DRIVING THE NEW BMW M135i xDrive | Hot Hatch | Joe Achilles 

I hope you enjoyed my 1st drive video, please give me a thumbs up if you did 😉 Please let me know what you think of the new M135i, what Hot hatch would you buy for £35k... 🤔

Imagine the old M140 with this new interior! Would have been too perfect

I literally went outside and hugged my M140i after watching this video.

Seeing the next generation cars just makes me realise more and more that the golden age of cars was about 10years ago. I'm very fortunate to have a bmw e46 m3 manual coupe and a bmw 1M and have owned both of them from new. The more times I drive newer generation cars the more I appreciate my own pair of M's and it makes me realise that the feel of those cars is long gone and will never be repeated .

„Great car, awesome… I love it.“ Hey Joe, blink twice if there’s someone from BMW off-camera pointing a gun at you.

It does look better in person, like a lot better. Still not sold on the grill but hey. At least the new led lights look badass. What matters more is on the inside and that’s where the new car really takes a leap. I’d say it has the best interior in its class, topping the a-class for quality and the Audi for UI & tech. Also the HK stereo is freaking godlike, like maybe the best I’ve ever heard in a small car. It also handles way better and runs smoother and quieter. I hated the car when I first saw the press release but it surprised me. I think it’s a great car.

I think it’s seriously ugly, and very un-bmw like. I’d have a35 AMG all day over this, and I’m a serious BMW fanatic

2:38 "I think the angle that you're looking at it from there, is about as good as it gets" Obscured behind some massive white letters? Yeah you're probably right, Joe 😅

being a LARGE BMW fan. i dont like it. Lacks the BMWness.

Why did they stick the front of a 2 active Tourer to the back of a Ford focus?

Toyota. “We don’t have the money to r and d the 2jz replacement so we gonna borrow BMW’s mighty 6 cylinder b58 to power our flag ship sports car” Bmw. “We’ve spent millions and years peorfecting the b58, and the cars it runs, m140i/240i have become cult hits in the modified scene, it’s amazing the following it has. So for the next model, we gonna ditch the lot, go same as evey other boring company and make a majority fwd hot hatch, with less power, that’s ugly as sin. But don’t worry, it makes sense to daily drive the 118i version of it..........”

** out-takes** ... Joe rings Tony Lewis 'mate, it's a turd, where is my bloody oversteer and 6 pot sound track .... but I've sold it as a better 'car' for you ... Remind me again of my commission package again' 😂

Should do more videos in depth like this. Really enjoyed the watch!

B58 M140i will be my next car, fantastic video regardless, thank you

I would never ever change my M140i for this car. Even if i admit that i miss sharpness in the suspension and setup of the m140i. But i could tune that away because the base ingredients are right. In the M135ix they are not. Would rather get a A45/A35 (much better looking) if i had the money or go with real hot hatches with front wheel drive (Megane RS, Honda Civic Type R, Hyundai etc) and save money.

Nothing to do with the 1 series, but that Tesla bit had me in stitches 😂

As a BMW fan I want to like it, but I just can't. A3, A class and Golf look so much better.

Good review Joe, but I think you’ve been a bit too kind. As a 1 series car I’m sure it’s great, a better every day car and all the rest of it, but this is supposed to be an Mlite. This is supposed to give you a buzz when you drive it, it’s supposed to put a big grin on your face and be exciting to drive. It’s supposed to make you feel on the edge. This car clearly doesn’t do that. No doubt some people will still buy it, but I don’t think many of them will be M140 owners. I certainly won’t change mine for one. The funny thing is this has probably done us M140 owners a favour, our cars were depreciating like mad cause of the deals BMW were doing earlier this year. However now they’ve brought this out I think our cars might start to hold onto their value a bit more. Looking forward to more of your reviews.

BMW on a roll with their new product offerings. Nice looking thing...

The only thing that excites me is the seats! Wonder if they would fit in an M2?

Nice review, I think you are far more relaxed and interested when you are reviewing BMW 1 series, than everyting else. I hope you get it for some decent drive. Loving the interior, exterior meh.

Quality video, I thoroughly enjoyed watching this from beginning to end.

Wow Joe your in "the1" and I've been waiting for this video for ages just to see an honest comparison mate 👍🏻 thanks for showing us and keep up the good work buddy 😉

Its lost its usp in that its no longer a rear wheel drive. Not only that but it seriously is not a good looking car. The interior is stunning though. I went from a 135i to a 440i and this car wont make me return which is sad as i loved my 135.

