Mmmm I actually like it, a normal front will drive quick car, the old 1 series was a horror in the ice and snow, though I do get the rear wheel drive thing but if you want that get a different bmw, it’s a small hatch, front wheel drive just makes sense, not popular view I know with fellow petrol heads, but I would never have bought the old one (after a test drive) this I think I may give it ago?
I just got a 65 plate m135i, I love it. I actually prefer it way more than this new one, just looks like a focus with a bmw badge on it - best part about my one is the noise, it rips through you and that’s the whole point of an ‘m’ series in my opinion.
Just had a sneaky pre launch test drive, my advice? Dont knock it till you've tried it and I agree with the reviewer it does look much better in the flesh.
I just decided to keep my M135i Got way more power. Great sound. 8 speed ZF.. so sad been looking forward to upgrade.. but the new model is a downgrade. SORRY
@@IsmailKhan-fi2sw you buy a sports car and are worried about fuel economy? Maybe should look at for excample Toyota Yaris hybrid, its good at fuel economy.
Yup same here..Decided to keep my m135i..Mine is manual as I just love manual. N55 unbeatable sound..Such a let down this new one. And for people saying fuel economy?! Really ?! Buy a Yaris. These cars are smiles per galon. Ffs ..So pissed off 😤 These are a proper driver cars. Well..Not anymore with this 4 pot and fiesta looks... Might be fast, economic, better interior but the straight 6 I would go for every single time with my eyes closed.
I do like it! It's just, at a certain angle from the side it appears very "bottom heavy," like a station wagon-design, which is not as seamless as rest of the car appears.
Great review James. Must admit I like the look of the new 1 series inside and out, much more cohesive than the new Focus design (which is still good). It might not appeal to purists but then the x drive versions should help there.
James Cooling your right there won’t be a straight 6, but Merc are getting over 400 bhp of 2 litre 4 cylinder engine I’m sure bmw will be able to squeeze out few more ponies out if that 2 litre engine but apparently they are not interested in getting into hyper hatch game.
Well I owned a M140i shadow edition, the engine was superb, and on dry sunny warm roads it was fantastic, but what he doesn’t mention is that it didn’t have an LSD. In a straight line it was great, however through autumn and winter on the crappy diesel laden, unsalted roads where I live, you’d have to be Lewis Hamilton not to get caught out. I couldn’t even reverse it off my inclined drive without doing a burnout when it was damp. When it was icy I couldn’t even get it off the drive. I don’t like the look of my M135i as much as the old M140, however it is a much, much easier car to get more out of more of the time and the inside is leagues better, as an ownership experience the m135 is a better car, even if it does look like a reindeer from the front.
This is my first BMW and went straight for the M135i. It's only a couple of weeks old but it handles extremely well. Far better than rwd in my opinion. Dont know about performance yet as it's not yet run in, but carwow reckon on a b road itll outstrip the old m140 but you'll be a better judge than me or carwow on that 👍 And I actually like the shape. Saw the pictures and thought that looks crap, but in the flesh love it.
Core BMW values in engineering and styling have always been low and rear driven. The cars have a low CofG, they are rear drive and the styling backs up both by accentuating those features. This car abandons both. Whether you like that or not is up to you; personally I think it now looks like every other hatchback: Focus, A series, Golf etc, just with that hideous grill on the front. And it’s FWD or 4WD, not rear drive. No thanks.
M135i, S3 , Golf R , A35 AMG ect..All the same now. Just choose which one you like the look of and best deal. I can see why BMW went FWD as the people who bought the vanilla models couldn’t care less.The rear seats were a joke. Just a shame they are all so generic in class now !
BMW.... you made a terrible BMW..!! Lost everything that made stand out from the crowd of utilitarian hatches.. !! no 50/50 weight distribution, no 6 cylinder, no RWD, gone are those interesting proportions. Don't like it at all, looks like a pretentious people carrier
@@unowen-nh9ov You don't have a clue mate. One and two series BMW's have a cult following for a reason and they just ruined everything. You have probably never even driven a hot BMW never mind owned one.
@@unowen-nh9ov pretentious is the right word and the "cult" following is a minority. Thank god because most of those people think that the public roads are a race track..
For me BMW was the go to brand for hot hatch and believe me I bought two of them. This new format originated from the bean counters at BMW and not the car enthusiasts. They just killed any reason to buy a one or two series from any serious car enthusiast. BMW you fucked up big time... I think I will be keeping my M240i for quite some time.
It's like they had a nice front end...then smushed it up for some reason. Rear looks good. proportions ruined. oh dear...The mazda 3 looks more special than this thing.
This "hot hatch" is just a cut and paste job from all the other 2 litre 4 pot fart cans out there. Boring. What a shame BMW! The outgoing M140i is much much faster, better looking and a more desirable hot hatch than this KIA/2 Series Active tourer gubbins. The outgoing M140i will be a modern day classic.
@@unowen-nh9ov What everyone is saying mate, is it's no different to say an A35 AMG, S3 or Golf R. So it will lose a lot of BMW enthusiasts whom want a BMW driving experience (RWD, 50/50 weight distribution) and not a FWD bias, 60/40, 2 litre fart can. You can get that elsewhere. You could through the best tech at this all you want.... however you cannot hide the fact its FWD bias and a heck of a lot slower than the outgoing M140i. However, most current M140i owners I would assume will move up the game to say an M3 or the new M5 which is my next car.
Don't want to upset anyone but ..Fk that 4 pot lol...Dafuq ..It's all ruined...It might be fast but sounds so awful...I was genuinely interested to upgrade but..I don't know bros..I have a 2013 m135i manual and God that N55 engine sound is unbeatable...Even the b58 doesn't sound as good and yes I did drive the m140i..I just can't.. 70 k on the clock and pulls like a bloody train. Again with no disrespect but that's only my opinion. A 4 cylinder car just not make it up for me. They might be faster but if they sound like a farting santa. Well he'll fking no 👎 Long live the straight 6 !
