Test drove a M135i today
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Mowflow said:
Have to say I pretty much disagree on every count, your 1 Series must have been broke
The electric steering feel is pretty much the norm for most cars these days, some do it better than others, the M135is rear suspension has always been slightly criticised in the past for being under damped but to be fair you have to be at the ragged edge for it to become a problem which most people will never reach, the M140is suspension has been tweaked to improve this. The Type R is too compromised to be a decent alrounder.
Tim.
TitanTim said:Mowflow said:
Have to say I pretty much disagree on every count, your 1 Series must have been broke
The electric steering feel is pretty much the norm for most cars these days, some do it better than others, the M135is rear suspension has always been slightly criticised in the past for being under damped but to be fair you have to be at the ragged edge for it to become a problem which most people will never reach, the M140is suspension has been tweaked to improve this. The Type R is too compromised to be a decent alrounder.
Tim.
I agree with Tim.
Found my M135i fantastic and let's be honest it would be quicker than a 125d! They really are great cars and that's why it's the first time ever I have replaced a car with the same model. Picking my M140i up next week
Johnh1976 said:TitanTim said:Mowflow said:
Have to say I pretty much disagree on every count, your 1 Series must have been broke
The electric steering feel is pretty much the norm for most cars these days, some do it better than others, the M135is rear suspension has always been slightly criticised in the past for being under damped but to be fair you have to be at the ragged edge for it to become a problem which most people will never reach, the M140is suspension has been tweaked to improve this. The Type R is too compromised to be a decent alrounder.
Tim.
I agree with Tim.
Found my M135i fantastic and let's be honest it would be quicker than a 125d! They really are great cars and that's why it's the first time ever I have replaced a car with the same model. Picking my M140i up next week
You won't be dissapointed with the M140i John, its a fabulous motor, I did wonder if it was worth swapping the M135i for one but after a few months now its definitely an improvement over the old model, oh and the B58 engine is a peach which is no mean feat considering the N55 was already good.
Tim.
In my defence, I'm not the only one that formed such a view.
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/bmw-m135i-facelift-driven/32068
"However, regardless of any secret unofficial updates, the chassis still can't match the superb engine and gearbox combo. There's a disconcerting vagueness to the steering which makes grip levels hard to gauge at both ends with suspension that struggles to keep the car composed when pushing on. The M135i pitches and floats where you really need it to settle, even with the optional adaptive dampers at their stiffest. It's just doesn't inspire an awful lot of confidence, which is frustrating given that it feels quite benign when grip does subside"
And Matt Birds response when a few owners got their knickers in a twist.
"The second is the cars introduced in that market since 2012. For me the A45 AMG feels far more composed down a British country road, the damping keeping the body movements under control far better and inspiring more confidence. Furthermore, the Golf is better tied down over bumps and undulations. The BMW just becomes a little scrappy towards the limit where those cars reach their best. And back in 2012 we didn't have those to compare it to! For much of the time it's good but the numb steering and the sense the suspension always isn't in control of the body prevents it being really enjoyable when pushing on. In my opinion, of course.
As something for everyday I think the M135i would be great because of that engine but I just think there are better driving cars in the segment now. BMW said they may spec a press car with a few of the additional M Performance parts which would be interesting to try. Then the M2 of course...."
Sutcliffe came to a very similar conclusion.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CCoWi_wU-oM
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/bmw-m135i-facelift-driven/32068
"However, regardless of any secret unofficial updates, the chassis still can't match the superb engine and gearbox combo. There's a disconcerting vagueness to the steering which makes grip levels hard to gauge at both ends with suspension that struggles to keep the car composed when pushing on. The M135i pitches and floats where you really need it to settle, even with the optional adaptive dampers at their stiffest. It's just doesn't inspire an awful lot of confidence, which is frustrating given that it feels quite benign when grip does subside"
And Matt Birds response when a few owners got their knickers in a twist.
"The second is the cars introduced in that market since 2012. For me the A45 AMG feels far more composed down a British country road, the damping keeping the body movements under control far better and inspiring more confidence. Furthermore, the Golf is better tied down over bumps and undulations. The BMW just becomes a little scrappy towards the limit where those cars reach their best. And back in 2012 we didn't have those to compare it to! For much of the time it's good but the numb steering and the sense the suspension always isn't in control of the body prevents it being really enjoyable when pushing on. In my opinion, of course.
As something for everyday I think the M135i would be great because of that engine but I just think there are better driving cars in the segment now. BMW said they may spec a press car with a few of the additional M Performance parts which would be interesting to try. Then the M2 of course...."
Sutcliffe came to a very similar conclusion.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CCoWi_wU-oM
Mowflow said:
Interesting. Well I didn't end up buying the m135i, because they sold it the very next day! So, I'm looking into other options now. I'm looking at spending around £20k on a used vehicle, no older than 3 years old but seem pretty limited in what's out there. You mentioned there are better driving cars in that segment now - what would they be?
I did think I would like the Golf GTi when I test-drove that but was so disappointed in the quality of it. Yes, the drive was nice but the interior and plastics just felt terrible - not what I was expecting. Also, I quite fancied one with a built in sat-nav but the one in the Golf is in such a ridiculous position, I wouldn't even class that as being safe.
Well looking at your requirements of less than 3yo and £20k max I don't actually think there are any alternatives since you didn't like the golf in terms of interior quality. The only things better in that regard are the a45 which is way over budget and the s3 which again will probably be over budget and not necessarily better in terms of drive.
