Is the – auto – capable of a quite pleasant motorway cruise? Is it “crashy” or the same MSport suspension as other MSport variants?

I’ve had one (the auto version) for 3 years now. Its hard to answer your question as its quite subjective, but…

Its not mad at all, in fact IMO its not mad enough, but thats deliberate on BMW’s part to avoid treading on the toes of the official M cars.

Its a very pleasant motorway cruise, very relaxed and quiet. Mine has the adaptive dampers, and you can tell a minor difference in ride in comfort mode vs sport mode.Comfort is a bit softer and more rolly in corners. i didnt try driving a non adaptive damping car , so dont know how they feel.

It doesnt feel at all crashy to me in either sport or comfort, but then my other car is a caterham 7 and a civic type R, and they are very definitely crashy.

pros

+ very fast
+ good brakes
+ decent fuel economy (for a 320 bhp car)
+ cheap to run (for a 320bhp car)
+ refined and easy to drive when you want it to be

Cons

– would be much better with a limited slip diff
– even in sport mode it rolls too much in corners
– its a bit ugly

F20 – 5 door
F21 – 3 door

No real cons at all.
Ignore the “crashy” comments – most forget what it is and think it should be like a 320.
Go for one with adaptive and you lose the roll when in sport/sport+
It should be very noticeable when modes are changed – if not then best to check the iDrive settings to see if someone has altered them. You can choose chassis/drivetrain/bothe, etc
Gain comfort when in err… comfort!
The ZF8 box is one of the best out there and used on loads of other vehicles across makes.

Where abouts are you Kryton?

North London Hammy. Why you got one?

i had an E46 330i once, it sounds comparable to that vs a E46 M3. not mad, a bit of desirability kind of thing.

ive a chance to move from a 30k mikes 120d MSport to a 47 miles Estoril Blue 135i cost neutral ‘cept the Tax / Insurance and am wondering whether its a funnthingbto do for a while or regular motorway trips will get frustrating.

I’ve done about 15k miles in mine so far, not crashy on standard dampers either. Like up there^, I’d prefer it a bit stiffer to be honest.

I had adaptive in my last car, and hated it in comfort so it was a complete waste of money (for me). I definitely wouldn’t go adaptive next time either.

The auto is brilliant (although wish I’d stuck to manual). 18mpg round the doors, 40mpg at a steady 70mph down the motorway – average over the last 10k miles is 23mpg, which I think is okay for the power. It’s a bit small, tinny and poorly built with some cheap plastics, but it’s a 1-series so hey… Sound insulation on the motorway isn’t brilliant.

It’s pretty quick by the numbers, but doesn’t feel especially fast behind the wheel – not raw at all.

Despite all the above, I’d definitely have another one (manual).

Wouldn’t a Scenic or Mondeo be more in keeping with your professed new lifestyle? At a fraction of the price to do exactly the same thing – get from A to B.

Wouldn’t a Scenic or Mondeo be more in keeping with your professed new lifestyle? At a fraction of the price to do exactly the same thing – get from A to B.

Bully. No pudding for you.

shocked by he mpg and interior description by iamtheressurrection. im going to look at, it but can the interior it be that far away from mine?

and the mpg a long way from the quited 47 combined.

I disagree about the interior – it’s all pretty nice and the seats and wheel are the best I’ve used. Some of the plastics low down are a bit cheap (eg door bins) but it’s a very pleasant place to sit IMHO.

I think it’s a wonderful car – cheap ish, respectable, reliable, great cruiser and very fast when the mood takes you, and can power oversteer out of pretty much any corner. I’d second the suggestions about dampers (can happily live without) and LSD (makes a great upgrade. I had a loan car 235i with the LSD and it felt like there was a lot more usable grip coming out of corners).

The ride is comfy and not what I would consider crashy at all (I did not have run flats), better than my current e91 (which is annoyingly on run flats).

Think I did 18,000 miles in mine (mainly town and fast A- and B- roads) and got 24mpg. Think I saw an indicated 40 once on a motorway at 65mph, but you’ll never get near 47mpg IME.

Great car, miss mine lots (I now have a sensible/cheap e91 Dad Wagon).

