M135 or 640d

[E30 sam]

Morning all, having had my E92 330d M Sport for nearly 2 years and put over 40k on it I'll soon be parting ways with it.

Now I'll be spending no more than £20k on my next purchase which I'll probably keep for years. I've spent the last 2 moths going round in circles over what to get, some of the short list are;

Range Rover sport 3.0 '10' onwards
E92 M3 LCI DCT (a little over budget)
Audi S5 '12' onwards (again a tad over budget)
Early 997 911
Late 996 911
Cayman's
Audi S3 '13' onwards
E92 LCI 335i/d (I can't really have another E9x as I've already had 2)
F3 335d M sport.

And now I'm back to looking at M135's or 640d M sport's, I know they are very different cars but they are very similar in price and straight line performance. I'm about to change jobs so I'm not sure on yearly mileage but I'd of guessed somewhere around 15-20k, we currently have no children and aren't planning to for another few years so rear seats aren't an issue.

A coupe of pro and cons I can see for the M135i, very quick & capable car against abit of a young lads car (I'm 30) could possibly have issues from being thrashed all of its life & the mrs already has a new Polo GTI so do we need a second hot hatch.

The 640d's pros and cons amazing GT car, effortlessly quick fairly decent fuel economy and all the toys against it possibly being a bit of a barge, people will think it's my dads car.

So if anyone has owned either or both and could share their experiences with them that would be great.

Cheers

[Ninja59]

Hmm a 640d on a budget of 20k you might be looking at a higher mile car and an early one at that. Although if you wabt one an SE is probably going to cheaper than an m sport as the m sport is more popular (unlike other models the standard normal suspension not vdc is the same across m sport or se)

I am 28 but have a gran coupe 640 and love it to bits. But it is like it or not a barge. Flipside unlike some i do genuinely like the n57 in it. Mine goes down a local fairly narrow A road everyday and it does have the odd scary moment with oncoming large vehicles. However if you find charm in a barge down that type of road it is genuinely fun. Motorway work they can return good mpg my best is 48 mpg, day to day driving mine is around 35 combined.

I would also factor in costs as the 640 on 20's is probably going to be more expensive on tyres etc. (I have had no reason to look at ownership costs of the m135's sorry).

[Pioneer]

Had quite a few BMWs including a couple of 1's and 6's. Not the same engines so can't comment on performance, running costs etc - however the 6 is LEAGUES ahead in build quality. The 1 is the same as any 1-4 series, feels cheap after driving a 5+. They are a GT though so won't handle anything like the 1, really depends what you want out of it. If i had to make the choice it would be a 6 simply for the comfort, quality, ride and general build quality.

[CSK423]

I own both and they are totally different cars as you've noted.

The 640d GC is my daily and eats miles, smooth, fast and handles well for a 5m long nearly 2 ton car. I use it as my office almost but love the performance and 40+mpg it gives off. Full of toys and is really nice place to sit.

I bought the M135i as the opposite end of the spectrum, manual hot hatch that handles really well but can also bus the family about at the weekends (the GC can be a bus also but the driving reward from the M135i means we always take this). My wife uses this as a daily to commute 10mins to work so mpg wasn't an issue which is circa 30-35mpg. Isn't as nice a place to sit but that's because I'm comparing it to a 6.

I would try both, that will take you down the hot hatch route or fast GT car.

[Mike335i]

My brother in law had exactly the same decision to make (albeit with a 28k budget) and loved the 640d, but bought a M235i.

The 6 would make a great cruiser I'm sure, but the reality was that it is a big car and so not efficient enough to put up with having a diesel, as he does a lot of urban driving and some cross country blasting. I reckon the sound of the n55 engine was a factor.

The 2 was a drop in quality of course, but still better than most alternatives (A45, Focus RS, Golf R) in terms of driving position and functionality (no daft touch screens).

I guess if you want a fun car to grab by the scruff of the neck and enjoy, go for the 1. If 1 want a luxury cruiser then it has to be 6.

Neither will disappoint!

[cerb4.5lee]

Mike335i said:

Neither will disappoint!

Agree and both are lovely motors but for different reasons, I have a 640d but having had one the size/weight/lack of driving reward makes me fancy a M135i a hell of a lot now.

I know looks are subjective but as I see it the M135i will be good to drive but terrible to look at, whereas the 640d is terrible to drive but lovely to look at, and that's a good sum up of the two cars I think.

[335d]

I'd agree with most of the above. An M135i is much more appropriate for a 30 year old - much more fun to drive, even if it fell from the ugly tree, and isn't particularly well put together. There will be plenty of opportunity in later life to buy a luxury barge.

