RE: BMW M135i: Spotted

Tuesday 24th July 2018

BMW M135i: Spotted

In the market for a hatchback? You could buy an entry-level Fiesta, or you could opt for a six-cylinder rear-drive M135i...



They say you don’t know what you’ve got until its gone, and with the next hottest BMW 1 Series set to adopt a four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive, that will soon ring true for the M135i and M140i.

The good news is that for now you're living in a world where an exciting six-cylinder, rear-wheel drive BMW hatchback is currently on sale. This has been something to celebrate since 2007, when the first M135i arrived and provided us all with an alternative to the growing trend of four-cylinder hot hatches.


It was facelifted in 2015 when the 3.0-litre engine was gently reworked to offer 326hp and 332lb ft of torque, so this silky six didn’t just sound good, it had some real punch, too. Opt for an eight-speed automatic as most did and it would you’d reached 62mph from a standstill in 4.9 seconds. Doing it yourself with the standard manual only took an extra two-tenths.

Despite wearing an M badge though, this was not an out-and-out M model (although it was just 19bhp down on the red-blooded 1 Series M Coupé), rather it was an M-fettled BMW, and thus more forgiving - to the point of normalcy if that's what you wanted. For many owners the idea of its being the top-of-the-range 1 Series was a good enough reason for buying. But the front-engined, rear-drive layout meant that the M135i was much more than just a motorway slip road performer.


True, that didn't necessarily make it the finest driver’s car in the land, and in time all-wheel drive alternatives like the Mercedes-AMG A45 and Audi RS3 proved to be much faster point to point. Their advantage was not all to do with traction either, but rather a product of the BMW's reluctance to keep its body fully in check over challenging ground.

Nevertheless, for some, this only added to the appeal. The M135i was not a point and squirt missile in the A45 mould, and nor could it be driven well without due care and attention. With the stability control off, an owner would have to respectfully learn how best to utilise that uncommon mix of strong engine, short wheelbase and right-wheel drive.


Certainly its rare to find that sort of description applied to a model that can now be had for about the same price as a base-level Ford Fiesta, yet here we are. Previously owned by a BMW technician, this car – equipped with a six-speed manual and M Performance exhaust – has only ever seen servicing at a main dealer and has remained in completely original spec. Despite having covered 50,000 miles, it’s described as “immaculate” inside and out.

Even with the end of six-pot BMW hatchbacks now in sight, we wouldn't be foolish enough to suggest that it looks depreciation proof at £13,995 - but certainly the M135i is a member of that fast exiting era that will hard to forget in a few years. We recommend you try now.


SPECIFICATION - BMW M135i
Engine:
2,979cc six-cylinder, turbocharged
Power (hp): 326hp@5,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 332@1,300-4,500rpm
0-62mph: 5.1 seconds (4.9)
Top speed: 155mph (electronically limited)
Weight: 1,505kg (EU including 75kg driver, +20kg for auto)
MPG: 35.3 (NEDC combined, 37.7)
CO2: 188g/km (175g/km)
Price then: £31,725
Price now: £13,995

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Author
Discussion

sidesauce

Original Poster:

2,456 posts

217 months

Tuesday 24th July 2018
quotequote all
That's a pretty good colour combo and the mileage isn't astronomical for the year either. Someone will definitely be enjoying themselves with that!

TheBigUnit

364 posts

191 months

Tuesday 24th July 2018
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In the article Sam Sheehan states that the M135i has been around since 2007. It hasn’t. The 135i arrived in 2007, available exclusively on the coupe (E82) with the MSport trim line. The M135i arrived in 2012 as part of the F series of cars; the “M” followed by the engine designation denoting that although this was not a full M car, it was a cut above the badge engineered fayre lower down the range.

Scobblelotcher

1,724 posts

111 months

Tuesday 24th July 2018
quotequote all
I own the later version of this car and it’s brilliant for my needs.

It’s debadged and when driven normally in auto, it’s quiet, smooth and lovely and when driving it hard it just sounds wonderful and has a muscular power delivery, it also feels like it has power everywhere. The chassis isn’t perfectly sorted over 9/10ths though. In anything other than dry weather, it can also require car as it can easily overpower its rears.

My last 3 cars have been 2.0 turbo engines and there’s just something about the 3.0 turbo engine in a small car.

It’s imperfect but as an all rounder, I also think it’s fantastic!

greenarrow

3,551 posts

116 months

Tuesday 24th July 2018
quotequote all

I'm not really a BMW man but I have always fancied one of these.

I actually like the fact that its a bit flawed and you have to pick your moments and can't just rag it everywhere like you can in a Audi RS3 or Golf R.

Also, without badges, it doesn't look so different from all the M badged 118ds out there. The sort of discreet quick car that BMW don't do so much any more.