When I said alternatives I really meant within the C segment. Considering drive alone the Golf, facelift a45, facelift S3, type r, cupra, focus RS and of course the megane all offer a bit more satisfaction in factory form. Some of them, such as the megane are a bit too 1 dimensional in that they want to be driven like hooligans all the time. That can get very old very quick. The BMW is really at the opposite end of the spectrum. Fast for disposing of the odd chav buzz bomb but I found it just didn't respond well to what most would call "a hoon" it felt at home charging along a motorway or dual carriageway.
You could look at alternative specd gtis. It's amazing what the upgraded nav and a bit of leather can do. Admittedly, if you're the type of person that goes about tapping foot level plastics you will be disappointed and the climate control dials are abysmal but everything else ie steering wheel, stalks, door controls etc were all on a par or in a few cases slightly better than the BMW I felt. A well specd performance pack gti is definitely worth a look if the one you looked at was a low spec.
The only other thing that might be worth looking at is an Audi S1. Bare with me. I know it's a fair bit smaller but Gti engine, 4wd, Audi interior, good reviews. A mate recently sold his DB9 and bought one as a stop gap and he absolutely loves the thing.
When I said alternatives I really meant within the C segment. Considering drive alone the Golf, facelift a45, facelift S3, type r, cupra, focus RS and of course the megane all offer a bit more satisfaction in factory form. Some of them, such as the megane are a bit too 1 dimensional in that they want to be driven like hooligans all the time. That can get very old very quick. The BMW is really at the opposite end of the spectrum. Fast for disposing of the odd chav buzz bomb but I found it just didn't respond well to what most would call "a hoon" it felt at home charging along a motorway or dual carriageway.
You could look at alternative specd gtis. It's amazing what the upgraded nav and a bit of leather can do. Admittedly, if you're the type of person that goes about tapping foot level plastics you will be disappointed and the climate control dials are abysmal but everything else ie steering wheel, stalks, door controls etc were all on a par or in a few cases slightly better than the BMW I felt. A well specd performance pack gti is definitely worth a look if the one you looked at was a low spec.
The only other thing that might be worth looking at is an Audi S1. Bare with me. I know it's a fair bit smaller but Gti engine, 4wd, Audi interior, good reviews. A mate recently sold his DB9 and bought one as a stop gap and he absolutely loves the thing.
Mowflow said:
Really appreciate your thoughts on all of this.
I know what you mean about the Golf i.e. leather seats, large display etc. I also think it was that I'd driven the BMW first and I found the quality of the interior very nice indeed and so then going to fabric upholstery with a small display it didn't feel as nice. I think I could do with test driving the GTi afresh and see what I think. I did like the feel of the steering and ride in the Gti i.e. I felt connected to the road and could feel the bumps in the road - something I always really like in a car. I know a lot of people prefer a really smooth ride with light steering but after having 205 GTi's and a Type R that doesn't really bother me.
Also, I know it's a bit of a different class but I was also having a look at Autotrader this morning at Polo GTi's. They seem great value so it'd be interesting to see what the ride is like in one of those. Ultimately I only drive around 4-5000 miles a year so I'm after a fun car but that has a few little gadgets that I can play with
TitanTim said:Johnh1976 said:TitanTim said:Have to say I pretty much disagree on every count, your 1 Series must have been broke
The electric steering feel is pretty much the norm for most cars these days, some do it better than others, the M135is rear suspension has always been slightly criticised in the past for being under damped but to be fair you have to be at the ragged edge for it to become a problem which most people will never reach, the M140is suspension has been tweaked to improve this. The Type R is too compromised to be a decent alrounder.
Tim.
I agree with Tim.
Found my M135i fantastic and let's be honest it would be quicker than a 125d! They really are great cars and that's why it's the first time ever I have replaced a car with the same model. Picking my M140i up next week
You won't be dissapointed with the M140i John, its a fabulous motor, I did wonder if it was worth swapping the M135i for one but after a few months now its definitely an improvement over the old model, oh and the B58 engine is a peach which is no mean feat considering the N55 was already good.
Tim.
Picked up car on Monday Tim and considering my last M135i was pre lci the difference is noticeable. The weather has been rubbish obviously but it seems to handle better and inspires confidence whilst pushing on. The new engine is as you describe! I so love these cars
comfortable or crazy the driver decides. Bloody genius if you ask me.Attachments
Looks great John 
You went for the sunroof which I did as well which I find helps lighten up the interior a tad, I really like the look of it in white.
Enjoy the running in :lol: its hard not to stray over 4500
I'm looking to place an order for a Hyundai i10 soon to run alongside the M140i :lol: should be interesting going from 300+ horses to 86, or dangerous
I might plump for white in a vain attempt to make it look sporty
capture screen
Tim.
You went for the sunroof which I did as well which I find helps lighten up the interior a tad, I really like the look of it in white.Enjoy the running in :lol: its hard not to stray over 4500
I'm looking to place an order for a Hyundai i10 soon to run alongside the M140i :lol: should be interesting going from 300+ horses to 86, or dangerous
I might plump for white in a vain attempt to make it look sporty
capture screen Tim.
enzed4 said:Nice, mateBeetlegav said:Just bought an m235i
Anybody want to buy my z4?
Sweet ride.
thank you buddy! The purple Z4 will be up for sale pretty soon
Time to move it on after 4 great years, so excited for the new motor though