I’ve had one since new on a 65 plate and done 15k in it. I agree with the comments above especially around the poor sound insulation and some cheap(er) materials. In fact the noise on the motorway is my main con. My two pennies worth:

> ZF ‘box is sweet as a nut. Incredibly smooth in comfort and almost as punchy as a DCT in sport. Only slight niggle here is having 8 speed.. its a couple too many when on the paddles – a head up display would be helpful here but not an option on a 1 series.
> Engine is an absolute cracker – pulls from low down and although not a banshee top end it’s very good. If I haven’t put my foot down for a while I forget how fast it is.. Full bore starts from a standstill are hilarious and 18months in still have me howling like an idiot at the complete unnecessary nature of 320bhp in a little hatch.
> I’m on standard dampers – it’s not exactly an S class on ballon tyres but i wouldn’t call it crashy.. just firm.
> Since the LCI (facelift) you can now spec a LSD but for some weird reason the misses wanted the comfort pack for parking sensors over a differential.. weird that! But, I think it needs it.. I’m no Chris Harris but the few times I have stepped beyond the limit have scared the shit out of me as its hard to control once going sideways and adjusting what’s going on needs to be done quicker than my reactions!!
> As above re fuel economy. Good relatively speaking. 23 round doors. 40 possible driving like an angel..
> I’ve got the standard BMW speaker system and it’s dog shit.. but the HK one is an expensive option but for the most part I just like the sound of the engine/exhaust! (Neighbours may not like you as it’s loud on a cold start and that’s not even with the sports exhaust)

That’s the main bits I think. The car can be as mad or friendly as you want really.

i had another look at the spec, its 14 plate with HK sound and the adaptive dampers, leather and Nav zf auto.

in some ways its the 47k miles that bother me, as im not sure if this car might actually appreciate or delteciate slowly as a potential “classic”. i know however ill enjoy driving it but i am the atypical Dad – albeit we have an SUV family vehicle.

it has rhe missing bits id want for my 120d – leather, auto and nav- with THAT engine.

A lot of the mpg consideration is nullified by work miles paid for,

And theres the only live once perspective…

Surprised by the actual mpg. I had an e81 manual 130i and over 3 years or so the OBD was always showing a 32mpg average (so not guaranteed, but I doubt was that far out).

Bought mine as a stop gap whilst my M6 is being fixed. It’s so good I’ll be selling the M6 and keeping the 135i. Bit thirsty but it’s 320bhp! Gear box is flipping brilliant, way better than the smg 2 in the M6. Mines running 400bhp now and until you reach crazy speeds I think it’s quicker than the m6

I thought you had a 330e?

it has rhe missing bits id want for my 120d – leather, auto and nav

have you tried the 125d?

you’ve pretty much described mine really, great little cars, seats comfy, interior is nice place to be and it’s really nice on long journeys.

If you only live once, why not an RS4?

bamboo – its not cost neutral.

nickC, from the autocar 125d review:

“If it’s the badge and rear-drive nature of the 1 Series that appeals to you, then buy a 120d M Sport. You’ll save yourself over £3000, gain a few extra miles to the gallon and cut £80 off your annual VED costs. The 120d is also five insurance groups lower, which will knock a hefty chunk off your premium.

More importantly, you’ll enjoy driving the 120d as much as you would the 125d. It’s only 0.7sec slower in the 0-62mph sprint and develops almost 300lb ft, so it isn’t a huge step down on the performance front.”

I love mine. Surprisingly economical considering how fast it is.

Mine has had a new gearbox, steering column, window actuator and two brake calipers replaced in the past year though. All on warranty thank god.

Such good fun to drive though. Best fast hatch I’ve ever had.

An M135i will never appreciate. Far too many of them and they’re not really considered true “M” cars.

A diesel car is just not the same. My last car was a 335d and it was blistering fast but just not exciting to dive.

And theres the only live once perspective…

I’d buy something cheaper and spend the cash on things that will mean something to you when you look back. I’m a few years older than you and the things that stand out were the things I did with Madame and junior. I had a van and a Peugeot 605 that I kept for 18 years. The pair cost less than the most basic Mondeo. I don’t think junior ever gave a flying F what car he was sitting in on the way to his ski races/gigs/holidays and Madame didn’t care as long as there was money in the bank to pay for anything he/she wanted to do.

And you aren’t there yet, but the difference between running a Scenic and BMW will pay for lot of university education.

I’m now in the happy position of not having to worry what the car costs to run, but have a Dacia Lodgy because it does everything we need (Madame chose it). Ask Mrs 57 what she’d buy if she could have any car and spend the difference between that and the beemer on the kids.

Having gone from a 320d to a 330e, the vast extra speed is fun, but the novelty wears off and in many ways fast cars are not fun to drive. You spend more time on the brakes, and you switch the computers off less because you are fully aware you will have a bigger accident.

They need a track to exploit them, in that way you can exploit a 120/320 better on the road than you can a 135/330 etc

The 8 spd auto (with paddles) is very good, but it’s not a sport auto box.

Mate of mine has an M3. When I explained the differences, it was that my 330e is a quiet luxury saloon that goes fast and handles well, his is a sports car where it’s designed around feedback and immersion in the experience.

I reckon the 135 will be the same a nice fast good handling car, not a fast sports car, but anyhow you can’t have both

If you only live once, why not an RS4?

Oh that’s just reminded me, Krytons fantasy car threads pop up once every 2 months or so… should have not got pulled in to this one 😆

(See his previous RS4 tread)

As I’ve clarified in other threads, I’m no longer yearning for material items.

lol.