BTW I think the author got confused between the M135i and the old 135i which if memory serves me right came out in 2007.

Kenny Powers

2,618 posts

126 months

Tuesday 24th July 2018
quotequote all
I love these cars. I find the looks somewhat “challenging” but they have an honesty and integrity about them. The engine sounds rich and expensive, certainly compared to the normal box of spanners 4-pot buzzbombs. For me personally an engine is at least 75% of a performance car biggrin

Helicopter123

8,831 posts

155 months

Tuesday 24th July 2018
quotequote all
A M135i is usually the correct answer.

Tuvra

7,920 posts

224 months

Tuesday 24th July 2018
quotequote all
Bloody hell that's good value, I could live with the looks for that!!

2 GKC

1,884 posts

104 months

Tuesday 24th July 2018
quotequote all
Horrible little gear knob on it!

rastapasta

1,846 posts

137 months

Tuesday 24th July 2018
quotequote all
I nearly bought my wife one of these recently. She loves the 1 series but living in Switzerland she would need an Xdrive version. Now in Switzerland the Xdrive is available as a diesel or as the M Powered petrol only, so no boggo petrol with Xdrive apparently and she HATES Diesel, (like all Swiss).

Anyway off I went to look at a couple of second hand ones. They look wider and lower slung than the normal ones naturally enough but none had an M badge so I just thought that the previous Owners tarted them up. Anyway took one for a spin and thought that its a bit lively but drive a Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT so was used to a bit of grunt. Beautiful thing to drive however. I saw the BHP figure and I thought, hmmmm house renovations, kids etc... this might go down as well as a nuns knickers. So I layed off buying it and Went with a new Subaru Impreza instead, which is better for the snow in winter and nice inside and .....

God Id love that BMW :-)

Edited by rastapasta on Tuesday 24th July 09:15

Gilhooligan

2,211 posts

143 months

Tuesday 24th July 2018
quotequote all
These seem pretty good value. I’ve been looking at buying a 135i coupe with some being similarly priced. Especially considering the coupes will usually be a couple of years older.

cerb4.5lee

30,186 posts

179 months

Tuesday 24th July 2018
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A performance bargain that is for sure, I think they're a really good package. This has got me very tempted.

bodhi

10,333 posts

228 months

Tuesday 24th July 2018
quotequote all
Damn you PH. I had just settled on not upgrading the 125i for another year or so, and you go and post that.

Nickbrapp

5,277 posts

129 months

Tuesday 24th July 2018
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Junior supercar in every aspect

chazwozza

724 posts

185 months

Tuesday 24th July 2018
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Dammit PH, now looking at cars!

Mike1990

962 posts

130 months

Tuesday 24th July 2018
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I like that a lot. So much car for very little money.

JackReacher

2,118 posts

214 months

Tuesday 24th July 2018
quotequote all
Just needs £1k spent on some better suspension and you have a very good car for the money.

Scottie - NW

1,284 posts

232 months

Tuesday 24th July 2018
quotequote all
Absolute usual pile of st from PH again, stopped reading the article as soon as it said the M135i arrived in 2007.

When you can't even get such basic facts correct it is disappointing, and it's time and time again on these articles.

Can you not at least use people who have some interest in the subject matter to write these articles?

xjay1337

15,966 posts

117 months

Tuesday 24th July 2018
quotequote all
I have bought one recently.

It's completely standard aside from upgraded pads and upgraded springs. (Pagid RS29 front, Ferodo DS2500 rear, H&R springs, non adaptive model).

Has the must haves -
Pro Nav
Harmon Kardon
Auto

I've recently completed Anglesey and Oulton Park back to back doing nearly 1000 miles in 3 days.

Had absolutely no issues and had a whole boat-load of fun.

A really amazing car. Literally does everything.
And can easily achieve 40mpg on a long gentle run

42582705365_10991c3984_o by Fat Bear Photography, on Flickr

2018-07-18_07-08-45 by Fat Bear Photography, on Flickr


White with red leather is the best combo :-)



I'd buy a September 2013 build onwards I think it was, so you get the electronic waste gate and better turbo.

Rawwr

22,722 posts

233 months

Tuesday 24th July 2018
quotequote all
Why are they using a butt plug for a gear knob?

KPB1973

918 posts

98 months

Tuesday 24th July 2018
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Unfortunately I think these will be the new EP3 - a nice but compromised car that becomes a chav's dream motor as prices drop further.

The last two i've seen would seem to support this. A blacked-out estoril blue one with a nasty exhaust being driven in max-attack mode around a Tesco car park on Saturday afternoon, and the other was a fake one...probably a 120d Sport with M135i alloys and a poorly-located badge on its rear.

Shame really, as although my personal experience as an ex-owner was ultimately disappointing, I do think they have their plus points.