[smashy]

cerb4.5lee said:

Agree and both are lovely motors but for different reasons, I have a 640d but having had one the size/weight/lack of driving reward makes me fancy a M135i a hell of a lot now.

I know looks are subjective but as I see it the M135i will be good to drive but terrible to look at, whereas the 640d is terrible to drive but lovely to look at, and that's a good sum up of the two cars I think.

I had a 120d auto no 135i of course.Not once did I close the door walk 20 ft and look back at it and that would be the same with the M135i it looks so bland, which for me is such a shame. Chatted to a guy in a petrol station with a new R32 look really beasty in an R32 special blue.

[E30 sam]

Thanks for the above.

I'll be putting my car up for sale a week on Monday so once that goes I think I'll go and test drive the both and see which one I prefer. I guess I lot also lies on we're I'm working as at the moment I have a daily commute of 160miles which is mostly motorways with a few fast A roads which the 6 would love, but fingers crossed I'll soon be working 20miles away and won't see a motorway just A roads which is where the 1 will be a bit more suited.

Cheers

[Fox-]

335d said:

I'd agree with most of the above. An M135i is much more appropriate for a 30 year old - much more fun to drive, even if it fell from the ugly tree, and isn't particularly well put together. There will be plenty of opportunity in later life to buy a luxury barge.

Bizarre.

Plenty of opportunity in later life to buy a small hatchback too.

In this case I'd get the M135i too, but only because £20k won't buy a nice 640. If it did, then the 1 Series wouldn't get a look in.

Very bizarre shortlist though. Who on earth considers either a 3 litre Range Rover Sport or a Porsche 911?!

[335d]

Fox- said:

Plenty of opportunity in later life to buy a small hatchback too.

At 30 the fact that the sound insulation is poor and the ride isn't great matters less than the fact that it's a fun car to drive. The 640d is very impressive, but certainly not fun.

Later in life comfort becomes a higher priority for most, and that probably explains why I don't think I have ever seen a young 6 Series driver.

[Fox-]

335d said:

At 30 the fact that the sound insulation is poor and the ride isn't great matters less than the fact that it's a fun car to drive. The 640d is very impressive, but certainly not fun.

Later in life comfort becomes a higher priority for most, and that probably explains why I don't think I have ever seen a young 6 Series driver.

You're being incredibly stereotypical. I was 19 when I first picked ride quality and sound insulation over 'fun'

[turboman786]

cerb4.5lee said:

Agree and both are lovely motors but for different reasons, I have a 640d but having had one the size/weight/lack of driving reward makes me fancy a M135i a hell of a lot now.

I know looks are subjective but as I see it the M135i will be good to drive but terrible to look at, whereas the 640d is terrible to drive but lovely to look at, and that's a good sum up of the two cars I think.

Utter drivel from Mr cerb Leeregarding the 640d being terrible to drive.

Ive had my 640d GC for some 2 years now and it is fabulous to drive. (Ive also owned many many cars over the years such as M5/GTR/c63/997/R8 v10/M3,AMv8V,F430 etc) so I know a good car when I drive it!

[XMT]

Just a quick note, the people who have owned a 640d with 20" alloys, have you had any issues?? I have found BMW alloys to be generally very poor in taking UK road abouse and bend and kink causing vibrations.

I would like a 640d GC but the idea of messing around with kinked alloys etc is just not worth my time.

[toon10]

I know several people who have had the RRS (my brother included) and they are money pits. His lasted 8 months before getting moved on. They are very heavy on their parts and expensive to fix. The M3 is a great car although could be an expensive option to run. OK if you're prepared for it. Should be able to get a decent one at that budget. I've not driven the Audi S5 but again, they aren't cheap to run. My experience of other Audi's has always left me cold with understeer although like I say, not driven the an A5. 997 would be my choice if you can afford to run one. The best looking of the modern era 911's and a special car although I can't argue with looking into Caymans either. 996 I've driven a couple of these and I absolutely love them. I'd be worried over the age of them now in terms of big bills.

Some thoughts on the M135i as I have one.

I'm approaching 43 and don't consider myself too old for one although I know exactly where you're coming from as when I was 30, I wouldn't have entertained a hot hatch. I think it's a middle age thing, you stop caring about such things! I'd not rule one out because you have a hot hatch already. In truth they are nothing like hot hatches to drive. It's more of a mini GT type car. It's heavy and not as nimble as a true hot hatch and you don't get those analogue feelings from it. What you do get is blistering shove at any speed which is where the cars fun nature comes from. it's not a hardcore B road hustler but a great all rounder that can still make you smile on a good road. More of a PlayStation experience, especially with the auto.

[cerb4.5lee]

turboman786 said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Agree and both are lovely motors but for different reasons, I have a 640d but having had one the size/weight/lack of driving reward makes me fancy a M135i a hell of a lot now.