Thanks for the video Joe - in a way it’s exactly as expected. There’s no way BMW could justify keeping a longitudinal engine and rear drive for such a small car - the downsides against the Golf, A3 and A Class are too great. The M135i then is about making the best of the new configuration, and from what I can see it does a brilliant job. Yes, some people are annoyed but in a world where you can still buy a 2 Series with a 6 pot, if you want a hatchback then surely it needs to be the best possible package all round, not just fast in a straight line.

Nice big improvement over the old one

From an Italian M140i xdrive owner I have to admit that the interior is miles way better. The exterior probably is good (not very convinced by the front) but it has too many fakes plastic air vents... the old one had cleaner and smooth lines that i like. I am sure that it has a very good balance and a very good engine but now is just one of many. I cannot see any difference beetween 135, a35, golf R, S3... it’s only personal taste. The old one was a good car with a masterpiece engine and an unique traction (even the xdrive is more rear wheel drive). The new is just a very good car... great job Joe👍🏻

What a brilliant review. Although it is described as a "first drive" I found it very comprehensive. I remember sometime ago Joe telling us to check Shmee's channel to view a car inside out. I am very glad it is now done on this channel. If I were picky I would say the pace was a bit too fast and Joe looked stressed. Yet, as I said, it was brilliant. And the car seems really nice, but I like the BMW brand and I like Joe's channel. So the video made my day.

Great video Joe, great insight to the new M135i, but really glad to hear you got in the M340i, will look forward to that review!,

the design of the car engine and drivetrain is shit but everything else is excellent 👌🏾

OMDSZZ LOOK AT THE PIG NOSE THO!

It's a huge fail for BMW, nothing special, nothing unique.

If I wanted a "haldexy" hot hatch I'd get a Golf R. The main reason the 1-series had a special niche was the rear-drive (or proper 60/40 four wheel drive) setups, unheard of for such a small car. Now it is just one of many small hatchbacks with boring architectures. Once this was launched I started searching for a low mileage 140i, found a beautiful X-drive version this week and drove it home yesterday. This is my third 1-series, and it looks like I will be keeping it forever ;)

Joe it seems like your selling out a bit mate and now working for bmw

@JoeAchilles have you thought about launching an awareness marketing campaign? Your content is too good to only have 55k subs. Look into it mate! You deserve a mil subs.

Great review Joe. Let's hope you get hold of one as a daily so we can see its full potential. Until then, I'm in the old M140 camp buddy.

that alcantara on the bolsters will wear really bad

There's no reason to spend £5k-£10k on this over a Focus ST now

People always have trouble to adapt to changes. I personally think it looks much better than previous model which has always been the ugly duck in the BMW lineup. Interior miles ahead now and that they offer a HUD even in a 1series now is just great. Given all that and more practicality it’s a clear step forward even though the great 6pot is gone. Just consider most cars aren’t sold as M lights and therefore this new one makes so much more sense for most people who buy less powerful versions. Well done BMW!

I see all these negative comments and comparisons to the old 140. But the 140 is long and unbalanced looking. I actually really like the looks on this

Watched quite a few of your vids and clicked on this one little to behold your filming right in my neck of the woods! I live in the area at 18:48 and I pop down to the beachy head test track quite often in my 2019 M140i shadow edition, I managed to get the last manufacturing run before this new model came out, I’m glad I got the 3 litre! small world :)

Nice one Joe. I actually like this car. I'm a m240i owner

Great vidéo Joe and I think we all appreciate your honesty about the new car having been a previous M140i owner. I think the general feeling is “hold on to your M140i’s chaps”! I for one will certainly be keeping mine.

I just bought this m135i and I love it, I used to own a golf Gte before someone fell asleep and hit the back of my car and wrote it off. The car is class, feels lux inside and has enough power to use as a daily commute. I live in london and work in london. The apple car play and all the tech included is amazing. I bought a 2020 plate with every option possible lol I’m still finding new stuff on it. Listen don’t listen to all these big RU-vidrs, I even have a cousin who has a channel and they all drive amazing cars as they have the luxury to jump in and out of new models all the time. So what they think is average or awesome is based on their own experiences. Basic rule. Does it make you feel special? Does it fit into your life? Will it tick the boxes of what your looking for in a car? Answer those questions and don’t worry about how fast or how great the handling is. 9/10 when do we as normal working men and women go out to a race track lol. I’m in love with my m135i with the m performance kit and all the tech inside. It’s so smooth! Picked up in Manchester and drove back to london, did 260k miles and felt like I popped to tesco’s for some milk lmao. If you love the look, go test drive it. You’ll love the car.. want more power? Go to TDI tunning and you’ll get 360bhp and 450nm! Grab a cobra back box delete too for some pops and bangs and your done!! Your 🙏🏻 welcome ✨

Actually, reading the comments I was expecting a different review, it was surprisingly honest. The overall summary is, nice but neutered. Having sat in it, the inside is nice but it really isn't some big step change, I like the Alcantara material but beyond that...

