Nav, heated electric seats, comfort access, adaptive suspension and HK audio.
Options I'm not fussed with - Internet, auto high beam and parking camera.
I'm sure you have watched the "Monkey" Harris video of him giving the M135i a go against the old RS3; he does make a very good point that you buy the car for the speed and the engine / transmission so the options are not massively important, but if like me you are in it every day and like your tech, then wait for the right one to show and get as much as you can.
First time auto for me after 30 years of driving and I think it's great. There's an odd time I'd want a manual, but most of the other time it's better. I've driven other autos and this is the best I've ever used.
Als for other stuff, depends on taste/budget. I use nav a lot and thus I think the pronav well worth the money, not fussed about the HK so didn't bother with that. Cruise has slowed me down - it's stopped that speed creep on motorways that happens over time.
Als for other stuff, depends on taste/budget. I use nav a lot and thus I think the pronav well worth the money, not fussed about the HK so didn't bother with that. Cruise has slowed me down - it's stopped that speed creep on motorways that happens over time.
All pretty positive comments.
I have weekend car 987s manual (its a given that even a monkey can H&T in a Porsche) which has only covered 11k mile in three and a half years, and a daily driver 3.2 shogun which is faultless so it will be staying, the wife's car and the Porsche will be going as the wife loves to drive the Shogun, and my general mileage has dropped from 25k to 5k at the very most.
Here comes the curve ball, so the real issue is 7 year old M3 or nearly new M135i, they could not be much different really? the M3 would remain relatively low mileage, and the M135i would remain relatively low mileage and new, I like the driving position in the M135i its one that's closest to Porsche.
Previous to the Porsche, E92 M3 and previous to that E46 M3 both manuals, and a series of other BMW's various performance cars.
My budget gets me a good 2008 E92 M3 and a good low mileage 2013 M135i both would be AUC cars.
There have been a few very valid comments regarding the dynamics of the M135i and that is my only real concern, and yes very valid comment on the Chris Harris video M135i V's RS3 so that should answer a lot of questions, except we can't all drive like Mr Harris.
I have weekend car 987s manual (its a given that even a monkey can H&T in a Porsche) which has only covered 11k mile in three and a half years, and a daily driver 3.2 shogun which is faultless so it will be staying, the wife's car and the Porsche will be going as the wife loves to drive the Shogun, and my general mileage has dropped from 25k to 5k at the very most.
Here comes the curve ball, so the real issue is 7 year old M3 or nearly new M135i, they could not be much different really? the M3 would remain relatively low mileage, and the M135i would remain relatively low mileage and new, I like the driving position in the M135i its one that's closest to Porsche.
Previous to the Porsche, E92 M3 and previous to that E46 M3 both manuals, and a series of other BMW's various performance cars.
My budget gets me a good 2008 E92 M3 and a good low mileage 2013 M135i both would be AUC cars.
There have been a few very valid comments regarding the dynamics of the M135i and that is my only real concern, and yes very valid comment on the Chris Harris video M135i V's RS3 so that should answer a lot of questions, except we can't all drive like Mr Harris.
dadofbud said:
Here comes the curve ball, so the real issue is 7 year old M3 or nearly new M135i, they could not be much different really? the M3 would remain relatively low mileage, and the M135i would remain relatively low mileage and new, I like the driving position in the M135i its one that's closest to Porsche.
Previous to the Porsche, E92 M3 and previous to that E46 M3 both manuals, and a series of other BMW's various performance cars.
What you choose depends on what you want. The M135i is not a full M-car and can't deliver the DSC-off kind of thrills that the M3 can in that last 20% of driving. By comparison, the M135i throttle response is poor and the suspension wallowy, plus the turbo makes the exhaust pretty quiet compared to the noise I used to get from the E46 and Z4.Previous to the Porsche, E92 M3 and previous to that E46 M3 both manuals, and a series of other BMW's various performance cars.
I've owned an E36 M3, E46 M3 and Z4M Roadster and the M135i can't deliver the excitement that any of those could, even though I suspect that the M135i is as fast or faster in a straight line than any of them.
dadofbud said:
My budget gets me a good 2008 E92 M3 and a good low mileage 2013 M135i both would be AUC cars.
I have both and they are very, very different.The M3 feels heavy but that S65 V8 is an absolute peach, and the chassis does allow you to exploit every last ounce of performance. The standard brakes aren't brilliant, but brakes only slow you down...
The M135i is a great compromise car but that's the point, it's a compromise. It's near as dammit as fast as the M3 in a straight line up to at least 100mph in the real world, but it's also frugal when you want it to be (almost 40mpg at 75mph) and the running costs will be tiny compared to the M3. BUT it doesn't really excel anywhere, it's just a great all round package if you only have the cash or space for one car.
I test drove the manual and had the auto on extended test drive. I bought the manual. The auto is good fun but it was already starting to wear off after a couple of days and I was missing the interaction with the car. It's all about personal preference.
I have just ordered an M4 (manual), so my M135i will be available in about a month. If you are interested drop me a PM.
I have just ordered an M4 (manual), so my M135i will be available in about a month. If you are interested drop me a PM.
nickfrog said:
If you do buy a 13 AUC M135i, make sure it's significantly cheaper than the new price after discount, which will also be a LCI. 18% to 20% off list is achievable.
^this. And unless you are just buying outright don't bother looking at the used one as the finance rates will be so high you might as well have a new one!I've had my manual one for 2.5 years and 26,000 miles now and still love it, although the auto is very good as well. I found the auto a bit "PlayStation-like" as with 8 ratios the thing was always changing gear. More time to enjoy it in the manual!
The only thing I would change about the car is the size of the fuel tank which makes a thimble look positively voluminous. I average 22-25mpg which is fine for a 3.0 6cyl but filling the damn thing up every 200 miles is irritating, I'd much rather have a bigger tank to fill less often.
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