There are certain benchmark cars like the Fiesta,
Golf
, S-Max and 320d that just nail their respective sectors to become default choices. That group has gained a fifth member in the shape of the
BMW M135i
, star of PH debates on any car within, it seems, 10 grand of its £30K price.
Lovely Alcantara-trimmed seats a pricey upgrade
But the current F20 generation is not the first time a 1 Series has been offered with more than 300hp, a turbocharged straight-six and
M pretensions
if not actual M status. Though launched prior to the latest batch of M Performance models, the previous E82
135i Coupe
offers similar attributes of walloping turbocharged performance, decent rear-wheel drive dynamics and, erm, distinctive looks.
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!
A BMW Performance brake upgrade brings ventilated and cross-drilled brakes at the front, clamped by six-piston calipers, delightfully highlighted in BMW 'Performance Yellow' for maximum visual impact. Any passengers will certainly notice a tweaked interior through a set of gorgeous bucket seats. They're heated alcantara items and look infinitely more desirable than the standard BMW seats.
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