Mines coming in a few weeks to replace my M140. Will be interesting to see how I also compare the two cars and my e46 m3.

Growing to love these ..! Excited to have a go! Great vid 👌🏼

Wow quick turnaround! It will be interesting to see what the car can do on track for sure. Great to catch up 👍🏻

Watched most of this now. Informed, credible review. Don’t think I want one though...

Couldnt feel the love Joe,you were having a go trying to feel it but it didnt come off love your stuff mind

Clearly a much better all rounder than the previous model. So what, its not as fast in a straight line, at least it will make it up a slight incline if there should be a dusting of snow come December.

Great review Joe. Slightly sad that the gearbox has taken a turn for the worst. I thought that and the additional torque might give it the edge over likes of S3, A35 and Golf R. Thought the x drive might give slightly more adjustability too but it sounds like there is no real compelling reason now to choose this over the others. They’ve tried with the interior but now it has no trump card over the others, sounds like it’s going to struggle.

Joe, love your videos mate but it seemed a little like you were holding back and Mr BMW UK was sitting in the back vetting the review... This is surely a step back in many ways. Thank goodness there are so many 6 cylinder RWD proper ‘old’ 1’s for years to come available second hand.

great honest video. the M135i isn't bad. And that's the problem. If i didn't own my current car (2018 M140i shadow edition) I would absolutely be looking at this as a new car. In September 2021 my car will be 3 years old and that's when I usually look to change my cars. I'm looking around genuinely struggling to find a suitable replacement.

This thing could be a crazy Sleeper! Luv the proportions!

U recently bought a 2016 m135i and I appreciate it sooooo much more after watching this video !

Cmon Joe, yeah it may be a good car, but surly it is a bad BMW, atleast they could keep rear wheel drive...

Great car ! Nice exterior and interior.

I still think it's absolutely mad that BMW made this car... Looking forward to seeing the next M235i/M240i which will retain the 6 cylinder/RWD though

I think this could be a serious contender for my M140i. I currently have a company car so my misses drives a couple miles a day for work and I get it as a weekend car. But with a child on the way and the 140 being a three door the new M135i sounds like a sound upgrade to offer more space for my growing family along with the safety of xdrive for all round British (rain) weather for my misses to use pottering around and some fun still for me at the weekends. Hope BMW offers some good deals to help out the terrible Negative Equity that most of us are stuck with and into the new M135i

Thanks for taking the time to make this video Joe, love your content dude.

What made the 1 series different was the rear wheel drive so pleased I bought the out going model

Just rewatching this video Joe. 13/03/2022. The 135 is a great package. Very compelling 👌

That's a really nice X2!

Performance body kit is a must on this m135i in my opinion! Maxton have done one, looks so much more aggressive and M badge worthy.

my '68 LCI M240 all day long, for me it's everything the E30 would have become. only downside is the ppf limiting my exhaust options

A BMW for Audi lovers

I’m in a m140i and I don’t think I’d be moving to this new car.. I could live with the looks and engine but the gearbox is a bummer for me.. zf8 is tried and tested for abuse where as I don’t think I’d trust the Aisin

looks like a nice car...

Rest in peace the m1 series range, bmw you killed in right here!

Interesting what you say about Bridgestones. My GTI PP came with Potenzas. They were just terrible. Endless wheel spin and tramping. Switched them for Michelins and, wow! What a difference. Like getting a new car for the price of new tires.

What are bmw at there starting to make a few cars fwd fair enough if there xdrive but front only??? Only reason i love bmws is for the way they drive on a twisty road i really hope they dont make the 3 or 5series fwd otherwise il buy a kia or somthing like that maby because some ppl cant handle rwd in bad conditions and should not buy bmws then i jus dont no rwd for life👍👍👍

The old m140 is a Chavs favourite up near me, this car is much more refined and looks much better.

Nice vid Bud. I see your comments section is as interesting as mine 😂😂😂

From the very start, informative and excellent. Enjoyable vid. Thank you

Amazing video joe ! A really good proper video ! Tim should share this video on his Chanel it deserves the views

Interesting video Joe, thanks for sharing. I keep trying but apart from the interior I honestly don't think I could get the car to grow on me, especially coming from a m240i. That b58 engine is just so good it is too much to give up imo. The new grilles are a big put off for me, not just on this model either. I was looking at a m340i with a black grille and it definitely looks a bit better but it's still ugly. If I was ever to go 4wd hot hatch it would likely be VAG or Merc over this, I just think they look a lot nicer.

