Don't buy an m135i until you've read this
Discussion
After having recently sold my m135i, I didn't think it was as good as I hoped it would be. I bought it standard, it felt way too jittery at high speed on British roads, I had to fit slight lowering springs and spacers to improve handling. It was quite fun to drive, but not the best car i've owned, too twitchy for me. I think a used e46 or e92 M3 would handle 3x better. It was Auto and fuel economy was awful, if you drive properly you'll never see over 25mpg, I got 22. If you get 30mpg you may as well buy a 120d! realistically the fuel economy is only slightly better than a e46 m3, and thats a LOT better to drive. I never felt too confident with the car, I feel more confident for e.g. in my tuned e92 330d, less jittery. I have owned a 2015 megane RS cup & I pushed that on a country drive, it was may more fun and confidence inspiring than the m135i. The Harmon Kardon audio was good, not as great as i expected. The standard equipment is AWFUL if you don't spend loads on options, where as my 330d e92 has electric memory seats included! m135i is fully manual. To me the M135i is a car that needs aftermarket work to be as good as it really should... Either buy an M car or don't waste your time on this half way point, other cars are better. It's like it's not quite fast enough, almost like it should just come with 350/360bhp factory & it needs a LSD and wheel spacers, as the car feels thin on the road in my mind.
Edited by James Lloyd Cole on Friday 18th May 02:23
Edited by James Lloyd Cole on Friday 18th May 02:26
Just my 2 cents,
but I feel this post is quite pointless to,
compare ONE car against aspects MULTIPLE other cars even in different leagues AND meant for other purposes.
No one bought a 1 series to have smooth highway ride,
no one bought an m135i to expect it to handle as well as a true M car,
no one bought m135i to really care about mpg,
and every BMW or German brand requires you to spend tons on options to have a decent car.
No offense but very pointless rant, a post like this could be made about every car.
but I feel this post is quite pointless to,
compare ONE car against aspects MULTIPLE other cars even in different leagues AND meant for other purposes.
No one bought a 1 series to have smooth highway ride,
no one bought an m135i to expect it to handle as well as a true M car,
no one bought m135i to really care about mpg,
and every BMW or German brand requires you to spend tons on options to have a decent car.
No offense but very pointless rant, a post like this could be made about every car.
Friend of mine at work had one and raved about it - just goes to show how useful a single opinion is.
As for your point about fuel consumption, mid-20s is what you'd expect: http://www.fuelly.com/car/bmw/m135i
As for your point about fuel consumption, mid-20s is what you'd expect: http://www.fuelly.com/car/bmw/m135i
Not sure what is wrong with mid 20s mpg? It is, after all, a turbocharged six cylinder engine that can also do high 30s on a run. As for the LSD, I would agree but BMW didn't sadly.
I think the problem is that the car has been so hyped that the fact that it is REALLY good is still less than expectations of it.
As for spec, that is BMW's way. Always has been. Memory seats are an option as are lost things. If you bought one new you could have had them, my E90 doesn't but I learned to live with it.
I think the problem is that the car has been so hyped that the fact that it is REALLY good is still less than expectations of it.
As for spec, that is BMW's way. Always has been. Memory seats are an option as are lost things. If you bought one new you could have had them, my E90 doesn't but I learned to live with it.
Depends on what you buy some versions from BMW include loads of decent options. But ultimately, bluntly, it is a 1 series, not a 5,6 or 7 (or X5,X6 etc.)
I think the 135i/140i are good for what are effectively "M light" cars. I know many have compared the 35i/40i to the e46 M3, but there is a lot of differences between them the biggest being one is a fully fledged M car and the other is not.
Regarding handling I think my first step would be to someone who knows how to do alignment and the positives and negatives of each particular setting. Fitting stuff aimlessly without considering the impact is just stupid and wasting money. The amount of people I see putting lowering springs and/or spacers then not getting an alignment done never ceases to amaze me (for example with my 6GC I have had two very different alignments and the car handled very differently, it has been set to for sometime now the slightly more BMW esque negative rear camber generating slightly more grip during cornering, as opposed to the slightly more positive one it had previously).
