Owned an M140i and recently went to a M135i. You've hit the nail on the head with this car! It's just a shame BMW couldn't give us the best of both worlds.
Best M135i review I’ve watched by miles. Real world driving and not too much moaning about it not being a 140. Best quote “in the wet it doesn’t try to kill you……even half as much” 😂😂. Picking mine up Saturday. Subscribed…..👍
Great video, thanks and agree most of it. I've had both (m135i f20) and f40 m135i which I've just sold after 18 months... f40 m135i is the better daily driver. Full stop, just a nicer place to be on a day to day basis and in the UK, we never had the old one with xdrive so I welcomed xdrive here in blighty. Get Motch stance on it, and it looks a weapon, tech way better, hk way better, gently driving you get 48mpg and seats the best of any car I've ever had. Go drive one for a couple of days. Yes you'll miss the 6 pot, but after a bit you forget that and enjoy the punch of the 4 pot and Aissen box which thumps the gears upside a dsg etc... it does the 0 to 60 everytime every weather pretty much and corner exit speed is insane. I only sold mine as I was in equity after 18 months and not using it working from home now 👍
Thank you so much for this test! Especially the part with fuel economy while driving in town plus showing the actual driving with a timelapse really helped me. Yes I know, the M135i isn't your typical city car, but since I am from Berlin it is quite important for me ;) And 31 mpg should be around 7,5 l/100km, so I am really looking forward to get similar numbers in round about 6 weeks :D Can't wait to pick mine up haha
Really good review, balanced in every way, thank you. I’m considering one of these, will probably go for an early model to avoid the extra road tax lol
As a m140i owner I really like the look of the new m135i...its a shame it could not of had a 2.0 transverse V6 in it then it would have everything to suit every one for all those that love a cylinder soundtrack ...
Fantastic review. Really good video to watch. I do love this car. For me, the best all round hatchback. I am hopefully getting the M135i/128ti in the next year or so. Where you getting this car at £300 a month 😳
It's difficult to compare the m140i and m135i, they are different beasts. As such, they're better than the other in different ways. The m135i can't match the m140i for the RWD and 6cylinder turbo antics, but the m140i will never be as sure footed and high tech as AWD m135i. I have a modified m140i but I'd love to drive the m135i, I wonder what with a tune if the m135i become more lairy and exciting drive?
Totally agree, they’re entirely different. However, for the purposes of RU-vid, and the fact so many compare, I thought I’d try. With a remap, they don’t come that alive sadly. Not stage 1 anyway…
Thanks for the amazing review Tom. I have an order in for an S3, but I an getting really f£&@ed off with the Audi dealer - I was a valued customer before I placed my deposit, but now I seem to be an irritant which they would rather ignore. You did a great job of reviewing the S3 too - part of the reason I decided to go for it. If I switch to the Bimmer, am I going to be disappointed dynamically?
Thanks for the sub! :) The problem is, they're both great cars. However, the Audi is more luxurious and slightly softer where the M135i gives a slightly more engaged drive. Really it would be based on what the individual person wants.
That's one of the best reviews of the M135i I've seen. It was well balanced and you didn't keep trying to always comparing it to the M140i. Its a different beast altogether. This is a much more of a all year round car that you can use on a daily basis no matter what the weather. Try driving a M140 in the wet or snow/ice. Lethal. Economy wise its amazing as well. on a trip over to North Wales, on a very busy stop/start M6, M56 and A55 I got 40+ mpg. Gobsmacked when i checked at the end. Just don't use eco pro. I did a similar journey and actually got less. There's absolutely nothing when you press your right foot down, so you have to press it to the floor to get it to respond, so i think its less economical than Comfort. Sports mode though, just have a tanker following you :-)
Different. Not better. Not worse. They’re totally different cars, unique in their own ways. I’d go M140i every day, but respect the fact people want the safety and security of xDrive and cheaper running costs of a 2.0 4-pot.
@@TheAutoDad 1. you can choose M140 as xdrive if you are primarily looking for ‚safety‘ and not for fun 2. why are running cost cheaper on 4 pot M135 compared to inline 6 M140 ?!
I'm still driving my m140i and have had it from new for two and a half years and can say with its power and rwd in sport mode anything other than dry weather its pointless, I might as well be driving a 120d and thats the point, why have big powered hot hatch when it can only be used to its full potential on the odd occasion. I've ordered the new m135i with a number of optional extras (sapphire black paint, magma leather, pan roof, tech pack, pro pack, 19"wheels) which comes in at 43k I test drove a m135i and it was wet it was night and day better in that weather and for me that is better, as mentioned traction of the line is just better. I totally get why BMW have done this, making a car purely for the enthusiasts like the m140i isn't the way forward where as the new car is far more practical and usable all of the time. Great real review.
Great point on the M140i. In the wet they were definitely a hand full! Sounds like the M135i is going to suit you a lot more - and thanks for the kind words.
I'd add that the m140i really needs a clutch / atb LSD to make any sense in wet weather. After upgrading the LSD, there is a big increase in grip and driving dynamics. It is a very pricey option however, which is why a lot of m140i owners hesitate to upgrade.
For me the reason why I live with more power than traction in wet weather in my m140i is a) because it's fun and b) because the b58 sounds epic. I really don't know what car would tempt me on this price range after the m140i. Can't see myself selling it any time soon.
Bmw are known, inline 6 in the front sent to the rear wheels. Bmw has slowly perfected the inline 6 from the early n/a versions, to then boost them when the n54, n55 then b58 that was a powerful smooth delivery with a great noise! To then do that, then slap a 2.0 litre in it is a big no for me. Its slower and put on weight. No petrol head buys a sporty petrol for economy so that is pretty pointless subject and no petrol head appreciates fake noises in the cabin to compensate for lack of cylinders and power. I love my m140i and sticking with it!
Agreed, the M140i was smooth and with great noise - I guess they just needed to be more eco and wanted to appeal to a different demographic. The economy is important to some petrol heads, or at the very least, useable range. ;)