But you make a good point funkydunc – theres a big part of me that needs a car to take me 250 miles in effortless comfort after a long weeks work.

the vast extra speed is fun

But Kryton spends most of his time driving in a 30 limit. and 99.9% of his time driving on roads limited to less than 70.
And lets face it, driving on the public road becomes fun at about the same point as it becomes anti-social.

Kryton57 – Member
I’m at the bottom of a rise of re-invention, of a new adventure that’ll have more integrity and meaning

Thr official mpg of the m135 is 37mpg not 47mpg as stated above. My average over 34000 miles is 26mpg.

Believe it or not but its much harder to control a slide with the traction control in sport+ mode (ie partially on) than it is with it switched totally off.

With the tc totally off ,slides are fairly predictable,but the relatively short wheel base makes them a bit snappy. With the tc partially on (sport+ mode) slides are horribly snappy.

Prior to this car i had an e92 m3 (the one with the 4 litre v8) , the 135 is about as fast in a straight line,but not as good round corners,it just rolls too much. The running costs of the 135 are about 50% of the m3 though

Julians – I know what you mean going round a bend 60 ish the computer decided I had a bit too much slide/fun going on and killed the power and slammed the brakes on!

I dare not take it past Sport + in the wet though (at anything above 30)

How many days since bamboos quotes?

Robz – what happened to your gearbox and steering column?! I had a steering “shaft” replaced because of a knocking but not sure if that’s the same thing..

Aye, forgot to mention that under cons.. also the coolant issue I posted on here about..!

Edukator – Reformed Troll

And lets face it, driving on the public road becomes fun at about the same point as it becomes anti-social.

^^That really^^

My gearbox was whining terribly in lower gears and my steering went very heavy (felt like power steering reduced by 50%). It my not have been the full steering column, but something expensive was replaced that I was glad I didn’t have to pay for.

I really like the 8speed auto box. Its intuitive and fast to engage I have never found myself wishing I had a fancier double clutch job. I literally never use the paddles.

Another day…..another Kryton57 what car thread.

FFS just buy a car, any car, PLEASE.

??

Theres no “what car” here. i have a car. This is just a fact finding mission about abother car.

I regularly head over to wales, up to chester, etc in mine – m’ways are fine except the occasional desire to hoof it.

The comment about it not being a “sport auto” is bollocks too – it is.
Check the spec as its a factory option and is also codeable aftermarket.
Completely different animal then.

Was your way thurs evening Kryton but always about

Kryton, I had the coral red leather and professional satnav on my company 120d. Nice place to be. I had heated seats which I think is essential with leather. The pro nav is excellent and has the benefit of being able to play DVDs , which I found useful when I used to take my daughter to gymnastics.

I’m now on the car allowance and running a sensible 320i, but when the kids are older, I’d like something like a M140i or M240i, just for the hell of it. (Heart over head)

im with you there tenfoot. Thats my issue that is i rushed into this one a bit and really should have waited for one with auto, leather and nav to appear.

The reason this one is cost neutral is that ive had THAT message from BMW a year before my pcp ends and i could swap the 120d for the 135i. The engine is a bit supplemental – if the car had been a 120d with those extras i would have done it already.

i can wait for a suitable 120d or 320d tonappear if course.

Didn’t know you could play dvds with the pro nav!

I agree with hammy re the sports auto. It’s rapid at shifting in sport and the paddles are a nice size and feel. Nice rev matching on down shifts but not a massive blip. Been passenger in my bosses M3 and now M5 equipped DCT and it’s more aggressive but we’re talking margins. Any doubters just look up the Chris Harris vid they had to re shoot after he thought it was a dual clutch.

Can the people with an M135 do me a favour and wiggle the steering wheel with the engine off please? Does it make a knocking noise? BMW replaced the “shaft” on mine but it still makes a noise… I was told it’s normal but mine was “excessive”.. I only found out when trying to get the steering lock to engage but was told it only comes on when you lock the car.

Plus the ZF box is good enough for the new 500bhp quadrafoglio so it must be sporty.. right?

nick – get over to babybmw.net – loads of info in there about i.

Years ago I had a 120d with the M-Sport package. Don’t. Just don’t.

The suspension is AWFUL. BMW seem to think that by bolting the wheels and chassis to four iron girders and calling it suspension they can slap an “M-Sport” logo on it.

Hit a dip in the road at speed and your back will tell you about it for days. Speedbumps result in the seat base violating you; and putting your foot down is pointless because the suspension is so hard the wheels aren’t kept in contact with the road.

Also, the diesel engine drank fuel, tramlined on an unbelievable level, had a frankly woeful level of kit for the price and then broke completely just out of warranty.

Can the people with an M135 do me a favour and wiggle the steering wheel with the engine off please? Does it make a knocking noise?

yep, thats normal.