I think the 135i/140i are good for what are effectively "M light" cars. I know many have compared the 35i/40i to the e46 M3, but there is a lot of differences between them the biggest being one is a fully fledged M car and the other is not.
Regarding handling I think my first step would be to someone who knows how to do alignment and the positives and negatives of each particular setting. Fitting stuff aimlessly without considering the impact is just stupid and wasting money. The amount of people I see putting lowering springs and/or spacers then not getting an alignment done never ceases to amaze me (for example with my 6GC I have had two very different alignments and the car handled very differently, it has been set to for sometime now the slightly more BMW esque negative rear camber generating slightly more grip during cornering, as opposed to the slightly more positive one it had previously).
The suspension is a real weakness of these cars (specifically the damping) which apparently can be sorted with a £650 Bilstein B12 kit. But I don't really understand why BMW didn't just do that themselves at lower marginal cost, seems a wasted opportunity.
Otherwise they are good cars but certainly over hyped by some press and plenty of youtubers. I think mine makes a reasonable daily, but falls flat at the weekend. The damping and lack of steering feel don't find me reaching for the keys for a weekend blast.
I think many owners come from less capable cars and it's a step up, which encourages positive reviews. As a driver's tool, it's nowhere near as fun or engaging as a Megane RS, or a 987 Cayman I had before. I sometimes think I should have got a new Type R instead. However, as a quick daily it's ok, and I average 36mpg on the commute.
Otherwise they are good cars but certainly over hyped by some press and plenty of youtubers. I think mine makes a reasonable daily, but falls flat at the weekend. The damping and lack of steering feel don't find me reaching for the keys for a weekend blast.
I think many owners come from less capable cars and it's a step up, which encourages positive reviews. As a driver's tool, it's nowhere near as fun or engaging as a Megane RS, or a 987 Cayman I had before. I sometimes think I should have got a new Type R instead. However, as a quick daily it's ok, and I average 36mpg on the commute.
Slightly ridiculous post if I'm honest but you're entitled to your opinion. Comparing it with an M car of any kind is unfair and costs are considerably higher on those cars, and their remit is to be a road car you can enjoy on a b-road etc.
I found MPG to be very good, 23/24 around town is very good for a car that has over 300bhp. On the motorway on a steady run 35mpg is easy, which is why it's such a good all-rounder. Suspension is a weak point, but show me a BMW that isn't an M car that has good suspension.
As long as you buy it fully aware it is not an M car but a decent performance car you can use everyday costing much less than an M car, you won't be disappointed.
I found MPG to be very good, 23/24 around town is very good for a car that has over 300bhp. On the motorway on a steady run 35mpg is easy, which is why it's such a good all-rounder. Suspension is a weak point, but show me a BMW that isn't an M car that has good suspension.
As long as you buy it fully aware it is not an M car but a decent performance car you can use everyday costing much less than an M car, you won't be disappointed.
James Lloyd Cole said:
After having recently sold my m135i, I didn't think it was as good as I hoped it would be. I bought it standard, it felt way too jittery at high speed on British roads, I had to fit slight lowering springs and spacers to improve handling. It was quite fun to drive, but not the best car i've owned, too twitchy for me. I think a used e46 or e92 M3 would handle 3x better. It was Auto and fuel economy was awful, if you drive properly you'll never see over 25mpg, I got 22. If you get 30mpg you may as well buy a 120d! realistically the fuel economy is only slightly better than a e46 m3, and thats a LOT better to drive. I never felt too confident with the car, I feel more confident for e.g. in my tuned e92 330d, less jittery. I have owned a 2015 megane RS cup & I pushed that on a country drive, it was may more fun and confidence inspiring than the m135i. The Harmon Kardon audio was good, not as great as i expected. The standard equipment is AWFUL if you don't spend loads on options, where as my 330d e92 has electric memory seats included! m135i is fully manual. To me the M135i is a car that needs aftermarket work to be as good as it really should... Either buy an M car or don't waste your time on this half way point, other cars are better. It's like it's not quite fast enough, almost like it should just come with 350/360bhp factory & it needs a LSD and wheel spacers, as the car feels thin on the road in my mind.