I know looks are subjective but as I see it the M135i will be good to drive but terrible to look at, whereas the 640d is terrible to drive but lovely to look at, and that's a good sum up of the two cars I think.

Utter drivel from Mr cerb Leeregarding the 640d being terrible to drive.

Ive had my 640d GC for some 2 years now and it is fabulous to drive. (Ive also owned many many cars over the years such as M5/GTR/c63/997/R8 v10/M3,AMv8V,F430 etc) so I know a good car when I drive it!

Why is it utter drivel if it's my opinion? The steering is completely lifeless/numb and for me that plays a big part to the way it drives.

It's absolutely no fun at all to throw around corners and feels it's size/weight in pretty much every situation, granted it's a boring barge so isn't meant to be good to drive but for me it offers zero reward to drive apart from it being good at cruising in a straight line.

I like it's performance/economy/looks but as a car to actually drive for me it's not all that, pleased you rate yours so highly though.

Terrible was perhaps a wrong way of putting it, mediocre to drive is closer to the mark.

[Ninja59]

XMT said:

Just a quick note, the people who have owned a 640d with 20" alloys, have you had any issues?? I have found BMW alloys to be generally very poor in taking UK road abouse and bend and kink causing vibrations.

I would like a 640d GC but the idea of messing around with kinked alloys etc is just not worth my time.

I have seen a few reports of the standard 20" 373's bending sadly. It really depends on the type of roads you drive on. I have had one bulge on the standard fit Dunlop RFT's (but now there is a greater selection of tyres around in RFT sizes if you want to keep RFT's).

But I would say it is still a possibility, sadly I think more and more cars are finding buckled wheels these days than ever, more so with the appalling roads in the UK.

Edited by Ninja59 on Friday 12th May 14:50

[Ninja59]

cerb4.5lee said:

Why is it utter drivel if it's my opinion? The steering is completely lifeless/numb and for me that plays a big part to the way it drives.

It's absolutely no fun at all to throw around corners and feels it's size/weight in pretty much every situation, granted it's a boring barge so isn't meant to be good to drive but for me it offers zero reward to drive apart from it being good at cruising in a straight line.

I like it's performance/economy/looks but as a car to actually drive for me it's not all that, pleased you rate yours so highly though.

Terrible was perhaps a wrong way of putting it, mediocre to drive is closer to the mark.

I agree the steering is numb, but even then I have been behind even more lifeless EPS systems than the 6. I think in a majority good steering feel is pretty much "dead", if you want steering feel you need to look to the more specialised track focused market or lightweights (Alfa 4C, Caterham etc. etc.), but for a real daily driving car I think it is all but dead in the current crop of cars.

I think it depends if you find the right road for the 6 it can be fun as a GT barge, but it has to be another type of way of enjoying driving.

[XMT]

Ninja59 said:

XMT said:

Just a quick note, the people who have owned a 640d with 20" alloys, have you had any issues?? I have found BMW alloys to be generally very poor in taking UK road abouse and bend and kink causing vibrations.

I would like a 640d GC but the idea of messing around with kinked alloys etc is just not worth my time.

I have seen a few reports of the standard 20" 373's bending sadly. It really depends on the type of roads you drive on. I have had one bulge on the standard fit Dunlop RFT's (but now there is a greater selection of tyres around in RFT sizes if you want to keep RFT's).

But I would say it is still a possibility, sadly I think more and more cars are finding buckled wheels these days than ever, more so with the appalling roads in the UK.

Edited by Ninja59 on Friday 12th May 14:50

Yes its what worried me too, There seems to be quite a few posts about it. I had an F10 with the 19s and even that got kinks in the front wheels, After that I had an S class with 20s and 35 profile tyres and wheels were never ever an issue.

BMW dont seem to have good quality wheels and to further makes matter worse they have run flats. I have never had issues with run flats and the ride quality but it certainly seems to have an impact on the general give of the components.

shame really. Generally the roads around my area are good, its just during the winter you can come across a couple of shocking potholes and causes all sorts of issues

[Ninja59]

XMT said:

Yes its what worried me too, There seems to be quite a few posts about it. I had an F10 with the 19s and even that got kinks in the front wheels, After that I had an S class with 20s and 35 profile tyres and wheels were never ever an issue.

BMW dont seem to have good quality wheels and to further makes matter worse they have run flats. I have never had issues with run flats and the ride quality but it certainly seems to have an impact on the general give of the components.

shame really. Generally the roads around my area are good, its just during the winter you can come across a couple of shocking potholes and causes all sorts of issues

Hmm runflat shoulders are harder I do wonder whether bending wheels will become more of an issue as sizes continue to increase

In Winter my 20's off anyway and down to 17's.