Everyone complains about BMW in general just because of making the 1 series less sporty. Take a look at the new 3 series, they did a great job on this one.

Had a sneaky test drive 2 weeks ago. Coming from a m235i I didn't want to like it but did. It definately looks better in the flesh, feels very very agile and the engine was surprisingly strong & flexible despite losing 1000cc and 2 cylinders. Order placed with delivery expected mid November.

Joe has owned 135i and 140i I thinks he’s more than qualified to review this 😂 lovely little car everything has to move on.

Another great video fella, proper through and nice to really know the ins and outs 👍

I quite like it tbh, don't like the grill tbf but the rest of is nicer imo , good video Joe, shot very close to where i live so great choice of roads .

Joe, your past videos inspired me to buy a white 2018 BMW 116D M-Sport Shadow Edition a few weeks ago. Comparing it with the new shape, thank goodness I didn't wait. The new shape is stunning inside but the exterior is awful and looks like a 2 series tourer. Hopefully, there's a good resale value for my car when I upgrade it again next Sept, currently has 7k miles on it and I generally do 5k miles a year. So far, I haven't found a car that I'll stick with for more than 12 months. Possibly, an i8 on the cards for Sept 2020.

Sometimes it feels like BMW, Mercedes and Audi all want to make identical cars.

Thanks for the review. Tbh I don’t know why BMW released this car when many buyers won’t see compelling reasons to buy this over R, S3 and Merc A35. We want a genuinely improved version of M140i but BMW failed to see the market demand.

Nice review, but this car is no match for the previous 140i M Sport. All of the characteristics of what makes a BMW so special to drive is gone. Too bad.

I’m gutted that rear wheel drive has gone. I’d love F21 M140i but have to drive for living. So I’ve got a 118d M-Sport shadow edition and can say lovely place to be. Just would be better with the 6 cylinder sound. Keep up the good work Joe

love this car no matter what think the haters in comments .. they dont have money to get it and they didn't drive it either

Great review, thanks Joe! Being an M140i owner I was initially put off the new M135i losing it's straight 6 and rear wheel drive but it's starting to grow on me. Love the interior 👍

So basically if you want a practical 1 series just get a new 118i for more rear passenger room, nice cabin and bigger boot . If you want a hot hatch keep or buy the 140 . I got mine for excitement and sound and the drive, this one now has a smaller engine and worse transmission. This seems a good car for the normal drive to the shops and to work but when you want to have some fun it’s nowhere near the 140.

I hope they do a enthusiast 1 series maby for the 140i or a 1M they make a version with 6 cylinders and rear bias xdrive or rear wheel drive . It would be great cause everything elce about this car is brilliant.

If Joe didn’t have a proper job, I’d love to see him presenting Top Gear. Great review. Sad to say I have to move on from the M140i some day and I can’t afford the new M240i. 3rd world problems I know

Another great video Joe. My summary of the car, considering the previous generations of the 1 series were for me the standout in the segment. Pros: Interior all round is special Greater space I think the rear end looks decent Cons: Engine Gearbox Based on a front wheel drive platform Has lost its proportions.... But most importantly it has lost its USP or USPs since it’s lost both the engine and the rear wheel drive... you got a 135i/140i because you couldn’t get it from anywhere else.... why does one get this over a mk7.5r?? Or a35 AMG?? I think personally BMW has lost its touch with this abit

Bmw Man but the A35 is better, and Subscribed to you Joe mate keep up the good work.

Great video, I’m a massive BMW fan n I’m 50/50 the back looks ok but the rest I’m not a fan of ngl

Pimped up Focus

Would agree the joe Achilles sparkle just wasn’t there in this video and that says it all about the car. The only positive I have about the new 1er is the interior. Not sure any car in this segment of hot hatches takes my fancy as they’re all the same 2l 4pot awd with about 300bhp but I get why Bmw have done it as it will probably tempt people back to Bmw from the s3/golf r/a35

Joe, all I wanna see is how hard you have to push it till it understeers. Nothing else matters. And it’s 60/40 distribution is shite.

Interesting to watch your review of the new M 135i having owned two M135i not convinced about this one so bought two year old M140 shadow with that amazing B58 engine and soundtrack they are as you said not continuing with the six pot maybe a M140 in the future but with a four pot engine luckily there still plenty of nice M140 out there Thanks for the great reviews keep them coming

Great review joe! Think I’ll keep hold of my original M135i until these are available on the used market! 👌🏻