So what did you replace the M135i with ?? Edited by James Lloyd Cole on Friday 18th May 02:23
Edited by James Lloyd Cole on Friday 18th May 02:26
Too Late. I turned down a new 330D and went for the then New M135i in 2012/13.
The M135i engine is ahead of the wonderful inline-6, 3.0 litre diesel in terms of power delivery and response. It also makes a good noise.
Some of the points about the flawed ride in the M135i are correct. With run-flats as an option it makes the M135i ride and handling feel like an unfinished project in my opinion.
But, with better rubber you could almost forgive the basic suspension setup as the power delivery and pace on tap leaves very little wanting if I am honest. It is a stonkingly good powerplant for that little car.
For the record the 335d engine with the twin turbos, whilst being more powerful than the 330d I always found it a tad harsher through the rev range.
Anyway, all are great engines and it is good to have a choice.
The M135i engine is ahead of the wonderful inline-6, 3.0 litre diesel in terms of power delivery and response. It also makes a good noise.
Some of the points about the flawed ride in the M135i are correct. With run-flats as an option it makes the M135i ride and handling feel like an unfinished project in my opinion.
But, with better rubber you could almost forgive the basic suspension setup as the power delivery and pace on tap leaves very little wanting if I am honest. It is a stonkingly good powerplant for that little car.
For the record the 335d engine with the twin turbos, whilst being more powerful than the 330d I always found it a tad harsher through the rev range.
Anyway, all are great engines and it is good to have a choice.
GregK2 said:
In summary, OP Buys non M car and complains that M cars are better.
I’m talking about an old used M car though, e46 for example... it still is better even though it come out in 2001. obviously not a 2018 £60k m3. iPhone 3GS was the BEST phone in the world when it come out, now it’s not even as good as a standard £100 Android... BMW should make progression too Mike335i said:
Not sure what is wrong with mid 20s mpg? It is, after all, a turbocharged six cylinder engine that can also do high 30s on a run. As for the LSD, I would agree but BMW didn't sadly.
I think the problem is that the car has been so hyped that the fact that it is REALLY good is still less than expectations of it.
As for spec, that is BMW's way. Always has been. Memory seats are an option as are lost things. If you bought one new you could have had them, my E90 doesn't but I learned to live with it.
You say it does high 30’s on a motorway run, but it most definitely doesn’t. Max 32mpg if you purposefully drive like your grandma. Which nobody does in an M135i, if so get a 118d I thinkI think the problem is that the car has been so hyped that the fact that it is REALLY good is still less than expectations of it.
As for spec, that is BMW's way. Always has been. Memory seats are an option as are lost things. If you bought one new you could have had them, my E90 doesn't but I learned to live with it.
nbetts said:
Too Late. I turned down a new 330D and went for the then New M135i in 2012/13.
The M135i engine is ahead of the wonderful inline-6, 3.0 litre diesel in terms of power delivery and response. It also makes a good noise.
Some of the points about the flawed ride in the M135i are correct. With run-flats as an option it makes the M135i ride and handling feel like an unfinished project in my opinion.
But, with better rubber you could almost forgive the basic suspension setup as the power delivery and pace on tap leaves very little wanting if I am honest. It is a stonkingly good powerplant for that little car.
For the record the 335d engine with the twin turbos, whilst being more powerful than the 330d I always found it a tad harsher through the rev range.
Anyway, all are great engines and it is good to have a choice.
Really? They make no noise at all if you don’t get an aftermarket exhaust. You could fire it up and someone walking past would barely notice. I heard a Remus M135i and that did sound good... but that cost £1000The M135i engine is ahead of the wonderful inline-6, 3.0 litre diesel in terms of power delivery and response. It also makes a good noise.
Some of the points about the flawed ride in the M135i are correct. With run-flats as an option it makes the M135i ride and handling feel like an unfinished project in my opinion.
But, with better rubber you could almost forgive the basic suspension setup as the power delivery and pace on tap leaves very little wanting if I am honest. It is a stonkingly good powerplant for that little car.
For the record the 335d engine with the twin turbos, whilst being more powerful than the 330d I always found it a tad harsher through the rev range.
Anyway, all are great engines and it is good to have a choice.
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